Good Beer, Cheap Happy Hour

Prominent among the dive bar drinkeries in Paris’ rue des Cannettes is the brewpub O’Neills. On the outside, it looks like your standard European Irish Pub, but in this case looks are deceiving. Come to the inside, and rather than goofy Celtic-themed knick-knacks and the obligatory “Guinness is good for you” posters you’ll get an uncomplicated series of small dining room around a bar, decorated in little else than their copper brew-tanks (on a good day, the bar area will smell like malt). Sit down at the bar, and choose from five basic beer types brewed on site: Amber and Brown ales, Belgian Abbey Style Ale and Belgian Blonde together with a standard Lager/Pilsner. You may even have the choice of a seasonal brew, but I’ve never had the pleasure. The beer is good, and I especially appreciated the Belgian Blonde on a hot summer day. The Brown Ale leaved a little to be desired, but Amber hit the spot, and it’s hard to mess up a Pilsner brewed on site.

If you’re looking for glamorous Paris, this is not it; there is no outdoor seating, and bar stools on the inside are a little sandwiched together. O’Neill’s seems decidedly grungy, and relatively empty at the beginning of happy hour. On the other hand, an empty bar with bi-lingual bartenders and pints beginning priced at 3 euros is a very good way to do a little work on your French. The pace picks up a little at around 8pm at the beginning of the restaurant’s high volume time and service is a little harder to come by. The crowd at O’Neill’s is certainly post-university age, so if you’re looking for a more happening scene, just move two doors down the rue des Cannettes.

O'Neill's Paris

French Beer

France isn't usually thought of as a beer-drinking or beer-producing country, which is why it surprised me greatly to see so many French speaking people drinking beer in their outdoor cafés and brasseries. Despite France's reputation, beer is indeed a staple drink as in other European countries, and the only reason we don't think about it is because France doesn't export a whole lotta good beer. Sure, you can get Kronenbourg in the US and England, but it's not really good beer. So where can you find good beer in France? Take a look at this article from The Beer Expert UK discussing French beers, from which I will quote the first paragraph:

"Although France is better known for its wine and food products, it also has some really good beer. Although the beer industry went through a massive decline during the first part of the 20th Century, over the last thirty years or so it has come to life again, and many young people in France drink beer more often than wine or spirits. The region known as the Nord-Pas de Calais is where French beer is at its most popular, mainly due to its proximity to Belgium. In fact, most of the best French beers are similar to their Belgian counterparts in terms of style and taste..."

A Quick Guide to Beer Lover's Paris

Check out this quick guide to beer hotspots in Paris! Very informative...

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.

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.