Sante Adairius Rustic Ales - Capitola, California

C S (CS)

Santee Adairius Rustic Ales: A Post-Hike Haven with Stellar Saisons

After countless recommendations, we finally made it to Santee Adairius Rustic Ales on a perfect California day. Our adventure started with some scenic hiking and soaking up the sun at Capitola Beach. Feeling refreshed and ready for a reward, we ventured into this beloved brewery.

We weren't disappointed. Santee Adairius boasts a fantastic selection of craft beers, with a focus on rustic ales. We kicked things off with the refreshing "By the Sea" pilsner, a perfect choice after a day outdoors. The "Capitola Bright" light beer was another crowd-pleaser.

For those seeking something more unique, the "Little Quibble" saison offered a delightful twist. We also enjoyed the "Borrowed Knowledge," a Belgian-style Dubbel that lived up to its name. The "A Small Rest" offered a unique flavor profile, while the "So Happily" hazy IPA was a juicy and satisfying choice.

But the true champion of the day was the "Sun Ship" saison with watermelon. This innovative brew perfectly balanced the crispness of the saison with the sweetness of watermelon, making it a standout on the menu.We bought home Saison Bernice and Proper Discourse bottles and were amazing

Santee Adairius isn't just about the beer, though. The spacious outdoor seating allows you to relax and soak up the California sunshine. Plus, they welcome outside food, so you can grab some grub from your favorite local spot and enjoy it alongside your brew. While they don't have a permanent food menu, they often have food trucks parked outside, offering a variety of options.

Whether you're a seasoned saison lover or simply appreciate a well-crafted beer, Santee Adairius Rustic Ales is a must-visit. With its relaxed atmosphere, delicious brews, and outdoor seating, it's the perfect spot to unwind after a day of exploring. So grab your friends, lace up your hiking boots, and get ready for a memorable experience!

Graham T

Great beer. Docking a star cause service felt a bit pretentious to be honest. I’ve had comparable level beer without that vibe and better atmosphere. All styles were good though and I enjoyed myself

Tom Stephens

Good beer. Good location. Dog friendly as well. I had a couple of their IPAs, which were reasonably tasty but not great. I do recommend a visit if you are in Capitola.

Wilfred Cho

They change their menu all the time. Good trick to keep me coming. They partner with food vendors on the weekends. It gets busy!

Don Campbell

I love beer, and the great microbreweries in the Santa Cruz area. I've been here many times, and like most of their beers I've tried. Yesterday I stopped by for some beer to go, and bought a couple of bottles to bring home - Capitola Sunset and Bright Sea Blonde. The next day I got home and tried them - and they tasted very sour and strong in a weird way. I could not drink them.

So I went back and asked if they would give me something else (they were $20 for each!). The lady I talked to said these beers are a special type that maybe I'm not used to, but she would exchange them for a couple of 4 packs (same price). We picked out the Bed Level and Capitola Bright. My wife was with me so we bought 4 half-pours to try some of their newer brews, which we really liked.

When we checked out, I gave her a 25% tip. She gave me one 4-pack, and explained that they decided to give me one 4-pack instead of 2 because there was nothing wrong with the beer.

As a repeat customer I was upset that they didn't take care of me. I spent $40, yes it was my mistake, but I bought more from them that day, and had been there many times before. I left feeling like they changed their story and felt slighted as a loyal customer. I won't be coming back, or recommending my friends to go there.

Richard & Mary Kerslake

Very good beer, nice staff, nice patio
Despite being close to the highway, it’s very quiet on the patio (which has maybe ten tables). A choice of about ten beers on tap. We tried Pilsner, IPA and Porter. All good. Dogs welcome.

Lisa Incatasciato

Beers were amazing. We tried 5 different saisons, which were all great. The inside tasting room is relaxed. They don’t do tasting flights or food. There isn’t any outdoor seating. The area isn’t downtown but in more of an industrial area.

Dann Kingsley

A bunch of jet lagged Canadians walk into a bar…Dani was great, the beers we just as good and the ‘za was very very good!