Drake's Brewing Co.

Drake's Brewing Co.Drake's Brewing Co.
Drake's Brewing Co.Drake's Brewing Co.
Brewery, Bar, Eatery, Beer-to-go

1933 Davis Street
San Leandro, California, 94577
United States

(510) 568-2739 | map
drinkdrakes.com
BEER STATS
Average:
3.94
Beers:
139
Ratings:
6,139
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.33
Reviews:
29
Ratings:
91
pDev:
11.32%
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by drew42e:
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Reviewed by drew42e from California

4.87/5  rDev +12.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.75 | selection: 5
Best to go during special release or "first Friday" when they pull out some special beers. Drake's is a hidden gem in the Bay Area, and its odd location tucked behind a strip mall and Walmart doesn't lend itself to "just happening upon it". I very much like their beers, and was pleasantly surprised at the variety offered at the barrel house. Many barrelhouse only beers, mostly barrel aged stuff they don't bottle, and I really enjoyed both events I went to. Large, open taproom with barrels all around. No brew pub, but they do have food trucks, and the Dirty Tots are legitimately one of the best things I've ever tasted.
Jan 13, 2016
More User Ratings:
Photo of Harrison8
Reviewed by Harrison8 from Missouri

4.11/5  rDev -5.1%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
Tucked down an alleyway, behind a shopping center, this location is a bit awkward to find. If you take the wrong alleyway, you get met by security (presumably because so many people mix them up, and end up driving into a shipping facility vs. this hidden brewery.) Once directions and parking are dealt with, this facility is pretty nice. Drake's spans a couple buildings between the brewing equipment, barrel storage, and the service bar. Interior for customers is huge, and offers up lots of seating when not shut down due to COVID. It's an industrial space, so high ceilings. A patio wraps around the front of the building, with some covered seating for a rainy afternoon. Inside is an old school wooden bar that offers pour service, and to-go, but no seating. Beer selection is solid, spanning a large array of styles. The draft list is bolstered by a to-go cooler.
Jan 15, 2022
 
Rated: 4.28 by Curt3 from Ohio

Sep 17, 2019
 
Rated: 3.96 by Mikey440 from California

Jan 16, 2017
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Reviewed by PapaGoose03 from Michigan

4.23/5  rDev -2.3%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Update from an 8/27/21 visit: There is not much different from the previous review. The place is still difficult to find, and cutting thru the Wal-Mart parking lot may be the simplest way to get there. The exterior area has changed since my last visit with a fenced outdoor seating area with the food truck along one side of the building. Due to COVID the ordering is online for beer and food. Beer is brought to your numbered table, and a buzzer device notifies you when your food is ready. The system seemed cumbersome to me, but we got what we ordered.

***************************************************************
(#31 of 49) Here's a brewery that goes counter to the type of vibe that I like in a pub setting (I dislike an industrial building and interior), but the quality of their beers was so good and the display of oak barrels all around the place so that it overcame my prejudice. This brewery has moved into the top 5 of those that I have ever visited.

Our visit was on a Saturday just after lunchtime, and the place was busy. We wanted to try their beers and did not realize that a food truck was also available or we would not have had lunch before our arrival. We ordered a sampler flight of 10 beers (22 beers were on tap) to evaluate. Wow! I've never given so many scores that exceeded a B grade, but that's what happened here. Scores ranged from 3.75 (one beer) to 4.5 (three of them). Very well done, Drake's!

Although we had already had lunch, we did break down and ordered some loaded Tater-Tots from their food truck which were very tasty. Based on those alone, I've given a B grade to the food. This brewery is a must-visit if you are in the area, and it will be a must-revisit when we are close by again.
Sep 17, 2016
Photo of RyanK252
Reviewed by RyanK252 from California

4.4/5  rDev +1.6%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.5
Drake's Barrel House is kinda tucked behind a Wal-Mart at the back of a shopping center, but separated enough to have it's own beer sanctuary feel. Big warehouse space with tables surrounded by racks of barrels, plus a small patio space. The staff is friendly and eager to put the right beer for you in your hand, though it can get a bit busy at times. (Finding a parking spot can be a challenge at times too.) There's always a ton of variety on the board from their standards, to experimental stuff, to a healthy list of barrel aged specialty brews. The food trailer out front serves up some solid munchies too.
May 11, 2016
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Reviewed by ONovoMexicano from New Mexico

4.03/5  rDev -6.9%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
Huge space once you find it (it's behind a huge superstore). Barrels everywhere and you can essentially sit among them, even to the point of being completely hidden from the rest of the customers and servers.

There were tons of beers on tap including a number of brewery-only beers and bottles were for sale too. A few brewery-only bottles were available and the prices weren't bad.

Flights were available and not too expensive and full pours also were affordable. I felt comfortable hanging out here with my daughter due to the open space and vibe.

A food truck was present but I didn't see it serving food yet when I was there.
Apr 11, 2016
 
Rated: 3.96 by BarleyAndBrett from California

Mar 19, 2016
 
Rated: 4.64 by BootLeg_Pete from California

Mar 14, 2016
 
Rated: 4.28 by J_Sarcos from California

Mar 10, 2016
 
Rated: 3.95 by Piglet_rulz_da_yard from California

Mar 05, 2016
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Reviewed by brewaddict from California

4.35/5  rDev +0.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.5
Located in the corner of a warehouse attached to a shopping mall, the Drakes Brewing taproom isn't much to look at. Cement floors and wooden benches pretty much make up the decor of this place. In the center if the space is a large walk in reefer which acts as both a display case for bottle sales as well as the keg cooler for the bar which runs along one side. What it lacks in style, Drakes more than makes up in the beer selection. There are the normal distribution offerings on tap. But, there are as many or more brewery only choices to be had as well. Service is very good and there is a food truck now available on site. If you are looking for a more brewpub experience, check out Drakes Dealership just up the road in Oakland.
Jan 31, 2016
 
Rated: 4.56 by stratusjeans from Washington

Jan 29, 2016
 
Rated: 4.29 by chrisjws from California

Dec 27, 2015
 
Rated: 3.9 by Claytonis from California

Dec 15, 2015
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Reviewed by Original_Gravity from Washington

4.5/5  rDev +3.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
Such a great place - and in such an assuming location - tucked away in a shopping complex behind some major retail stores. Walk in on any given day and find the core beers that you're used to - while also being treated to some interesting one-offs, as well as a decent selection of barrel aged offerings. I make a point to stop in whenever I'm in the area.

