Where is the Best Beer Selection in Oakland, California?
They have a great fireplace that burns REAL logs, friendly bar staff that are quick with a joke and with a drink.They even have an outdoor smoking patio, and a back room that looks like some friendly nieghbor’s garage, complete with card tables, small television, and posters tacked up on the walls…a very comfortable and warm place to sit a while.
Located almost across the street from the downtown BART Subway station in Berkeley. I actually know one of the managers and he describes their decor as, “a Cathedral for Beer.” The description is accurate. Pressed tin on the ceiling and walls, big wooden tables and a nice coppertop bar. Ample seating on the ground floor and a large up-stairs area. It is all pretty rustic, with big slab tables and woodwork everywhere.There is a beer garden out back with live jazz a couple times a week and heaters to keep it comfortable.The beer is very good, close to ten house brews. Everything from a Hefe to a stout. My favorite is the porter, robust with hints of Coffee and Chocolate.Beyond the house brews, they also have a rotation of guest brews that are pretty much a who’s who of the micros in the Bay Area.Pros + Good Beer, Beer garden, Easy BARTCons – No Parking
Thursday night. Dj Trick is right on the mark. He played songs I havn’t heard 4-ever. If you ask him nice nice, he might play your fav song from the past. Drinks were great, and everyone I met was totally cool. Neat place inside, I was surprised that Alameda had it going on like that. I highly recomend that you check this place out on Thursday’s.Pros + Cool scene, Great DJ, Good ParkingCons – , Little smokey
Pyramid beer is fantastic. I guess if you drink enough of it, you won’t notice that the food here isn’t equally as tasty.I had the Fish & Chips. Usually, it seems that the fish used in most Fish & Chips is pretty bland. The fish Pyramid used was darn near tasteless, and the breading came off when I tried to cut the fillet. The fries were ok…nothing out of the ordinary.I’d like to go back and see if other dishes are better as this first experience was totally unimpressive.Pros + great beerCons – food needs help
Last night (Friday) was my first time to the Plough. After sampling their two choices of Cabernet, it was all too tart and I went with beer. Still, it was cool that the bartender let me sample them. The place is super cute, and the selection of beer is extensive.I don’t know if I’d hang out here for happy hour, but the acoustics were great for my friend’s band…and you could see the stage from almost everywhere in the bar. Pros + Great to watch a show, good selection, serves food lateCons – wine selection
