Will be staying in downtown SJ on Tuesday. Looking for some decent watering holes and bottle shops. Just wanted to see if I'm missing any spots aside from the list below (I'm staying a couple blocks away from these places). - Good Karma - Original Gravity - ISObeers No car, so I'm stuck to walking (might have a ride the next day for bottle shop surfing). Not sure if bus or other options are worth it. Any breweries nearby worth a stop? Saw Cellarmaker, Alpine and SARA 831 on tap at GK so pumped for that (if those last till next week). Any places open after 10-10:30 on a Tuesday? I'm a big IPA fan. Any local stuff I can find on shelves right now worth taking back to Colo.? No, I won't be the 1,000th clown asking about Pliny or RR. Used this as a reference point. Any other blogs, articles would be appreciated as well. http://www.thrillist.com/drink/san-francisco/best-bars-san-jose-where-to-drink-downtown Thanks in advance
O'Flaherty's is within a couple blocks of the three you mentioned. 54 taps. Should be open til 1:30-2:00 AM every night
Whole Foods just opened up a brewery across the street from the SAP center. The brewer is from Russian River. He's been making some great hoppy brews. Plus good guest taps and bottle selection.
You can try Kelly's Liquors for bottles. Market Beer Co. is in San Pedro Square, near O'Flaherty's. You can purchase bottles here and they have 3/4 taps. Bottles here are on the high side. If you like mixed drinks they've got Paper Plane and 55 South open after 10PM. These two are on the same block of Good Karma and Original Gravity.
Hermitage brewery has awesome beers. Maltopia is a scotch ale that is great. Also, clandestine brewery. When I was there they did sell their beer in bottles or growlers, but they were in works on that process. Really good beer. If you don't want to drive Gordon biersch is there, Los gatos brewery is there a bunch of places. Whatever you do make sure you eat at La Victoria and get the Orange sauce. Amazing.
I'm going to suggest skipping La Victoria and heading to Mucho's instead. Better food, full bar, a couple taps, tastier orange sauce, and no huge lines.
Los Gatos Brewing Company closed the SJ location months ago so scratch that one off the list. And Iguana's is a better burrito :-)
Santa Clara Valley Brewing Electric Tower IPA is a must to bring home. I also had Almanac's IPA (both from SJ) the other day and was also very tasty. The first (and maybe 2nd) should be available at San Pedro Market (San Pedro St). Farmer's Union has a big tap selection and good food, too, though a little pricey Also, I agree about skipping La Victoria. I've never had a worse stomach ache from food than the last time I went there (and the previous time..."Fool me once..."). I've lived in SJ my whole life (4+ decades), incuding downtown, and there is still no better burrito than Super Taqueria (10th & William Streets). The End.
Hit up Whole Foods, perused Market Beer Co. (waaay too expensive for bottles), ISO, Good Karma and O'Flaherty's. - Mission Brew Co. only had one of its beers on tap, but a decent hoppy pale. I did like the four tasters option there. - ISO:beers was a great stop as I got to discover Altamont's Hop Wash, which is a fantastic IPA. Chris at ISO was extremely knowledgeable about the local scene and I left with some bottles I can't get in Colo. - Hit up Good Karma and got to try some SARA and a Cellarmaker Pale. Saw a FW XIV bottle sitting there in the cooler (100$). Great selection for a vegan restaurant. - O'Flaherty's had a Lagunitas tap takeover so got to try Fusion 25 and 26. 25 was solid. - My only complaint is I wished there were more taster or half pint options, as I ran out of steam quick with those IPAs. So many good beer options that I ended up passing on Alpine Nelson, twice. Sneaky good downtown beer scene you got in SJ.
bump...got a buddy at the Fairmont,San Jose next few days he'd love to have some Pliny any shot on tap anywhere?..thanks
The Elder? Maybe Good Karma on tap or in bottle. Tap lists are funky right now with everyone prepping for SF Beer Week
thanks...got him going to Karma and Oflahertys tnite...told him to hit the Alpine and Knee Deep as a back up
No Pliny on tap, and he's right, everything is a little weird with kegs due to beer week looming. We do have Hoppy Birthday, Nelson, Deep River, and Hella Deep, as well as Anais and lots of other good stuff.
Single Barrel, a speakeasy cocktail bar, usually has Pliny the Elder on tap. It's located right in downtown. Call ahead. Other places would be Smoke Eaters in Santa Clara and Rose & Crown in Palo Alto. Always call ahead.
