Porter’s House of Draft isn’t what you’d expect from your average brewhouse—they know how to kick it up a notch. When I burst through the doors in 106-degree heat, Porter’s was like a little oasis welcoming me back to livability. Its dark, svelte décor made me feel like I’d stumbled into a trendy cave with a liquor license—between the bare-bulb light fixtures, grey leather booths and comfortable ambiance, I sensed it’s quickly emerging hotspot viability. With a range of continually rotating beers on tap—from IPAs and pale ales, to porters, stouts and more (many from local breweries)—Porter’s is a beer lover’s paradise. I felt that the perfect pairing for such a hot day would be Rubicon Brewing Company’s Grapefruit Hopsauce and the Brew House Steak Salad. I don’t usually pat myself on the back, but this decision was as awesome as the pairing itself: The IPA was crisp, hoppy and refreshing with intense notes of grapefruit, and the salad complemented the flavors perfectly, with its tangy balsamic dressing over crunchy mixed greens and large, flavorful strips of steak. It was the ideal lunch to cool me off, fill me up, and—if you’re a beer connoisseur—the perfect place to enjoy a round, year-round. Porter’s House of Draft, 7456 Foothills Boulevard, Suite 8, Roseville. 916-749-4791.

— Adrianna Valencia