Top 5: Breweries In San Francisco

The San Francisco Bay Area is a beer lover’s paradise, with more than 120 brewpubs in the region. Downtown San Francisco itself is filled with several of the area’s best, ensuring brew enthusiasts will never go thirsty while exploring the city’s tourist trail. Be sure to add any, or all, of these five to your tasting list on your next visit.

Cellarmaker Brewing Co.

A personal favorite, this innovative brewery serves hop-driven beers in a laidback atmosphere from its custom-built tasting room. The friendly beer-loving folks behind the counter pour small-batch brews in a variety of sizes, from tiny tasters to growlers. The tap list changes often, as the brewers are always experimenting with different hops, grains, barrels and yeasts, but visitors will always find hoppy beers as well as a few dark and roasty options, a Belgian-inspired brew or two and something on the lighter side.

© Sam Howzit | Flickr

21^st Amendment Brewery

The always popular Brew Free or Die IPA is on tap year-round, as well as an extensive selection of seasonal concoctions and select brews. The restaurant is a full service pub open seven days a week in the SOMA district only two blocks from where the San Francisco Giants play, making it the perfect spot to enjoy handcrafted pours and pub favorites pre- or post-ballgame.

Almanac Beer Co.

Farm-to-barrel brewing is what Almanac Beer Company is all about, producing brews with locally sourced fruit and vegetables to create specialties uniquely Northern Californian. While not yet open to the public, but hopefully soon, visitors to the Bay Area can find the brewery’s seasonal artisanal ales in establishments around San Francisco.

© Bernt Rostad | Flickr

Anchor Brewing Co.

America’s first and oldest craft brewery is celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the country’s first craft beer, Anchor Steam Beer, this year. Toast to the brewery’s long and successful history with a flight of favorites like Steam Beer, Anchor IPA and Liberty Ale at the brewery, offering public tours and tastings for $15 per person. Be sure to book in advance, as the brewery can’t accommodate visitors for a tour without reservations.

Triple Voodoo Brewery

Set in the heart of San Francisco’s historic Dogpatch neighborhood, Triple Voodoo is an expansive, modern, industrial-themed brewery with a taproom boasting 16 rotating taps. The brewery prides itself on its ability to combine the best qualities of Belgian and West Coast styles of brewing. Visit the taproom any day of the week to sip on signature IPAs or indulge in its flagship Inception Belgian Tripel.