Bay Area Thread

[stupac2]

CommanderofAwesome really hates Toronado.

Honestly I'm not sure he's ever said anything positive about anything.

 

[matedog]

Stopped by the new City Beer the other night. The vibe is way different. Honestly, the layout and vibe of the old place was always a little weird with the low ceilings and CMU walls and awkward layout. New place is way nicer/less casual and has some real nice food. I've always thought their taplists have been reliably good and diverse and the larger list now follows suit. This is probably still their strong suit.

Bottle shop area is real weird. It's basically like a giant U with the register in the middle. Got some BC Coffee Barleywine which I didn't think I'd find and was at a not unreasonable $15. They had Tilquin too which I haven't seen on shelves in years. $20/375 though, so I passed. I'm beating myself up now, because I don't hesitate to get Beat @ $20/bottle and I def prefer Tilquin. They also had 2016 Hanssens at like $18/375 and 3F OG for like $14/375 which made no god damn sense. I guess holding back lambic = $$$, though Hanssens is still below the radar enough that I've found 2015 and 2016 bottles turding up shelves elsewhere without the CBS premium.

TL/DR: new CBS is fine. Food is good, taplist still good, bottle prices still questionable. Vibe is still offputting, but in a different way.

 

[matedog]

Honestly I'm not sure he's ever said anything positive about anything.

Yet he is still affable in person.

 

[pen15clubmember]

I believe most of that area is covered now. At least that's my recollection from the last time I went, also years ago.

Yeah IIRC they also have plastic all around the beer garden with heaters in the colder months, so it's fine to visit year-round, just more enjoyable in warmer months. If you go to Lagunitas, @bdemarco you may as well check out Hen House across the street.

 

[Lupulin the 3rd]

CommanderofAwesome really hates Toronado.

I really wish we had a Toronado here in the East Bay. I never wanna drink anywhere outside of my apartment because prices are just too damn high both in the City and in the East Bay. Toronado's one of the few places with affordable prices.

 

[BrandoSF]

I really wish we had a Toronado here in the East Bay. I never wanna drink anywhere outside of my apartment because prices are just too damn high both in the City and in the East Bay. Toronado's one of the few places with affordable prices.

You can get a blind pig for $4 before 6pm! Best deal in the city.

 

[archagon]

I really wish we had a Toronado here in the East Bay. I never wanna drink anywhere outside of my apartment because prices are just too damn high both in the City and in the East Bay. Toronado's one of the few places with affordable prices.

Isn't that basically Beer Rev?

 

[stupac2]

Isn't that basically Beer Rev?

Their prices are close to standard now.

 

[Lupulin the 3rd]

Isn't that basically Beer Rev?

I like Beer Rev, but I wouldn't exactly put their prices in the "affordable" category. Like stupac2 said, they're standard--about $8 for a pour of IPA. It's not unheard of to see their board filled with stuff between $8-$12.

 

[CommanderofAwesome]

Their prices are close to standard now.

Those DT Jack London rents aren't getting any cheaper unfortunately.

 

[stupac2]

Those DT Jack London rents aren't getting any cheaper unfortunately.

I think it's more that Fraggle's gone. Prices went up pretty quickly after Rebecca took full control. They probably were going up either way (not raising prices for 8 years is a recipe for going out of business) but I bet they'd be at least buck lower if he were still in charge.

 

[dimensionx]

Stopped by the new City Beer the other night. The vibe is way different. Honestly, the layout and vibe of the old place was always a little weird with the low ceilings and CMU walls and awkward layout. New place is way nicer/less casual and has some real nice food. I've always thought their taplists have been reliably good and diverse and the larger list now follows suit. This is probably still their strong suit.

Bottle shop area is real weird. It's basically like a giant U with the register in the middle. Got some BC Coffee Barleywine which I didn't think I'd find and was at a not unreasonable $15. They had Tilquin too which I haven't seen on shelves in years. $20/375 though, so I passed. I'm beating myself up now, because I don't hesitate to get Beat @ $20/bottle and I def prefer Tilquin. They also had 2016 Hanssens at like $18/375 and 3F OG for like $14/375 which made no god damn sense. I guess holding back lambic = $$$, though Hanssens is still below the radar enough that I've found 2015 and 2016 bottles turding up shelves elsewhere without the CBS premium.

TL/DR: new CBS is fine. Food is good, taplist still good, bottle prices still questionable. Vibe is still offputting, but in a different way.

I want to like the new CBS, but their draft prices make the rest of San Francisco seem affordable. If the beers were consistently good or interesting that would also help, but it seems like they cater to tickers more than they cater to people who like beers that are good. They had a 9$ pilsner the other day, went to Toronado instead.

 

[bigstrunso]

$9 pilsner? Get the **** out CBS.

 

[CommanderofAwesome]

They had a 9$ pilsner the other day,

What type of hops were in it? Was it a hazy pils?

 

[CommanderofAwesome]

I think it's more that Fraggle's gone. Prices went up pretty quickly after Rebecca took full control. They probably were going up either way (not raising prices for 8 years is a recipe for going out of business) but I bet they'd be at least buck lower if he were still in charge.

