Just stopped in here on a whim as I was passing through the area and wanted to catch the end of the ncaa champ. and I've got to say I was really impressed. The diversity of styles and the uniform quality was something I don't really see often. Surprised they don't get more love, I had never even heard of them. Had a great kolsch, a wonderful schwarzbier, a handful of PA/IPA, including some haze, that were well balanced and very drinkable. I get that they have some heavy hitters in the neighborhood with Faction and Almanac on the same island but man, I find it rare to see a brewery display this breadth of brewing talent.
Two problems: First, until Monday of this week, I had never heard of them. Secondly, I live in the South Bay and getting to Alameda is impossible during the week and has to be a destination on the weekend. I'm big fan of Faction, but only make it once a year to the brewery. However, with Admiral Maltings opening and their Rake pub, I will to convince the wife of a trip soon to visit Alameda Island.
Fair points, I had never been to alameda island at all before and only stopped in this time because I was going from the 580 to the 880 and wanted to catch the last bit of the NCAA champ game (waste of time to see a 20 point blow out wrap up). But since you meantion Admiral Maltings, AI had a beer brewed with 100% grain from Admiral. It was an ESB that wasn't my favorite beer, but a neat thing none the less.
I went once around the time they first opened, and wasn't particularly impressed. I've heard they improved, though, and like you mentioned, they're putting out stuff like Island Haze now. I just even started seeing that showing up in a local bottle shop, which I didn't know they did.
