The first time I went to Cellarmaker I was post-ride -- the particular kind of hungry and dehydrated that makes any beer taste like the best beer you've ever had, which is why I don't fully trust that first impression. But the West Coast IPA was good, genuinely good, and the pizzas coming out of the kitchen to the tables around me looked like pizzas made by people who cared about pizza, and the outdoor area was the kind of setup that welcomes bikes and dogs without making a production of it. I made a mental note: come back sometime for food. "Sometime" turned out to be yesterday, which is how it always works, the places you mean to return to in a week take three months, and the ones you expect to take three months surprise you on a random afternoon when you're starving and nearby and out of excuses. We'd taken the dogs on a long hike through Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park, which if you haven't done it is one of those East Bay hikes that makes you briefly forget you live in an urban area -- redwoods and eucalyptus and creek crossings and the kind of quiet that resets whatever the week did to you. By the end of it we were the specific kind of famished where menu deliberation is impossible and you just point at things and hope. We sat outside and pointed at things and everything we pointed at was excellent. The baked sweet potato--a Japanese sweet potato under miso butter, chili crème fraîche, bacon bits, crispy onions, scallions, and pea tendrils--is the kind of dish that sounds like it was assembled by a committee of trendy adjectives but actually works as a coherent thing you want to eat. The miso butter does the heavy lifting, that sweet-savory bridge that makes Japanese sweet potatoes sing, and the chili crème fraîche keeps it from tipping into cloying territory. Fifteen dollars for a side dish at a brewery is a number that would normally make me flinch, but the portion was generous and the execution was real. The summer squash tostadas--roasted zucchini, cherry tomatoes, avocado, pickled red onion, salsa macha, queso fresco, cilantro--were bright and crunchy and exactly the kind of thing you want after four hours in the woods. The salsa macha brought a nutty, smoky heat that elevated what could have been a forgettable veggie tostada into something I'd actually order again on purpose. And then there were the pickled vegetables. Cauliflower, fennel, zucchini, carrots. Seven dollars. Who pickles zucchini? Cellarmaker pickles zucchini, and it's delicious, and I'm annoyed that I now have to rethink my entire understanding of what belongs in a pickle jar. I had the Diamonds & Gasoline, a West Coast IPA with Nelson Sauvin and Cascade Cryo hops. The menu copy promises white wine and gooseberry and diesel-y grapefruit funk. What I'd tell you is that it's dank. Good dank. The kind of resinous, piney, vaguely illicit West Coast IPA that California does better than anywhere and that Northern California in particular has turned into a regional art form. I drank it and thought about the fact that I've started using the word "dank" to describe beer unironically and that I voluntarily hiked through redwoods on a Sunday afternoon and that I'm sitting outside a brewery in Berkeley with two dogs at my feet eating a Japanese sweet potato with miso butter on it. I am becoming a Northern Californian. This is happening. I lament nothing. The pizza will have to wait for the third visit. Wednesday, maybe -- they do a $12 slice-and-beer special that sounds like exactly the kind of deal that accelerates the conversion. read more

Nothing like having a beer before dinner. This is a place for a beer before dinner or a place to go for dinner/beers. The beer I had was tasty. The pizza smells from the kitchen were delicious. There were tables inside and outside to sit. Server was very friendly and willing to give samples. Don't forget about the arcade games! Bring your change or don't, they have a quarter machine. **protip: they have their own parking lot! Definitely recommend. read more

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Cellarmaker Brewing Company is a friendly spot where all ages are welcome and pets are allowed. They have a large seating area outside in the parking lot with a large mural. They also have a lot of seating indoors including tables, picnic tables and a couch and chairs. The menu ranges from various styles of beers to cider, wine and alcoholic options. They also serve up snacks, salads, pizzas and straus soft service ice cream. I enjoy that they make both beer and wine on site. That's not something you see very often. The staff was very friendly throughout our visit. read more

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We dropped in Saturday around 5:15pm. Parking lot is shared with another store that was closed so we parked in one of those spots. It wasn't too busy to get beers and a table. We also ordered meatballs to try. It was very salty but has a spicy kick to it. Would like to try their expensive pizzas next time. We liked one of their seltzers and 2 hazy IPAs. Their staff is friendly and lets us sample beers before we commit. We even got to try their Pinot noir that they make. It was a light and fruity Pinot. Family friendly. They got a photobooth machine and a claw machine. read more

