whew, after a couple days cramming - while also attending to obligatory family visits - i am done (fingers crossed) with the cicerone exam that was held today in south san francisco. so... WHERE TO DRINK? WHERE TO HAUL (bottles)? yes, already went all the way north for russian river (though will probably go again, haha...) toronado seems almost cliche now, but any place people recommend over them? will try to stop by beer revolution in oakland, though if others have better suggestions, i'm open to it... will probably only go for just one or two bottle shops - which ones should they be?
If you went to RR, you should definitely go to SARA...they still have Cellarman to go, if the regular tap list was not enough of an argument
Congrats on taking it. I'm currently studying for it as well... I know you've probably read plenty of books and spent countless hours researching. Hope you passed. Keep us posted on the outcome. How did you feel you did on the off-flavor and beer identifying part?
they actually have a group discussion about the tasting portion after everyone submits their answers. apparently they use the feedback to inform the grading if necessary, as there are always variables and possible anomalies to account for. i think i did ok. acetaldehyde can be hard to pick out from the control sample, since they always use a light adjunct lager, which can be kind of high in that flavor to begin with. let the samples warm up a bit.
Similar to others ... Cellarmaker (this is a must, best place in the City hands down IMHO), Mikkeller, City Beer & Toronado. Personally I'd go Cellarmaker and then whatever has the most intriguing tap list (I usually lean to Mikkeller),
hmm, i just might - thanks for reminding me of them. i assume the taproom doesn't serve food tho? or are there food trucks? or what other places nearby are worth a bite?
You realize that those two breweries are 2.5-3 hours away from each other right? That's like saying if you're going to Highland Park brewery you might as well go to Societe. Edit: didn't realize you meant on different days.
Aptos St BBQ. Only deliver on the weekends, but they're close enough to swing by any day. Bringing food to the tasting room is fine.
Smh, beer revolution doesn't post their tap list online, and tornado's is months old. I thought you guys are supposed to be all tech oriented around these parts?
There is a strong "punk rock" aesthetic with beer in the Bay Area, and that associates itself with cash only and bad websites.