I feel that Drake's has one of the more underrated barrel programs in craft brewing - outstanding beers like Headzo and Santa's Brass come to mind.
Nov 08, 2015
 
Rated: 4.56 by h42m47 from Pennsylvania

Oct 10, 2015
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Reviewed by BDeibs from Colorado

4.06/5  rDev -6.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
I loved the tasting room in the barrel cellar. A huge TV, but it wasn't a focal point. Nice Bar service with a lot of people behind the counter. A decent selection of over 15 beers on tap. I dind't try the food because of the 45 minute wait, but really enjoyed my time and the duck tasting trays were fun too!
Aug 03, 2015
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Reviewed by James_Michaud91 from California

4.91/5  rDev +13.4%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
Brewery/barrell house/taproom/eatery tucked into an industrial mall in San Leandro. The inside is cool and spacious and there is nice outside seating. Super friendly staff. Numerous, limited brewery only and tap only selections available. And, if you thought growlers were cool you should see there to-go kegrowlers, super cheap to refill!
Jul 30, 2015
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Reviewed by Jdizzy92 from California

4.59/5  rDev +6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 3.75 | service: 5 | selection: 5
Been going here since they open up the barrel house bar. I go here a lot since it is near where I live. Their Barrel House Bar is the place to be at. They have a lot of seasonal/barrel beers that you won't see any where else. Seems like every time I come here there is something new. The people that work their are great and fun. I like most of the events they do.
Jul 18, 2015
 
Rated: 4.22 by spointon from Illinois

Jul 03, 2015
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Rated by Jtburns777

4.93/5  rDev +13.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.75
This is the taproom where I fell in love with beer. Undying loyalty!
Jul 02, 2015
 
Rated: 3.94 by AgentMunky from New York

Jun 11, 2015
 
Rated: 4.8 by manuelnoah from California

Apr 08, 2015
 
Rated: 3.85 by Hop_God from California

Mar 23, 2015
 
Rated: 3.54 by QuakeAttack from California

Mar 19, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by BigGingDrinker from North Carolina

Mar 12, 2015
 
Rated: 4.34 by Geoffq from California

Mar 08, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by ThirstyHungryLife from California

Feb 16, 2015
Photo of CJNAPS
Reviewed by CJNAPS from California

4.53/5  rDev +4.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.75
I'm a big fan of their beers, but the vibe at the taproom was kind of whack lol
The barrel room you taste the beers in was cool but it was like a bar where no seemed like they wanted to help you, but their Hopocalypse is coming out soon so I'll forget all about this review lol
Jan 09, 2015
 
Rated: 4.58 by davegray from California

Dec 31, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by Drink_LocalSD from California

Dec 05, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by sillyhed8 from California

Dec 04, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by smanrob from California

Nov 29, 2014
 
Rated: 4.19 by Beerswag from California

Nov 09, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by JoeyStats707 from California

Nov 04, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by kingpin1010 from California

Oct 25, 2014
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Reviewed by John_M from Washington

4.09/5  rDev -5.5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4.5
I really like the geographical location of the brewery/brewpub, as it's no more than 5 or 10 minutes from the airport (Oakland), and so an easy stop before dropping the rental car off and hopping on my flight back home. That being said, the location is kind of weird, tucked around the back of a fair size mall and Walmart. it's not the sort of place you're going to just happen upon; you really have to be looking for the place and intent on visting. However, Drake beers are pretty popular and worth the search, which I guess explains the sizeable crowd on a Friday afternoon. The pub is located in a warehouse type of large room with barrels, tables and chairs spread out everywhere. There's a nice patio area as well, and as the weather was gorgeous, there was a good size crowd taking in the sun and enjoyng a few brews on a warm afternoon in October.

In terms of the beer, I think they had roughly 20 different beers on tap, including a firkin and something on the handpump. The selection was pretty diverse, and included a couple of barrel aged wild ales and a couple of bourbon barrell offerings (the BB RIS had just blown, unfortunately).

I didn't see a food menu, but there was a sign noting that they have food trucks stopping by on select days. I didn't see one arond on the Friday afternoon I was here (nor did I see anyone eating), but that's what I read.. Service was OK. There was some table service I believe for the folks sitting out on the porch, but otherwise you belly up to the good size bar area inside and buy your beer there (to take back to your table). Prices were OK for the most part. Most pints were around $5 or $6 I believe for the core beers, with the limited stuff served in snifters. I did feel the $7 price tag for a so-so bourbon barrel aged porter was a bit high, but that was my only quibble with the pricing here. Folks working seemed friend and pretty nice I thought.

There's no doubt I'll be back.
Oct 20, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by BabaBeer from California

Oct 13, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by HaoleToYouToo from Hawaii

Oct 10, 2014
Drake's Brewing Co. in San Leandro, CA
Brewery rating: 3.94 out of 5 with 6139 ratings