By Manali Karmarkar
Craft breweries have exploded in popularity over the past few years in the Bay Area. Small micro (or nano!) breweries seem to be popping up with increasing regularity, and beer seems to be slowly but steadily surpassing wine as the after-work drink of choice for discerning beverage enthusiasts (despite the negative media messaging around gluten and carbs). This is probably happening for a few reasons.
First, beer is delicious and nutritious. Second, beer is a whole lot easier to pair with food than wine is. Eating spicy food? Grab a lighter, crisper beer like a Pilsner or a Kölsch. Eating meats or heavier stews? Try a darker beer, like a porter or an ale. Lastly, the beer world lacks a lot of the pretentiousness and snobbery that — sadly — accompanies the wine industry, and it is much more affordable. You’d be hard pressed to find a pint that retails for much more than $7, and you wouldn’t break the bank trying a variety of craft-brew places, unlike you would during a jaunt to Napa or Sonoma. Here are a few places that will allow you to explore a full range of brews.
Cellarmaker: Located in a rapidly gentrifying area in SOMA, Cellarmaker posts an extensive variety of creative and very aromatic brews. This establishment is for the discerning beer drinker. The beers are produced in small, limited batches, and new beers are released on a regular cadence. If you’re a fan of rich, dark porters, don’t miss the Coffee And Cigarettes (7.5% ABV), which is sometimes brewed with Sightglass coffee. This beer is exactly what you would want to drink on a rainy Saturday afternoon — it’s rich and chocolatey and has strong hints of spice and coffee notes that warm the soul. If you prefer a lighter brew, go for the Typo Pills (5.3% ABV), a clean, crisp, smooth brew with slightly hoppy notes. There’s no kitchen here, but a bunch of local restaurants (including CatHead’s BBQ) deliver directly to the establishment.
Drake’s: Drake’s Dealership is yet another reason to move to Oakland and boasts some things you just don’t get in San Francisco anymore — wide-open spaces, friendly people and outdoor seating. Drake’s has been brewing beer since the 1980s and was founded in San Leandro (the original brewery is still there). They recently took over an old Dodge dealership in downtown Oakland, where they feature some of their most popular brews as well as some limited-edition beers you won’t find in stores. The food is also delicious (don’t miss their garlic fries). Draft-wise, you should definitely try the Drake’s IPA (7.0% ABV). This beer put Drake’s on the map; it’s a classic California-style IPA with notes of grapefruit and strong hoppy flavors. The Black Robusto (6.3% ABV) is delicious as well and contains strong caramel, chocolate and coffee notes but is relatively light bodied for a porter-style ale. Oh, and they’re dog friendly.
Black Hammer Brewing: This brewery is ideal for an after-work/pre-dinner brew. It’s located conveniently at 4th and Bryant Streets, which should make all you Caltrain commuters happy. Its seriously delicious brews include the Squid Ink IPA (7.0% ABV), which put Pacific Brewing Laboratory (also part of Black Hammer) on the map. It’s an IPA for IPA enthusiasts and is very hoppy, slightly bitter and chocolatey. It’s the color of squid ink, but no squid ink brewed with this beer! If you’re not a fan of IPAs, definitely try the Bock (8.2% ABV). It packs a punch with the relatively high ABV but is smooth, with muted caramel and spice notes. There’s no kitchen here, and the owner mentioned that there is no plan to open one, but you can order food to be delivered here. We enjoyed our brews with some fresh Goat Hill Pizza. They’re also dog friendly.
Black Sands Brewery: This was a much needed addition to the Lower Haight drinking and dining scene and boasts a full food menu, spirits and a rotating home-brew list. They offer classes in home brewing as well, for those who are interested in making their own draft. Stop here for brunch on a Sunday afternoon and try the Paramount (4.4% ABV), brewed with local hops, right out of Glen Park. The chorizo scramble ($10) and Pumpkin Spiced French Toast ($12) are excellent too, though service can definitely be a bit slow.
Triple Voodoo Brewery: Located in the Dogpatch, this brewery features a rotating menu of Belgian-style ales and IPAs. If you’re a fan of Belgian-style ales, taste the Biere Du Blanc (8.5% ABV), a crisp, citrusy take on a beloved style of beer. There’s excellent root beer on tap here as well for your non-beer-imbibing companions. There’s no kitchen here either, but the owners welcome outside food in the establishment, and there are a variety of nearby restaurants you can order delivery from. They’re dog friendly as well.
