Bay Area Thread

[matedog]

Fisherman's wharf area but happy to walk. Thanks to all with the info on rare barrel.

Here's a pro-tip - walk away from Fisherman's Wharf.

 

[CommanderofAwesome]

Fisherman's wharf area but happy to walk. Thanks to all with the info on rare barrel.

Here's my favorite place to watch an NFL game in the city: http://bartletthall.com/
http://bartletthall.com/
Trying to find a real sports bar in SF is harder than finding a decent beer at the Rouge Taproom, but this place is solid. Solid beer list, good food and enough TVs to actually be called a sports bar with seating.

 

[Macenson]

Here's a pro-tip - walk away from Fisherman's Wharf.

Lol, yeah, will definitely get to the more local areas. Hotwire just had super cheap deals. I heard Pier 3 was good?

 

[coldstorage]

Here's a pro-tip - walk away from Fisherman's Wharf.

My favorite place in SF, even more favorite-er than Toronado, is in Fishermans Wharf... Shout out to the second "Jolly Jack" thats in the middle of the room (the one w/ the slow laugh), the typewriter fortune teller and my personal favorite "the end of the road".

Also, a bit out of place there, but where else can you play one of the last functioning death race machines for a quarter? In a sane world it would be behind a golden rope.

Worth the stroll over Macenson. Admission is free but you are gonna want a sack of quarters.

 

[Buckbo]

Anyone want 2 tickets to 'RA the rugged man' at the Catalyst in Santa Cruz tonight? I can't make it, free to you.

 

[kbenson]

Here's a pro-tip - walk away from Fisherman's Wharf.

My favorite place in SF, even more favorite-er than Toronado, is in Fishermans Wharf... Shout out to the second "Jolly Jack" thats in the middle of the room (the one w/ the slow laugh), the typewriter fortune teller and my personal favorite "the end of the road".

Also, a bit out of place there, but where else can you play one of the last functioning death race machines for a quarter? In a sane world it would be behind a golden rope.

Worth the stroll over Macenson. Admission is free but you are gonna want a sack of quarters.

Musee Mecanique is indeed awesome. I also wander into FW to get In-N-Out, which I try never to pass up when in SF.

 

[bumbillbee]

Just saw a couple buy six bottles of BA Vanilla Shake, the hype is real I guess.

 

[matedog]

Lol, yeah, will definitely get to the more local areas. Hotwire just had super cheap deals. I heard Pier 3 was good?

Yeah, I was just being a snarky local. Tons of cheaper hotels there, so it makes sense. Don't know about Pier 3, but looks fun.

 

[hideout]

the track 7/alvarado st collab is awesome. nice apricot flavor, not too tart, definitely try it if you see it somewhere

 

[Oaklandtraders]

Anybody thinking of going to Drake's tomorrow afternoon for their Club Preview Party?

 

[chemman141]

the track 7/alvarado st collab is awesome. nice apricot flavor, not too tart, definitely try it if you see it somewhere

Agree, I really hope they revisit that one.

 

[AndresR]

Anybody thinking of going to Drake's tomorrow afternoon for their Club Preview Party?

Drake's has a CLUB? What the ****!?!

Like, THE Drake's brewing?

 

[Oaklandtraders]

Drake's has a CLUB? What the ****!?!

Like, THE Drake's brewing?

Not sure if srs or not, but just in case. I know I know, they don't brew uber limited, hazy, canned, line inducing IPAs but I can say honestly that I enjoy more of what they put out, than do not. Call me a homer. Or homie. Or both. Also, hoping I'm able to fill club growler at Dealership.

 

[DannyFullpint]

Mmmmmm Drake's sours. So good.

 

[CommanderofAwesome]

Mmmmmm Drake's unintentional sours. So good.

¥esssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

Think I'll sit this one out. Their barrel program ranges from, "hmm that's not half bad" to "lolwut? This is ******* toothpaste".

 

[coldstorage]

The BAJR last year was pretty tasty. Sort of hard to justify the price... but pretty tasty.

