SF Brew Pubs
 

We're big beer geeks and haven't been to San Francisco in a long time. We here that craft brewing is doing well and SF and would like some recommendations on good places. We are staying in North Beach FW area. No car, but transit pass and good shoes.

Craft brewing is doing well here? I had no idea.

For a good selection of beers, including any local beers, try Toronado in Lower Haight. It's a bit of a dive, but they have one of the longest beer lists I have ever seen. There are a variety of ways to get there by Muni.

The Toronado may have the best beer selection in SF and it's definitely worth a visit if you want to try some great regional beers. But it is not a brew pub; they don't make beer.

21st Amendment is a great brew pub on 2nd near Brannan. It's also a great place to hang after a Giants game. Speaking of the Giants, the nearby Public House at AT&T Park has a great selection of beers. But like the Tornado, it's a bar and not a brewery. An awesome place to watch the games, by the way.

I enjoyed a small tour of Thirsty Bear recently, a tapas/microbrewery place near 3rd and Howard. The #30 bus will get you from North Beach to 4th & Howard.

There's a Gordon Biersch on the Embarcadero, but I don't find their beer very interesting.

In North Beach, there's Rogue Ales on Union near Colombus. They don't brew there, but do make their own beer off site (or is it relabeled?). Again, a great regional selection.

On Colombus and Pacific in North Beach, there's the SF Brewing Co. I've never been much of a fan of their beers.

Finally, further out is the Speakeasy Brewery. It's only open to the public between 4-8 PM on Fridays. Not easy to get to, not a great area, but fantastic beers.

Beeradvocate.com.

I like downstairs at the Beach Chalet (out at Ocean Berach)
 

http://beachchalet.com/brewery/index.php?page=beers

upstairs has worse food

Another vote for 21st Amendment. Also add Magnolia Pub on Haight Street to your list

http://www.magnoliapub.com/index.html

There are a few garage breweries in SF, some get to sell their wares at 21st. I hesitate to post names/links given that most operate in a hazy legality. Google is your friend.

Also, as mentiond above, there are a ton of bars that serve local and regional beers: Zeitgeist, Pi, Rosemunde, Toronado would be the ones where you'd find me

Beach Chalet's not bad (and has good views). Give the cask ale a wide berth though (stick to non-cask versions) as they are utterly clueless on how to serve it.

Magnolia IMHO is the best brewpub in SF. Cosy atmposphere, good food and great beer - including 3 on cask that are served to perfection. The staff at Beach Chalet should stop by now and again...

Not a brew pub, but a great place for some adventurous beers is a little restaurant called Monk's Kettle on 16th in the mission. Toronado in the Haight of course has a great selection.

If you plan far enough ahead - the Anchor Brewery tour is free and includes great samples!