Bay Area distillers, winemakers, and brewers are turning out some of the tastiest and most innovative intoxicants in the country. Drink local this holiday season with some of the finest spirits our makers have to offer.
SPIRITS
Anchor Distilling's Junípero Gin
First distilled in 1996, Junípero is America's original craft gin. Made by hand in the classic London dry-gin tradition at Anchor's small distillery in Potrero Hill, Junípero's secret is in its dozen-plus botanicals that mingle together for a distinctive flavor. Wired Gin called Junípero "the ultimate gin, illuminating the cocktail scene with a brilliant touchstone that all modern gins must be measured against." // Anchor Distilling, 1705 Mariposa St. (Potrero Hill), anchordistilling.com
Distillery No. 209's Barrel Reserve Gins
For a less traditional spin on gin, check out 209's Barrel Reserve gins for the holidays. The No. 209 Chardonnay Barrel Reserve Gin makes a magnifique French 75 and has a beautiful nuance and flavor for sipping straight up. The No. 209 Cabernet Sauvignon Barrel Reserve Gin has darker characteristics that are reminiscent of a whiskey or bourbon—great for making an Old Fashioned or a Manhattan. Want some cocktail recipes for your party? The distillery is having a #209Ginvent Cocktail Calendar Countdown, which includes several Barrel Reserve Gin recipes. Our current favorite is Yule Shoot Your Eye Out, Kid! // Distillery No. 209, Pier 50 Shed B, Terry A. Francois Blvd. (Mission Bay) distillery209.com
Seven Stills' Stocking Stuffer
For this collaboration, Libertine Brewing Co. trucked their Wild Sour Stout to Seven Stills in San Francisco, where it was distilled, aged in new American oak, and finished in Libertine's sour-beer barrels. // Seven Stills, 1439 Egbert Ave Unit C (Bayview/Hunters Point), sevenstillssf.com
St George Spirits' Spiced Pear Liqueur and Terroir Gin
One of the most creative distillers in the country, St. George has been crafting exceptional single-malt whiskey, agricole rum, absinthe, gins, vodkas, brandies, and liqueurs for three decades. For the holidays, the rich combination of Bartlett pear, cinnamon, and clove makes the Spiced Pear Liqueur the go-to comfort booze of the season. The Terroir Gin has enough crisp juniper in it to make buying a Christmas tree redundant. // St. George Spirits, 2601 Monarch St. (Alameda), stgeorgespirits.com
WINES
Bluxome Street Winery's Holiday Gift Sets
Bluxome has packaged a few of their tasty offerings into seasonal gifts. We're particularly smitten with the SV, a trio of luscious pinots. // Bluxome Street Winery, 53 Bluxome St. (SoMa), bluxomewinery.com
JAX Vineyards' Estate Block 3 Cabernet Sauvignon and Y3 Pinot Noir
Last year marked the debut of Estate Block 3, which scored 97 points from critic Robert Parker. The JAX Y3 Pinot Noir was awarded 94 points from Wine Enthusiast. Take it from us, high scorers always make good gifts. // JAX Winery, 326 Brannan St. (SoMa), jaxvineyards.com
BEERS
Fieldwork Brewing Co.'s Cocoanut Imperial Stout
Fieldwork head brewer Alex Tweet described this new release as "smooth as velvet and as roasty as your morning cup of joe. Cocoanut ushers heaps of hand-toasted coconut down the aisle where it meets its perfect match, chocolate." It is available as a growler at select tap houses, including Fieldwork in Berkeley. // Fieldwork Brewing Co, 1160 Sixth St. (Berkeley), fieldworkbrewing.com
ThirstyBear Organic Brewery's The Wild American
For this year's limited-edition Stave Series brew, ThirstyBear put a uniquely American tweak on wild fermentation. Barrel aged in American oak, Stave Series No. 16: The Wild American was inoculated with brettanomyces and dry-hopped with the American hop variety, mosaic. The result is a smooth but tart ale balanced by juicy mango and pineapple notes. Available as a growler at the brewery. // Thirsty Bear Brewing Co, 661 Howard St. (SoMa),thirstybear.com
Fort Point Beer Co.'s Moon Phase
Moon Phase is a bourbon barrel-aged quadruple ale that clocks in at a heady 13 percent ABV. It radiates toasted almond and toffee and finishes with a delicate blend of Buffalo Trace Bourbon and Smooth Ambler Rye flavors. Moon Phase is available in 22-ounce bottles and as a growler at select tap houses. // Fort Point Beer Co.,fortpointbeer.com
