San Jose Visit

Any idea of where it is you are working?

 

With that small of a window you're gonna have a tough time hitting Russian River. Might be able to hit SARA, but you're gonna be fighting traffic on a week day.

 

They hosed you traffic-wise.

 

Dang, you're going to be right in there with some bad traffic both ways if you have to be there during standard work hours, which l imagine is the case. Ehhh... Your beer window is getting smaller as we go...hmmm.
I've said it before and l'll say it again: Maplewood Liquors is my favorite spot in San Jose and isn't too far off your commute path. They are a super cool couple that run it and they have a very good selection of beer. If they have it, it is on the shelf - not hidden in the back. (Even Pliny, usually, but l think l'll take a fresh Knee Deep Lupulin River over it, and you can find it there and plenty of other places) Lots of good sours and barrel-aged stuff, including some Firestone. I don't know about Parabajava, but they had some vintage stuff out last time l was there. (Don't forget your wallet for that stuff, tell you what.) They also sell singles, which is awesome.
Hit up or pick up some Santa Clara Valley Brewing Co's beers for some of the best local stuff in bottles or their best-around-these-parts iOS (get it? A VERY Silicon Valley name!) on tap at their 10-ish-miles-off-your-route brewery, just your side of downtown. Give Brewer Steve a kiss for free beer!

 

I would stay in downtown, first street and go to Original Gravity, which have amazing sausages and duck fat fries with tons of room and plenty of beer, including bottles like parabola and whatnot in the second room.

Good Karma will usually have santa and cellarmaker on tap at all times, including stuff from fieldwork and rare barrel.

 

Yes, indeed. If you can arrange staying downtown instead, this is the course of action to take. Good Karma = the best on tap around and no SNOTTY, ASSHOLE BARTENDERS. (And the bar itself is long and, l believe, made from one piece of oak. Way cool.) Ahhh, l feel much better.

 

Yeah I think everyone can agree GK is the place to go. But when I'm hungry I walk across the light rail track to OG. Because... vegan... yeah... idk...

 

Probably what, second-worst in the area? Hell, they could have made it Pleasanton!

 

I have to admit, I've never actually eaten there. !Viva Super Taqueria!

 

There's no "dislike" to click on, so I'll just type it. "Dislike".

 

Mountain View to Bernal area on a weekday is gonna be 60-90 minutes each way, easily. Your work are a bunch of bastards for doing that to you. I've done that commute, it's horrible.

 

Don't sleep on Good Karma's food. It's actually really damn good. I'm not a vegetarian but I eat there now and again without having to think twice about it.

 

No I agree. I have had their buddha buns and a few different burritos which I really enjoyed. But whenever my girlfriend is around she'll say "ryan... vegan food or fries and sausages... come on."

women...

 

Every time l've gone there, l've already eaten and am usually on my way to see a band so l am usually there for maybe two beers. I hear the food is great; maybe next time. It's hard to pass up a carne asada burrito from Super Taqueria when l'm down there, but l'll try...

 

If you are working in Mountain View, there is Janes Beer Store. I will admit I have never been there, but I follow them on IG/Facebook and it appears they have a solid selection, my assumption with this place though is that their prices are high. Santa Clara liquors isn't too far off the 101 for your commute as well and if you are looking for Bruery beers that aren't distributed everywhere...e.g. Society Beers, they usually have some.

 

True, Jane's is a good stop.

 

Stein's in Mountain View is worth a stop if you're looking to grab a cold one

 

That looks like a nice place, but holy crap those are expensive pours!