San Francisco

JWalter · Post by **JWalter** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 1:03 pm

Hello All, hope you're all doing well... Looking for some advice, I'll be in San Fran for a few days for a business meeting, looking for suggestions for Beer destinations / you know, beer bars, brew pubs, etc... Of course I'll google it, but anyone with personal experience, recommendations? Thanks!

lagerale · Post by **lagerale** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 1:23 pm

There was a recent thread under Good Pub reviews called "New Years travel - please help" talking about this....

inertiaboy · Post by **inertiaboy** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 4:36 pm

A friend went to Toronado and loved it.

sstackho · Post by **sstackho** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 9:00 pm

I'll point you to a SF summary here:
http://www.ratebeer.com/Places/ShowTour.asp?TourID=13

I haven't been there since 99 so can't comment on the places myself. Great city though.

Have fun, ya lucky bastard.

Duct Tape · Post by **Duct Tape** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 9:38 pm

Toronado
Magnolia
21st Amendment Brewpub
Rouge Tied House
If you have a car, Beach Chalet is nice, i walked out there for lunch, wouldn't recommend it after dark if on foot/transit. Low priority after the other places.

If you are looking to Shop, City Beer is the only place i recall off the top of my head.

JerCraigs · Post by **JerCraigs** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 7:43 am

Duct Tape wrote: Rouge Tied House

Ahh, Steve managed to visit that little known CFL pub

(Just kidding)

Bobsy · Post by **Bobsy** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 9:14 am

Rogue Public House was great, and nearby Coit Liqor had some solid beer for sale. RPH also sells numerous Rogue bottles for take out.

The Thirsty Bear was a nice fun place and the beers were good. Food was outstanding, but expensive.

Beach Chalet is in a really good spot if you wanted a nice walk along the Pacific. Their brews were hit or miss, but I enjoyed the location and atmosphere.

I didn't go to Magnolia of Toronado because they are quite a ways from downtown, although they are served by bus.

As for buying beer, I found wholefoods to be very good, as they allowed me to take beers out of other sixers to make my own selection. I brought back a decent selection of local brews, which was exactly what I was looking for. If you're after really obscure stuff, City Beer sounds like the place for you. I read some really good reviews of it on yelp. The only drawback is that its quite a walk from the main hotel area.

Cass · Post by **Cass** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 4:18 pm

Thought I'd resurrect this old thread - I'm heading to SF for a few days on Friday - any new / special recommendations?

Sanchex · Post by **Sanchex** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 6:20 pm

I would highly recommend City Beer Store. The selection isn't huge but it's top notch. They also have 6 taps and an assortment of cheeses. You can also crack open your newly purchased bottles for a small fee (or nothing... I forget).
http://www.citybeerstore.com/

Sanchex · Post by **Sanchex** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 6:24 pm

Almost forgot about The Monk's Kettle (http://www.monkskettle.com/). Small place near the Mission District with a great tap selection and great food.

TJ · Post by TJ » Tue Jul 07, 2009 2:32 pm

Sanchex wrote:Almost forgot about The Monk's Kettle (http://www.monkskettle.com/). Small place near the Mission District with a great tap selection and great food.

Oh yeah, even the pretzel and mustard was amazing.

And I don't even like pretzels.

Or mustard.

But it was so good.

We got there just before five on a Friday, which worked out well because the place filled up quickly and we wouldn't have got a table otherwise, so I'd get there early if you can is my point.

Anyway, great food, insanely awesome beer selection. You won't find it now obviously, but my first beer was Pliny The Younger which is well deserving of all the hype it receives. I'd go again next February just to have it again.

And I'd second the City Beer Store, only don't do what I did and show up on a Monday. Because they're closed on Mondays. It's not that big, but they have a fantastic selection and the woman working in there was very knowledgeable and helpful.

I'd say doing a tour of Anchor is worth it too. It's a cool brewery. The shallow, open top vessels they use to make the Anchor Steam are impressive. As is the Hop Room. An entire room jam packed with hop cones. Awesome.

And at the end they freely poured fresh samples of Anchor Steam, Liberty Ale, Old Foghorn, their porter...and, um...possibly one other (I'm drawing a blank) which all tasted great. The Steam and Liberty Ale were so much better fresh on tap than from the bottle. And yeah. The tour started at eleven and I was completely looped on good, free beer by noon. What's not to like?

Cass · Post by **Cass** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 11:42 am

Thanks for the tips. I've got a tour booked at Anchor on Monday. Can't wait.

tupalev · Post by **tupalev** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 12:04 pm

Cass, if you're feeling adventurous and if this place is still around, check it out:

http://www.ratebeer.com/Place/californi ... t/7309.htm

One of the more unique beer or any bar experiences I have ever had with lots of great beer on tap.

Otherwise, to repeat a lot of what has been said here, when I was there 2 years ago:

Toronado was stunning in its selection

Magnolia was nice for its English style ales and pleasant little spot

21st Amendment I caught on a bad day because it was crap, beer, service, unclean venue, etc

Thirsty Bear was a unique place to check out with decent beer (a good Barleywine) and great food

Beach Chalet had stunning views, but the beer was hit or miss (I had a DIPA which is still the juiciest, hoppiest, most lovely unbalanced thing I have tried though) and good luck trying to get a cab back downtown after dark

Rogue tied house was well worth the visit on the walk up to Alcatraz as well. A bar full of Rogue, awesome!

Great beer scene, even the sports bars have a couple of good options to drink.

Have a great trip, fun city.

Cass · Post by **Cass** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 1:07 pm

Quick update now that I have some hotel Wifi. Great time in San Fran, awesome city.

Here's some beery photo highlights if anyone's interested:

http://www.bartowel.com/SFBeer/

Was able to make it to Magnolia, Alembic, Rogue, Anchor, Monk's Kettle, Toronado, City Beer and even Russian River.

My favourite place was Magnolia - great beer and food, cool vibe and friendly service.

Bobsy · Post by **Bobsy** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 4:48 pm

Cass wrote:Quick update now that I have some hotel Wifi. Great time in San Fran, awesome city.

Here's some beery photo highlights if anyone's interested:

http://www.bartowel.com/SFBeer/

Was able to make it to Magnolia, Alembic, Rogue, Anchor, Monk's Kettle, Toronado, City Beer and even Russian River.

My favourite place was Magnolia - great beer and food, cool vibe and friendly service.

Russian River... I'm envious.