10 Best Places For Craft Beers In San Francisco, California, USA

craft beers in san francisco
Max
Max 
Updated
| 5 min read

San Francisco, in northern California, is known for its year-round fog, iconic Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars and colorful Victorian houses. All these named advantages have made San Francisco home of many tourists. As you are exploring the city, you will get to discover all of its hidden amenities such as San Francisco Bay Twilight and Sunset Cruise, San Francisco Bay Cruise Adventure, Alcatraz tour, twilight bay cruise and San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito Guided Bike Tour. After exploring San Francisco, you may want to finish your day with a drink. For that reason, check out this list of the best places for craft beers in San Francisco, California, USA.

1. Toronado

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


If you are a beer drinker, then Tornado is the best place you can be. Located in Lower Haight, this small drive offers a fantastic selection of beers both on tap and the bottle. When you visit Toronado, you should expect walls that are collaged in stickers, a clean bathroom covered in graffiti and metal or punk music blasting overhead. The ambiance is perfect for girlfriend catch-up dates and a hang-out den for men. Toronado tops lists of the best craft beer bars in San Francisco, California, so you know you’re in for some serious beer sipping. Every year in February, Tornado hosts a Barleywine Festival, do not miss.

Toronado

Address: 547 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117, USA

Website: Toronado

Opening hours: 11:30am - 2am (daily)

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2. Mikkeller Bar

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Mikkeller Bar is a world-class bar conveniently located in Lower Mason 1 block from Powell BART station and two blocks from Union Square. The bar features 40 taps from the best breweries in the world, two cask handles, a specialized bottle selection and exclusive house beers, all meticulously chosen, well cared for and properly served. Mikkeller Bar also features The Tivoli sour room, where you will find the best Lambic and sour beer produced in the world. For foodies, you can order your meals at the in house restaurant that specializes in smoked meats, sausages, charcuterie platters and other small plates to pair with fine beers.

Mikkeller Bar

Address: 34 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94102, USA

Website: Mikkeller Bar

Opening hours: Sun - Wed: 12pm - 12am; Thu - Sat: 12pm - 2am

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3. Hopwater Distribution


Come and unwind at Hopwater Distribution which is located on Bush Street, San Francisco. The interior is well decorated with glass windows and it is very spacious with a cozy environment. Hopwater is well known for offering a lazy Sunday imbiber to cocktails and beer pairing event. It offers an artisan pub-style menu from bar bites, beer distribution and crafted beer. Tourists and travelers enjoy the beers offered here making them come back again and again. The craft beers include the Anchor, El Toro, Black Diamond, Faction-pale Ale, Drake’s Hefeweizen, Green Flash and Iron Springs. Be sure to pass by and enjoy the craft beers.

Hopwater Distribution

Address: 850 Bush St, San Francisco, CA 94108, USA

Website: Hopwater Distribution

Opening hours: Sun - Wed: 5pm - 11pm; Thu - Sat: 5pm - 1am

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4. Liquid Gold SF


This bottle shop and taproom is very well stocked with varied options. Apart from its well-catered menu, Liquid Gold also boasts modern décor and a laid-back vibe that’s perfect for a quiet drink with friends or a larger party of beer enthusiasts. With a wide section of locally sourced beers, wines and ciders, they strive to support local businesses and are advocates of their great products. Although the focus is local, they also do their best to offer rare beers, wines and ciders from across the world.

Liquid Gold SF

Address: 1040 Hyde St, San Francisco, CA 94109, USA

Website: Liquid Gold SF

Opening hours: Mon & Tue: 2pm - 10pm; Wed & Thu: 2pm - 11pm; Fri: 2pm - 12am; Sat: 1pm - 12am; Sun: 1pm - 9pm

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5. Southern Pacific Brewing


Come and have fun with friends at Southern Pacific, which is located at Treat Avenue in San Francisco. It has been renovated into a bright, expansive brewery, restaurant and bar, with a complete upper mezzanine and outdoor patio. It is known as a massive gastropub offering creative cocktails and craft brews. Tourists enjoy the crafted beers here, making them come back again. The craft beers and cocktails include hefeweizen, Kolsch, Pilsner Malt, Noble Hops, Porter, German Light Munich, IBC Root Beer, Tin Lizard, Mission Stiff Margarita and the Iron Mule. Be sure to drop by and enjoy a beer with friends.

