Seven Stills Brewery & Distillery | 747 Belgian Strong Golden Ale

This year was supposed to be the year of me trying new things—I was going to take a break from my IPA and sour obsession, find new beer loves and explore my palate. Well, sometimes old habits die hard. If there is one style of beer I shy away from the most, it’s anything in the Belgian realm, but this beer from Seven Stills Brewery & Distillery definitely gave me something to talk about!

So maybe we’re halfway through the year and I still have yet to discover my next new beer love but can I get a pat on the back for drinking a golden strong ale from Seven Stills Brewery & Distillery?! Baby steps, you guys. Read More

San Francisco Beer Week | Can’t-Miss Events February 11-13

Cover photo courtesy of San Francisco Brewers Guild (Gama Nine Photography)

Friday, February 10 is the only day where it is an easy decision on which San Francisco Beer Week (SFBW) event to go to, as there is only one event. The Opening Gala is an event not to be missed with over 135 breweries pouring incredible first time beers like G & T Gose and rare beers including Pliny the Younger. Day Two, Three, and Four of San Francisco Beer Week aren’t as easy with 129, 90, 75 events happening respectively. Here are the events that we are looking forward to for Saturday, Sunday and Monday of SFBW.

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San Francisco Beer Week | Opening Gala

San Francisco Beer Week kicks off their 9th year starting Friday, February 10 and running through Sunday, February 19. The festivities are packed with over 800 events and span the entire Bay Area from Half Moon Bay in the south to Santa Rosa in the north. We will highlight our top picks for each day. The first event is the Opening Gala at Pier 48 in San Francisco from 5 – 10 PM for VIP ticket holders and 6 – 10 PM for General Admission. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by clicking here. Be sure to check back for our list of featured events!

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Almanac Taproom and Big Rec Taproom Open in San Francisco’s East Mission District

I am pretty lucky to live in San Francisco and be completely surrounded by an un-ending host of great breweries and beer bars. However, a few weeks ago in late-December SF … Read More

12 Beers of Christmas | Cellarmaker Wreather Madness

Cover photo by Simon Offord

ABV: 7.6% | IBU: 35

Dankota Fanning, Barbarian Steissand and Wicked Juicy are a few of the names of beers made by one of the best breweries in the Bay Area: Cellarmaker Brewing Company. Conveniently located in the South of Market (SOMA) neighborhood of San Francisco, anytime you find yourself nearby is a great time to enjoy some of the finest brews around. Their motto is “Beer Without Limits” and they live by the creed that they are a “neighborhood brewery making fresh beer for the Bay Area. Hoppy, dark, Belgian, barrel aged, etc. We enjoy making a wide variety of brews.” Their attention to detail and expertise at their craft really shows through their beer.

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Black Hammer Brewing | Sparkle Pony

ABV: 6.9% | IBU: 24

Jim Furman used to work at a nuclear safety test facility for the Nuclear Power Institute of China (NPIC) in Chengdu in the Szechuan Province. Now Jim is the proud owner and head brewer of Black Hammer Brewing (BHB). True story. While Jim is brewing, you will often find Growler, Jim’s dog, hanging out in the tap room greeting customers. BHB opened just over a year ago in the SOMA neighborhood of San Francisco and is having great success. Their mission is twofold: Lager without limits! and Malt Forward! Sparkle Pony is one beer so popular that it pays the rent.

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Anchor Brewing Company | Go West! IPA

ABV: 6.7% | IBU: 75

In my first article for PorchDrinking.com, it only makes sense for me to write about a San Francisco IPA, more specifically Go West! IPA. Although the options are somewhat endless, with new breweries opening seemingly every week, I had to start with San Francisco’s oldest brewery. It just so happens, Anchor Brewing Company is located just a few blocks away from my home. Read More