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Brewery Guide San Francisco Pt. 1 – Bay Area
Bay Area beer culture has exploded over recent years. Now it rivals that of its neighbors to the south, San Diego. You can still get your piney, hop-heavy, West Coast style IPAs with IBUs through the roof. But, if a fruity juice bomb is more to your liking there are plenty of breweries that can do a New England style IPA that will make you feel like you’re sitting on your porch in a cozy sweater watching the leaves change from green to red.
In this series, we are going to cover breweries all across the Bay from San Francisco to Berkeley– and everything in between.
Fieldwork Brewing
Fieldwork has exploded over the years, opening multiple locations across the Bay from Napa down to San Mateo. People can’t get enough of this ridiculously juicy beer. Their flagship location is located in North Berkeley near several other breweries. That area makes for a great afternoon of brewery hopping.
Unless the beer is stated as West Coast style you can almost guarantee any IPA you get is going to be cloudy, and will drink more like an orange juice than a Double IPA. We’re willing to bet, beers like Pulp and St.Thomas will convert those in your life that say they “Don’t like beer because it’s too bitter.” With an outside patio and plenty of board games, Fieldwork is the perfect place to spend an afternoon.
Cellar Maker
Located in the heart of San Francisco, this small brewery does a wide range of styles– and does every one of them well. Whether you are in the mood for a rich, full bodied pastry stout that drinks more like a milkshake than a beer, or if you looking for an ale that is light on calories but not on flavor, Cellar Maker has you covered.
Their flagship, Coffee & Cigarettes is a can’t miss for stout fans. With heavy notes of coffee (and light notes of cigarette) you surely won’t forget it. If you are lucky enough to be there when one of the pastry series is on tap, be prepared for an overload of sweetness straight out of Candy Land. Dobis and Double Dobis are two of our favorite juice bombs with rich notes of papaya and mango. They are truly a treat for your taste buds.
Seven Stills
With locations all across the city, there is never a bad time to go to Seven Stills Brewing. Spending the day at the beach on the West Side of the city? Stop by their Sunset Taproom and enjoy a delicious flatbread. Going to a Giants or Warriors game? Then go to where the magic happens, their flagship taproom in Mission Bay.
One of Seven Stills’ hits include Eight Pounds Per BBL, which boasts a ridiculous 8 pounds of hops per barrel. This beer is part of their Hype series and wreaks of hoppy dankness while drinking scarily smooth. If someone in your group isn’t a beer fan, Seven Stills offers the best of both worlds, as it is also a distillery.
Drake’s Brewing
Rounding off Part One of our Bay Area brewery guide is Drake’s Brewing Co. Their taproom, Drake’s Dealership, is located in the heart of Oakland. It offers an extremely large outdoor seating area with multiple fire pits as well as a robust food menu. What goes better with delicious beer than wood fired pizza? The answer is nothing!
If you are looking for those hop-heavy West Coast IPAs, look no further. Flagships like Best Coast IPA and Denogginizer will hit your palate with such a hoppy punch you will think Mike Tyson hit your taste buds. With 32 beers on tap, great food, and spacious outdoor seating, there really isn’t a reason to ever leave Drake’s.
Hole-In-The-Wall Spots – Portland
After filling your stomach with all of the glorious beer that Portland has to offer (see our Brewery Guide for Portland) you are going to need some food to soak it all up. Luckily for you, just like Portland’s robust beer scene, their food scene also has a lot to offer. Today we are going to take a dive into some of the hole-in-the-wall “hidden gems” of Portland, ME.
Duckfat
Duckfat may not exactly be a hidden gem (Expect and hour plus wait on weekends). Nonetheless, it is an absolutely can’t miss spot. Inspired by a trip to Amsterdam, the owners wanted to bring the cone fry experience to the States– and add their own twist to it. Everything fried here uses duck fat oil, but this is so much more than a French fry joint.
The signature dish is poutine topped with mounds of slow cooked duck confit. This dish combines perfectly crispy fries, rich gravy, melty cheese curds, and ridiculously decadent duck confit to create an explosion of flavors in your mouth.
If you are on the more adventurous side, the Sea Salted Duckfat milkshake is a must. Yup, duck fat in a milkshake.
