So I'm going to San Francisco for a week starting this Saturday and reading the forums for a while I compiled a small list of beer related activities: City Beer store - which is close to my hotel Russian River brewpub Lagunitas tour and pub Monkey's kettle Anchor tour (too late for that) Am I missing something? Is something on the list that I should bother? Do you have any other tips on things to do in the city and surroundings (beer related and otherwise)? Also, note I don't live in the US and have a limited access to American beer so which beer should I definitely try (apart from PtE)? p.s.: I'm aware that Sunday is the Golden Gate Bridge 75th anniversary, any pro-tip on where and how to enjoy the festivities?
I am also planning a trip for this August. Have my anchor tour booked. As for russian river and lagunitas, they cannot be reached via SF without a car. Is anyone aware of a bus tour out of SF that will bring you north to the breweries/wineries (ie bear republic, lagunitis, rr, etc)? If there is a tour bus company that does day-trips to the northern breweries please provide a link!!! It would make my planning a bit easier for sure. At the moment I think we are going to day a vacation rental for 4 nights, rent a car in SF proper and head up to lagunitas, RR for the day (maybe stay the night), head back down to SF either later that same night and return the car the next day or drive back the next day, drop-off the car and stay 2 more nights in SF.
If you're there for a week, go to Magnolia, Beer Revolution (in Oakland), and Drake's in San Leandro if you can. Also wouldn't hurt to check out 21st Amendment (2nd St, 2 blocks from the Giants stadium) and Speakeasy on a Friday or Saturday. Cheers!
Look for Drake's alpha session, which was just bottled and is probably the best low-ABV beer I've had. Also try any Moonlight beer you seen on tap.
Not a tour bus, but there are regular buses that make all the way up to Santa Rosa. So you could use that to go to RR and Lagunitas. Bear Republic is further north, but I'm sure there are other buses that go there. Sure you won't be able to carry a box of beer back to the hotel, but you get you there and back.
Definitely try Toronado, which often has beer from Moonlight on tap. Also City Beer often has beer from Ballast Point, pick up some Sculpin IPA if you see it.
There are two tour groups, but they don't hit too many breweries unless you want to set up a custom, private tour. http://breweryadventures.com/ http://www.bayareabrewerytours.com/ You could always offer to bring some beer to trade in exchange for a more personal tour from a local. I'd offer to take you up to RRBC this weekend, but I'm pretty solidly booked. If you're going to make it to Beer Revolution on Sunday or maybe one night next week, definitely drop me a message and I'll meet you there for a beer.
Paul Quinn, any idea which bus stops would be needed in Petaluma for Lagunitas and which in Santa Rosa for RR? for bus route 101 listed
This weekend is going to be a cluster frick in terms of transit. For GG Bridge festivities check here: http://goldengatebridge75.org/ The time it would take you to get to RR on the regular bus make the trip not worth it, so if you're planning on hitting that I'd rent a car or see if some friendly BA would consider giving you a lift. I highly recommend Beer Rev. Easy to get to via BART. Check here for public transit options: www.beerbybart.com. The Trappist is walking distance from Beer Rev and by BART you can hit Triple Rock, Jupiter, Barclays, & Ben & Nick's. Also, if you have wheels, check out the Drake's Barrel House. A note on Toronado, cash only. Just found this: http://breweryadventures.com/ Looks like you can book tours.
For Santa Rosa, get off at 2nd and B. RRBC is at 4th between D and E. It looks like there is only one stop in Petaluma for that bus and it's about 3 miles from Lagunitas, so you'll either have to hoof it from there or call a cab.
Clipper cards are accepted on Golden Gate Transit Buses. If you're going to take the bus to Santa Rosa, be sure to check the schedule. I'm as pro-transit as anyone but for the most part Marin and Sonoma are no places to be relying on the bus. Get a car and save yourself the trouble.
I really don't get the love for Alpha Session. I had a couple pints a few years ago, and the light body was really getting hurt by the crazy hops. Zombie Dust is a far better low-ABV double IPA. I wish Alpha were anywhere near as good.
Well I really liked it last year, haven't gotten it this year yet. But comparing those two beers is criminal. Alpha session is 3.8% ABV, while Zombie Dust is 6.4%. ZD is an IPA for all intents and purposes, AS is barely a pale. That comparison just doesn't work. Also, while I think ZD is FFF's best beer, it's not the best "pale ale" I've had, let alone the best IPA (which is what it really is).
You aren't kidding, I just called them a second ago to book a tour on July 6 and was told they were booked until August... my own fault for waiting, I could have booked it a month ago but I really didn't think they would be booked the far ahead. I've never encountered such a thing at a brewery. They weren't kidding when they said they take reservations 6 months in advance. The good news is I just realized our hotel is like a 5-10 min. walk down the street from 21st Amendment.