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Came for drinks after work. Service was super friendly and helpful. I enjoyed the pineapple portal hard seltzer and the pepperoni pizza. Plenty of seating inside and out. Great place to come with a big group of friends. Pinball machines too. read more

Oh yes, thank you cellarmaker for all you do and everything you represent! The beers coming out of this establishment are top notch and not to be missed. The servers are super friendly and the vibe and layout are excellent. Take yourself, bring a friend, stay awhile and smile! read more

This is my go to brewery in the area, the Coffee and Cigarettes Porter is maybe the best beer ever made combined that with a fresh pepperoni pizza and a homemade hot sauce... 10/10. The people working are all spirited about beer and pizza and I love that. With some kid games in the back it's family friendly as well. Can't wait to come back, love the spot. read more

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I was in the mood for a fine homestyle brewed ale. Their selection was plentiful so I want to make sure I try to flight of beer and some cider and a nice dark ale. I was not disappointed on any level and enjoyed every moment there with my family. It was fun having this experience and I would return shortly on a lovely day. I am a beer aficionado and do appreciate a fine beer and they obviously have crafted handcrafted beers. Love the flavor, selection and colors. read more

I haven't been to this Cellarmaker in Berkeley since the switch from the closing of The Rare Barrel. The space is still large and open, but there are a few added touches. They have a claw machine and pinball machine. The back area where bottle pickups used to be, now has seating for added seating for guests. They offered some NA beers and they still serve other guest taps besides their own. They are also still pouring some Rare Barrel sours. The beertenders were all friendly and paid attention to detail. Three of us went to grab some pizza and a pint. The pizza at Cellarmaker is great. I didn't know they offered a gluten free version which my wife was happy about. So we opted to try both pies gluten free. We got the Pep and the Mortadella & Potato. I must say they have great GF crust which is extremely hard to come by. It was great! Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures of the beer but I did take some pics of the pizza. I'm sure we will be back again for more pizza & beer during the daytime. read more

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Pizza is great, beer is awesome but why oh why do they always play new country on pandora or whatever. Both times ive been here ... admittedly Sundays. Its the Bay, new country as a musical choice isnt to appeal to the masses. Place was kind if empty...just sayin'. read more

Cellarmaker was another brewery in California I have been meaning to try and the opportunity came up and it was great to take the opportunity and enjoy their beer! Steve and I had their Pale Ale known as Tiny Dankster. This was a good, solid Pale Ale and was very refreshing to drink. Flavor features with this beer are tropical, dry and clean flavor characteristics. I do love the dry and clean aspects to a flavor profile than I used to so it's always fun to detect those highlights when drinking craft beer or cider. The beer is light and hoppy as well and it all rolls together very well to make a very solid beer. Good first time experience with Cellarmaker! read more

Cellarmaker Brewing Company - The Tiny Dankster from Cellarmaker Brewing Company! - Breweries Near Me - Berkeley, California

TL;DR: cute spot with interesting selection of beers but on the pricey side. There's also food available! We'd been to Fieldwork a couple of times before and were looking for something new to check out. I checked Yelp and was honestly attracted by the pretty canopy in their outdoor seating area so we came by. What a great discovery! They had a nice selection of their own beers (similar price point to Fieldwork, so not all that cheap) as well as Rare Bottle beers which are all aged. Since I don't drink beer, I tried the guava cider (juicy and delicious) as well as the Rose which was marked as a beer/wine hybrid - it was very fermented tasting with an acidity to make your mouth water, the taste grew on me after a bit. We didn't try any of the food but I thought they had a good selection of appetizers, pizzas and even cookies for dessert. It was very chill overall and service was friendly. I did end up loving the outdoor seats, but the picnic benches inside were nice too. Overall we would probably rate this a 4.5 but took it down a notch for value. read more

