Visiting the San Francisco Bay Area

[CommanderofAwesome]

Why isn't Speakeasy mentioned in here? Are they not worth a visit? I like their Big and Double Daddy bottles....

Not worth visiting IMO. Put them on the same tier as pyramid, drakes, and 21st. Kings of mediocre.

 

[shelf_turd_ferguson]

In the Northbay, in Novato, there's Hopmonk tavern. There's also a location in Sebastapol and somewhere else. They have about 20 taps and 100 bottles, which is nice, but higher prices.

I think I'm going to check out Woodfour Brewing in Sebastapol on Monday afternoon.
I'll also get to Baeltane brewing in the next weeks or so. I'll report back what I experience.

Not worth visiting IMO. Put them on the same tier as pyramid, drakes, and 21st. Kings of mediocre.

What's wrong with Drake's?

 

[buzzword]

What's wrong with Drake's?

that's what I was thinking...

 

[shelf_turd_ferguson]

that's what I was thinking...

My problem with them is they don't seem to be dating bottles (anymore). FBO says they should have yellow ink on the neck/shoulder. I can't find any color ink anywhere on them, so I haven't bought any.

 

[drgarage1]

My problem with them is they don't seem to be dating bottles (anymore). FBO says they should have yellow ink on the neck/shoulder. I can't find any color ink anywhere on them, so I haven't bought any.

Doesn't make the brewery not worth visiting...

 

[CommanderofAwesome]

I don't want to come off as mr negative/drakes hater (the people in the tap room are very nice/helpful and has a cool vibe), but I'm just not a fig ban of their beers. Don't think any beer they make is above average. Their bigger beers/barrel program beers are all thin as can be, their IPAs are solid but nothing special. I'd rather have a knee deep ipa to theirs. Eh I dont know, just mediocre IMO. If you like drakes though, that's cool. Just don't do anything for me.

 

[shelf_turd_ferguson]

I was just saying my problem with Drake's, of course bottle dating has almost nothing to do with actually visiting the place. I will visit the place once I can go with my brother who also wants to go.
Looks like I'm going to Jupiter brewpub by Cal today.

I don't want to come off as mr negative/drakes hater (the people in the tap room are very nice/helpful and has a cool vibe), but I'm just not a fig ban of their beers. Don't think any beer they make is above average. Their bigger beers/barrel program beers are all thin as can be, their IPAs are solid but nothing special. I'd rather have a knee deep ipa to theirs. Eh I dont know, just mediocre IMO. If you like drakes though, that's cool. Just don't do anything for me.

Thanks for clarifying. Placing them as mediocre was surprising, and you yourself say the IPAs are solid.
I've only had their IPA and it was average, but I much prefer DIPAs to IPAs.

 

[Arbitrator]

I don't want to come off as mr negative/drakes hater (the people in the tap room are very nice/helpful and has a cool vibe), but I'm just not a fig ban of their beers. Don't think any beer they make is above average. Their bigger beers/barrel program beers are all thin as can be, their IPAs are solid but nothing special. I'd rather have a knee deep ipa to theirs. Eh I dont know, just mediocre IMO. If you like drakes though, that's cool. Just don't do anything for me.

I live 10 minutes from there and agree with you on all counts. It's a nice place to visit if you are nearby, but it is not a destination.

Their barrel program has improved considerably in the last 5 years. They were hilariously bad back in the day. I think they realized that the "intentionally soured" imperial stouts and barleywines weren't fooling anyone.

 

[mjl21]

Henhouse in Petaluma and Cellarmaker in SF are both making some good beer.

 

[shelf_turd_ferguson]

Just got back from Jupiter on Shattuck next to Cal. Their IPA and DIPA were really good. Their honey wheat was also quite good. Food menu was slim but my party liked everything we got. I'd recommend it.

 

[CommanderofAwesome]

I live 10 minutes from there and agree with you on all counts. It's a nice place to visit if you are nearby, but it is not a destination.

Their barrel program has improved considerably in the last 5 years. They were hilariously bad back in the day. I think they realized that the "intentionally soured" imperial stouts and barleywines weren't fooling anyone.

From what I understand they have a hard time keeping head brewers, their last 2 head brewers were only there a yr or less before they bounced to other breweries. Difficult to gain traction/consistency that way I'm sure.

 

[DougOLis]

Just got back from Jupiter on Shattuck next to Cal. Their IPA and DIPA were really good. Their honey wheat was also quite good. Food menu was slim but my party liked everything we got. I'd recommend it.

Triple Rock down the street does some good beers too. Also, I think they're affiliated somehow?

 

[yamar68]

SF City:
Churchkey (North Beach): A smaller, kind of hidden bar near the corner of Grant and Green. Always seems to have an impressive selection of beers on tap.