Of course you will be in Maine, so Duckfat also has more traditional flavors such as the famous Maine Blueberry milkshake. Not feeling fries? Any of their paninis are top-class and will surely have you coming back for more.
Locally Sauced
This Mexican hole-in-the-wall joint started off as a food cart that would sit outside of Allagash. When you use locally-sourced ingredients to create your salsa, people catch on. Eventually that cart became it’s own brick and mortar restaurant. Located next to the famous Bissel Brothers brewery, this is the perfect place to grab a burrito or nachos with your beer. Here, the salsas are the stars of the show. But be warned– the Mango Habanero will have you chugging your beer as you try to put out the fire in your mouth.
Also be warned– their nachos are big enough to feed a small village.
Mash Tun
Burgers and beer. A combination as iconic as peanut butter and jelly.
Mash Tun has one of the most robust beer selections in Portland, so if you don’t have time to check out all the local breweries, you can usually find them on tap here. Their $6 grass-fed burger & fries is a screaming deal, and it pairs perfectly with any of the beers on tap. The Brussel Sprout Sweet Potato Hash and the Parmesan Truffle Fries are also cannot miss menu items. A true hole-in-the-wall spot, Mash Tun has the basics perfected.
Brewery Guide Pt. 1 – Portland
If you didn’t already know, the Northeast is one of the brewery meccas of the world. One of the absolute can’t-miss stops on this pilgrimage is Portland, Maine. This small costal city offers more than just lobster rolls, it actually has the most breweries per capita in the world. Below we will break down some of the best spots in this brewery hub.
Definitive Brewing
Industrial Way. Within one street lies 5 breweries, which is more than enough to have a day. Located just outside of downtown Portland– in what has become an incubation ground for the Portland brewing scene– lies Definitive. This brewery is one of the newer ones to the scene, but don’t let that fool you. Definitive has some of the best juice bombs and stouts on the East Coast. If you are lucky enough they will have Stuffed on tap, an Oreo-inspired stout which tastes exactly how it sounds. Another must-try for the stout crowd is Baby Steps, this coconut forward stout pours like Oprah Winfrey, rich and thick, with heavy notes of toasted coconut. For the IPA crowd, you really can’t go wrong with whatever is on tap. During the summer, enjoy the back patio which usually has a food truck going and an array of lawn games. Once you are done here, make sure to check out the neighboring breweries, which we will dive into later on this list.
Bissell Brothers
Bissell Brothers is a Portland beer institution that any avid beer fan is sure to have on their bucket list. Bissell Brothers started off in the same beer complex as Definitive but has far outgrown that space and relocated. Not only do they have great beer but there is also a Mexican joint attached with a walk-up window.
After you’ve had a couple of their signature IPAs you can grab a ridiculously large platter of nachos for the table. Bissell Brothers has the vibe that every brewery aspires to have: beer hall style tables, a second floor seating area that overlooks the brewing operations, and an outside patio for the summer. Beer-wise, any of their IPAs are top notch. A few fan favorites are Substance, Swish, and Reciprocal. However, if you are all IPA’d out they also have a great selection of German-style beers.
Battery Steele
Battery Steele is taking us right back to the same beer park as Definitive– and this is a great second stop. Their flagship beer Flume is stuff of dreams for a juicy beer lover. Flume boasts heavy notes of fruit, a tangible mouth feel and a haziness that resembles orange juice. Depending on the day, you might be lucky enough to try multiple iterations of it. Beyond their flagship, you can expect to find anything from sour IPAs to marshmallow stouts, and everything in between.
Allagash
Did you really think we were going to make a brewery guide to Portland and leave out one of the godfathers of the craft beer scene? Many people know Allagash for their flagship wheat beer, Allagash White. However, at their brewery you will have access to some beers seldom released to the general public. Allagash is what every craft brewery dreams of growing up to be one day.
Also, we highly recommend their brewery tour for two reasons:
1. Because there is a beer tasting at the end.
2. And because it is actually one of the most informative brewery tours you will ever go on.
Just make sure to book in advance because in busy season they often sell out.
Burrito Guide Pt. 3 – San Francisco
In part 3 of our burrito guide, we will explore all of the other magical taquerias in San Francisco which are not located in the Mission. This is the best of the rest.
