San Francisco Visit

YES! I finally got around to taking the ferry to Faction last Saturday and it was awesome. Everything is solid with the hoppy options being firmly above average to excellent.

 

If anyone is in SF right now - Mikkeller Bar has Mamouche on tap. http://www.mikkellerbar.com/ontap.html

 

Locanda is outstanding. Same owners as Delfina but very casual and well priced.

 

I'm planning a SF trip for late Sept/early Oct. Still trying to decide what week we'll go. We'll be in Marin for a few days, then SF area and then down to Santa Cruz. Any special releases around that time that I should factor into my decision of when to visit?

 

The only thing I can think of that comes out during that time frame with any kind of regularity is RR - FFaC (during October). You may hit a lucky weekend and be in Santa Cruz during a SARA bottle release (weekends have the highest probability of a bottle release) but there is no specific date that I could point to. The nice thing is The Rare Barrel seems to have had at least one bottle available for purchase to the public throughout 2015 (thus far) and Cellarmaker always has multiple beers available for grolwer fill. If there is something specific you are looking for, I'm sure I (or another BA) would be happy to do an IP trade if the date/place works out. Good luck with your trip planning - cheers!

 

That's around the time of Cellarmaker's 2nd Anniversary. If you're really lucky it will be the weekend you're in town. Even still, they will have a great tap list (they almost always do anyways) around that time.

 

Thanks for the quick feedback! I'll be keeping a closer eye on this forum in the coming weeks/months. And I'll definitely come with some Trillium & Treehouse for IP trades.

 

We actually are just on our way back from SF. Though not on your list, I'd recommend Maven to eat at if you're looking for some other suggestions. Not really a beer-centered place, but we ate there last night and the food was great. We ubered from Nob Hill

 

Getting in kinda late on this, but if you are staying in that area still, both Delarosa and Causwells are worth stops. Both casual restaurants with good beer selections and great food (especially the pizza for Delarosa).

 

Love the avatar

 

If you do make it to the east bay (Berkeley area) for a Rare Barrel visit try eating at Perdition Smokehouse. BBQ is good and they usually have a decent tap list. Homeroom is literally a block away from them and they do these ridiculous mac n cheese plates. Also one of the newest east bay breweries to open is Fieldworks.

Jason

 

I think you have Perdition & Hogs Apothecary mixed up

 

Headed to SF thisThursday. I saw there is some craft berewery summit in Portland this weekend. Im thinking this is bad timing for me since most craft breweries will be there and will not be having special releases etc while I am in town. Does anyone know of anything happening in SF this weekend? Thanks!

 

As a fellow Wisconsinite: you aren't missing out by it not being a "special" weekend in SF. There is always amazing stuff pouring, and awesome bottles sitting on the shelves. PM me if you need a guide to town other than that above.

 

may want to consider L'Ardoise proper french bistro and Hong Kong Cafe (dim sum) as well.

battery spencer is not to miss as well, hopefully close to sunset hours

 

I enjoy Cotogna when I'm in town. It's a small, quiet place and that's always a plus for me. Coming into town for Miwok 100 (May 2) and hoping to hit some places. Staying in Mill Valley and wondering if there any good places for beer/Italian. Was also considering a stop at Beercraft...worth a stop?

 

I've heard good things about Mill Valley Beer Works

 

I can vouch Mill Valley Beer Works for their beer and food. One of, if not the best Italian joints in Marin is Picco in nearby Larkspur. You will have trouble finding a good beer/Italian food combo, I'm afraid but the local wine is as good as it gets. Beer Craft in Rohnert Park, right? That's a bit of a drive from Mill Valley, but worth checking out from what I've been told.

 

Yes, that Beer Craft. I'll be coming back from RR so the drive won't be an issue.
Thanks on the recs for MVBW.