Hi guys...Traveling from Boston to SF today. I'm staying at the Metro Hotel due to it's proximity to Toronado. Anything wild and exciting on draft that I must try? I'm looking forward to having Pliny on draft for the first time. Can anyone confirm whether or not it's on? Also any suggestions for food near there would great! Just looking for some fries or something to take with us to Toronado to munch on while we have a few beers. Any other suggestions for bars in walking distance are also greatly appreciated. Disclaimer: I've been watching the Pacific forum like a hawk the last couple of months, so I've followed the below threads. Didn't want you all to think I was just posting another thread without first performing due diligence. http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/trip-to-nor-cal.3991/ http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/city-beer-store-sf.11325/#post-135874 http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/sf-trip-in-april.8692/
Pliny is literally always on draft. I live the neighborhood and have been to Toronado at least 100 times, and it's always been on. The bar just kicked off Belgian Beer month, so they have about 25 semi-rare Belgians on draft. Rarity referring to draft versions, not bottle -- St. bernardus 12 is easy to get bottles of but I don't know when I last had it on draft. They also have all of the DuPont beers at the moment, including both brunes. Solid lineup, but not local-filled. Beer Rev or CBS would be better for that at the moment.
Oh, and get sausages from rosamunde to eat at Toronado. Noc noc is another solid beer bar that gets no hype and occasionally has ridiculous stuff on draft, as is Mad Dog in the Fog (good bottle list, including 2010 Abyss for $25).
I like Memphis Minnie's across the street as well. Good bbq, as well as fries and such. It's not too big of a walk, except the hill, to get to Magnolia. That's my favorite brewpub in the area. 5 cask conditioned beers on most of the time, and tasty, fresh English style ales. The bottle shop Healthy Spirits isn't too far away either. Cheers!
Get breakfast at Kate's Kitchen, on Haight St. Everything on the menu is good, but make sure you order a sausage patty.
I randomly stopped at Noc Noc a few months ago with some friends when Toronado was too crowded and was pleasantly surprised, they had 2010 La Folie on tap and some decent bottles with pretty good prices, I'd def recommend the OP stop by there as it's only a few doors down the block from T-nado.
