Month: April 2016

Where to Drink SF – Cellarmaker

/ californiaipa / Leave a comment

Cellarmaker is making some of the best beer around right now, and all it takes is a visit to see how many people are there at any time to realize this.

The Cellarmaker space is an exposed brick, semi-industrial space in SOMA.  It comes across of more of a bar than a brewery, partly because it is always pretty packed and partly because they tend to have the music going pretty strong.  This is not necessarily a bad thing, and if a bar-feel is more your thing, you will love Cellarmaker.

They are constantly changing their beers, and with a few exceptions, there are almost always predominately new beers on tap.  According to their website, they say there will be at least 3-5 hop forward beers on tap at any time.  This has been true whenever I have gone.

Their Pale Ales tend to come off as more of IPAs, which works great for me.  I have had a few good stouts as well.

cellar

The Tiny Dankster and the Quad Dobis (a beer week special beer) were some of the better beers I have had in the last year. That said, I have liked everyone of their beers I have had.

As of a couple months ago, they have been selling bomber bottles the first week of the month, however they sell out quick (ie one day), so if you want one, get on it.  Growler purchases are always an option.

Only bad thing I can say about this place is no dogs 😦

It will be very interesting to see if they try and grow or stay the size they are.  The quality is supreme right now, so one has to wonder what may happen if they try and expand…

http://www.cellarmakerbrewing.com/

Advertisement

Where to Drink SF – Local Brewing

/ californiaipa / Leave a comment

Local Brewing is located in SOMA, on Bluxome, between 4th and 5th.  I used to live a couple blocks away, but of course moved before this opened.  Local is on a developing street, joining Bluxome Street Winery which is a few blocks away (great place, dog friendly, awesome wine club, especially if you live close by and can take full advantage).

The brewery is in a brick warehousey space, and is a bit “nicer” than most breweries.  They have food and wine, and so although there is definitely a brewery feel and presence with the barrels, etc., it does still come across as a high end spot.

Local’s taps seem to be constantly updating with new beers.  As I look on the website now, I see several beers that were not there but a couple weeks ago.  When I went, I of course had a sampler.

IMG_6342

The beers were all very good.  Nothing overpowering or extreme, instead straightforward and well-executed beers.  I have been happy with every beer I have had.  None blew me away, but all were enjoyable, which is quite a feat.

I have not eaten here, but the food menu if somewhat limited. Mostly snacks or small plates.  The wife says the wine she has had is good, with  few different options.

I would imagine it gets pretty packed on game days or at happy hour, but I have gone on the weekends and it has been easy to grab a seat at the bar, and easy to drive to/park at if you have a DD or aren’t going full weekend mode…

Overall, a great addition to the SOMA brew scene, and certainly worth a stop by.

http://www.localbrewingco.com

 

Dog Friendly Brewery Series – San Francisco Part 2

/ californiaipa / 2 Comments

 

Since posting the first in the SF Dog Friendly Brewery series, a few more dog friendly breweries have opened!  More work for California IPA, which is a good thing!

Harmonic Brewing

Harmonic opened up a few months ago less than a mile from us.  Hell yes.

Harmonic is deep in the Dogpatch, on 26th near Indiana. The space is industrial and open, with the brewing happening right in the open.  They do not have food, which in this instance, is a good thing, as that means the dogs are allowed!  Most times I have gone, a few other people have had dogs.

IMG_7132

There is a smaller bar top, and then a bunch of tables to sit at.

They allow outside food, so swinging by Long Bridge pizza beforehand is not a bad idea.

The beers are pretty good, and I am excited to see them grow and brew some more.  The cold-press stout was solid, IPA was good, and the wife has enjoyed a few of their sours.

IMG_7134

Generous pours on the flights, they oftentimes have live music and food trucks, and a TV with whatever game is on.  A great addition to the SF brew scene, especially since the pups can join.

http://harmonicbrewing.com/

Black Hammer

Black Hammer/Pac Labs beer has been around the City for a while, but I only recently was able to check the somewhat new brewery out.  Of course, I forgot my phone when I went, so no pics today.

Black Hammer is in SOMA, on Bryant near 3rd.  Very dog friendly and good atmosphere, especially on a quiet weekend day in SOMA.

Black Hammer brews some interesting and creative beers, with the Squid Ink IPA and Hibiscus Saison sticking out.  You can seemingly always find something unique and new here.

Like Harmonic, no food, so you can bring outside food in.  Simply another great spot to take the dog and have a few interesting beers.

http://blackhammerbrewing.com/

Fort Point at the Ferry Building

Fort Point recently opened up a “kiosk” tasting room outside of the Ferry Building.  The space is small, all outside, but a great addition.

The food options are limited (hot dogs, pretzels etc.), but you come here for the beer.  Fort Point is brewing solid, straightforward and well balanced beers.  Last visit, I had the Wanderer, a tropical and smooth DIPA, and the Park, a hoppy wheat.  I have enjoyed every one of their beers I have had.

Although it is small, they do growler fills (And have some really cool growlers at that).

The Ferry Building can obviously get crazy, so this is a spot I generally would only go to on a quieter day in the downtown area.

http://www.fortpointbeer.com/

Looking forward to the dog friendly brewery trend in SF to continue, as there appear to be at least 14 new breweries coming soon…