Southern Pacific Brewing

Address: 620 Treat Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA

Website: Southern Pacific Brewing

Opening hours: Sun - Wed: 11am - 12am; Thu - Sat: 11am - 2pm

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6. Woods Polk Station

Posted by Woods Polk Station on Wednesday, 20 August 2014

Go on a weekend getaway with friends and visit Woods Polk Station, which is situated on Polk Street. Woods Polk is a tiny tavern serving house beers in a cozy and convivial atmosphere with yerba mate and locally made empanadas under a mountain mural. Its wine and beer are inspired by the place, nature and tradition. Travelers always enjoy drinking the authentic house beers, making them come back again and again. The main menu includes Cookie Beer Merit Badge, Bart Etiquette Badge, Bulk Bin Merit Badge, Kale Merit Badge, The Wiggle, Yoga Merit and Oyster Shucking. Be sure to enjoy the authentic house beers when you pass by.

Woods Polk Station

Address: 2255 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109, USA

Website: Woods Polk Station

Opening hours: Mon - Wed: 5am - 10pm; Thu: 5am - 11pm; Fri: 3pm - 1am

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7. Shotwell's


Break the monotony and enjoy the craft beers at Shotwell’s, which is located a 10 minute’s walk from the town center. The neighborhood hangout draws an easy stream of locals with a pool table, low-key atmosphere and pinball machines. Shotwell’s is famous for serving local and international beers. The menu comprises of a wide variety of beers such as Paulaner-Hefeweizen, Kostritzer Schwarz Bier, Drake’s Blonde, Firestone Walker Union Jack, Wells and Young’s Double Chocolate Stout, and Abita Purple Haze. Drop by and grab a bottle of Amstel light with friends or colleagues. It’s an ideal place to hang out with friends.

Shotwell's

Address: 3349 20th St, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA

Website: Shotwell’s

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 4:30pm - 2am; Sun: 4pm - 12am

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8. Barrel Head Brewhouse

Posted by Barrel Head Brewhouse on Monday, 26 November 2018

Come and unwind at Barrel Head Brewhouse which is located on Fulton Street. It is a modern late-night brewpub that serves a variety of beers and cocktails in an industrial space. Barrelhead offers a wide variety of craft beers. Tourists and travelers love enjoying something local and natural, making them come back again and again. Some of the craft beers include Happy Jack, Hazy IPA, American Lager, Pilsner Malt, Chinook Hops, Aramis Hops, Belgian Blonde, Ferrari Red Ale, Hopelbock and Pale Malt. Drop by and enjoy the delicious fish & chips with a bottle of house beer. You will enjoy every second spent here.

Barrel Head Brewhouse

Address: 1785 Fulton St, San Francisco, CA 94117, USA

Website: Barrel Head Brewhouse

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 4pm - 12am; Fri: 4pm - 1am; Sat & Sun: 11:30am - 1am

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9. The Monk's Kettle

Posted by The Monk's Kettle on Wednesday, 9 September 2015

Welcome to the neighborhood tavern which is located at within the heart of San Francisco. The Monk’s Kettle is a lively locale and a traditional pub with a wide range of beers including lots of Belgian brews. Tourists love the beers which are natural and from local ingredients, making them come back again. Some of the beers you can enjoy include Juniper Ale, Neolithic, The Last Witch, Iron Crown Brown, Nut Brown Ale, Pog Whipped Dream, Dobis Pus, Saison, Metropole, Pliny The Elder, Aventus, Claritas, Reality Czeck and Witbier. Be sure to bring your friends along and enjoy the locally crafted beers.

The Monk's Kettle

Address: 3141 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA

Website: The Monk’s Kettle

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 12pm - 12am; Fri: 12pm - 2am

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10. The Detour


Formerly known as Brewcade, The Detour is freshly re-opened, returning to the San Francisco bar scene with a revamped space and even better drinks to boot. In its past life, The Detour offered vintage arcade games, popular among the older lot who come here to re-live their childhood days. This has been left intact in the present space, with gaming machines that are bound to bring back memories. And as you entertain yourself, you can enjoy a drink from their cocktail and wine menus. The Detour certainly seeks to make a name for itself.

The Detour

Address: 2200 Market St B, San Francisco, CA 94114, USA

Website: The Detour

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 4pm - 12am; Fri: 4pm - 2am; Sat: 12pm - 2am; Sun: 12pm - 12am

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Best craft beers in San Francisco

Bottle of craft beer macro photography
Source: Photo by user Rawpixel Ltd used under CC BY 2.0

For the best beer while you are in San Fransisco, check out the top joints for craft beers listed above. Every pub offers quality beer so be sure to experience the best of San Francisco in the listed joints above. Drop by and grab a glass!

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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