Benjamin Franklin isn’t just the portly old gentleman with the receding hairline on the hundred dollar bill. He also was also an inventor, politician, author, diplomat, and beer lover. He was once quoted as saying that “beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” The same could be said about the weather we enjoyed in San Francisco last weekend as the Hapa’s crew embarked on a beer tour with the aptly named Brewery Adventures.
The all-inclusive tour provided round trip transportation between three of San Francisco’s best breweries in addition to tastings, a behind the scenes tour, and hours of entertainment. Led by co-founders and beer lovers Elana and Amy, the tour stopped at Thirsty Bear Brewing Co., Beach Chalet Brewery & Restaurant, and Magnolia Pub & Brewery.
Our first stop was Thirsty Bear in the city’s SOMA District. We were treated to several beers including an IPA, brown ale, wheat beer, and a vanilla infused ale. Thirsty Bear’s brewmaster then invited us to check out their 15 barrel brewing system. The brewery uses a steam heated hot liquor tank and kettle and features six conical fermentation tanks. Of note were the four wine and bourbon barrels used to age the brewery’s special ales.
Brew kettle (L) and Mash Tun Fermentation tank Aging barrels
Our next stop was Beach Chalet which over looks beautiful Ocean Beach on San Francisco’s Pacific Coast. Here, we were allowed to taste four of the brewery’s beers including an IPA, a stout, a red ale, and the brewer’s special: a smokey scottish ale. All were very good beers, but the IPA stood out as not only the best from Beach Chalet, but the best from the day.
Our last stop took us to the famous Haight District where we enjoyed a flight of Magnolia’s finest. The brewpub is known for is cask aged ales and several of these were included in our tasting. These beers undergo secondary fermentation and conditioning in the cask which results in a lightly carbonated beer with more subtle flavors.
We had a really great time and wonderful experience with the Brewery Adventures group and highly recommend checking them to anyone living in the San Francisco Bay Area.