You might be right, I didn't know Fraggle well enough nor do I have a sour word to speak of Rebecca in my limited exposure. She was always awesome to the BA Tasting Club crew the few times I went to that. They have BCBS on at Louie's by my office in FiDi (SF) @ something like ~ $13-$15 for a 7 oz pour. Nothing at BR scares me or even seems remotely out of the normal cost from a $$$ perspective the way it can be at places like CBS/The Trappist.

I love that BR exists, love the vibe/atmosphere and the ppl working there have always treated me very well.

TL;Dr: I'm fine to pay market rate at BR to keep them in business.

 

[pablito]

Anybody in the East Bay in need of a 32 oz Rare Barrel growler? It's the Kleen Kanteen style (not ceramic) and has an "Ambassadors of Sour" logo on it. Send me a PM and it's yours.

 

[Juncture]

CBS has always been stupidly expensive. Although, I have been able to get some very rare stuff on tap there. I tend to avoid CBS and Healthy Spirits.

 

[archagon]

If anyone's interested, Foodhall on 3100 16th St. had 6 varieties of Bourbon County (vanilla, orange, berry, wheatwine, coffee barleywine, regular) plus 3F goodies (Hommage, Golden Blend) when I went earlier today. BCs $35 a pop, 3F $60.

 

[pen15clubmember]

If anyone's interested, Foodhall on 3100 16th St. had 6 varieties of Bourbon County (vanilla, orange, berry, wheatwine, coffee barleywine, regular) plus 3F goodies (Hommage, Golden Blend) when I went earlier today. BCs $35 a pop, 3F $60.

Damn, I didn't know there was a place so close Pakwan with good beer selection. Usually, if we're there and haven't remember to bring something to BYO then we'd go to that corner store across the street. *Arnold voice* thanks for the tip.

 

[user 306926]

Flying in 3/17. Really only have one day to peruse the beer scene.
Must stops?

I was looking for an SF local guide but didn't see one.

I'm looking at staying in SOMA and navigating from there.
Toronado, Cellarmaker, Mikkeller...
What else should a first timer do?

Also, looking for art gallery recommendations for my Monday site seeing bit.

 

[bigstrunso]

Most galleries are gonna be closed on Monday

 

[socratez]

SFMoMA is cool and open on Mondays (not a gallery, but art).

 

[user 306926]

SFMoMA is cool and open on Mondays (not a gallery, but art).

Cool. I say gallery as I don't care for the term museum. That makes me think of ancient egyptian artifacts, and knights armor. Thats fine if you are into it. I'm just looking for the classic impressionist stuff.

Legion of Honor is closed Mondays, yes. May have to scoot in there Sun before getting on the beer.

 

[rrryanc]

Cool. I say gallery as I don't care for the term museum. That makes me think of ancient egyptian artifacts, and knights armor. Thats fine if you are into it. I'm just looking for the classic impressionist stuff.

Legion of Honor is closed Mondays, yes. May have to scoot in there Sun before getting on the beer.

DeYoung is a cool spot to check out as well, and it's in a neat location in GG park. Closed on Monday as well.

Cellarmaker SOMA is closed on Monday, City Beer is open though, Beer Hall is nearby as well. You could check out Cellarmaker Pizza and Old Devil Moon, which are just down the street from each other and both open Sunday and Monday.

 

[mikehblack]

Damn, I didn't know there was a place so close Pakwan with good beer selection. Usually, if we're there and haven't remember to bring something to BYO then we'd go to that corner store across the street. *Arnold voice* thanks for the tip.

I swear that liquor store across the street raised their prices knowing people are coming over from Pakwan. A 6er of Lagunitas is like $12.00 or something stupid.

 

[Gaseous Clay]

Flying in 3/17. Really only have one day to peruse the beer scene.
Must stops?

I was looking for an SF local guide but didn't see one.

I'm looking at staying in SOMA and navigating from there.
Toronado, Cellarmaker, Mikkeller...
What else should a first timer do?

Also, looking for art gallery recommendations for my Monday site seeing bit.

Some cool local stuff:

-Walk down 24th street in the mission and stop at one of the restaurants for a nice burrito. My go-to was always Taqueria Vallarta, but La Taqueria and El Farolito are both fantastic as well. Check out some of the street art in the alley ways while you're there.

-Head out to Clement Street in the Inner Richmond for the walk-up dim sum counters. Check out Green Apple books while youre in the area.

-Mission Dolores is usually fun if its sunny. Bring a tall boy in a paper sack and relax in the park for a bit.

-Seward Street Slides are a fun little pit stop if youre in the area. Bring cardboard to sit on cause it will rip your pants up.

-Chinatown is a tourist trap, but if youve never been its fun to walk around there.

-Walk around the Presidio or Lands End if the weather is good. Really gorgeous part of the city.

-I always recommend going to Pizetta 211 for some great pizza if youre in the Richmond. Love that spot.

De Young, SFMoMa, and Legion of Honor are all great for art.

Have fun! Head to Oakland!

 

[KevSal]

hazy pty??


(Link to media)

thats the haziest ive ever seen it

 

[pen15clubmember]

Curious how the lines will be this year with the two locations.

 

[KevSal]

Curious how the lines will be this year with the two locations.

apparently huge line at pub, 30 people at windsor. hopefully this trend continues, i might make a trip to windsor

 

[rrryanc]

apparently huge line at pub, 30 people at windsor. hopefully this trend continues, i might make a trip to windsor

People still wait in line for PTY?