A mere four
blocks from the Oakland City Center BART station lies Pacific Coast
Brewing. Unimposing from the outside, the stained glass above the front
door first greets customers. Inside, customers first spot the large mirror and
wooden tripple-arches behind the bar. In front are a dozen wooden stools, while
nearby stand another three dozen tall tables and chairs. Below - hardwood
floors, 20 feet above - a plastered ceiling, all around - red brick walls. The
other side of the center wall hosts a front dining room with seating for about
30, with entrances from both locations to the outdoor beer garden. The
brewhouse and the restrooms are located in the basement and are wheelchair
accessible via an elevator.
The cozy main dining area offers another dozen wooden tables and chairs along
with a CD sound system, two dartboards, a beer bottle collection, and framed
posters of 20th century American beers. Hanging overhead is the beer menu, a
large chalkboard listing the current house and guest offerings. Also overhead
are electric ceiling fans that maintain circulation. Ventilation is no longer a
problem since Big Brother, aka the State of California, has effectively
outlawed tobacco smoking inside businesses such as brewpubs. Two TVs without
sound are also unobtrusively on hand. The nearby stairs lead down to the source
of the beers, the seven barrel brewhouse.
The three 6-tap towers are pouring the six house beers, domestic and imported
guest beers, and one cider. The cask-conditioned Gray Whale, 1050 OG,
offers a lingering creamy white head with a hoppy aroma, light body, very
smooth light hop over malt flavor, and hoppy finish. This was a Bronze Medal
winner at the '91 Great American Beer Festival (GABF). The Belgian
Triple appears a hazy dark gold, topped by a fine white head, the malty
flavor is accompanied by a serious alcohol character that follows through into
the finish. Potent, yet surprisingly easy-drinking. This recipe took the Bronze
in the Belgian Ale category at the GABF in 1994. The Imperial Stout, at
10%, offers a roasted aroma, thick creamy head, big body, great mouthfeel, and
a mellow roasted flavor with a strong alcoholic kick. The Blue Whale Ale
is a clear amber that begins with a hoppy aroma and hoppy flavor but the focus
quickly changes to the oakiness that dominates everything else. This one might
need some more time to mellow. The mouthfeel is very smooth and all the right
flavors are "in there." The Code Blue Barleywine comes in at 10% and
appears an opaque brown. The big mouthfeel is accompanied by a pronounced
maltiness and alcoholic character. The hop bitterness moderates the flavor
balance so as to keep the bold maltiness in check. The Yellow Jacket
(specialty) is gold in color with a sulphury hop bitterness. Medium-bodied,
it's balanced toward a malty sweetness but without any cloying character. A
guest beer down from Fulton in Sonoma County is the Moonlight Bombay By Boat
IPA. The intense hop bitterness of this dark amber brew is matched to a
very big body and equally full mouthfeel. All pints run $3.50, with 10-ounce
glasses $2.75, and a set of six 4-ounce samplers $6.75.
The evening menu offers attractive Pub
Specialties such as Sandwiches, Chicken, Meatloaf, Crab, Bangers, and Brats for
$6 to $9. Soup & Salad selections include Tuna, Greek, and Chinese. Pizzas
are $7 to $15 and range from Mexicana to Veggie. Appetizers can be had for $2
to $7 and offer Mushrooms, Jalepeño, Guacamole, and Potato Skins.
Closing time is 10:30 P.M. Monday through Thursday, 11 P.M. Friday and
Saturday, and 9 P.M. Sunday. Great house beers, an extensive micro selection
from around Northern California, and a comfortable atmosphere all make Pacific
Coast Brewing worth seeking out. Only minutes from the nearest BART station,
there's no good reason not to check them out.
Pacific Coast Brewing
906 Washington St.
Oakland, CA 94607
(510)836-2739
www.pacificcoastbrewing.com
Map
Reviewed by Tom Ciccateri - March 1996 &
June 2000
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NM Virtual
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