Weekend in SF

I had two big beer events during my weekend in San Francisco. Lucky for me all of the wedding events was at night so that left a lot of free time during the day. I have not been in San Fran for several years and I knew I wanted to experience the craft beer scene. After a quick search I located Bay Area Brewery Tours; when it comes to drinking getting around and unknown city, simplicity is best. Bay Area Brewery Tour was great and well prices for the amenities.  The tour included 3 breweries, lunch, and all of the beer. I could purchase more beer from each brewery if I felt so inclined. I knew very little about San Fran Breweries prior to the tour so I was excited and thirsty for what I was going to be drinking.

The first stop on the tour was Thirsty Bear.  The beer and food was amazing! This was the first certified organic brewpub.  Taking the time to find organic ingredients really show they care about what they are serving. We sampled 5 beers, but my favorite had to be the Panda Bear Ale.

Our tour guide described the beer as the Polar Bear Pils (another great beer) that has been dry hopped with vanilla beans and cocoa nibs. The taste reminded me of a brownie. It was very deceiving, looks like an amber, but tastes like a chocolate porter. 

The second stop on the tour was Southern Pacific Brewery. This was my favor stop on the tour. If I could stand living in the bay area, Southern Pacific would be one of my regular spots.  The brewery has a great neighborhood feel. Lucky for me we got to sample 8 of their beers.

My favorite was their California Blonde. I preferred this to the IPA and Pale Ale. The favor reminded me a lot of IPAs and Pales but I felt this was more balanced and has a better hop characteristic then the others.

Last on the tour was Speakeasy.  Even thought I can get Speakeasy locally, this was the first time I ever tired their beer. I was not disappointed. The taproom was very cool it was set up like an old speakeasy with photos of gangsters on the wall. Although, I must say I would have had a much better experience if the tasting was held in the brew house instead.

My favorite beer at Speakeasy was the Tallulah XPA. The beer had a great citrus hop favor. Now that I have had some of their beers I look forward to trying the rest.

The on Saturday before the wedding I was able to visit one more brewery. My aunt and uncle, big beer lovers, told me I needed to visit 21 Amendment Brewing before heading home. This is the place to be for a Giants game; just a stone throw from AT&T Park. What a great brewpub. The food was amazing. I high recommended the el Cubano Sandwich. I washed the sandwich down with a tasting of 5 beers. I really enjoyed the Brew Free! Or Die IPA. It is a very well balanced beer. If I did not have other plans already, I could have sat here all day and enjoy it.

The other big event for the weekend was my cousin’s wedding. About 6 weeks ago I get an email from my cousin asking me if I could brew a beer for her weeding, Of course I said yes, I love having he opportunity to help family and have people sample my beer. She gave me free rein over what was brewed so I made her beer that I have been working on over the past several months. The beers I made for the wedding were my Oat IPA, Hop N Oates Maneater IPA and my root beer porter, Doc Barleys sarsaparilla porter.

I was really worried about how both beers would turn out. I felt during the whole brewing process problems just kept coming. At bottling I tried something new for my IPA. I added 1 ounce of Simcoe Hops to the bottling bucket, in and effort to simulate a randalizer. With the root beer porter people did not know what to say, they were shocked at how good it was.  The aroma was spot on big root beer flavor in the nose, but on the palate the root beer was subtler and the flavor of vanilla and mint came through more. The root beer porter would have been that much better if there were some vanilla ice cream to add.  

I had a great weekend in San Francisco. I am looking forward to going back soon for more advantage in craft beers.