Patrons enjoy a local brew at the Lodi Beer Co. Restaurant and Brewery. The Lodi microbrewery is one of several in the area. (Dan Evans/News-Sentinel)

Sampling the suds at Lodi Beer Co.

The tree-lined streets of Downtown Lodi seem like the perfect place for a microbrewery.

After all, there's just about every other dining experience to choose from, why not a place that specializes in suds?

But it wasn't until November 2004 that Downtown (recently named as one of the top three best downtowns in the Central Valley) joined in the microbrew boom.

Lodi Beer Co. was opened by Roger and Sam Rehmke when they did their research and realized that Lodi was one of the only towns of considerable size along Highway 99 in this region without a microwbrewery. Having made their own home brews and being fans of many other microbreweries in the Central Valley, the Rehmkes decided to open the restaurant and brewery here.

"It's a natural progression. Every home brewer wants their own microbrewery," said Sam Rehmke, who works as the restaurant's general manager. Her husband Roger takes a behind the scenes approach and sticks to brewing.

When the Lodi Beer Co. first opened at 105 S. School St., they had six of their beers on tap. Now they are up to 16.

Those looking for a social atmosphere will want to patronize the Lodi Beer Co. during Friday and Saturday nights, as those are the times when the atmosphere is alive with locals and visitors alike. Throughout the week it's a bit more subdued, yet still quite popular. They serve upwards of 3,000 customers during the week.

The Rehmkes, when not running their microbrewery, make sure to stop in and sample the sudsy goodness of other microbreweries around the region. There is something unique about each one that the couple likes, and they admit they truly enjoy each place.

"We've been going to microbreweries for 16 years. We think they're fun," Sam Rehmke said.

One of the microbreweries the Rehmkes frequent is Elk Grove Brewery in the city of Elk Grove, about a 25 minute drive north of Lodi.

Like Lodi Beer Co., Elk Grove Brewery is located in a historic building, providing not just a feast of flavors for the tongue, but a visual feast as well.

Elk Grove Brewery features brews like Diamondback Wheat, Sloughhouse Pale Ale and Grainbarrel Stout, just to name a few.

Both microbreweries offer live entertainment on weekends.

Contact Business Editor Marc Lutz at marcl@lodinews.com.