San Francisco Bay Area (2022)

Discussion in 'Pacific' started by elNopalero, Jan 1, 2022.

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  1. elNopalero

    elNopalero Grand Pooh-Bah (5,822) Oct 14, 2009 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I've been thinking about a one-stop Bay Area info thread for a while (modeled on something the folks in Portland have been doing for years), but ambition always got ahead of any effort.

    With the new year, and so many exciting changes in the region, I thought no better time than the present.

    I'll start with some (brief, brief) San Francisco city proper recommendations and suggestions, and let other folks chime in on their areas. Oakland, with Cellarmaker and SARA coming in 2022, might warrant a spin-off thread of its own!

    This list is by no means exhaustive--far from it.

    Breweries:
    By far, it would appear from previous threads that Cellarmaker receives the most love from the BA community. Their OG location, on Howard St., is close to downtown. Further out is Cellarmaker's House of Pizza (CHoP), which serves a decent Detroit-style pie along with their excellent beers. Their Oakland location is, as noted already, coming soon.

    Anchor is slash was the quintessential SF brewery, although they are no longer locally-owned/independent.

    Other breweries with a bit of SF history include Speakeasy, 21st Amendment, and Magnolia (now owned by New Belgium/Lion).

    Barebottle Brewing has a warehouse space, and a robust brewing schedule. Fort Point brews in the Presidio, but has brewpubs in the Mission, Inner Haight, the Ferry Building, and Oakland.
    Barrel Head Brewhouse is expanding into the Inner Richmond in 2022 with their opening of Lost Marbles. Bartlett Hall was an under-the-radar gem in the heart of the touristy area downtown.

    Beer bars:
    My hands-down favorite beer bar in SF (and the world, really) is the Toronado. Love it or hate it, just don't forget they're cash only! In the outer Mission, Old Devil Moon has a well-curated tap list, although their page on Places needs some love. Folks will need to chime in on some of the other beer bars in the city, as it's been about two years now since I've been out and about.

    Bottle shops:
    City Beer Store is a must-visit. Healthy Spirits has three locations in the city, with a decent selection of craft beer and spirits. Your local Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and even corner stores will probably have a passable selection of something local, too.

    And with that, I'll close by saying Happy new year everyone! Here's to another year of good beer!
     
    #1 elNopalero, Jan 1, 2022
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  2. jakecattleco

    jakecattleco Grand Pooh-Bah (3,749) Sep 3, 2008 California
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    In addition to the places already noted I've always enjoyed the tap list at Crafty Fox. The food has also been solid in my visits, and there's usually something interesting for To-Go option(s).
     
    #2 jakecattleco, Jan 1, 2022
  3. bowery

    bowery Devotee (352) Jul 3, 2014 California
    Trader

    Humble Sea in Pacifica is very close to SF and has great brews and the drive/area is beautiful, recommend walking along the coastline trail from the beach.

    Wondrous in my opinion is making the best beer in the area, they don't really distribute cans so it's tough to get a hold of without visiting the brewery in Oakland.

    My favorite bar in SF proper is Fool's Errand, great beer and natural wine selection too if that's your thing. Down in the peninsula my favorite beer bars are Ale Arsenal and Gourmet Haus Staudt.
     
    #3 bowery, Jan 1, 2022
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  4. ernh

    ernh Maven (1,353) Jun 10, 2012 California

    Take the ferry out to Alameda and hit up Almanac, The Rake at Admiral Maltings, and Faction. All have great beers, lots of to-go cans, lots of outdoor space, and sunset over the City as seen from Faction is pretty sweet.
     
    #4 ernh, Jan 1, 2022
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  5. mactrail

    mactrail Grand High Pooh-Bah (8,999) Mar 24, 2009 Washington
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Thanks for starting this! I'm looking forward to updating my research later in the month. A favorite is Triple Rock Brewery in Berkeley and Magnolia in Dogpatch. Hoping to go back to Lupulandia on Mission, most interesting Mexican food. I really liked Black Sands on upper Haight but alas it's gone.
     
    #5 mactrail, Jan 2, 2022
  6. Socalfan21

    Socalfan21 Pundit (894) Aug 1, 2013 Illinois
    Trader

    I’m literally in SF right now so this is fantastic!
     
    #6 Socalfan21, Jan 3, 2022
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  7. unlikelyspiderperson

    unlikelyspiderperson Grand Pooh-Bah (3,966) Mar 12, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Get papusas in the mission!

    Also beer
     
    #7 unlikelyspiderperson, Jan 3, 2022
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  8. elNopalero

    elNopalero Grand Pooh-Bah (5,822) Oct 14, 2009 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I heartedly second the pupusa recommendation but (checks clock) is anyplace in SF still open at night these days?

    Balompie is a personal favorite, during waking hours.
     