Cellarmaker Brewing Company - Rose - Breweries Near Me - Berkeley, California

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The SF location of Cellarmaker has arguably some of the best pizza in the Bay Area. When I heard this location had a Tavern Style version I knew I had to give it a try. While the pizza is cut like a traditional tavern style the dough is actually a thinner version of the dough they use for their Detroit pie at the SF location. This is not so much a complaint as an observation as the pizza absolutely rips. I tried the truffle fondue and the mortadella and potato and both were out of this world. Their homemade ranch is also worth mentioning so make sure to get some if you visit. The space is large and airy with TVs making it perfect to watch a game and the staff is always friendly and fast. I can't wait to go back. read more

Cellarmaker Brewing Company - Breweries Near Me - Berkeley, California

We always make it a point to come here when visiting family. We've been coming since it was Rare Barrel and I'm happy to report that it is still great now that it is Cellar Maker and I love that they still have The Rare Barrel on tap. Fantastic service, excellent ambience. Definitely worth checking out. read more

Cellarmaker Brewing Company - Breweries Near Me - Berkeley, California

We love this local to us spot. Very family friendly open space delicious beer and salads.

Location is in an odd industrial spot. Inside is airy with high ceilings but looks a bit unpolished. Many kids and options for them to be entertained. Nice variety of seltzers. Watermelon flavor was good. Pepperoni pizza was delicious. The chicken pizza was not good unfortunately. Meat looked questionable and do not order unless you super loooove rosemary. read more

Great selection of brews and lots of options for eating in. They are very nice that although they have a variety of food options, they still allow you to bring in your own food and pets (as long as they don't get too rowdy)! I haven't eaten here often, but the beers are great and love the rotating selections. During Oktoberfest, they had limited selection brews at 0.5 Liters or 1.0 Liters (such a hugeeeee glass/mug). This may have been rare barrel brewery in the past, I love that they carry rare barrel brews in bottles so you have an entire selection from there also! Lots of outdoor and indoor seating and frequent events or small local shops with booths set up. Def a fun time at Cellarmaker. When it gets busy, the beer line can get verrryyyyyy loooooooooooooooooooong. read more

Good beer, good servers, nice place, but the pizza is yucky. I didn't know tavern style meant thick crust. The crust was thick and kinda spongy---not my cup of tea. Music was kinda loud, but they turned it down (thank you). Would go back. read more

We came here for one of our friends baby shower and were pleasantly surprised at how good the food was and the chill vibes. They seated us in a little private nook area with plenty of tables which was nice and some arcade games and a projector showing some kid friendly movie. The place itself is really large which was nice for the kids to run around and still not disturb the other patrons. We had mostly a variety of pizzas and salads with some other appetizers, all of which were delicious. Would definitely like to come back here if we're in the area. read more

