San Francisco advice

Discussion in 'Pacific' started by elliott1184, Aug 14, 2014.

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  1. elliott1184

    elliott1184 Maven (1,320) Mar 31, 2011 Minnesota
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    I'll be visiting San Francisco soon and have a long list of spots I'd like to check out. Sadly, I'll only have time for probably 2-3. Any help narrowing this list would be greatly appreciated!

    Russian River
    The Rare Barrel
    Cellarmaker
    Faction
    Heretic
    Toronado
    City Beer
    Ales Unlimited
    ??

    -Bonus points go to spots that are kid friendly (we're traveling with our 6 year old), that have some vegetarian options, and/or that serve wine (for my wife, NOT for me)

    Other things I'm wondering about:

    1) Almanac beers: good spot to buy and/or find on tap
    2) Heirloom Pumpkin barleywine from Almanac: out soon?
    3) Rare Barrel On the Shoulders of Giants: are bottles still available to take away (haven't gotten an answer via phone or twitter)
    4) Hair of the Dog: any bottle shops have any? Ales Unlimited reportedly just sold out of Cherry Adam from the wood, which I'd love to find.. Adam or Fred would be just fine also.
    5) longshot, but are Parabola, XXVII, or Stickee Monkee still around at any shops?

    We are also heading up to Oregon (as far as somewhere near Crater Lake), so if anyone knows a spot for HoTD beers en route, that would be great as well!

    Cheers!
     
  2. Xul

    Xul Pooh-Bah (2,139) May 18, 2008 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    It would help if you specify where in San Francisco you're staying, what transportation you have available, and what your time constraints are. Your list includes places that are a good hour out of San Francisco (with no traffic, so realistically 1.5 hours or more) so you need to narrow down your actual plans if you want suggestions that are realistic.
     
  3. grze

    grze Maven (1,460) Apr 17, 2012 Virginia
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    Don't forget SARA is not that far away :slight_smile:
     
  4. AptosBeerDrinker

    AptosBeerDrinker Initiate (0) Aug 9, 2011 California

    Nice Maron avatar.
     
  5. reefer_bob

    reefer_bob Savant (1,010) May 13, 2014 California
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    By which direction are you getting up to Crater Lake? 80-505-5-97?
     
  6. chcfan

    chcfan Initiate (0) Oct 29, 2008 California

    No kids allowed in Toronado, nor should they be, and I've never seen any in City Beer. Not sure if they're allowed there or not as I've only seen IDs be checked during events, but you would probably just want to pop in for takeout beer there if you're with little ones. Rare Barrel is only open on Fri and Sat and a good 45 min to an hour from the city depending on traffic. Since they server food, I think kids might be OK, but never seen them there, either. RR is over an hour north of the city in any traffic conditions, but is kid friendly.
     
  7. elliott1184

    elliott1184 Maven (1,320) Mar 31, 2011 Minnesota
    Trader

    Likely staying near Fishermans Wharf/Marina. Renting a car to drive to OR, but won't have one while staying in SF (2 nights).

    Looks like Rare Barrel is tough via public transport, but thought we might go there on the way to OR. Plan to go to Russian River on the way back to San Francisco; seems like a must-do..
     
    #7 elliott1184, Aug 14, 2014
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2014
  8. elliott1184

    elliott1184 Maven (1,320) Mar 31, 2011 Minnesota
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    That is the plan.
     
  9. atpca

    atpca Pooh-Bah (1,652) Jun 10, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

  10. elliott1184

    elliott1184 Maven (1,320) Mar 31, 2011 Minnesota
    Trader

    Probably won't make it that far.. Klamath Falls?
     
  11. atpca

    atpca Pooh-Bah (1,652) Jun 10, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Klamath Falls is a bit... depressed. Don't think there's a fancy bottle shop there, maybe someone can correct me?
     
    danscott likes this.
  12. elliott1184

    elliott1184 Maven (1,320) Mar 31, 2011 Minnesota
    Trader

    I imagine SARA bottles are available only at the brewery? Do they generally have bottles for takeaway?
     
  13. atpca

    atpca Pooh-Bah (1,652) Jun 10, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Rarely
     
  14. spark3148857

    spark3148857 Pooh-Bah (1,595) Dec 4, 2010 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah

    Well definitely go to Cellarmaker. City Beer is around the corner from Cellarmaker. Neither City Beer or Toronado are kid friendly. Ive never seen kids at Cellarmaker either. Lagunitas is only 15 min from Russian River and they are both must stops IMO.
     
  15. elliott1184

    elliott1184 Maven (1,320) Mar 31, 2011 Minnesota
    Trader

    Thanks for all the input so far!

    Can't believe I forgot this one: any Alpine bottles in/around San Francisco?
     
  16. jeff1973

    jeff1973 Pooh-Bah (1,780) Aug 10, 2010 California
    Pooh-Bah

    Not a chance in hell, my friend.
     
    Sumdeus likes this.
  17. jakecattleco

    jakecattleco Grand Pooh-Bah (3,749) Sep 3, 2008 California
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Since you are rolling I5, I definitely recommend a pitstop in Redding at the Fall River Brewing tasting room.

    And while they don't have bottles, Yaks in Dunsmuir usually has some excellent draft offerings and damn tasty grub.
     
    danscott likes this.
  18. spark3148857

    spark3148857 Pooh-Bah (1,595) Dec 4, 2010 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah

    Pretty good chance of finding Alpine on tap at City Beer Store and Toronado, Nelson is on right now.
     
  19. corgistout

    corgistout Initiate (0) May 8, 2014 California

    Mikkeller Bar has Nelson and Hoppy Birthday on tap right now
     
  20. danscott

    danscott Initiate (0) Jul 15, 2006 California

    @atpca Portland Street Market is the spot in Klamath Falls for bottles. If you have time, call ahead and put in an order for what you want. Adam and Fred shouldn't be a problem. Awesome wine selection there, too.

    BTW, be sure to check out Mia and Pia's in Klamath Falls, as well. Family friendly brewery pizza joint. Good beer. Decent pizza. Full bar. Board and video games for the kiddo. Nice folks, good mix of local weirdos. Looks like a dump (just like the rest of K-Falls!).

    I do not recommend The Creamery (the other brewpub in town). Really expensive, substandard product and snooty.

    And since you'll be driving by Dunsmuir, I always have to plug a stop there. Amazing tiny mountain town, many great restaurants and I love their little brewpub. Taste the best water you'll find anywhere. No, really.
     
    #20 danscott, Aug 14, 2014
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2014
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