I have to admit that writing about the best breweries in San francisco CA was a very fun list to curate. Living in the city for so long, you tend to forget about places or memories, since there is just so much to try. We’ve had quite a few brewery tasting phases in our time, and living in San Francisco makes that very easy to do. Especially when the sun comes out.
With over 30 breweries in SF Bay Area belonging to the San Francisco Brewers Guild, there is much to try and an ever-changing menu of creativity, innovation, and snobby, hoppy goodness.
Highlighted below are some of our favorites and a few more to try when you’re in the area and want to make it a good old-fashioned beer crawl.
Always remember to double-check dates, opening times, and weather conditions before traveling.
Top Breweries in San Francisco CA
These are only some of the many breweries to try when visiting San Francisco, read on!
21st Amendment
- Address: 563 2nd St San Francisco, CA 94107 (Soma)
- Website
I’m starting off with this one just because of the great memories I have here. This is a local favorite spot to stop before a Giants game. Most known for their Hell or High Watermelon Wheat Ale or Brew Free, this San Francisco brewery remains a staple in the city, even though they now mostly produce out of their massive space in San Leandro. But they still do some small batches out of the original space and can still claim the “craft” title.
Black Hammer Brewing
- Address: 544 Bryant St San Francisco, CA 94107 (Soma)
- Website
This is a great example of when experience and science meet and make an incredibly delicious brewery. Snob out on some of their creative brews that mix traditional German and American creative styles. With a welcoming and work-friendly environment, the ambiance is a perfect spot for locals and visitors alike.
Locals Tip: Visit Willkommen in the Castro for their Beer Garden & Sausage Haus where their beer gets to shine next to the perfect pairing of foods.
Located at 2198 Market St San Francisco, CA 94114
Local Brewing
- Address: 69 Bluxome St San Francisco, CA 94107 (Soma)
- Website
One of the most consistent things you hear about Local is that not only is the beer good but so is the variety. Sure, they make a good hazy, which is all the rage right now, but just about everything else is tasty too. As well as their food.
I’d also be lying if I didn’t admit that one of my favorite things about Local is that the head brewer Regan Long is just an overall badass woman who’s killing it right now. Let one of the bartenders or their “Beer Curator” guide you outside of your comfort zone, you might just learn something new to love.
Cellarmaker Brewing Company
- Address: 1150 Howard St San Francisco, CA 94103 (Soma)
- Website
This is easily becoming one of San Francisco’s darlings in the brewery world. It’s pretty much on everyone’s must-try list. And for good reason. They’re straying from the path and not attempting for a flagship beer. Rather, they simply want to be known for making many amazing beers. And they do.
Now, unfortunately, that means you can’t get that fantastic beer you had last time, but that’s just the point. With an ever-changing list and constant attention to detail in every beer, tasting here is just a delight for any beer lover. Tuck yourself into the cozy taproom and get lost in a flight.
Cellarmaker House of Pizza
- Address: 3193 Mission St San Francisco, CA 94110 (Mission District)
Yes, this could be grouped into the Mission district breweries later, but if you want to get in some yummy grub while also geeking out on Cellarmaker beer this is the place. They do a Detroit-style square pizza that is probably the only time I like to eat the crust. And the beer, well, just read about them above. It’s the same love.
Seven Stills Brewery & Distillery
- Address: 100 Hooper St Ste 4 San Francisco, CA 94107 (Mission Bay/ Att Park)
Another personal favorite of ours, this fun brewery & distillery marries everything we love about the independent creativity of brews and spirits. Their 5lb Hazy IPA is an absolute go-to when we find it in stores, but if not, you can get it at their gorgeous space to go. They make some killer food too.
What makes them different is their use of beers in their whiskey-making process. Order a couple of yummy plates, a beer/whiskey pair, and just relax in the kid & dog-friendly patio.
Harmonic Brewing
- Address: 1050 26th St San Francisco, CA 94107 (Dogpatch/Att Park)
- Website
With a chill vibe and a rotation of food trucks swinging by, Harmonic Brewing is always a great place to sip a beer and catch up with friends. They’ve even opened a second location near the Warriors stadium if that’s what your day has planned. A good mix of selection with some IPA’s always on the roster.
More breweries in San Francisco CA to try in the Att Park/Mission Bay/Dogpatch area:
- New Belgium Brewery Taproom. Visit Website
- Magnolia Brewing Company. Visit Website
Fort Point Beer Co.