El Super Burrito
Located on bustling Polk St., El Super Burrito lives up to its grand name. With burritos the size of a small child, they are indeed “super” and most definitely delicious. A Super Burrito is the perfect device to soak up any alcohol that might be in your stomach from a Polk St. bar crawl. Also, if you find yourself in the area during the morning, the breakfast burritos cannot be beat– boasting full potato wedges and veggies.
Pancho’s
Pancho’s has two very unique qualities that set it apart from other joints in San Francisco:
1. Pitchers of beer for under $10
2. A Tex-Mex style burrito staring BBQ sauce.
With the spicy BBQ sauce and chili tortillas, this burrito brings the heat. If this still isn’t hot enough for you, you can bump it up a level with the Burrito Atomico. Either way, you can get some cheap cold beer to wash it down. Finally, although this is a burrito review, it must be mentioned that the tacos are must try due to the killer homemade tortillas.
La Playa Taqueria
If you find yourself by Ocean Beach or people watching in Golden Gate Park, this burrito joint will make you feel like you’re in Southern California. With a name like La Playa you better be serving up some bomb fish tacos– and they most definitely are. We highly recommend the mahi-mahi with the mango pico de gallo sauce which adds a level of complexity and flavor to these tasty treats. Grab a burrito to go and enjoy it with some sand between your toes.
Fun fact: It may be in the Sunset district but this area gets the least amount of sunlight in the city.
La Canasta
La Canasta is the definition of a hole-in-the-wall. Their awning states “Great Mexican food for take-out.” This is a spot-on statement because:
1. There is no inside seating.
2. It is great Mexican.
Although there burritos are top-notch, we highly recommend getting the Enchiladas Verde which are smothered in a delicious tomatillo sauce.
El Castillito
Last but not least is El Castillito, nestled in the Castro just outside of the Mission. This taqueria is “bringing the heat,” or more accurately, “bringing the sauce.” The Wet Burrito, drenched in a verde sauce and melty cheese, will have your mouth watering. You will definitely need a fork and knife for this one.
Best Margaritas Guide – Boston
Good Mexican food in Boston you say?! The city of champions has more than just dank Italian and clam. If there are three truths of Bostons they are:
1. There will be at least one championship parade a year
2. No one who lives in the city has actually been on a duck boat tour
3. Bostonians like to drink
Yes, there are plenty of great Irish pubs and historic bars to grab a pint at in the city. However, there are just as many great spots to grab a margarita. Below is a guide to the top margs in Boston:
Lolita
Located just over the Bridge in Seaport, this is one of the few spots in Boston to enjoy drinks right on the water. With a huge selection of tequila and Mexican gothic interior, Lolita is a great place to start or end the night. Also, if you are a mule fan then we highly recommend their twist on this classic drink – the Mayan Mule.
Lone Star Taco Bar
Those of you that have read the Boston burrito & taco guide know that Lone Star is serving up some of the best Mexican in the city– so it makes sense why this punk/hipster taqueria has top notch drinks. All juices are freshly squeezed and if you are looking for a kick– the Diablo packs that extra punch.
Pro tip: When the wait is long you can just go to their sister restaurant next door for a drink and bring over your drink when a spot is opened up.
Loco Taqueria
If a bar in Southie doesn’t have restored brick is it even worth going to? Loco Taqueria is part of the new wave of hip bars, as Yuppies are rapidly populating this section of the city. Whether you’re going for brunch or a late night cap Loco offers a wide range of refreshing drinks in a hip vibe.
Felipe’s
Two words: rooftop bar. Just like Lone Star, Felipe’s is also featured on our Boston burrito & taco guide. However, Felipe’s is much more than a one-trick pony. They are one of the few rooftop bars in the city and although the view isn’t going to blow your socks off, who doesn’t enjoy drinking a quality margarita in the sun?
Article 24
Article 24 is a modern American bar/restaurant on the top and sugar skull-covered tequila bar and taqueria on the bottom. This unassuming spot located in Lower Allston offers a chill, laid-back vibe in which to enjoy over 100 different kinds of tequila and high quality bar food.
