San Francisco might be known for the Golden Gate Bridge, incredible restaurants, and iconic architecture, but it’s also home to an impressive beer scene! Here’s a roundup of the best breweries to check out the next time you’re in the Bay Area.
Black Hammer Brewing Company
This industrial space decorated with local art and disco balls sets a fun vibe for trying unique beers. Cereal fans will love the Breakfast of Champions, brewed with Cocoa Puffs, Cap’n Crunch, and milk sugar. For something fruity, go for the DDH Cuddle Puddle – you’ll get notes of guava, mango, and passion fruit. You can also choose from rotating seasonal sips, like the Bock Party, a Bavarian-style dark lager with fig, chocolate, and toffee.
Southern Pacific Brewing
Southern Pacific Brewing offers a laid-back vibe in a sprawling warehouse decked out with twinkling lights, communal tables, and indoor trees. Find a spot near the bar to catch a game on the big screens or sit on the patio on a warm evening. Try house staples like the malty Kolsch or the floral-finished California Blonde. The food is just as stellar, with popular picks like coconut wings and sage fries with a spicy Aleppo sauce.
21st Amendment Brewery
Located near Oracle Park, 21st Amendment Brewery is the perfect pre- or post-game hangout spot. Sip a Blood Orange IPA or the refreshing El Sully Lime, a Mexican-style lager with a hint of lime. Head up to the loft-style upper level for prime people-watching down below while you enjoy bites like fish and chips, garlic parmesan fries, or crispy cheese curds.
Bartlett Hall
With its dark wood communal tables and cozy leather chairs by the fireplace, Bartlett Hall nails the gastropub vibe. Here, the beer rotation means you’ll find something new each visit, whether it’s a crisp pilsner, a hoppy IPA, or a rich chocolate milkshake porter. Snack on fan favorites like buffalo cauliflower or parmesan truffle fries to complement your brew.
Otherwise Brewing
For beer lovers who also happen to be gluten-free, Otherwise Brewing is a must-visit. As San Francisco’s first entirely gluten-free brewery, it serves up safe, tasty options for Celiac folks and everyone else! This small bar is decked out with exposed brick and floral wallpaper – head upstairs to lounge in an all-red room. Try the Calrose Crisp, made with premium sushi rice, or the Juicy IPA with bright citrus and berry notes.
Sushi Sato
Sushi and beer? Yes, please! While Sushi Sato isn’t technically a brewery, this restaurant’s house-made beers are worth mentioning. Pair a spicy tuna roll or fresh sashimi with the malt-forward Blossoms Blooming (an amber ale) or try the Rice IPA for something a little different. With a sleek bar and a handful of tables for two, it’s a great date-night option.
Barebottle Brewing
Located in Bernal Heights, Barebottle Brewing boasts a spacious, game-filled warehouse with pinball, shuffleboard, corn hole, and food trucks galore. The taproom alone can seat 200, but you can also choose between cozy lounges and a massive patio for outdoor hangouts. Although there are 30 beers on tap, Barebottle is best known for its sours—try the Unsinkable Tartanic, bursting with passionfruit, black currant, and vanilla bean flavors.
Woods Cerveceria
Skip the flight to Argentina and head to Woods Cervecería instead – this cozy brewery is styled like an Argentinian café. With only three tables plus some counter seating, it’s often packed, especially on weekends! There are plenty of canned or draft options – try the Local Honey, a herbal ale with eucalyptus and lavender, or sip on James and the Giant Hop, a refreshing peach pale ale.
Harmonic Brewing
Before heading to a Warriors game, grab a table outside at Harmonic Brewing (located in the Chase Center) for a cold beer and a view of the water – it’s right on the bay! You’ll even get incredible views inside with floor-to-ceiling windows in the taproom. Try the Oatmeal Stout for hints of milk chocolate and dark fruit or the Cooler Cactus for a refreshing mix of pineapple, orange, lime, and mango.
