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First off, I have to admit, I've been a Speakeasy Mobster and shareholder since the late 1990s -...
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First off, I have to admit, I've been a Speakeasy Mobster and shareholder since the late 1990s - so I am a little biased. As much as I love the current lineup of bottled beers: Big Daddy IPA, Prohibition Ale, Double Daddy Imperial IPA and the Untouchable Pale Ale (and the elusive Godfather Barleywine), it's the keg-only and the dearly departed brews that made this brewery tops in my book.
Keg Only:
The Bootlegger Black Lager holds up to the classic Sapporo Black and the archetype of the style: Kostritzer Schwartzbier. Malty and a little sweet, but also refreshing. There's a reason they're commonly called black pilsners.
The Shylock Maibock is also a great example of a German spring bock beer. Strong but balanced with a sweet malty character.
Even the Satchmo Stout, which should be bottled as there is a real lack of good local stouts, is a fantastic beer... nice and roasty and proof that stouts can aspire to be more than a Guinness.
However, the three best, most unique beers are ones that are unfortunately not being made any more.
White Lightning - their attempt at a berliner weisse, a sour beer that had undergone lactic fermentation. Even though it was a pain to produce and a bigger pain to clean out of the tanks and pipes, it was an amazing beer when stored and served properly (the trick was to make sure some live yeast made it into the glass like with a Belgian beer)
Common Beer - The San Francisco Common Beer was quite possibly the best beer produced on the west coast when it came to pairing with food, and it's a shame that restaurants all throughout the Bay Area didn't stock it. Maybe it was the name, or maybe the restaurant industry lacked the vision to pair a domestic beer with food the way they do now with Belgian brews. Either way, it is sorely missed.
Finally, the best of the bunch: Untouchable Lager - a perfect Maerzen beer, and possibly the best California-made lager I have ever had. This beer was fantastic, but unfortunately suffered in sales because the local market is biased towards ales.
The city is much better for having Speakeasy supplying its bars with fresh, local brew.
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John Walker & Co
Category:
Liquor Stores
175 Sutter St
San Francisco,
California 94104
(415) 986-2707
I remember my first trip to John Walker back in the mid 1990s - I had been searching for an...
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I remember my first trip to John Walker back in the mid 1990s - I had been searching for an elusive bottle of Turley wine, and since then, whenever I had a craving for a hard to find wine or spirit ranging from Old Potrero Rye Whiskey to Del Maguey Crema de Mescal, they either have it or can easily get it.
Their Spirits Consultant, Dominic, is a veritable fount of knowledge about any type of distillate - which he applies generously when mixing cocktails at Range as well as when selecting his products at John Walker... and you can see his effect on the current stock. You can find products ranging from Fee Brothers bitters to Austrian Alpensahne to the classic digestives like the Italian Averna. If they don't have it - John Walker & Co. can find it. Recently, they tracked down a bottle of 15 Year of Redbreast, available for shipping to the US from a single source in Dublin.
The prices are fair, and the selection and service is exceptional... and if you're looking for the next hip vodka or the perfect Austrian Stone Pine liqueur - head over to the Crocker Galleria and see what's in stock.
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Plump Jack Wines
Category:
Liquor Stores
3201 Fillmore St
San Francisco,
California 94123
Great wine selection, no fuss and no intimidation. Fantastic selection of wines under $10! Staff...
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Great wine selection, no fuss and no intimidation. Fantastic selection of wines under $10! Staff is very helpful and knowledgeable.
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Swirl On Castro
Category:
Liquor Stores
572 Castro St
San Francisco,
California 94114
The staff here knows their stuff. They have an interesting selection, some of which I haven't seen...
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The staff here knows their stuff. They have an interesting selection, some of which I haven't seen elsewhere. Everything I have had there, on recommendation, has been great.
Go for the weekly wine tastings!
Pros: Great selection, knowledgeable staff
Cons: You have to park in the Castro if you drive - not
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This relatively new wine and spirits store blew me away the first time I visited. A good friend...
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This relatively new wine and spirits store blew me away the first time I visited. A good friend of mine recommended them to me, and I am hard-pressed to shop for wine elsewhere. Blackwell's is accomodating, informed, and specialized for the serious connossieur and the casual enthusiast (nevermind a wonderful selection of hand-picked, unique spirits). Don't expect to see Yellow Tail or any boxed wine inside, but if you are looking for quality wine at inexpensive prices you will be pleased. While primarily a neighborhood store, Blackwell's has a fantastic collection that seems to draw people from all over the bay (my friend who recommended them to me lives in Oakland). If you have not been in, you are missing out on THE diamond in the rough. I expect big things from Gary and Dita (owners), and their wonderful staff, for the future. Blackwell's is what a wine store is supposed to be.
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Great selection of merchandise. Perfect for gift giving and parking isn't half bad.
1 month ago
Great selection of merchandise. Perfect for gift giving and parking isn't half bad.
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I've stopped in several times since moving to Russian Hill and have always gotten good wine...
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I've stopped in several times since moving to Russian Hill and have always gotten good wine recommendations and felt comfortable browsing or just chatting with the staff. Every person I've spoken with there easily qualifies as a true wine enthusiast.
Pros: $15 and under wine, convenient location, wine tasting
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VinoRosso
Category:
Liquor Stores
629 Cortland Ave
San Francisco,
California 94110
$4 prosecco and lambrusco (a red sparkling wine) and $3 beers. Also, 1/2 price AMAZING homemade...
More 1 year ago
$4 prosecco and lambrusco (a red sparkling wine) and $3 beers. Also, 1/2 price AMAZING homemade lasagnas (I think they always have a vegetarian option) and baked gnocchi... SOOOOO GOOOOD! We had a total of 8 glasses of prosecco (4 each, at 4 bucks each, why not?)
I'll be back, and it's daily, i think 4-7pm
Pros: Great food, great wine
Cons: only 8 tables, but we only had to wait five minutes
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Falletti Foods
Category:
Direct Selling Businesses
308 Broderick St
San Francisco,
California 94117
As most who live in the Haight-Ashbury/Panhandle/Cole Valley/USF 'hoods know, there's slim...
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As most who live in the Haight-Ashbury/Panhandle/Cole Valley/USF 'hoods know, there's slim pickings when it comes to upscale grocery stores unless you're the type who digs limp lettuces and soft bananas. Sure, that one place with all the frozen finger food seems to be popular with the kiddies, but sometimes a person just wants to buy nice fresh goodies at an upscale location without all the hype. From fresh milk in bottles to iced cream without carageenan to sinfully pink and red meats for carnivores, you'll delight in the selection and the service. During a recent visit I discovered a cache of caviar and gourmet chocolates, and I'm looking forward to trying out more of their tempting delicacies--including some lively-looking scone mixes-- in the future. On the way out, grab yourself a treat from the delicious DeLessio's housed in the same building.
Pros: location, friendly service, upscale, fresh produce, beautiful meats
Cons: I could say prices...but it's worth paying more for better service & higher quality if I can keep the business in the 'hood.
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Great Italian selection, helpful, friendly, fun owner! Great design in great neighborhood. I make...
More 10 months ago
Great Italian selection, helpful, friendly, fun owner! Great design in great neighborhood. I make a trip over to Biondivino every time I get to SF!
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