- Address: 1 The Embarcadero Ste 54 San Francisco, CA 94105 (Ferry Building)
- Website
What started as a fun production in the Presidio has quickly grown into an all-out takeover of the city. I joke, of course, they’re not in every neighborhood…yet. For now the most popular is the tasting room in the Ferry Building where you can grab a beer or two while waiting for the ferry, or a 6-pack for the road. The Lower Haight location is also popular but with the weird times, it’s a great idea to check their website for the current hours and open locations.
Standard Deviant
- Address: 280 14th St San Francisco, CA 94103 (Mission District)
- Website
This place has everything you expect in a brewery. Big open space, lots of indoor and outdoor seating, a unique selection of beers like Saisons, sours, and IPA’s to try. And they have some fun games, pinball machines, and shuffleboard to play if you’re tired of just sitting there.
They do food stall pop-ups for something to eat along with your beer if needed as well. The casual vibe and friendly staff are worth a try and make you want to come back.
For more breweries in the Mission to try, check out:
- Lupulandia Brewing Co.: Small handmade batches to go along with their menu. Visit Website
- Southern Pacific Brewing. Visit Website
- Woods Cerveceria, 3801 18th St San Francisco, CA 94114
- Cellarmaker House of Pizza
Beach Chalet Brewery & Park Chalet Garden Restaurant
- Address: 1000 Great Hwy San Francisco, CA 94121 (Golden Gate Park/Ocean Beach)
- Website
A great stop after a day walking around Golden Gate Park or checking out the Sutro Baths. If we’re being honest, this brewery has been around for a long time, but not necessarily for the beer, although it’s good. It’s really about the location.
Smack dab across from the ocean, you get great views, some good if not mildly overpriced food, and a cold one. Order a tray of oysters and a Pilsner for the lawn. It’s a great experience.
Locals Tip: Bring layers if you plan to sit outside. This can be a really chilly side of town when the fog rolls in (not every day is like the picture).
More breweries to check out when you are on that side of town or in the Outer Sunset
- Sunset Reservoir Brew Co. Visit Website
- Seven Still Outer Sunset Taproom, 3645 Lawton St San Francisco, CA 94122
- Barrel Head Brewhouse, Visit Website
Barebottle Brewing Company
- Address: 1525 Cortland Ave San Francisco, CA 94110 (Bernal Heights)
- Website
Known for their ridiculously juicy IPA’s, this very family, and dog-friendly taproom tucked away in the family-rich neighborhood of Bernal Heights is a must check out for a good flight tasting. They’re becoming quite popular in the San Francisco beer scene and are popping up in stores around the state and country, but this is the best place to truly try where their passion lies.
Woods Beer & Wine Co.
- Address: multiple locations
- Woods Cerveceria (Mission District)
- Woods Polk Station (Polk St in Russian Hill)
- Wood Island Club (Treasure Island and main brewery)
- Woods Outbound (Outer Sunset)
- Woods Lower Haight (Panhandle)
- Website
This interesting little (and I use that word loosely) company is a small batch beer and winemaking group that is all about great beer and good locations. With 5 locations around the city, including one on Treasure Island, this brewery is doing a lot of things right. A fan favorite is the MateVeza IPA, brewed from yerba mate. Mate + Cerveza= MateVeza, get it?
Check out their website and Yelp for current hours and locations open as things change.
Laughing Monk Brewing
- Address: 1439 Egbert Ave San Francisco, CA 94124
- Website
On the outskirts of the city in Bayview is this fun brewery with tons of games and beers to play with. With a creative flair for pairing traditional styles with local & seasonal ingredients, there is always something new to try. They don’t offer food, but food trucks are plenty in this city and there is always one floating around during the weekends.
More breweries in Bayview
- Speakeasy Ales & Lagers (Home of the famous Big Daddy Ipa and Prohibition Ale). Visit Website
- Sequaiosake – brewery and sake maker if you are in the mood for something different. Visit Website
Anchor Brewing Company
- Address: 495 De Haro St San Francisco, CA 94107 (Portrero Hill)
- Website
This brewery, coming in at 125 years old had seen it all in the city by the bay. And I’m sure they have some stories. You can hear some of them by taking a tour at the brewery itself or just enjoy some beer from the source in the Public Taps Room that’s across from the old brewery. Many are familiar with them from their presence in stores all over the country, but with small batches, just for their visiting fans, this can still be called a craft brewery.
Breweries in the Wharf Area or Downtown
- San Francisco Brewing (Fishermans Wharf)
- Holy Craft (Chinatown)
- Bartlett Hall (Union Square)