Brews by the Bay - I Say Like To

Living in the Bay Area has its perks. We have beaches, beautiful hikes, access to wine country, and an incredible amount of history. However the beer scene has always been a staple as well. My boyfriend, Matt and I really love spending time at beer gardens. It definitely is our favorite date night! We can try new beers, talk about our days, and spend time outside. What more could you ask for? That’s why I have decided to take you on a journey through different Bay Area Breweries and Beer Gardens that I love! My love for beer stems back to my college days when I attended Chico State. We were right down the street from Sierra Nevada and could smell the hops brewing when it was windy. As a close neighbor to the brewery and the beer being so easily accessible, I quickly learned to love the bitter taste of their Pale Ale. However, when I moved home, the craft beer movement was starting and I joined the “Hazy (IPA) Train”. Now if you go in to any bar or beer garden, Hazy IPAs, Sours, and Dark Ales are all the rage. But don’t worry Pilsner fans, there are plenty of great lighter beers out there for you.

My Favorite Brewery Tour: Anchor Brewing

I recently toured Anchor Brewing in San Francisco. For about $20, my friends and I were able to learn about the oldest brewery in the Bay Area. Not only was the tour informative, but we were able to taste different beers that they have crafted in the brewery. We explored the different floors, including the recreation of the open air fermentation process that was invented when the brewery first opened. After the extremely informative tour, we headed across the street to the beer garden for our free 7oz pour courtesy of our tour wristbands. If you’re a fan of their beer or just in the area, definitely check out Anchor Brewing!

My Favorite Beer Garden: Fieldwork

Originating in Berkeley, Fieldwork has definitely left its mark on the Bay Area and beyond. Matt and I are huge fans of this brewery and go at least once a month. Not only do they have a wide variety of beers to choose from (an some pretty stelar Hazy IPAs. In my opinion), they have also opened different beer gardens throughout the Bay for patrons to visit. They also are able to offer a wide selection of food that pairs very nicely with a cold beer. We also love splitting flights so that we can try new things, but we tend to stick to our favorites: Hazy beers for me and Westcoast IPAs for Matt. Take our word for it, if you’re in the mood for a delicious Hazy, sour, pilsner or more, stop by your local Fieldwork location! Don’t forget to bring home a growler of your favorite beer!

My Favorite Small Craft brewery: Blue Oak

One of my favorite things to do is find breweries that I haven’t been to before. A friend recommended Blue Oak, a great craft brewery in San Carlos. It’s safe to say that we are hooked! They have a rotating tap with plenty of beers to choose from. However, the best part is that they also offer flights, which is a great way to try different beers for a great value. I am not usually a Sour person, but they have some of the best in town. Matt and I recently went and only tried the sours! Shocking, I know, they are just that good! The sours are fruity and tart, but in a fun and refreshing way. Plus if you happen to be there on certain nights (mostly Friday and Saturday), they even have different food trucks stop by! I recognize that there are so many different breweries and beer gardens throughout the bay, so if you have any favorites please let me know in the comments! I can’t wait to try them!