These day, local craft brewers are as enthusiastic about making refreshing summer beers as we are about drinking them. Look out for these eight unique brews available now and in the coming weeks.
Aroma Prieta, Aroma Coma and Aroma Therapy from Drake’s Brewing Company
The ground floor of the Twitter Building has a new liquid hot spot: Dirty Water. The impressive 52-tap bar will feature Drake’s new Aroma Trio of beers on Tuesday, July 21, as part of Drake’s Ten Day Coma Tour. Drake’s brew staff will be on hand to meet with aromatic imbibers. // 1355 Market St. Suite 180, dirtywatersf.com
Company’s Helldorado from Firestone Walker Brewing
Firestone Walker has been barrel-aging beers since the brewery was founded in the late 90s, and reusing bourbon and brandy barrels to age beers for the past decade. But Brewmaster Matt Brynildson still felt something was missing in their lineup. “We noticed that all of our blended Anniversary Ales were made from barrel-aged components that were really dark and thick. It got us thinking about how cool it would be to brew a really pale blonde ale, and then age it in spirits barrels to create a naked beer with tons of pure barrel expression.” The limited release, single-malt, 12% ABV blond barley wine is currently being delivered to store shelves in 22 ounce bottles, so get it while you can. // 1400 Ramada Dr, Paso Robles, firestonebeer.com
Man Go Crazy from Moylan Brewing Company
This loco session IPA was fermented with mango puree, pink peppercorns, and then dry hopped with Australian Galaxy hops for the perfect summer beer. It’s available now on taps around town. // 15 Roland Way, Novato, moylans.com
Crystal Anniversary Ale from 21st Amendment
21A is celebrating 15 years at their 2nd St. pub on Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2 by tapping an appropriately-named krystal weizen beer dubbed Crystal Anniversary Ale. The two-day fest will also include live bluegrass in the beer garden, grilled beer sausages, and tasty beer-can chicken. // 563 2nd St, 21st-amendment.com
Café Racer 15 from Bear Republic Brewing Company
Previous versions of this highly-regarded double IPA scored a 99 on Ratebeer, a 94 on Beeradvocate, four stars on Untappd, and snatched a silver medal at the 2012 Great American Beer Festival. With that many accolades in hand, this year’s batch boasts a 9.75% ABV and derives its 100 IBUs from the generous heaps of Citra, Amarillo, Cascade and Chinook hops. It’s available on draft now and in 22 oz. bottles. // 345 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg, bearrepublic.com
Marin-er Weiss from Marin Brewing Company
Marin’s Interpretation of a classic low ABV Berliner Weisse is refreshingly light, dry, tart, and slightly soured. It’s the perfect summer cooler and will be available soon in bottles and on draft. // 1809 Larkspur Landing
Circle, Larkspur, marinbrewing.com
Kitchen Sync from Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
Earlier this summer, a collection of Bay Area chefs and mixologists attended a two-day Sierra Nevada Beer Camp where they created a collaborative pale ale called Kitchen Sync. The food-friendly beer was brewed with lemon, orange peel, and peppercorns and is being tapped at these select restaurants: Dirty Habit, Nopa, BDK Restaurant & Bar, Craftsman & Wolves, The Cavalier, Marlowe, Park Tavern, Molina, and Perbacco. // 2031 Fourth St, Berkeley, sierranevada.com
Suds from Speakeasy Ales & Lagers
Look for this smooth-bodied and malty brew in early August. Suds was inspired by lightly hopped Vienna Lagers but was fermented with a California ale yeast. This approachable and easy drinking beer comes in at a moderate 4.7% ABV and is has a mild citrus bite from a blend of Columbus, Cascade, and Merkur hops. // 1195 Evans Ave, goodbeer.com
PLUS: Tickets for the 12th Annual Brews on the Bay on sale now
The San Francisco Brewers Guild invites you to join its 'ship of fools' for another edition of Brews on the Bay, Saturday, October 24, from 12-5pm. Enjoy unlimited 8-ounce samples of over 60 beers while soaking up the salty air, sunshine, live music, and food from the deck of the S.S. Jeremiah O’Brien, a historic landmark from the World War II Merchant Marine era. It’s one of the most unique and memorable beer festivals in the country. This event will sell out. Get tickets here.
