Nothing screams summer in San Francisco quite like sipping a crisp, refreshing microbrew! While we do serve up some delicious local brews on tap in our bars, we know you can’t spend all your time hanging out in Bar VIA. So we have gathered up some of our favorite neighborhood breweries that locals and visitors alike are sure to enjoy.
The 21st Amendment Brewery & Restaurant in SOMA is just two blocks from Hotel VIA and definitely worth the short walk to check it out. This comfortable and welcoming pub features rotating taps of award-winning, hand-crafted beers served along with freshly prepared bites. 21st Amendment has been voted “Best Brewpub” “Best Burger” AND “Best Happy Hour” by the San Francisco press and we can definitely see why. When you step into 21st Amendment be prepared to celebrate the culture of the breweries of old while sipping on unique, hand-crafted beers.
Magnolia Brewing Co. is the grooviest brewery in San Francisco! Magnolia started as a Haight-Ashbury district neighborhood pub in 1997. While they have grown and innovated right along with the rest of the Bay Area over the years, including expanding to a second location in the Dogpatch neighborhood of SF, they have maintained a strong connection to their free-thinking, English ale loving roots. They offer a delicious variety of award-winning ales and honor brewing traditions by introducing new interpretations of classic styles. When you go to either of Magnolia Brewing’s groovy locations you can be guaranteed delicious food, spectacular beers and good times.
Cellarmaker Brewing Company plays by their own rules and we wouldn’t have it any other way. This small, often overlooked, brewery packs a big punch! Their small batches of experimental beers are sure to keep any beer-lover intrigued and satisfied. They don’t follow any set production schedule and they have no flagship beers so you can never be sure what you’ll be walking into. One thing you can be sure of: you’ll always find a well-balanced tap list of delicious and refreshing beers. Cellarmaker definitely loves their hops so IPA fans will feel especially at home here, but nothing is ever too bitter and there is always something on tap for everyone. ADDED BONUS—they offer growlers to go! This is definitely the most underrated brewery to make our list.
The number two spot on our list goes to Black Hammer Brewing. This modern artisan brewery boasts fresh, small batch ales and lagers that are made to be savored on warm summer days. The innovative and creative tap list changes daily so it will always feel like a new experience. The kid-friendly, outdoor-ish space does not serve food in-house but they encourage you to bring in your own bites or have them delivered to you as you sip your brews. Black Hammer is tucked away on a cozy side street yet easy to find with parking galore—although, when you stay with us at VIA you can walk a few blocks to their front door. The staff is friendly, the vibes are chill, and the design is cool. There is absolutely nothing to dislike about Black Hammer Brewing.
This was a tough call, but at the end of the day Local Brewing Co. took our number one spot because it is the epitome of a cool San Francisco summer day. This innovative SOMA brewery offers a true neighborhood vibe and over a dozen rotating beers on tap. It is absolutely clear that brewers at Local Brewing have a love affair with beer. They even have a beer curator app so you can find your own perfect brew. The staff is beyond friendly. They really want to know what you think about their brews because they build their small batches based on your feedback. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, you’ll feel at home at Local Brewing. The unassuming exterior is easy to miss, hidden away in an alley just a few blocks from Hotel VIA. If you only have time to visit one brewery in the City, stop by Local Brewing Co.