Bay Area "Must Do's"?

This comes up a lot so you might try doing a search but I'll bite since you didn't call it San Fran.

Don't know if you've checked out the East Bay but there are some good options over there. Beer Revolution and The Trappist are both walkable from Bart and Drakes in San Leandro makes some good hoppy beers.

You've already been to Toronado to City Beer so you know the two heavyweights. Healthy Spirits and Ales Unlimited are two smaller bottleshops that might be worth checking out. Whole Foods generally has a good selection as well.

As far as new breweries I think Almanac's quality has really improved. You will not find Alpine or Kern River in the bay area unfortunately.

 

Another thumbs up for almanac, they have been altering their recipes lately. Perhaps it's that I hope they do well since they are made in San Jose and we need a good brewery down here (their admin office is in SF). Not sure if they have a brewery here or it's contract with GB, I'll email them.

Try anything from moonlight, it's draft only, very tasty stuff. there's uncommon brewers from santa cruz I like both the golden state ale and their baltic porter, haven't been able to find their tallboys cans recently though. Haven't tried Pacific Brewing labratories beers yet, but it's easy to find.

No alpine and pretty sure no kern river either sadly.

Edit:If you like cream soda then definitely try some Anderson Valley summer solstice.

 

Which city are you staying in?

 

This is in no way meant to be a comprehensive list, but instead should represent some subset of things that might otherwise be missed:

Monk's Kettle (16th St. Mission BART stop) - extensive bottle list here, and pretty good selection. Evening waits usually 1-2 hours, but there are some bars nearby. Hop-salt fries worth doing, and their pretzel is probably the best I've had on the west coast. Otherwise food is sort of forgettable from what I've had. Walkable to Bi-Rite Creamery.

The Trappist (Oakland City Center 12th St. BART stop) - Great selection of Belgian beers... a definite go-to for me. Walking distance from New Gold Medal Chinese, which is open (I believe past closing of the bar) and will serve you delicious Chinese food once you're good and drunk. Not too far from Beer Revolution, which is also worth checking out if you're headed to Oakland.

Jupiter (Downtown Berkeley BART stop) - oven-fired pizza and house beers. Neither is stellar, but both are very acceptable. Neither my favorite pizza (but it's damn close with Zachary's) nor my favorite beer, but definitely my favorite pizza and beer.

Triple Rock Brewery & Alehouse (Downtown Berkeley BART stop) - good pub food, good beer. I've not been there since they changed brewers so I can't comment too much. It was always a little loud excepting on weekday afternoons when there was not a major sports event happening. Entirely inaccessible when there is a Bay Area team in any sort of playoffs for any sport.

 

Go to City Beer and Beer Revolution. Also, eat at Mona Lisa for some of the best Italian food you'll ever have. Stay away from Toronado unless they have something spectacular on draft. Again, eat at Mona Lisa... your girlfriend will appreciate it. I am not from the bay area, so I'm sure others can give you much better advice. I have visited countless times though, and have come to find that what I just stated is quite possibly the best advice you will receive.

 

Check out www.beerbybart.com for transit easy places. Three BART stops, Rockridge, 11th St and downtown Berkeley, will put you within walking distance of at least a dozen good beer places.

 

Just go to Beer Revolution. The best in the bay area by far.

 

Except for the only-having-one-bathroom thing.

 

Pass on Mona Lisa, and any other Italian sounding restaurant catering to tourists off Columbus. If you are in North Beach, either eat at Park Tavern, Tony's, or Chubby Noodle. Or better yet get a slice at Golden Boy and drink at Churchkey.

 

Yeah. For good Italian, you're going to want Cotogna or Quince.

 

Wow, what a thoroughly lukewarm recommendation.

 

Lol. I didn't want to overstate it with "omg best evar must do or else trip wasted!" But it is absolutely something I would recommend if it seems like something that could interest you. Everyone's tastes are different, and if you aren't a pizza fan, then maybe just hitting triple rock is better. Mostly listed things I would recommend and choose based on preferences and time available.

 

To each their own I guess. I can't even count how many times I've eaten at Mona Lisa, and it's been extremely delicious every time.

 

^ I can no longer tell who is doing the Bay Area misdirection thing.

 

I don't go to Beer Rev because I'm afraid of getting shot.

 

I'm guessing you don't leave the house much.

 

Douche comment.

 

Not really. Type "Oakland 3rd St. shooting" into a search engine. Says over 9 million hits.

Dude, Too $hort ain't makin' none of that stuff up. With that said, the East Bay is the best part of the bay area, and beer revolution is ground zero for why.

 

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