So I first apologize if this is a common thread question, but don't see a similar thread in the immediate page. I'm on town tonight eating with friends in the mission. Is tornado the best beer bar to go after in the area?
Toronado is in the Haight, not the Mission. It's worth stopping by if you have never been, but closer to you would be Pi Bar and Rosamunde's Sausages in the Mission. Lucky 13 is on the way to Toronado if you walk from the 16th St. BART station. Monk's Kettle is on 16th and Valencia (?), but I've never been there. I'm told it's very expensive.
Zeitgeist is near the Mission on Valencia. Haven't been too many times but pretty good taplist (some RR sours were on last time,) food in house and pretty good prices. Pretty much a bigger version of Toronado with less tourists. Otherwise, listen to Arbi up there; just don't drop his name at any bar in the Bay Area
If you're picking a bar based on craft selection, the best places to go in the Mission are Zeitgeist, Rosamunde, and Pi Bar.
Monks has a great taplist and bottle list but their prices are ridiculous (think 1.5 - 2 times as much as everyone else). And I don't think the level of service supports it. I'll repeat everyone else - Rosamunde (sausages) , Pi (pizza) , and Zeitgeist (burgers). Southern Pacific is a fun little spot too.
Just get the guest taps at Southern Pacific if you go -- the house beer isn't up to snuff so far. Another option in the Mission is Amnesia. Their tap list used to be pretty quality, though I haven't been by lately.
Thanks for all of the info. The restaurant we are going to is right around the corner from monks and that bar seems to have the widest selection. I don't mind paying a little extra for stuff I can't get in Chicago.
Best local-only thing at Monk's currently is the Bear Republic Dry Creek Homegrown. Although the price is, as noted, ridiculous. 10 oz for $5.50. Toronado has pints for $5. Nothing tops the price they have on that Stillwater Belgian IPA, though... Serpent's Stout is a decent value, though.
i once spent several hours at the abbot's cellar, which is owned by the same people as the monk's kettle (and is also in the mission). they had vintage cantillon on tap and the bartenders were really awesome and made for a thoroughly pleasant experience. very expensive, but with the beers they had and the great service it was worth it.
If you've ever been to Monk's Cafe in Philly, which also carries Cantillon (including older vintages), you will LAUGH at the prices of Monk's Kettle and Abbott's Cellar. Those guys are just taking advantage of the beer-ignorant working professional crowd in SF. The beer at Monk's and Abbott's is more expensive than anywhere else in the city, and it's not worth it. Better to head somewhere else...even paying cab fare, you'll spend less at a place like City Beer or Toronado.
