Bay Area Thread

[RyanG1]

Hey cool, I'll need to get some of that - the blueberries are from my parents' farm. Glad to hear it doesn't suck.

That is quite cool. What else do they grow?

 

[stupac2]

That is quite cool. What else do they grow?

Snozzberries.

 

[anvindr]

radberries

 

[pen15clubmember]

Libations in San Rafael finally opened last Friday. It's a bar/bottle shop and you can byo food. Cool, little spot and a much welcomed addition. Taplist was nice with some Humble Sea, SARA, Alvarado St...

 

[RyanG1]

Libations in San Rafael finally opened last Friday. It's a bar/bottle shop and you can byo food. Cool, little spot and a much welcomed addition. Taplist was nice with some Humble Sea, SARA, Alvarado St...

Great spot! Will be a great combination with Pond Farm and Half Pint in a short walking distance.

Any idea on their hours going forward?

 

[rrryanc]

That is quite cool. What else do they grow?

Just blueberries, actually. The farm has always been somewhat of a side gig (first love, but before/after work and weekends type of operation) for them.

 

[pen15clubmember]

Great spot!

Any idea on their hours going forward?

Hmmm, I didn't think to ask there. 6-10 and 2-6 are def introductory hours. I went to their FB page and it actually pops up a message with "What are your hours?" and "Where are you located?" pre-filled.

 

[rrryanc]

Just blueberries, actually. The farm has always been somewhat of a side gig (first love, but before/after work and weekends type of operation) for them.

And actually, I think that nearly every blueberry beer that Almanac has put out has used our blueberries. Met the owners at a small beer dinner a few years back and asked them why they never did a blueberry beer. They told me they couldn't find locally sourced blueberries in quantity and the rest is pretty much history. They buy the seconds, which are the fruit that get sorted out after picking (underripe, overripe or cut - but great for cooking/smoothies/beer/etc) and blend it up before adding to the barrels.

 

[sfsea]

Snozzberries.

do they taste like snozzberries?

 

[GregorySingh]

And actually, I think that nearly every blueberry beer that Almanac has put out has used our blueberries. Met the owners at a small beer dinner a few years back and asked them why they never did a blueberry beer. They told me they couldn't find locally sourced blueberries in quantity and the rest is pretty much history. They buy the seconds, which are the fruit that get sorted out after picking (underripe, overripe or cut - but great for cooking/smoothies/beer/etc) and blend it up before adding to the barrels.

That’s awesome! Where is the farm located?

 

[rrryanc]

That’s awesome! Where is the farm located?

In Forest Ranch, up in the foothills outside of Chico. Sierra Cascade Blueberry Farm. Family sells during blueberry season (June-July usually) at SF Ferry Plaza and Berkeley Farmers Markets on Saturdays, and the Marin market on Sunday as well as in various stores (WF, Co-ops, TJs) depending on the year/crop. My wife, daughter and I often help sell at the Saturday markets, which is a lot of fun.

 

[RyanG1]

Hmmm, I didn't think to ask there. 6-10 and 2-6 are def introductory hours. I went to their FB page and it actually pops up a message with "What are your hours?" and "Where are you located?" pre-filled.

"Starting Friday I’ll open 3-10pm Wed-Sat, and Sunday 2-8pm."

 

[cornboy]

Mocha or Java? I've actually never had the Mocha, they don't sell it at the party and I'm not sure where it's actually released...

Mocha is the 2017 version with Mostra cold brew and cacao nibs. I'm not sure where you can pick it up but AFAIK it was a very small run compared to some of the other variants. Are you going to the party this year?

 

[stupac2]

Mocha is the 2017 version with Mostra cold brew and cacao nibs. I'm not sure where you can pick it up but AFAIK it was a very small run compared to some of the other variants. Are you going to the party this year?

I thought they had done it twice, but maybe I'm misremembering. At any rate I haven't ever had it, though they had it on tap for the BI party (I think) so maybe it'll be at the Eclipse party this year. And yes, I'll be there!

 

[Juncture]

Next time I'm out in SF I'll give you a few bottles of '17 eclipse, I have too much of the stuff. Belle Meade and Apple Brandy are my personal favorites but the Mocha is damn good too.

It's a date.

 

[chemman141]

Mocha is the 2017 version with Mostra cold brew and cacao nibs. I'm not sure where you can pick it up but AFAIK it was a very small run compared to some of the other variants. Are you going to the party this year?

It was done for that ******** liquor store/website craft beer kings exclusively. They got with mostra to source the coffee. That being said, coffee eclipse has ALWAYS sucked. Terrible over roasted coffee. Luckily they are switching roasters this year so it may actually be good.

 

[pen15clubmember]

New beer bar/bottle shop opening in SOMA pretty close to the Embarcadero.

 

[MrDave]

New beer bar/bottle shop opening in SOMA pretty close to the Embarcadero.

I can't believe it's the first of it's kind in the the financial district.