Cellarmaker Brewing Company - Breweries Near Me - Berkeley, California

7/29/23 NOTE: Yelp says this place is temporarily closed, but it's definitely frickin' OPEN. COME!!! ...Reason we were here was cuz what it was not--The Rare Barrel. I think it was one of our friends' favorite breweries, and I gotta say, of all these breweries closing down recently in the news, that's the ONLY one I cared about. The Rare Barrel was EPIC. No one else around here does so many sours and so well! Anyway... so looks like Cellarmaker took over for Rare Barrel, and well,........ I dunno.... What made us most sad is smack dab right in the middle of the main drinking area, in the large warehouse where you will be, is scribbled into the cement "All Sour Since 2012".... man, that's just a badass thing to say, and it's no more.... That said, it looks like Cellarmaker has a variety of stuff on tap, and still keeps Rare Barrels on their menu. So, not sure their relationship, or if they will be reviving the epic brand in the future? My friend also asked one of the cashiers if they're making beer right now and she said they aren't but that's only because they have a lot of stock right now, and will start making beer again when they run out. So there you go if you're curious. I got me... 1. Wild Gooseberry Chase Hazy West Coast IPA $8 / pint "7.1% three different lots of nelsonz savin that we hand selected while in NZ from a singular farm": Dooooood....................... this is one EPIC hazy! It's as hazy as it gets. Seriously, never had so much yummy cloudiness! I remember this being well balanced with good IPA and citrus notes. Not sure if I picked up any gooseberry to be honest though. 10/10 2. Muddy Buddies $4 "classic sweet treat with a twist, corn chex, chocolate, almond & nutella, gluten free - contains: dairy": Basically chocolate cereal. Everyone ate it. 6/10 3. Cool Ranch Chickpeas $4 "giddy up with that crunch, gluten free & vegan": Well, think less hard corn nuts. The cool ranch flavor didn't really come through, but it whatever they used was good for seasoning. 5/10 4. Pretzels Bites $4 "made with spent beer grains, served with c-hop honey mustard, contains: gluten, egg & dairy": This was DISGUSTING. No one at our table could eat it. I seriously was wondering if I should return it.... but alas, I got lazy. Like eating the stalest, driest "bread" from medieval times. 1/10 5. Chocolate Milk $2.50: For my kid--just a kid's carton. 6. Edge of Time BA Barleywine 5oz $12 / 5oz "14.8% a single oak aged barleywine conditions for 14 months in blanton's bourbon barrels, available to go": REALLY REALLY REALLY sweet. Like overpoweringly sweet. It was hard to taste any complexity above the severe sweetness. I'd say if you want like a dessert beer, this is it, especially if you've had your fair share of sweet stouts, this is a good alternative. But otherwise I don't think I can drink too much of this....... oh and I guess good thing this is only 5oz--it looked almost like someone was pouring spirits instead of beer cuz the pour was soooo tiny! Hard to rate--it's certainly a high-end beer, but I just can't do it... 7/10 7. Raging Waters Rare Barrel Sour $10 / 12oz "6.1%, oak aged golden sour with fresh watermelon": I just had a sip of my friend's, and from that sip I was like shiiiiiit I need to get me some (next time.) Sweet & sour, and so yummy. 9/10 Alright, their food kinda sucks, but that's not why you're here. Also, I will note, it was really hard to find anywhere to sit at 5:30pm on a Sat. All tables outside were taken, and I was lucky to get a table inside. 5/5 #brewery #sourbeer #berkeley read more

Cellarmaker Brewing Company - All sour since 2012! - Breweries Near Me - Berkeley, California

I am a little in shock that I have not reviewed Cellarmaker, as I have been going there for years now. My mom and sister both love Cellarmaker too, so it's a easy place to pick for dinner, but not so easy to find seating because it is small. Prior to covid, we would just smash a seat in wherever you can find room - but now you want to get there ahead of time or make a reservation online to get a seat. My favorite pizza is the classic Detroit Red Top, favorite apps are the Caesar Salad and the Dank Dabs. The pizza is so fluffy and the cheese crust is amazingly good. The Cesar Salad had a few pieces of grilled romaine for added flavor. Dank Dabs are pizza bites that are just so flavorful and good. I've had several other pizzas which are all great, such as the pepperoni (good quality pepperoni too) and the white clam (extra garlicky). I always look forward to the seasonal special offerings. And now, the beer - I think they have a really nice selection of strong hoppy beers that can satisfy most people. We always seem to find something we like on draft and then take a few cans to go home with. if you haven't checked out Cellarmaker, you should. Seems like everyone else is copying their style now. read more

Cellarmaker Brewing Company - Clam pizza - Breweries Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Solid experience, I haven't been since it was rare barrel. I enjoyed the sours and they have a few other options as well. My friends and I enjoyed a pizza and a cheese plate. Outdoor area is nice. read more

I've had pizza all over the world, and the supreme pizza I had tonight is truly one of the best pizzas I have ever had. This brewery has a great atmosphere, great staff and great beer. I will definitely be back anytime I am in the area. read more

Great atmosphere. Amazing place to get a bunch of friends together and have a few cold beers. i'm a big fan of DIPA's and they haven't let me down yet. And definitely try their pizzas. So good. Crispy edges, quality toppings, delicious. read more

This place is not big, they've got 2-3 long tables, 3-4 small little tables and the bar. It looks like they transformed a garage to a brewery, very cool vibe. They have variety of beer menu and they seemed all interesting. My husband got Galaxy Light and I got Syrah. Syrah has citrus taste, I personally don't enjoy citrus taste in drinks but I just tried it for no reason lol. And it was okay, the menu says Syrah is beer + wine hybrid. They only have small bites so my husband and I had few drinks and left the brewery to eat. The servers were nice and the overall vibe of the brewery is very local and cozy read more

