Stuff White People Like

I suppose this makes me white:

Good Beer on the Cheap?

Is it possible? I’m going to clue you into the best way to get good draft beer, at a restaurant or brew-pub at a discount of as much as 60%. Try it, it’s no joke: restaurant.com. At first, I couldn’t believe that a $10 investment would get me $25 in beer and food at the local restaurant of my choosing, but apparently it does. In the Bay Area, there are a few that come up on a Brew Pub, Tavern, or Irish restaurant search, including Pyramid (Berkeley), Wunder Beer (SF) or Fiddler’s Green (SF). Each of these places offers a decent variety of brewed-on-site beer, local favorites or imported selections. The only catch is that most stipulate a minimum “food” order ($15 for a $10 certificate, $35 for a $25 certificate); I’m not saying that it’s negotiable, but nine times out of ten the server or bartender won’t give a rats ass what you order. Just make sure you present the gift certificate before ordering, and make sure that what you order will be covered so there are no surprises. This makes it sound like there’s a catch, but in my experience, it’s worked every time. Fifteen bucks off your bar-tab, why not?

Upcoming Beer Events in the Bay Area

If I’m missing anything, let me know!!!

Meet-the-Brewers, San Francisco Brewers Guild
Ongoing, third Thursday of every month (6-9pm)
See http://www.sfbrewersguild.org/events.html for more details


Toronado Barley Wine Festival (Highly Recommended)
Ongoing until February 23, 2008
Toronado Pub, San Francisco, CA
www.toronado.com


5th Annual Strong Beer Month
February 1 – Febrary 28, 2008
21st Amendment Brewery and Magnolia Pub, San Francisco, CA
www.21st-Amendment.com www.Magnoliapub.com


Berkeley Repertory Theater pre-show Tasting
March 1, 2008
Tasting by Pyramid Brewing Company
www.berkeleyrep.org

Slow Beer Festival
March 1, 2008
County Fair Building, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA
www.slowfoodsanfrancisco.com

5th Annual Firkin Gravity Festival (benefiting Jane Goodall Roots and Shoots)
April 5, 2008
Triple Rock Brewery, Berkeley, CA
www.triplerock.com


San Francisco International Beer Festival
Saturday April 26, 2008 at Fort Mason Center, San Francisco, CA
http://www.sfbeerfest.com/


12th Annual Boonville Beer Festival
May 10, 2008 (1pm-5pm)
Anderson Valley Brewing Company, Boonville, CA
http://www.avbc.com/news/boontbeerfest.html

Rogue

Big fan of Rogue, and I mean big. Picture this…I have visitors from the East Coast, and on the standard San Francisco tour we’ll see Alcatraz, Golden Gate Park, the bridge, Fisherman’s Warf (ugh) and Chinatown among other locations, but always end up at North Beach for dinner. Yum. Afterwards, it’s always just a hop-skip-and-a-jump to the Washington Square Park. Right across the street, one of Oregon’s favorite breweries, the Rogue Public House, is transplanted to the heart of San Francisco, where on a good day, you can choose from 44 ales on tap as well as a full offering of wines and liquors. Don’t have time? Buy a 22oz. to-go bottle and drink at home.

Either way, it house outdoor Beer-hall style seating, where you should let the weather dictate your choice of beer. Warm day in SF? Try the Half-e-Weizen, cool and refreshing. Warm foggy day? You can’t go wrong with Dead Guy Ale if not for the label decoration then definitely for the its heavy malt content. Sure to please the barley lovers among you. A regular dismal and cool San Francisco evening? Try the Shakespeare Stout, an award winner that I like to think is an homage to Oregon’s world renowned Shakespeare festival (http://www.osfashland.org/index.aspx probably not, but still). As far as stouts go, this one is aces with a toasty lead and a chocolaty finish. And when the time comes around, guys, you’re hops, and girls, you’re barley. You’ll know what I mean when you get there.

www.rogue.com

Homebrewing Supply Vendors

Just wanted to draw your attention to two of my favorite homebrew supply shops in the East Bay. The first for convenience, Oak Barrel Winecraft in Berkeley has just about everything you need for Beermaking and Winemaking including equipment, supplies and expertise. In particular, I think the choice of several dozen grains and malts will appeal to homebrewers from novice to expert. Personally, I’ve only had a lukewarm relationship with the staff. When they’re busy, they can be understandably curt, but when they have time on their hands, they are only too willing to chat. Oak Barrel is located at 1443 San Pablo Avenue in Berkeley, or online at http://www.oakbarrel.com.