Kind of hidden?

I was standing at the intersection for a good 5 minutes wondering if the place had moved or went out of business or something.

 

[shelf_turd_ferguson]

In the Northbay, in Novato, there's Hopmonk tavern. There's also a location in Sebastapol and somewhere else. They have about 20 taps and 100 bottles, which is nice, but higher prices.

I think I'm going to check out Woodfour Brewing in Sebastapol on Monday afternoon.
I'll also get to Baeltane brewing in the next weeks or so. I'll report back what I experience.


What's wrong with Drake's?

Not really sure if there's a place to do short write-ups here, so I'll just keep blabbering in this thread.

Hopmonks Novato is a bit pricey and doesn't quite have the proper pub feel. Their dunkel is good, their pale and IPA are average. They have a pretty good draught/bottle selection though. It's not near a hotel or anything other than shops in Vintage Oaks, so probably not a great destination for visitors.

Went to 21st Amendment by AT&T, their on-premise draughts (e.g. 900, Red Dwarf or w/e) were very good. Their Oak quad was so flavorful and thick, I'm glad I only tried it. It was pretty cold in the place though. I really liked the Jerk Chicken I got.

I never made it to Woodfour or Baeltane. Went to RR, apparently they are now limiting flights to two per table. To be fair it makes sense, as it's a great $ deal and takes work to fill all those little glasses. Still, it's one of the great things I've told people to go there and get; try all the beers you can!

Also, I've started seeing Drake's bottles with yellowish ink bottled on dates. I don't get why some companies use black ink on amber; everyone should use yellow. Must be a $ thing?

 

[Michigan1]

Coming in March 9-16. Hope to grab a few beers with you guys.

 

[shelf_turd_ferguson]

Coming in March 9-16. Hope to grab a few beers with you guys.

Fcuk you, we hate you.

 

[Michigan1]

Fcuk you, we hate you.

 

[litheum94]

Heads up for travelers: Russian River will be closed starting tomorrow, until the 10th, for renovations.

 

[drgarage1]

Heads up for travelers: Russian River will be closed starting tomorrow, until the 10th, for renovations.

And really don't fall for it when they tell you there's a renovations-only line that moves much faster.

 

[preacher1]

I'm heading up there next week and looking forward to visiting some of the newer places... Staying Mon-Tue in the city and Wed-Fri in Marin. I will be wearing a Seahawks shirt...all week.

 

[barnold]

Kind of hidden?

I was standing at the intersection for a good 5 minutes wondering if the place had moved or went out of business or something.

Ha, I always look down Grant for the key logo above the door. Should have been more clear on the "kind of hidden" part

 

[litheum94]

Construction at Russian River is finished. Back bar area looks much better.

Also, they raised prices on all their beer by $.25.

 

[mjl21]

Construction at Russian River is finished. Back bar area looks much better.

Also, they raised prices on all their beer by $.25.

They also raised their to-go beer prices. Pliny is now $5.25/bottle. Growler glass is now $9.00 and fills are $15.00.

 

[drgarage1]

They also raised their to-go beer prices. Pliny is now $5.25/bottle. Growler glass is now $9.00 and fills are $15.00.

That extra quarter is really obnoxious from a change standpoint.

 

[Arbitrator]

That extra quarter is really obnoxious from a change standpoint.

I'm slightly annoyed, since the scars of coin-op laundry are all too fresh.

 

[drgarage1]

I'm slightly annoyed, since the scars of coin-op laundry are all too fresh.

By far the biggest change in my life brought about by home ownership is that I no longer to need to hoard quarters.

 

[oddapter]

I'd just give them six and have 3 quarters. This is BETTER than just $5.00!!!

 

[litheum94]

That extra quarter is really obnoxious from a change standpoint.

Especially for when I just wanted to stop in an grab a bottle. So easy to just hand over a $5 and walk out. Now I have to wait for change, as I don't hand out quarters for the already stated laundry reasons.

 

[buzzword]

Especially for when I just wanted to stop in an grab a bottle. So easy to just hand over a $5 and walk out. Now I have to wait for change, as I don't hand out quarters for the already stated laundry reasons.

ah, the ever-increasing price of convenience. at least they (usually) have it available. bottle barn used to be my go-to spot, especially since they were selling it for $4 per, but it's super inconsistent and sells out quickly. first world problems.

 

[litheum94]

ah, the ever-increasing price of convenience. at least they (usually) have it available. bottle barn used to be my go-to spot, especially since they were selling it for $4 per, but it's super inconsistent and sells out quickly. first world problems.

You can't even really bet on the pub having it anymore. I was there about a week and a half ago, and all they had were bottles of Supplication. Didn't even have Damnation or Redemption. They better be stocking up for Younger, or else PtE and Blind Pig will hit temporary whale status