Best Pub in San Francisco

I'm from southern California, so I can only say as a visitor as well (originally from Europe too) that my fav beer bar in SF was definitely the Mikkeller Bar...although my favorite place in that general area would be an 1-1.5h drive north in Santa Rosa (Russian River)

 

Toronado.

 

There's a new spot called Hopwater Distribution that sounds legit. I would second Mikkeller Bar and also throw out some names of local brewpubs if you're interested. For stores, I would suggest City Beer, Healthy Spirits, and Ales Unlimited.

 

City Beer and Cellarmaker are about a block away from each other. If you go to one, you have to go to the other, fyi.

 

The aforementioned Toronado. I meant to second that as well. Unless you like big bearded crowds, you'll probably want to go during the day.

 

Beer Revolution in oakland is better than any bar in SF IMO. Worth the Bart trip.

 

Any time before, say 6pm?

 

I wish I could agree, but many times I've been in there looking at the 40ish beers on the board and not really been interested in any of them. It's a great spot, but far from perfect. The bathroom situation is really bad, too.

 

As was already suggested, I would head across the Bay Bridge and hit up Beer Revolution and Drake's. Not sure what your transportation situation is though.

 

We have a few under the radar spots...

http://napavalley.com/visitorsinfo/Napa_Valley_Winery_Map.pdf

http://www.sonoma.com/visitorsinfo/Sonoma_County_Winery_Map.pdf

 

Be aware, Toronado is cash only

 

Anytime is fine to visit Toronado. Don't listen to anyone telling you otherwise.

 

Toronado happy hour ends at 6pm. Plenty of great food in the neighborhood, bring it in with you. Bring cash for the jukebox. Tip well and order promptly.

 

If you're going to Toronado, make sure you do the following

Ignore the door guy (he looks dead anyways)
Snap your finger to get bartender's attention
Don't worry about whats on the tap list, just ask for cable car kriek on tap
Ask if they are doing growler fills for younger
Look up the beer on your phone while bartender is talking
Pay with credit card

If you're still alive after all that, then welcome to the club

 

If you want to explore the world of wine I definitely recommend a trip up to Sonoma (it can be done as a day trip up from SF). In Santa Rosa (where the less expensive hotels are, by the way) there is a brewpub with lots of Russian River on tap

 

To each their own; just giving fair warning.

 

For this combo, I'd say Monk's Kettle/Abbot's Cellar--same owners, a few blocks away from each other in the Mission. Easily accessible by BART/Muni (the SF subways), 16th Street station.

 

48 craft beers on tap, over 100 bottles, and you couldn't one beer you're interested? I realize they don't always have walez on tap/bottle selection, but seems like personal problem.

Bathroom situation can be annoying.

 

Zeitgeist is awesome...unless you like to sit around and write a book about every beer you taste. If you're into enjoying a great beer in a social environment, then Zeitgeist it is.

 

Admittedly, there are number of breweries and styles that I don't bother with. Not necessarily looking for walez, though, just stuff that's interesting. I've been unimpressed with the list especially given its size on a number of occasions. I don't go to bars to drink bottles, but they do always have a very good selection of them.

Don't get me wrong, I do think it's a very good place, just don't agree with the "it's so much better than everything in the City" crowd.

 

Hogs apothacary is awesome!

 

I have to agree. I've been pretty underwhelmed with the tap list the last few times I've been there.

 

If you like sours, you should take BART over to Berkeley and check out The Rare Barrel, an all-sour brewery that is putting out some incredible stuff...

 

This thread should be closed after your answer

 

http://www.therarebarrel.com/index.cfm?

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/33018/

 

Eh, they don't sell retail bottles right now either. I definitely agree on their hours though, wish they were open more.

 

This is a good site for getting around:

WWW.beerbybart.com

 

Hire a driving service like BeMyDD .. They use your rental car and will take you to breweries , wineries or anywhere you want to go .. Being local they know both .. Prices are cheap which leaves you xtra money for those bottles of wine or beer ..ask for driver 69072 as he has in depth knowledge of the local beer and wine scene ..
All the breweries and pubs mentioned are great.. I have to agree with Tornado and Zeitgeist as my personal favorites ... You will have an awesome time no matter where you go ... Cheers

 

I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess you are somehow involved in this BeMyDD business? (considering 4 of your 6 total posts since you joined have mentioned it...)

 

I've been both driver and passenger with the service ... I like the ease of it ...I also push Beer By Bart.com. And I also encourage Uber to get around the city ..I enjoy going to as many breweries as I can not having to worry bout gettin home ..

 

On the food scene if you are a carnivore may i suggest the House of Prime Rib http://houseofprimerib.net/mobile/home.php

As for The Rare Barrel if you really want to go it wouldn't hurt to send an email and ask if you can get tasting by appointment and let them know you are a BA coming from Italy. You never know if you don't ask. If you are able to get an appointment with The Rare Barrel you can also hit up Sierra Nevada's Torpedo Room http://www.sierranevada.com/brewery/california/torpedoroom

I also highly recommend visiting Sonoma for wine tasting as opposed Napa, just my preference but so much more chill.

 

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