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I thought I was writing a new review but looks like Cellarmaker moved their now-closed SF location page to the Berkeley location so now it's an update I guess! Cellarmaker continues to be super friendly all around. From ordering to food delivery to the table to the really great karaoke hostess, everyone is a delight. And the pizza is absolutely my favorite pizza, hands down, of anywhere. The mushroom & truffle fondue pizza is fantastic. The crust is amazing...kind of crispy, kind of focaccia-y, I'm not really sure but it's definitely to my taste. We went Friday night 11.8.24 and the karaoke started at 6:30 on.the.dot. and it was great that all the singers were just pouring their hearts out, whether the right note was hit or not. And their non-stop hype-person was the hostess...she was fantastic. So why only 4 stars? It's more like 4 1/2 but two things prevented it....first, why can't I buy a can of beer from their refrigerator there? They had a couple of stouts that I would have ordered to drink there but was told I couldn't. Thought maybe it was a license issue but the Good Hop had taps and refrigerated beers and you could have either. Same with Harry's Hofbrau. So that was weird. And second, it was hella cold in there. I mean...it's a brewery so yeah...I'll wear my parka next time. Live and learn. Anyway, will definitely be back for the kick-ass stouts and the perfect pizza. read more

Great spot for beers and pizza. Other entrees are really good too, but the beer is definitely the star of the show

The food and beer here are really good. I had a square pan pizza and seasonal strawberry salad that was amazing. A Timeland beer was the perfect pairing. read more

On a recent trip to San Francisco, I tried to visit a few notable breweries. I had heard mixed things about Cellarmaker from locals and beer fans alike, but I can honestly say it was my favorite experience of the trip. Cellarmaker is a small taproom and working brewery on Howard Street; it's easy to get here on public transportation, it's a quick walk from Market Street and a few more blocks from Union Square. It's also around the corner from arguably the best beer bar in the city; if you're a fan, I recommend doing both together. Cellarmaker Brewing has a surprisingly large selection for the small space. I love and appreciate the 1700s feel to the typeface, menus, and logo. The menu is also laid out in squares that happen to be the same size as the taster glasses. It's on a thick clipboard; the whole thing doubles as a serving tray with the glasses right on the menu. Feel free to order as many or few as you'd like. Certain special releases may only come in a larger size, but it's very possible to try all their styles on a single visit. Also be sure to look out for special can releases on their social media; you can get these to-go as singles or 4 or 6-packs. They have all manner of typical merch behind the bar; some recent collaboration brews have punny names and designs, but these will always be changing. The beer was great quality and flavorful. As of this writing, some of the brewers recently took a trip to New Zealand and brought back a few hop varieties I had never tried; many of their beers featured these, which was a special experience. They also have a wide array of styles, perfect for any beer drinker, from light and deceptively simple, to dark barrel-aged and complex. Restrooms are small, clean, and toward the back. Here you can also peek through the glass door onto the brewery floor, which is much smaller than I thought, taking advantage of high ceilings. The employees, especially bartenders were very efficient, friendly, and attentive, even as it continued to get busier. It was standing room only as the work day ended, but no one was rude nor seat-stealing on a restroom trip or two. The customers were also having a great time, it was easy to talk with people nearby. This isn't a good place for a large party as the taproom is small and only has a handful of tables. It's well worth your time to visit if you're in the area; I'd say it's worth stopping by even if it's inconvenient. read more

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Went early on a Saturday. Was greeted by a large outdoor seating area, some of which was covered. Dogs are allowed and outside food was allowed. The inside has plenty of seating with nice comfortable chairs. The beer was excellent. There was one Rare Barrel beer on tap, which was nice to see. It wasn't as lively as I had seen it as Rare Barrel, but it could have been too early in the day and people may now know about it. Although it's not Rare Barrel, it's another stop to add to any Berkeley Brewery Crawl that stands up to the likes of Fieldwork and Great Notion. read more

First time here so I ordered beer and a pizza. Beer was and the pizza was also good but too small so I ended up ordering another one. They're friendly and the place is big and inviting. I'll definitely come back again. read more