Bummed to see a lot of established breweries trying to throw their hat in the "society" ring. Sierra, Bear Republic, Drakes... it just isn't really their strong suit. Plus, i'm not wild about the crowd sourcing and exclusivity aspects of all this **** anyway but I get that it's how a lot of places are able to grow quickly and minimize risk... and that it might be a necessary evil for a new player to be competitive since its status quo. It's just too bad that it appears to be contagious.

 

[rrryanc]

The BAJR last year was pretty tasty. Sort of hard to justify the price... but pretty tasty.

Bummed to see a lot of established breweries trying to throw their hat in the "society" ring. Sierra, Bear Republic, Drakes... it just isn't really their strong suit. Plus, i'm not wild about the crowd sourcing and exclusivity aspects of all this **** anyway but I get that it's how a lot of places are able to grow quickly and minimize risk... and that it might be a necessary evil for a new player to be competitive since its status quo. It's just too bad that it appears to be contagious.

I actually think that the big, established brewers could do a kick-ass club if they tried. But it'd need to be less exclusive beers and more exclusive experiences. Or they'd really need to commit to making awesome beers and not brewer's choice - which tend to be unique for uniqueness sake.

I definitely think that people would pay to participate in a brew day at Drakes, or a guided tasting by Ken Grossman, or a barrel tasting experience at Barrel Republic. And those breweries have the resources to properly manage a club, with people dedicated to communication, real websites, etc.

 

[chemman141]

I actually think that the big, established brewers could do a kick-ass club if they tried. But it'd need to be less exclusive beers and more exclusive experiences. Or they'd really need to commit to making awesome beers and not brewer's choice - which tend to be unique for uniqueness sake.

I definitely think that people would pay to participate in a brew day at Drakes, or a guided tasting by Ken Grossman, or a barrel tasting experience at Barrel Republic. And those breweries have the resources to properly manage a club, with people dedicated to communication, real websites, etc.

Sierras AHS was the biggest waste of money I ever took part in. I have no idea how they sold it out at an even higher cost this year. Sucker born every day I guess.

 

[coldstorage]

I agree that a membership with perks like Guided tastings or brew days could be nice, and wouldn't object if there is a clear path to membership but this

unique for uniqueness sake.

seems to be how they are playing out so far. Have you seen the Alpha Hop Society or the Bear Republic club releases so far? Woof!

Down to join the Anchor club when it gets up and running. Hope it comes with one of those fancy Willy Wonka jump suits I always see them walking around in!

 

[rrryanc]

Sierras AHS was the biggest waste of money I ever took part in. I have no idea how they sold it out at an even higher cost this year. Sucker born every day I guess.

I mean, I'm pretty sure you just joined every single club that you could in the state of California last year, so I'm not sure you're one to talk about suckers.

Sierra Nevada's club was nearly guaranteed to be a disaster. Here's the description of the first 1/4 of the club beers:
American Wild Red Ale, a Barrel-Aged Stock Scotch-style Ale—Aged in Brandy and Absinthe Barrel, Barrel-Aged Pentuppel with Chilies.

That was the easiest pass of the year. Especially if you'd ever tried any of their "unique" offerings in Berkeley or Chico.

 

[rrryanc]

I agree that a membership with perks like Guided tastings or brew days could be nice, and wouldn't object if there is a clear path to membership but this seems to be how they are playing out so far. Have you seen the Alpha Hop Society or the Bear Republic club releases so far? Woof!

Down to join the Anchor club when it gets up and running. Hope it comes with one of those fancy Willy Wonka jump suits I always see them walking around in!

Right, but then the qualm isn't so much that they're creating a society or club, but just that they're doing a terrible job of it. Which I wholeheartedly agree with.

 

[drgarage1]

I mean, I'm pretty sure you just joined every single club that you could in the state of California last year, so I'm not sure you're one to talk about suckers.

