Long acclaimed worldwide for its fine wines, Sonoma County is rapidly becoming equally well known for its artisanal beers, as the county's craft beverage industry continues to thrive and grow.

Fans already line up each year for the chance to taste the annual release of the iconic Pliny the Younger from Santa Rosa's legendary Russian River Brewing Company, which emphasized traditional, aggressively-hopped California-style ales, Belgian-style ales, and barrel-aged beers.

You'll also find award-winning brews at Bear Republic Brewing Company in Healdsburg, Lagunitas Brewing Co. in Petaluma, Stumptown Brewery in Guerneville, and Woodfour Brewing Company in Sebastopol. And that's just a quick sampling.

Currently Sonoma County boasts nearly two dozen operating breweries, more than half a dozen cider producers, and slightly more than a dozen distilleries. Search the Sonoma County Beer, Cider, and Spirits Map to pick your favorite craft beverage destinations.

Or, if you'd rather leave the driving to others. Brew Brothers Brewery Tours, North Bay Brewery Tours, and On Tap Beer Tours offer fun, entertaining, and educational guided tours to breweries, cideries, and distilleries countywide.

And there's much more to come, with more than half a dozen breweries, brew pubs, and tap rooms either just opening their doors or set to open soon.

The innovative North 101 Brewing Company opened its new tap room in Petaluma in spring 2016, pouring a rotation of pub-only beers. Founded in 2012, 101 North produces award-winning craft ales using inventive interpretations of traditional styles.

Summer 2016 openings are planned for Crooked Goat Brewing in the Barlow culinary and art center in Sebastopol; the GravSouth Brew Company in Cotati; and, in Healdsburg, the first brick-and-mortar taproom for the award-winning Sonoma Cider company, known for its certified organic and gluten-free ingredients in its crisp, distinctive hard ciders.

Construction is underway on the Seismic Brewing Company, a 25,000-barrel craft brewery tentatively set to open in Santa Rosa in September 2016 — the latest project by Christopher Jackson (son of Kendall-Jackson winery founder Jess Jackson).

A fall 2016 opening date is also planned for 2 Tread Brewing Company, which is creating a relaxing beer garden atmosphere in a 10,000-square-foot indoor-outdoors pace in downtown Santa Rosa. The company's vision is to create a place to drink its artisan beers, and share a simple but interesting meal with family and friends.

And the Bear Republic Brewing Company of Healdsburg plans to open its second brewpub in 2017, in Rohnert Park. Bear Republic hand-selects the ingredients for its hand-crafted ales and lagers which are brewed using tried-and-true traditional methods.

# # #

Find your passion in Sonoma County, located only 30 miles/50 kilometers north of San Francisco and featuring more than 425 wineries, 100-plus organic farms, and 50 miles/80 kilometers of stunning Pacific Ocean coastline.

For a free visitors guide or information on hotels, wineries, events, spas, attractions, and dining in Sonoma County, visit www.sonomacounty.com or call +1-707-522-5800.