I am not a fan of beer, so my opinion will mostly be based on the atmosphere, the variety of the menu, and their customer service. We ordered two beer flights to try out their different flavors. My favorite out of the flavors was the Lost Wisdom, which was more on the sour side than bitter side. Overall, the beer flights were a fun experience, and my boyfriend and his friends enjoyed trying the different beers. We heard that this location is closing permanently at the end of this year, so be sure to visit before they close. They will be relocating to Jack London Square in Oakland. One downside is that this location is quite small, and they didn't seem to be enough tables and seats for customers. read more

Cool little spot in a sketchy area. Great decor. Not a lot of beets on the lighter side. But staff is super awesome. Swag offerings are great. read more

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This brewing company offers a wide variety of craft beers ranging from saisons to IPAs. They do offer flights if you'd like to sample them. The menu, despite being small, offers a broad range of different beer types and flavors that any beer lover can choose from! I had the pleasure of trying their Grape Shorty which was very fruity and light. The Ava Grenache, the beer wine, was such a pleasant surprise. It's ideal for people that enjoy light drinks and the flavor of wine. The atmosphere is very relaxed and inviting. Just be wary it can get busy during peak times and seating can be cramped. Overall, it's a fun and casual place ideal for gathering with friends over some awesome drinks! read more

Cellarmaker Brewing Company - Menu and item descriptions - Breweries Near Me - Berkeley, California

Tucked away at the end of a parking lot just off Parker Street, Cellarmaker can be a bit hard to find but is definitely worth it! Great indoor and outdoor space with some truly amazing beers, as well as pizza and other snacks. Great IPAs, and the Coffee & Cigarettes porter is a home run. They also have The Rare Barrel beers available if you're looking for aged and sour styles. Their opening hours are somewhat limited so make sure you check they'll be open before you visit! read more

Second favorite brewery of the 3 we visited during our weekend visit. I know my husband really enjoyed this spot, as well. His enjoyment was based mostly on the fact that he had an intense dislike for the second brewery (where we'd just come from), but also for the fact that Cellarmaker helped him rediscover his love for IPAs. (Come on, we're from San Diego, where the IPA scene grew, expanded, exploded and then completely covered the beer landscape. I'm personally still IPA'd out, but the hubs is in IPA rediscovery mode.) Cellarmaker was packed to the gills by the time we arrived. Open seating was scarce, but my husband did spy a small table near the back, which he asked me to snag. I gave him an option for my beer choice, and he came back with a pint of the Monster Manual, which tops my list of favorite brews consumed over the weekend. The Monster Manual - an English brown ale - had almost a burnt sugar flavor on first sip (that might sound off-putting, but it was delightful), with a deep roasted flavor that balanced out the remaining sweetness. Had I not been so full of food and mediocre beer from the previous stop, I would've had another round. This brewery definitely delivered on everything we seek out in craft breweries. Great service, delicious and varied beers on tap, excellent music, and friendly and welcoming environment. Had we found this spot earlier in our trip, we definitely would've come back. This and Black Hammer made our craft beer hearts happy! read more

Cellarmaker Brewing Company - Monster Manual (December 2018) - Breweries Near Me - Berkeley, California

Very chill vibes. This is a great place for an afternoon beer. The age group is from late twenties to early forties. The servers are super nice and very generous with the beer servings. I'm usually not a beer person but the pale ale served here are pretty sweet and good for a hot afternoon. read more

Cellarmaker Brewing Company - Pale ale - Breweries Near Me - Berkeley, California

Good IPAs, the pizza had good flavor, nice crust and a little bit of crunch in the cheese.

Really like this place. It's the old Rare Barrel and they still sell their beers as their sour line. Large, spacious, and very family friendly. Lots of room both indoors and outdoors. Should also mention the obvious that the beers are excellent. Cellarmaker is one of the best breweries in the Bay Area and stacks up with the best I've had throughout the states. read more

Super hip brewery! The brewery is small and cozy. We came in on a busy Sunday and a nice group of people let us share their table. We got a flight of 4 Hazys and a couple of sour/tart ales. Overall, great beer selection, super nice and efficient staff. If you're in the area, it is worth stopping in for a pint or a flight. read more