21st Amendment Brewery

WineCountryBEER

 
 

The Bay Area is blessed with so many good beer outlets that it is sometimes hard to decide on one to feature. The 21st Amendment Brewery (21-A) makes the selection easy. Co-proprietors Shaun O'Sullivan and Nico Freccia have done it right.

21st Amendment is a leader and an innovator in the craft brewing industry. Its average beer is, well, above average. O'Sullivan, the brewmaster, is also quite active in the beer community, with home brewers, beer geeks and the pros.

21-A created the unique watermelon wheat beer and turned it into a top seller. They were also among the first craft breweries to can their beer, a process that actually keeps beer fresher than bottling.

While canning is cool, there is nothing better than tasting the beers fresh from the brewery tap in the 21-A restaurant and bar.

Some beers to look for

Brew Free! or Die IPA. -- they capture the classic West Coast style here. Luscious hops and good malt balance. Dry hopped with four kinds of hops. ABV 7.2%

Hell or High Watermelon Wheat Ale -- light melon aroma; lightly bitter. Finishes dry with no perceptible sweetness. Perfect summer brew. ABV 5.5%

Anything with big hops -- not really a specific beer, just a recommendation because they do this style so well.

The Restaurant

21-A runs a first-class brewpub restaurant too. They serve what they call "classic American food at neighborhood prices." The salads are tremendous -- both in size and flavor. Their chicken sandwich is a true staple. For entrees, the jerked chicken, fish and chips, and pork chops are favorites. You can also get pizza, burgers, wings and other popular pub grub.

 

Make 21-A your neighborhood bar

Location

21st Amendment is located about three easy blocks from AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. What better excuse to go to a ball game than to be able to make a quick pre- or post-game stop at 21-A. There is some on-street parking available, but it's better to walk or take public transit.

Open for lunch and diner daily.

Address: 563 2nd St., San Francisco, CA 94107

Phone: 707-369-0900

Go To: 21st Amendment Brewery Web Site

The map marker shows the location of 21st Amendment Brewery on the corner of De Boom and 2nd St. Notice that it is about three blocks north of AT&T Park. It is a very short walk and worth every step.

The 21-A chalk board announces the brew on tap. A lot of the offerings a always specialties or seasonals and change frequently. That is what makes stopping at 21-A even more fun. You can pretty much count on trying a new beer.

AT&T Park is a great place to see a game. Since beers at the ball park can run as much as $9 a pop, it's smart to do your beer drinking at 21-A before the game.

21-A has some superb brewery art adorning the walls of its restaurant. Some depict co-proprietors Nico Freccia and Shaun O'Sullivan.

21-A has its bar in the front next to the street and the restaurant in the rear. The brewery is further in the back of the building and is not particularly accessible to restaurant patrons. But definitely ask for someone to show you around if you are interested.

There is a fun virtual tour of the building on the 21-A web site.