My preference, however, is for Hoptech Homebrewing Supplies in Dublin, CA, and not just because they are less expensive. For beginners, it’s been several years since I bought their Homebrewing Kit which makes the process absurdly easy. In particular, there is no siphoning involved, which can be a trial for even the most expert of homebrewers. They also have more than four dozen prepared ingredient kits for any type of beer with step-by-step instructions on how to make them. For the more advanced, they too present you with several dozen choices of malts, grains, hops and additives (although they are only available for perusal by request). My preference for these guys comes from the accessibility of their staff. They are always there, and always willing to help with whatever question you might have. I recommend asking about how to make a good homebrewed stout. Mine have always come off a little too sour, but they have recommendations on how to get rid of that yeasty taste. As I mentioned, they’re in Dublin, CA at 6398 Dougherty Road #7, or online at www.hoptech.com. You can also order ingredients online and have them shipped direct to your door.

Brewpubs: Jupiter

I've always been a big fan of Jupiter on Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley, if not always for the ambiance then definitely for the beer. First the beer: Choose from 11 house beers, and maybe more depending on the season. My favorite, as usual, is the IPA (once in a blue moon I'm brave enough to try the Quasar double IPA, which is always worth it). It's flavorful and it's not lacking in hop content. I have also always been pleasantly surprised by their Porter; it's thick, it's rich, and it's sweet like café mocha. Try for a desert beer after one of their several good pizza varieties. 

Now about the ambiance...it's not unappealing, and the open-air seating area is pleasant even in the coldest of Bay Area weather. It can get crowded, but what stands out the most is just how West-Coasty it is...people huddled around a fireplace in their hats, mittens and jackets in the frigid July weather. Strange. The bands that perform outside can be really loud, so if you're their for conversation during an act, you're probably better off inside.

For the UCB crowd, you can get Jupiter beers at the Bear's Lair on campus. It's a great spot to grab a Red Spot and curse your GSIs.

Anderson Valley Brewing Company

Although we missed the 20th anniversary celebration, the Anderson Valley Brewing Company is still a great way to spend an afternoon, an evening, or maybe both. There are at least 8 of their own beers on tap, and depending on the season, probably more. Some you might recognize include Boont Amber Ale, Boont ESB, and Hop Ottin'IPA, all worth a try. I recommend checking their schedule and taking the brewery tour. It's cool for amateurs and professionals alike, and even the most novice beer people can appreciate the antique copper brewing equipment imported from Europe. It costs $5, but you get that back and more in tastings and AVBC beer coupons. Careful though, they only do the tour a few times a day. 

Of course, even if you're not into the whole beer thing (why would you be reading this then?) you will certainly enjoy their 18 hole disc golf course, with a very modest green fee. Remember, disc golf to be enjoyed in moderation.

Best Beer Ever?

Well, each beer has a time and a place, but for the best anytime beer, can you say "Lah-Goo-Knee-Tuss?" That's right, Lagunitas' IPA is the current incumbent, and it will take quite a strong campaign to dethrone the reigning favorite. Why Lagunitas? It's extraordinary hoppiness certainly doesn't hurt, but compared to the other IPAs in contention, Lagunitas has this sweet quality about it to complement the heavy-hitting acidity of the 43 different hop varieties infused into this sweet, malty nectar-of-the-gods. Think about it like a good Hawaiian pizza, only drinkable. My suggestion, buy a 24 oz Lagunitas IPA at the Stinson Beach Station, Stinson Beach, CA and take it to the picnic area by the beach. You can also go to Petaluma and visit their brewery.