Redwood City CA Brewpubs / Watering Holes

[jmiller]

Hello All,
Sunday I fly out for San Francisco. Final Destination is redwood city for a training event. I will have my evenings after 4pm free :-) Where do I go for good beer? I figure the obvious in San Fran is Anchor and probably 21st amendment.

Thanks!

[Stodbrew]

Well, there is always SF. But the Peninsula kinda sucks for good places for beer. You can always get on Caltrain and head up to Burlingame and go to Steelhead, right across the street from the train station. And 21A is a few blocks from the train station in SF. There's the City Pub in Redwood City that I've heard good things about. You can also head south on Caltrain and hit the Tied House in Mtn. View.

And if you're planning on going to Anchor, you should have probably called them last week. :D But call them anyway and see if they have an opening for their tour.

[newportstorm]

RateBeer has some decent advice here:

SF proper (http://www.ratebeer.com/Places/ShowTour.asp?TourID=13)

SF East (http://www.ratebeer.com/Places/ShowTour.asp?TourID=11)

SF North (http://www.ratebeer.com/Places/ShowTour.asp?TourID=12)

In Redwood City, there is the City Pub. They could probably dump some of their Pale Ales and mix up the selection better:

City Pub (http://www.city-pub.com/html/beer.html)

Cheers!

[deemzzzz]

Redwood City is not exactly a beer drinker's paradise but it's also not Bud country. Just about any bar you go to will have Anchor and Sierra on tap with many sporting Pyramid, North Coast and local pubs.

If all else fails - the BevMo is San Mateo is awesome. The beer manager knows his stuff and keeps a hefty selection. (Hopzilla, Stone seasonal releases, rogue limited releases...) Stop in on the way from the airport and make sure that mini-bar has something worth drinking :)
Bevmo (http://www.bevmo.com/storeinfo.asp?area=storeloc&store=21&bhcp=1)



If you're craving a brew pub but can't make it into San Francisco check out BJ's. They are a chain that brews up some decent beer and has a typical burgers and pizza menu. It's a 10 minute drive to San Mateo to get there
BJ's in San Mateo (http://www.bjsbrewhouse.com/restaurants_page/sanmateo.html)
If you're an AHA member, you get happy hour prices any time with your membership card.


If you have a rental car or someone to drive you, go to San Francisco!
Anchor and 21st amendment are awesome but...


Toronado is definetely a beer drinker's paradise, although not the type of environment that you would bring your corporate boss into.
Toronado's Web Site (http://www.toronado.com/)

Another good place to go in San Francisco is Amnesia (19th and Valencia) Monday night has free bluegrass music and they have a great tap selection (all the local beers like Laguinitas, Anchor, Speakeasy, etc.. plus Maredsous 8 and some belgians on tap... lots of good stuff.) They are also close to public transport, hip enough to bring coworkers that aren't into beer and the entertainment is good.
Amnesia (http://sanfrancisco.citysearch.com/profile/889555)
If its full, the Phoenix is next door. A great irish pub with Smithwick's on tap (as well as all the local and national beers) - they also have great bar food.


Rogue has a brewpub in North Beach... awesome...all of rogues beers on tap plus decent food...nuff said

If you can get on BART head over to Berkeley as well. The downtown Berkeley BART station is directly underneath Jupiter. Jupiter doesn't brew on site but instead shares Drake's brewing facility. Lots of their own brews, lots of guest taps, alltogether a great time. Their brews have never failed to surprise me - both in quality and variety.

It doesn't hurt that Triple Rock is down the street either (another good brewpub)

And of course- call and make an appointment to do the Anchor Steam Brewery tour. It is by appointment only and a week in advance is only appropriate.
Its a beautiful brewhouse with open fermenters, lots of copper and quite interesting.
Even better, last time I was there we were all given a full glass of everything anchor makes off the taps (with refills if we wanted) including Anchor Bock and Old Foghorn Barley wine. Just beware that having 7 pints of beer makes going back to corporate training uh.... a very sleepy event.

PM me here if you want some more info or need a ride from pbulic transport.

-Dima

[L.H.H.H.Brown]

Ditto above. If you do go for the tour, hit the afternoon one ( if they have 2 ). You will find MANY places up there. Don't "fret".

[Jinja]

I practically live in Redwood City, but of course, you arrive the day I go to Vegas. Too bad! How long will you be visiting?

City Pub is not bad - they occasionally have a guest beer on tap as well as a regular selection of about 20 beers. It's the only place I know where you can get Poppy Jasper on draught.

The BBC in neighboring Menlo Park (where I live) is a bit posher if you like the dark wood look - not a huge selection but a nice one. And if you are looking for a dive with peanut shells on the floor, the Oasis in Menlo serves $10 pitchers of micros.

All of the places mentioned by the others are great and I want to second those nominations.

I don't know you that well, but if you are any kind of self-respecting beer snob you must go to the Toronado. It looks like a biker bar where you may get shot, but the selection is amazing.

There is also a BJ's in San Bruno that you can visit using public transporatation - Caltrain and BART.

And Steelhead is a good time. Since Stoddard's closed (bastards!) that's where we head when we want to get our train on and go have some good pints without driving.

Jinja Out

[jmiller]

I will start compiling my list. I arrive around noon on sunday and redeye out friday night. I have a rental car but am seeking public transportation for the beer excursions....that way I can try lots of new stuff!!!!

thanks for all the advice I will be compiling my list. Looks like the AHA membership might just pay off!

-Jim