About 5 years ago I thought it would be a genius idea to open a California Craft Beer spot on California St. Being the only place in the Financial District to offer something beyond Anchor Steam, Racer 5, and Lagunitas (craftwise), I figured it was sure to be a hit. I talked myself out of it because I figured by the time I developed the business plan, got enough investors, interested parties, found a space, etc, that by that time, someone would either have beaten me to it - or - every **** bar around here with tap handles would wise up and be pouring some better local stuff. While you might find slightly better beer at some spots these days, no one actually showed up as a craft beer spot until now. 5 years later. Crazy.

 

[jtmartino1]

That is quite cool. What else do they grow?

ryans

 

[rrryanc]

ryans

Well, only one that I'm aware of...

 

[pen15clubmember]

I can't believe it's the first of it's kind in the the financial district.

About 5 years ago I thought it would be a genius idea to open a California Craft Beer spot on California St. Being the only place in the Financial District to offer something beyond Anchor Steam, Racer 5, and Lagunitas (craftwise), I figured it was sure to be a hit. I talked myself out of it because I figured by the time I developed the business plan, got enough investors, interested parties, found a space, etc, that by that time, someone would either have beaten me to it - or - every **** bar around here with tap handles would wise up and be pouring some better local stuff. While you might find slightly better beer at some spots these days, no one actually showed up as a craft beer spot until now. 5 years later. Crazy.

You'd think a place there would kill for happy hour alone. Nothing good for beer comes to mind for North Beach either other than Churchkey. La Trappe is a coolish place, but they make you sit in the dark corner when the 5 seats at the bar are full and you're just having drinks and not having dinner. I hate places that pull that ****.

 

[matedog]

You'd think a place there would kill for happy hour alone. Nothing good for beer comes to mind for North Beach either other than Churchkey. La Trappe is a coolish place, but they make you sit in the dark corner when the 5 seats at the bar are full and you're just having drinks and not having dinner. I hate places that pull that ****.

I hope Kennedy’s is still around. Nothing better than slamming pints of Curieux while playing Big Buck Hunter and eating some tasty saag and garlic naan.

 

[teddyarrowhead]

Greetings, Bay Area - I'll be down there 12/13-17 because a buddy offered me a free Thom Yorke ticket and RT flights from PDX were $112. Sweet. Got a cheap rental on Thursday afternoon to hit up SARA, but otherwise am generally free. What's going on/new?

 

[Juncture]

I hope Kennedy’s is still around. Nothing better than slamming pints of Curieux while playing Big Buck Hunter and eating some tasty saag and garlic naan.

Love that Indian place that like... part of Kennedy's. Got plenty of tokens there. Their tap list is always pretty good.

Greetings, Bay Area - I'll be down there 12/13-17 because a buddy offered me a free Thom Yorke ticket and RT flights from PDX were $112. Sweet. Got a cheap rental on Thursday afternoon to hit up SARA, but otherwise am generally free. What's going on/new?

Have you been to San Francisco before? Generally I tell people to hit up these places if you're staying near the areas..

Cellarmaker, City Beer Store, Liquid Gold, Crafty Fox, Toronado and Beer Hall. Maybe Mikkeller Bar. Ignore 7 Stills.

 

[blsvin]

7 Stills.

does anyone know if they fixed their yeast issues? I haven't had anything from them since like April but I remember liking what I had. over the summer I kept hearing about them releasing beer that they had to have known wasn't good, so I stopped buying anything from them.

 

[stupac2]

Greetings, Bay Area - I'll be down there 12/13-17 because a buddy offered me a free Thom Yorke ticket and RT flights from PDX were $112. Sweet. Got a cheap rental on Thursday afternoon to hit up SARA, but otherwise am generally free. What's going on/new?

My dudes are all very interested in putting something together Sunday, if you confirm with me that that works I'll start setting it up!

 

[pen15clubmember]

I hope Kennedy’s is still around. Nothing better than slamming pints of Curieux while playing Big Buck Hunter and eating some tasty saag and garlic naan.

Walked by that Indian spot many times and had no idea there was good beer to be had inside - and games! Especially given how terrible most "Irish Pubs" are beer-wise. Will check it out next time I'm that way.

 

[MrDave]

Walked by that Indian spot many times and had no idea there was good beer to be had inside - and games! Especially given how terrible most "Irish Pubs" are beer-wise. Will check it out next time I'm that way.

What's with Irish pubs that are also Indian food spots? There was a spot up in Piedmont like that too.

 

[Juncture]

Walked by that Indian spot many times and had no idea there was good beer to be had inside - and games! Especially given how terrible most "Irish Pubs" are beer-wise. Will check it out next time I'm that way.

The food is very good, but kinda pricey for Indian food.

 

[matedog]

What's with Irish pubs that are also Indian food spots? There was a spot up in Piedmont like that too.

It's not even an Irish pub. Just the name. I think Irish pub, I think full bar with Smithwick's and Guinness taps. I don't even know if they have booze. It's basically okay craft beer bar + surprisingly good Indian food + pool tables and arcade games.