Last weekend, I went up to San Francisco for my friend Mario’s wedding. No matter what city I travel to, I look for the landmark beer bar. When I was in Philly, I checked out Monk’s Cafe. When I went to Chicago, I went to the Map Room and Goose Island Clyborn. As for San Francisco, I checked out the long standing, famous Toronado. Needless to say, I was mighty impressed. My wife and I took a cab from our hotel in Union Square, to Haight Street. We found it right away, and entered the half opened Dutch door. The place was pretty packed at 5pm on a Saturday, and we gazed around for a place to sit down. As we saw a couple getting up to leave a table for four, my wife and I darted, and at the same time, some dude and his drinking buddy. We agreed to share the table, as we didn’t have many other options.
At the far end of the bar, was a big board with all of the beers on tap. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. On this board was Anchor, Bear Republic, Port Brewing/Lost Abbey,Firestone Walker,Lagunitas,Lindemans,Delerium,Russian River, Speakeasy, and many more. I had never had Lagunitas Hop Stoopid, so that was my first pint. My wife had her one and only glass of Lindemans Framboise. I noticed two things right away. The place only takes cash, and people were munching on food despite no menu or food service. The guy sitting across from us told us, you can order from any of the near by restaurants, and bring the food into Toronado to eat. After we all had our first beer, my wife and I started chatting away with these two guys across from us, having a frickin ball. We were sharing stories of living back East, and all the food we miss, and a bunch of other funny stuff in between. I ended my “cash-only” session with two pints of Pliny the Elder. I have always enjoyed Pliny, and this was no exception. It is a super famous beer, but I had imagined these locals were too cool for Pliny. I was dead wrong. That was probably the most requested beer while I was there.
In the name of beer marketing 101, Oktoberfest beers have begun hitting the shelves. While there is no set date here in America, as to when and how to celebrate, it seems this period of beer drinking celebration is getting more popular than St. Patricks Day. I was able to pick up a six pack of Samuel Adams Octoberfest and Joseph Brau’s Oktoberfest (Trader Joe’s Private Label). I was right back in my Oktoberfest groove immediately. I encourage the readers of this fine site to send in a funny Octoberfest Story, recipe, or review. Stay tuned in the next month or two for an insane amount of Oktoberfest posts.
Send your comments, stories, or questions to dan <at-symbol> thefullpint.com.
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