    #8 elNopalero, Jan 3, 2022
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  9. unlikelyspiderperson

    unlikelyspiderperson Grand Pooh-Bah (3,966) Mar 12, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I can't vouch for SF business status. I can only vouch for the value of papusas
     
    #9 unlikelyspiderperson, Jan 3, 2022
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  10. Resistance88

    Resistance88 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,462) Apr 9, 2015 California
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    PUPUsas ,cipote!
    Extra curtido and make sure you aren't seen eating one con cubiterto:joy:

    Speakeasy/ Hunters Point Brewing is my favorite hands down. If you can get their Syndicate Blends do it!!!
     
    #10 Resistance88, Jan 5, 2022
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  11. ksheabutter

    ksheabutter Aspirant (222) Aug 15, 2019 California
    Trader

    Holy water in SF usually has an incredible tap list and is with in a few blocks of cellarmaker house of pizza
     
    #11 ksheabutter, Jan 5, 2022
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  12. bouncepass

    bouncepass Savant (1,138) Oct 3, 2006 California
    Trader

    +1 on Wondrous. I've tried a lot of their beer in the past months and almost everything is executed so well. Their style is more throwback and restrained but I mean that in a very good way. If that's your thing, then I would say it's easily worth the trek across the Bay.

    Small detail but the brewery is officially in Emeryville, which is but a stone's throw from Oakland.
     
    #12 bouncepass, Jan 6, 2022
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  13. VitisVinifera

    VitisVinifera Pundit (879) Feb 25, 2013 California

    I know this isn't beer, but if you are checking out SF and want a bit of history with your booze, check out The Buena Vista on Hyde St for their Irish Coffee

    http://www.thebuenavista.com/home/irishcoffee.html

    edit: according to their website, they are closed for indoor and outdoor seating, takeout only. That really sucks for them - there's really no reason to go there if you can't sit inside and look at all the history on display.
     
    #13 VitisVinifera, Jan 6, 2022
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  14. spersichilli

    spersichilli Initiate (0) Apr 26, 2018 California
    Trader

    Seconding Holy Water and Wondrous. I moved to the Bay Area about 6 months ago and Wondrous is by far my favorite brewery here (although SARA will be close when they open up). Holy water has a great taplist but is also probably the best whiskey bar I’ve been to
     
    #14 spersichilli, Jan 6, 2022
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  15. Harrison8

    Harrison8 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,285) Dec 6, 2015 Missouri
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I may actually be out there for a brief work trip. I would be staying in Oakland one of the nights. Any recommendations out that way?

    I haven't even taken a look at the map yet, and my work trip my fall on the start of the week (seems like most places close Mon/Tues), but hopeful I can fit in at least one new brewery.

    Never tried any SARA, but unless they open in a few days, I'll probably miss them.

    Quick edit to say: Wondrous looks like my kinda place. Seeing a couple dark lagers and a Czech lager on right now. Looks like they may even use a side-pull for the Czech lager based on the pour sizes.
     
    #15 Harrison8, Jan 6, 2022
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  16. ernh

    ernh Maven (1,353) Jun 10, 2012 California

    Depends where in Oakland you're staying and how far you're willing to travel.

    For breweries, Sierra Nevada's Torpedo Room in Berkely is cool. My neighbor just recommended Roses Taproom, though I haven't tried it. Fieldwork is very popular. Rare Barrel is well regarded if you like sours.

    For taprooms, Revolution is super good, assuming they're open.
     
    #16 ernh, Jan 6, 2022
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  17. Harrison8

    Harrison8 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,285) Dec 6, 2015 Missouri
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    True. We're working in-land, but will be staying close to the airport the last night for an easy travel day. If that helps narrow down any suggestions.

    It would be neat to actually visit a Sierra Nevada location after all these years.
     
    #17 Harrison8, Jan 6, 2022
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  18. elNopalero

    elNopalero Grand Pooh-Bah (5,822) Oct 14, 2009 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Beer Revolution closed, one of the pandemic's early causalities.

    I've heard good things about The Good Hop, although I haven't been there personally.

    If you're staying by OAK you are about as close to San Leandro's many breweries and beer bars as you are to downtown Oakland.

    https://beerbybart.com/ is a great resource (and something I should have dropped on the first post).
     
    #18 elNopalero, Jan 6, 2022
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  19. ernh

    ernh Maven (1,353) Jun 10, 2012 California

    Beer Revolution? NOOOOOO!
     
    #19 ernh, Jan 6, 2022
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  20. ernh

    ernh Maven (1,353) Jun 10, 2012 California

    Oakland is funny shaped. Airport is waaay south. You're almost closer to hop up into Alameda for Almanac, The Rake, and Faction. Or head south to Drake's.

    Oh yeah, and Drake's has a downtown Oakland spot too,I totally forgot.
     
    #20 ernh, Jan 6, 2022
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