Can anyone provide some info on their taproom experience? Also, growler fill policy and costs? They just released an IPA called Pyretta that sounds interesting and wondering if I should make plans to visit sometime soon.
Taproom is small and industrial (open warehousing/storage unit) but they still get their vibe across. I brought two growlers - swingtop glass with tape over the label and a metal swingline - both were filled. Think the IPA was $8 and DIPA $10 for 32 oz. I thought their beers ranged from good to pretty good based on the board that day. Their Pilsners was nice. Double IPA (Belmont Bully) was a bit sweet with loads of hops over top. The single IPA (seven deadly lupulins) was better in my opinion - dry base with a good balance of hops. Got a taster of the cherry kettle sour but was not a fan - tasted like robitussin. By contrast, I had a one off DIPA and a tcho/vanilla adjunct stout at an Ale Arsenal event that were fantastic. All in all, it was fun but nothing to knock me off my Cellarmaker, Fieldwork, Faction tour. That Pyretta is intriguing though.
Thanks. There's not really a whole lot out there written about them so your feedback helps. I'll be in Redwood City from time to time so I'll stop by when I'm in the area. That tcho/vanilla stout sounds pretty good though and I think it just went on tap last week. Do you know if their beers make it out to some of the beer bars in the East Bay?
Their beers make it to the good beer bars in the South Bay, Peninsula, and SF, so I'd imagine they also make it to the East Bay. I've enjoyed their hoppy beers and stouts, kettle sours were meh,
I heard they lost their brewer Tommy recently. If you are in RC check out Ale Arsenal and the Refuge in San Carlos as well.
Ale Arsenal is a fantastic bar, highly recommend it if you're in the area. Gourmet Haus Staudt and Harry's Hofbrau in Redwood City are also well worth visiting and if you're particularly into British style beers, Freewheel Brewing has some solid stuff.
The Whole Foods in RWC recently opened a draft list which is good as well. Can also open any bottle that you buy there at the bar. I feel like there are too many Freewheel recommendations in this thread. I think you really have to enjoy cask ale to like the place. Also, if you go to Harry's, head outside to the patio - it's a less depressing place to drink.
You don't enjoy sipping a beer while watching aging, hardened alcoholics pound through mid-afternoon drinks?
My favorite is when they come outside for a smoke with their oxygen tank. It's not just the clientele either, the decor seems to be specifically designed to lure those types of individuals in. The patio is actually quite pleasant though - can walk there with the mutt and have a few beers in peace and quiet - no complaints.
I've never been impressed by Freewheel. I'd vote against even trying it unless you're really into English ales and can't stand IPAs. Alpha Acid is pretty good. Their novelty stuff is definitely the most fun. Saison Smoothie in particular was great. IPAs are hit and miss. Trouble is they rarely tell you what is on tap, you just have to guess from untappd. Ale Arsenal, though, is great about updating their tap list and pull tons of awesome beers from all over the bay. They are also right next to The Refuge which has a huge selection of Belgian beers and amazing pastrami.
IMO, the taproom isn't great. Its a little hole in the wall in the midst of an industrial park. I would much rather drink at Ale Arsenal. The taproom experience reminds me of SARA: great beer, but at a location you wouldn't spend more than 45 minutes at. The hours aren't so great either, I think they close at like 8pm on weekends. That said, I think their beers are pretty damn good. The pale ale I had a growler of was reminiscent of the crisp, flavor-rich Cellarmaker pales (but not quite at that level yet). The kettle sour with cherries, cocoa, and vanilla was fucking delicious. Their stouts have been solid. IMO so far the Triple and Double IPA's haven't been too good, but everything else is definitely worth a visit.
