A beer geek's pub crawl through SF.
Let me begin with the requisite disclaimer: in order to take full advantage of the route suggested below, DITCH YOUR CAR and partake in the comfort of the leisurely public transportation system of San Francisco. Or, if you’re slightly more flush and/or impatient, taxis are always nice too. But if you start at the Beach Chalet, it’s a short walk to the Fulton 5 or the N Judah, both of which will get you in spitting distance of any of the other beer-friendly bars and brewpubs worthy of your patronage.
Stop 1 — The Beach Chalet
1000 Great Highway btw. Fulton & Lincoln
San Francisco, CA, 94121
(415) 386-8439
In all honesty, this isn’t the best place for food (i.e., small portions, big prices, lotsa grease, bad service). But the beer is outstanding; easily among the best of the craft-brewed beers in Northern California. And it has a beautiful view of the Pacific upstairs and a vast lawn complete with Adirondack chairs downstairs on the edge of Golden Gate Park. It is a pleasant place to while away an hour or so with one or two or three of the delicious beers made on the premises. Try the local favorite, the Presidio IPA, or better yet, the Doppelganger Double IPA if it’s available, enjoy one of the wonderful, rich darker beers, the Golden Gate Park Porter or the Fleishhaker Stout or if lighter is your thing, the VFW Light, the West End Wheat or the Bavarian Hefeweizen are all going to delight you.
Stop 2 — The Alembic
1725 Haight Street @ Cole
San Francisco, CA, 94117
(415) 666-0822
The sister restaurant of Magnolia brewpub down the road. Here is where you should fill your belly with delicious Southern-inspired food and many, many tasty brews. They carry the best of Magnolia on their taps as well as several guest beers from local micro and craft breweries and they have an extensive list of bottled beers from all over the world. All of this combined with a comfortable, cozy and pretty décor will make an hour or two here fly by.
Stop 3 — Toronado
547 Haight Street @ Fillmore
San Francisco, CA, 94117
(415) 863-2276
Jump on the 7 Haight bus or the 71 Noriega and ride down to Fillmore where you’ll find the Toronado, the beer geek’s heaven. With dozens and dozens of beers on tap and more than a hundred available in the bottle, you can literally drink your way around the world. The room is funky and very rock and roll, the service is knowledgeable, if not always effusively friendly and the jukebox is killer.
Stop 4 — Lucky 13
2140 Market Street @ Church
San Francisco, CA, 94114
(415) 487-1313
Take a stroll across Duboce Park to Market Street where you’ll find a San Francisco staple: Lucky 13. Boasting the longest bar in the city and a stellar beer selection, the Lucky 13 has played host to beer snobs for over a decade. Much like the Toronado, the 13 has a decisively punk rock vibe. There’ foosball and pinball upstairs, a pool table in the back, a little beer garden and of course, an excellent array of beers from all over, with some hard-to-find selections on tap.
Stop 5 — Zeitgeist
199 Valencia @ Duboce
San Francisco, CA, 94103
(415) 255-7505
A nice downhill stroll from Lucky 13, or you can hop on the F Line street car and ride it down to Valencia then head to your right to the corner of Valencia and Duboce where you’ll find Mecca. An expansive beer garden of long communal picnic tables, a dirty fabulous bar with the choicest brews and spirits. Appropriately surly and tattooed bartenders and the barbecue will be hot and serving up some of the most ridiculously huge and delicious burgers in the city. With your burger, enjoy some of the fine local microbrews they have on tap or one or two bottled imports from anywhere.
Stop 6 — Thirsty Bear Brewing Company
661 Howard Street @ Sixth Street
San Francisco, CA, 94105
(415) 974-0905
Zeitgeist may end up being your last stop due to the amount of beer consumed or due to the fact that it is better than Disneyland if you’re a beer drinker. But if you have it in you to go a little farther and eat and drink a little more, catch the 14 Mission bus down to Sixth Street and Howard where you can snack on Spanish tapas and enjoy a couple of craft brews, made right behind the bar.
Stop 7 — 21st Amendment
563 2nd Street @ Bryant
San Francisco, CA, 94107
(415) 369-0900
By now a little walk might do you some good. Stroll down to Second Street between Bryant and Brannan and enjoy the friendly bar at 21st Amendment, another of San Francisco’s fine local breweries. Their house favorite is the Watermelon Wheat, served on tap with a wedge of fresh watermelon. A perfect end to a long and beery day.