Brewery Guide Pt. 1 – Western Mass
The Northeast is known as one of the meccas– a must-visit region for any avid beer fan. From Burlington, Vermont to Portland, Maine, you will run into people coming from all around the world to try the delicious juice bombs for which New England is famous. Included in this pilgrimage is Western Mass, home to the infamous Tree House and many other dank breweries.
Tree House
A brewery that needs no introduction is the world famous Tree House. TH has a sprawling beer campus in Charlton, MA, and every time we visit it seems like they are working on building out a new section of the brewery. Their “claim to fame” is being one of the first to do New England style IPAs A.K.A “juice bombs” A.K.A hazy IPAs. They were one of the first to serve this type of beer at a time in history when serving unfiltered beers was blasphemy. Now, it seems every brewery has one on their draft list. With their juicy IPAs tasting more like juice than beer, and their stouts tasting more like a milkshake than a stout, you will think you have died and woke up in beer heaven.
Tree House has come a long way from their humble Monson, MA farm operations, where you were lucky to leave with 4 beers after waiting an hour. If you are taking a weekend trip, be prepared to wait an hour or two for a beer. However, the later you go in the day the shorter the line there will be. If you are able to go on a weeknight you can usually walk in and get a beer almost immediately. They usually limit their beers to two per person, but with some of their stouts clocking in at over 10% alc/vol, this is more than enough.
Tree House is BYOF, and some of the best BBQ in the nation is located just 10 minutes away at B.T.’s Smokehouse (Which is BYOB). So, if you have hit your pour limit you can make your way over there.
For beers, you really cannot go wrong. Tree House has a rotating draft list that usually features a few of their staples like Julius, Haze, and Green. However, they also offer special features which are only ever available on the premises, such as Julius with Mango or Double Shot Oreo.
A pro-tip is that you can split your drink tickets into multiple beers– so if you want to try Green and Julius you can get half pours of both (Note: you cannot do this for specialty beers).
Fort Hill
Located a few minutes from both Northhampton and downtown Easthampton, Fort Hill is a good way to either start or end your day. Offering great beer with a killer vibe, Fort Hill has it all. Located in an extra-large wooden barn with multiple bars and live music on the weekends, you can spend an entire afternoon here.
Known for their traditional German-style beers, you can get flights of these crisp, well done classics. We are in New England though, so you know Fort Hill is bringing the heat when it comes to the IPA selection. Fresh Pick is one of their classics, which is a juicy and refreshing beer. But if you are really trying to get after it, you can opt for the Jigsaw Jazz, a double IPA boasting a 9.3% alc/vol.
Another thing we greatly respect about Fort Hill is that fact that they match specific beers with the proper glassware.
Rustic Brewing
We aren’t saying that Rustic is the next Tree House, but… Rustic just might be the next Tree House. This up-and-coming brewery is crafting small batches in the basement of an old factory. As you take the steps down to the basement of what looks like an abandoned factory, you will start to feel more and more like you are in a low-budget horror movie.
With beer only available Saturdays (Make sure to pre-order) and draft pours once a month (If that…), Rustic keeps their goods exclusive. Their IPAs are pure juicy, their stouts are thick-bodied and full of robust flavor, and their sours hit the fine crossroads of sweet and sour.
Burrito And Taco Guide – Boston
Good Mexican food in Boston you say?! The city of champions has more than just dank Italian and clam chowder. In this guide, we will go over the hidden gem Mexican restaurants of Boston– which will pull you outside of the North End and Faneuil Hall.
Need more? Check out part 2, part 3, and part 4 of our guide!
Lone Star Taco Bar
Lone Star. Come for the tacos, stay for the insane Mexican street corn and vast drink selection. Choosing which tacos to get is the ultimate Sophie’s choice, because they are all top-notch in their own right. One easy choice is the Mexican street corn. Grilled corn smothered in a flavor-packed garlic lime aioli… Do we need to say more?
Lone Star also boasts a great drink selection, containing freshly-squeezed citruses which we include on our “Best Margaritas in Boston” list. You can never go wrong with a Lone Star Happy Meal to start the night: A shot of blanco tequila, a side of sangrita, and pint of Modelo for $10. That’s what we call a screaming deal.
