Magnolia San Francisco, CA

magnoliapub.com

So I shall preface this entry in saying that more of you should be following this blog because it rules. I learned this may be due to some confusion as to how to actually do this. If you have a gmail account just click the follow button with the google logo on the upper right hand portion of the page. If you don't, get one, gmail rules all. Now for beer:

I was delighted to come across this particular brewpub in my travels as I had heard an interview with a member of the brewstaff on a beerschool podcast. Seeing it in person was thus pretty cool. The brewhouse is a 7 barrel operation that is located in the basement, endearingly referred to as the dungeon by staffers. The pub itself is a slightly upscale joint that boasts upscale beers. While the dishes are slightly expensive (all cost about 20 bucks), the restaurant has a warm inviting atmosphere and friendly staff, particularly our waitress Jeanina (sorry in advance for spelling).

Big Cypress Brown
Served on tap. Like other brown ales this beer is a dark brown in color, nearly opaque. Unlike other brown ales, this brew stands out amongst the many, leading to my purchasing of a growler of it. It has a light head with a pleasant chocolately aroma, delicate lacing. It has a light body and a smooth mouthfeel and hints at sweet spices and nuts. Big flavor, but not too big. Endlessly drinkable at 3.7% ABV and 15 BU. Typically I'm a guy who enjoys beers with higher alcohol content and more bitterness, but this stuff is just too good.

Tweezer Triple
Recommended by Jeanina, enjoyed by very much my bandmate sam and I. Served on tap. Dense head, amber in color, slightly hazy, heavy lace. Definite fruity aromas, peach, citrus, light hops. Very sweet, wet and juicy in taste and feel, some spices ala coriander perhaps? Sharp carbonation, the sweet flavor is balanced out by a bitter hops after taste. No noticeable alcohol.
9.5% ABV 35 BU

The beer is great here and the food is pretty damn good too. Just a quick note: with my beers I enjoyed scotch duck eggs for an appetizer, which are hardboiled and then covered in ground pork sausage then fried (AMAZING) and Magnolias fish and chips plate for an entree. Two above par dishes that worked great with the beers. If you're in the San Fran area, this delicious gastropub is a must.

Up Next: Craploads of pubs in downtown Portland, OR!