Sierra Nevada's club was nearly guaranteed to be a disaster. Here's the description of the first 1/4 of the club beers:
American Wild Red Ale, a Barrel-Aged Stock Scotch-style Ale—Aged in Brandy and Absinthe Barrel, Barrel-Aged Pentuppel with Chilies.

That was the easiest pass of the year. Especially if you'd ever tried any of their "unique" offerings in Berkeley or Chico.

jedwards

 

[chemman141]

I mean, I'm pretty sure you just joined every single club that you could in the state of California last year, so I'm not sure you're one to talk about suckers.

Sierra Nevada's club was nearly guaranteed to be a disaster. Here's the description of the first 1/4 of the club beers:
American Wild Red Ale, a Barrel-Aged Stock Scotch-style Ale—Aged in Brandy and Absinthe Barrel, Barrel-Aged Pentuppel with Chilies.

That was the easiest pass of the year. Especially if you'd ever tried any of their "unique" offerings in Berkeley or Chico.

I think you are confusing me with someone else, last year I was in: Casa Agria, Mraz, AHS, Libertine on my own and split The Rare Barrel and Dionysus.
This year I dropped Mraz, AHS, and added a CO brewery I am unable to name (split with a friend) and Powder Keg (another CO brewery)

Definitely nowhere near every single club, though nice try at a burn

 

[RyanG1]

I mean, I'm pretty sure you just joined every single club that you could in the state of California last year, so I'm not sure you're one to talk about suckers.

Sierra Nevada's club was nearly guaranteed to be a disaster. Here's the description of the first 1/4 of the club beers:
American Wild Red Ale, a Barrel-Aged Stock Scotch-style Ale—Aged in Brandy and Absinthe Barrel, Barrel-Aged Pentuppel with Chilies.

That was the easiest pass of the year. Especially if you'd ever tried any of their "unique" offerings in Berkeley or Chico.

Those beers were quite interesting, weird is probably the right word, but really enjoyed the ones shared by jedwards.

 

[drgarage1]

Those beers were quite interesting, weird is probably the right word, but really enjoyed the ones shared by jedwards.

All the beers are so weird. That dry-hopped saison???

 

[stupac2]

Those beers were quite interesting, weird is probably the right word, but really enjoyed the ones shared by jedwards.

I mean, based on the ones I've had they were all worth, like, maybe $4 for a taster. $30 or whatever for a bottle is crazypants.

It's really sad that this is what clubs have become. I quit 50-50's because all I wanted was good versions of the things they do well, but instead it's all "let's barrel age some weird style no one likes! AND THEN THROW FRUIT IN OMG YAASSSSSSS". Why can't you just use the extra cash to focus on making something simple but really high-quality? Frustrating.

And yes, Drake's doing a membership is hilarious to me. And I like Drake's! But, come on, unless things have changed a lot their barrel program is significantly more likely to produce complete garbage than something fantastic.

 

[RyanG1]

We need an Ale Industries or Hermitage Society!

 

[Arbitrator]

Mmmmmm Drake's sours. So good.

That statement was true in 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 ... Actually, I don't know if your post is serious.

Their IPAs are usually decent. Maybe I'll stop in soon.

 

[rrryanc]

I think you are confusing me with someone else, last year I was in: Casa Agria, Mraz, AHS, Libertine on my own and split The Rare Barrel and Dionysus.
This year I dropped Mraz, AHS, and added a CO brewery I am unable to name (split with a friend) and Powder Keg (another CO brewery)

Definitely nowhere near every single club, though nice try at a burn

OK, so you missed The Bruery, Modern Times and Sante Adarius. AKA the best clubs in the state. But you joined Casa Agria and Dionysus even though they'd never actually produced a commercial beer, AHS even though the list was terrible and I didn't even realize that Mraz had a club. I guess you also missed 50/50's club, which was a trainwreck as well. What other clubs were there?

 

[pen15clubmember]

Down to join the Anchor club when it gets up and running. Hope it comes with one of those fancy Willy Wonka jump suits I always see them walking around in!

Do you have any more info on this? The googles aren't working. tyvm