Felipe’s Taqueria
Nothing gets the taste buds watering more than watching a grown man slice up a pile of carnitas. Felipe’s is like Ford in the 1900’s, they have burrito-making down to a science. Creating a fast and efficient assembly line of flavor, they are serving up fresh burritos in just seconds. The magic starts with the steaming of the tortilla, and continues down the line until it reaches your mouth. In the summer months, people can be found enjoying the sun (And the margaritas) on their rooftop deck (Don’t forget our guide to the best margaritas in Boston).
Angela’s Cafe
Many Bostonians will only ever venture to East Boston to go to Logan, but we think that those people are missing out dearly. Angela’s is serving up juicy, tender al pastor in a vibrant setting that is perfect for a date. Whether it be a boozy brunch or margs and burritos before your night out, Angela’s has you covered. On the weekends you can expect a wait for breakfast but fortunately they have two locations in Eastie so if one is filled you can try your luck at the other.
3 Hole-In-The-Wall Spots – Boston
Although this list could be a “Top 50 Hole-In-The-Wall Spots in Boston,” we are going to keep it simple for you and recommend three spots that have vastly different cuisines, all located in different sections of the city.
Saus
Saus is located in the heart of the tourist trap that is Faneuil Hall, and near the surrounding Boston pubs that have been around since the Revolutionary War. Now, don’t get us wrong, there is nothing wrong with getting a cup of chowder from Union Oyster House or a pint at the Green Dragon. Skipping these would be like going to Rome and not seeing the Colosseum, or visiting Paris without getting a pic in front of the Eiffel Tower. However, Saus offers up a French-Canadian delicacy that many other restaurants have tried to recreate, but have failed greatly in doing so: Poutine.
At its core, poutine is three simple ingredients: French fries, gravy, and cheese curds. From there, you can go in any direction with toppings. However, if those three core pieces are not up to par, then the dish falls apart. Saus has high marks on all three fronts. They offer a classic gravy or a miso mushroom variation. For meats, they offer everything from pork belly to kimchi. If you’ve spent all day on a bar crawl around Boston, there is nothing better to soak up all the alcohol in your stomach than a fat Saus poutine.
Buco Trattoria
Located in the basement of a Seaport art gallery, Buco offers homemade pastas and fresh, hot paninis (Although the term “panini” undersells these delicious creations). This unassuming spot proves you don’t need to be charged $25 for a bolognese in the North End to experience top-notch Italian. This is exactly why Buco lands here on our top 3 hole-in-the-wall spots in Boston.
Want something a little lighter? You can’t go wrong with the array of paninis. Buco’s twist on the eggplant parm comes with freshly sautéed peppers, which add a another dimension to this classic sandwich.
Coreanos
Much to our joy, the Korean-Mexican fusion phenomenon has made its way to Boston, and it has come in the form of a delicious eatery located in downtown Allston. Coreanos offers everything from kimchi bulgogi quesadillas to miso chicken tacos.These flavor combinations will have your taste buds feelings ways they have never felt before. To top it off, you can wash this all down with a peach limeade or one of the refreshing smoothies.
Brewery Guide – Boston
New England is home to some of the top breweries in the world, including the infamous Tree House Brewing Company and The Alchemist. However, in this guide we are going to focus on some Boston-based breweries (And there is no shortage of them).
This next statement might sound a little funny, but to get on this list you need more than just good beer. Nowadays, you have the convenience of going to your local beer shop and accessing some of the best beers from across the country, so when it comes to breweries it is about the overall experience.
Trillium
Trillium is not only the hands-down best brewery in Boston, but it is also regarded as one of the top breweries in the world. At Trillium’s flagship location in the Seaport district, not only will you have the opportunity to try some of the best beer in the world, but there is also a high-end restaurant (Which is a far cry from your father’s pub food). You would be hard-pressed to find another brewery that serves lobster toast and duck confit.
If you are looking at their vast beer list and wondering where to start, you can always have a look at our guide “Which Beer Type Is For Me?” A safe bet is that any of their stouts will be out-of-this-world, especially any that include aromatics. However, if you are looking for something on the juicier side, you cannot go wrong with any of their “Street” series. This series includes DDH Melcher Street, Congress Street, etc. Additionally, did we mention that Trillium is one of the few Boston establishments with a rooftop deck?
