I prefer the Cappuccino Stout, but as with 21 st Amendment, this quintessentially “West Coast” brewery is known for its killer hoppy brews. As for the beer, expect plenty of dank hops (their Doppelsticks, for example, smells just like marijuana). The whole operation is one well-oiled machine, but not one that feels slick - the taproom is rugged, and the outdoor garden is filled with rustic wood benches that attract plenty of friendly, local regulars. Offering live music each week Wednesday through Sunday at precisely 4:20 p.m., Lagunitas celebrates its palpable weed culture and charms with an obvious sense of humor (note the signs threatening unattended children with deportation to the circus). Just an hour outside the bustling city, you’ll find a laid-back oasis pouring bold brews.
Lagunitas’ taproom, packed with all their star brews and cultivating the kind of consumption culture everyone can enjoy. The label’s West Coast–style IPAs have lots of strong, resin-y, fruity hops and are clearly what these brewers do best, as exemplified by their citrusy, piney flagship, Brew Free! Or Die IPA. People swing by to eat outstanding pub fare as much as they do to drink (think fried calamari with shaved fennel, and Brewmaster’s fish and chips), but that’s not to undercut the brew itself, which is undeniably hop-centric. Though 21 st Amendment recently expanded with a new facility in San Leandro that now handles the bulk of the company’s production, the original brewpub in San Francisco is a true neighborhood joint that has elevated the entire South Park neighborhood over the last 15 years. 21st Amendmentĭown the road from the old-fashioned Anchor facility is an excellent representation of the modern age of brewing. 21st Amendment: one of the best brewpub menus around.
One taste of Anchor’s freshest beer, a delicious hybrid made with lager yeast at warmer ale-like fermentation temperatures, and you’ll want to chug from the taps in the gorgeous taproom. Carpenter helps to impart Anchor’s Steam Beer - the label’s best-selling, and arguably best, brew - with a consistent, authentic flavor. If you’re lucky, you’ll run into brewmaster Mark Carpenter, who has been with Anchor longer than the kettles, eventually moving his way up the brewing chain over decades with the brand. A tour of Anchor’s highly traditional brewhouse features old-school German copper kettles from the 1950s, purchased just before the brand moved to its current location, near Potrero Hill, in 1979. Start your journey off with the brewers who inspired the entire craft beer movement.
Longtime Anchor brewmaster Mark Carpenter sure has earned his hops. Here’s a map of the route and an outline of what to expect should you decide to make the pilgrimage yourself (and I highly suggest you do). I embarked on such a two-day expedition that covered six of the best breweries the West Coast has to offer. From San Francisco to Sonoma County, the Bay Area features a multitude of must-visit breweries - most of which can be visited over the course of just a couple of days (with a designated driver, of course). But if you’re looking for a scenic tour as impressive as the breweries that pepper the route, the real place to be is Northern California. There’s no shortage of world-class breweries in San Diego, Los Angeles and Orange counties.
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