Sierra Nevada was one of the first "mass produced" microbrews in California. It's been around forever (well, since 1980 ). Still holds it's own and in a pinch it's always a good choice (because it's available EVERYWHERE--even the 7-11s carry Sierra here). My "generic", "go to" hometown brew would be a Lagunitas Pale Ale or IPA or Czech Pils. (Lagunitas has been around for quite a while and they have taps at about every event in Northern California so they're well established.) We're VERY fortunate to have LOTS of fine microbreweries here in CA. Lotta very tasty choices.