Not able to make it down to the depths of the Seaport? Well, lucky for you because Trillium has opened up a Fenway location. Get all the beer you love right in one of the most famous neighborhoods in Boston. The Trillium Fenway location is BYOF, so make a stop at Time Out (An upscale food court) and bring your own lunch to Fenway.
The third Trillium location is located on the famous Greenway in the Financial district. This is Trillium’s beer garden that runs from late spring to early fall. With these three locations, there is certainly no shortage of this great beer flowing through the streets of Boston.
Brato Brewhouse + Kitchen
Like we said earlier, to make our list of top breweries in Boston, you need more than just beer. To bring the people in, you need to go above and beyond. Brato Brewhouse + Kitchen achieves this goal, while still bringing the heat on the brewery end.
While Brato is one of the many new breweries popping up in Boston, they set themselves apart in both a culinary and creative sense. When every brewery is offering hazy IPA’s & stouts, Brato shines by offering a wide array of Bavarian style brews, which are crisp and refreshing to the palate. These are a great way to start the night without feeling like there is a small baby in your stomach.
Perhaps even more of a reason to come here is Brato’s exceptional chef, Jonathan Gilman. We would describe Brato’s menu as high-end bar food. These fermentation experts have killer pickles, which pair perfectly with their house made sausages and next-level grilled cheeses. If your mouth isn’t watering yet, we suggest making your way over for a grilled cheese flight.
Harpoon Brewery
Here’s a tongue-twister. Harpoon Brewery has been in the Seaport since before Seaport was Seaport. Modeled in the style of a German beer hall, the atmosphere is second to none. To top it off, they also offer freshly-baked pretzels with a variety of sauces (Beer & pretzels > PB&J?).
Harpoon also offers a beer tour, which is not only educational but also gives you the opportunity to drink as much beer as you want. This is always a great way to kill some time before attending a concert at the Rockland Trust Bank Pavilion (Formerly Blue Hills Pavilion).
Burrito Guide Pt. 2 (Asian-Mexican Fusion) – San Francsico
In part 2 of our San Francisco burrito guide, we completely switch gears and leave the Mission. We will now enter the magical world of Asian-Mexican fusion. Yes, that means ramen burritos and bulgogi nachos– and yes, these are next-level flavor combinations.
Senior Sisig
What is a sisig you ask? A sisig is a tangy, sweet, Filipino-seasoned pork that happens to work great in a burrito. Senior Sisig food trucks can be found all across the city, from one of San Francisco’s numerous food truck parks, to downtown in the financial district during the lunch hour. While the location of the food truck may not always be certain, one thing always is– there will be a line (And that line is worth the wait).
You really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but our number one pick is the California burrito (Because who doesn’t love french fries in a burrito?). A pro tip is getting queso instead of regular cheese on it.
Tacorea
Two words: bulgogi burritos. At this Korean-Mexican fusion burrito shop, they are cranking out California burritos with a twist– and that twist comes in the form of sweetly-marinated bulgogi beef, kimchi, and tater tots. This is one of the perfect flavor combinations that you never knew you needed in your life. If you are looking for a change of pace they also have killer totchos, which are, as you probably guessed… tater tot nachos. Visit Tacorea’s site.
KoJa Kitchen
KoJa Kitchen is known for, well.. their “KoJas.” What is a KoJa you ask? According to KoJa Kitchen themselves, “It’s like a burger but better.” We would be lying to you if we said that was true. But while the KoJas are very tasty, KoJa Kitchen also has some kick-ass Japanese/Korean-Mexican fusion tacos. You really can’t go wrong with any of them, and that is part of the beauty of tacos– you can always have more than one.
Another must-try are their kamikaze fries, which are waffle fries covered in Korean BBQ and an assortment of tantalizing sauces. Catch this food truck bouncing around San Fran, or take a BART ride over to Berkeley for their brick and mortar.
Aria Korean Street Food
Aria is famous for their KFC. Nope, not Kentucky fried chicken, Korean fried chicken! This might be the most Instagramable food you can get in the Bay, and it tastes even better than the pictures.
But this is a guide to the best burritos right?
On Saturdays you can get a secret menu item, the ramen burrito. Yes, a burrito filled with delicious ramen. Fair warning if you have plans after consuming this concoction, because you will most likely need to cancel them and find the closest couch to nap on.