Brew Review

Iron Spring Pub & Brewery

Iron Spring Pub & Brewery in Farfax has been Trying to win over the North Bay, one beer at a time says the brewpub’s proprietor, Michael Altman.

The establishment is about four miles east of downtown San Rafael, near San Enselmo, in Fairfax, a small town of 7,500 that Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead referred to as the last hippy bastion. It is also known as the birthplace of the mountain bike. As a matter of fact, Altman named his pub after Iron Springs Road, a jumping-off point for popular Fairfax mountain bike trails.

In October 2004, Michael Altman and his wife Anne took over the former Ross Valley Brewing. They closed for three weeks to give it a face-lift, changing it from a high-end eatery to a true brewpub. They added carpeting over the concrete floor and hip artwork to create a mellower atmosphere that reflects the laid-back environment and people of Fairfax.

Iron Spring Pub & Brewery offers 12 different styles of brews on tap at any time. Customers have a daunting task choosing which beer to try first, but the well-trained staff is happy to assist in finding which of their unique brews best suits your tastes.

For those looking for something light and refreshing, I highly recommend the Kent Lake Kolsch, a crisp golden ale, brewed with a portion of wheat malt and fermented at colder temperatures, which helps produce a beer with a clean, dry finish.

For something with more flavor, and a little extra mojo, try Sless’ Stimulating Stout. Sless’ is rich and creamy and served on a nitrogen tap like a Guinness. According to Altman, it’s infused with a bunch of libido-stimulating herbs, which he says, is all part of the voodoo.

Another strong stand out is the Fairfax Coffee Porter, a robust beer made with a unique blend of Marin Roasters Coffee. Altman makes cold toddy that he adds to the serving tank before filling it with previously brewed Porter, and says, The cold extraction of the coffee really makes a big difference.

Of all of the beers I tried at Iron Springs Pub & Brewery, I enjoyed Casey Jones’ Imperial IPA the most; a bigger bolder IPA with over 30 pounds of hops and a higher alcohol content and remarkably well balanced.

With 12 varieties to choose from, any beer lover living in Fairfax or passing through this summer on the Fairfax Bolinas Road that leads to the coast is sure to find something to satisfy their tastes.