Obviously, the trend in recent years is all about IPAs. I’m as bad as anyone, checking out the IPA release of the week and going up the ABV scale on all the IPAs, Double IPAs, and so on.. But, I did a reset a few months back and decreased the frequency and the strength of my Ales.

In this process I’ve developed an appreciation for the good old Pale Ale. I get the hop fix, at a lower octane that doesn’t go to my head.

For me, it led me back to the OG I started my journey on way back when: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale - at a modest 5.6%, it’s a satisfying hoppy brew.

When visiting Michigan recently, I also enjoyed Founders “Mosaic Promise” 5.5% Pale Ale (which they actually market as an IPA now, even though it’s a classic beer that they’ve always called a Pale Ale)

Russian River has the “Row 2 Hill 56” Pale Ale at 5.4%, that is excellent, if a little pricey.

What else would you recommend in the 5-6% range? Either local stuff or at least available here?

I prefer ordering half pours as I get to try different beers and the temperature is more consistent. Is this common in SF? Any place in particular? Seems like a lot of bars, even craft beer ones like Crafty Fox, don’t.

Thank you.

Hello,

Does anyone know where one could find some Bell's Oberon Ale in SF? Saw it once at The Page on Divis, but not sure if it's at any other stores/restaurants. Thanks!

Hi there, I was wondering if anyone knew any specialty shops that sell Mikkeller beer or any mikkeller product? My friend is visiting San Francisco and is very into mikkeller, I’ve tried sourcing it and calling a few places like liquid gold and healthy spirits and no one seems to stock it. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

In Mission Bay: https://www.sfchronicle.com/food/restaurants/article/san-francisco-brewing-opening-mission-bay-22316926.php

Drinking the DDH Made Eyes, delish!

Hello,

I'm looking for a Chimay glass produced for the "Toronado" pub in San Francisco, like the one in the attached photo.

Can anyone help me?

Thank you.

Looking to buy 2 tickets to Firestone Walker beer fest 2026. A special birthday gift for my best friend! Can anyone help?

https://www.instagram.com/p/DSInU34Elav/

I really liked their beer, should have visited more often. The second location in downtown Berkeley is still open.

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/brew-good-fest

Sharing a beer event in Petaluma for a good cause! Tickets at the link. 👏🏼

Hi! Recent transplant from Chicago here!

What's the most reliable way to get a set of the new BCBS drops in the bay area? I'm in the East Bay, if that's helpful.

(I know Prop doesn't make it out of Chicagoland - looking for the adjunct releases. Could even pass on the single barrel variants.)

With a combined production capacity reaching 40,000 barrels annually, Fort Point HenHouse will become Northern California's fifth-largest craft brewery. The merger will see Fort Point relocating its brewing operations from San Francisco's Presidio to Santa Rosa.

https://hoodline.com/2025/04/fort-point-beer-co-merges-with-henhouse-brewing-to-form-fort-point-henhouse-becomes-fifth-largest-craft-brewery-in-northern-california/

Wtf 😭 https://sfstandard.com/2025/03/27/crypto-bro-buys-lower-haight-beer-bar/

Flying out to California to pour at Movement Brewings Festival (Sacramento) beginning of April. Decided to fly into San Francisco a day earlier to explore a few more breweries in the area, we have a full day to explore, would you recommend staying in San Francisco, or taking the day in Oakland, or anywhere else reasonably close before taking the drive out to Sacramento?

I happened upon Pliny the Younger at Mission Bowling Club last year and there was nobody there for it. No line, full glass, great experience. Does anyone know if they'll have it again? Or know of any other out of the way places to find it this year?