31280 Fri Sep 03 18:55:50 -0700 2004 21 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 136504 Any recommendations for a beer garden in the Bay Area? Moylan's in Novato doesn't count - A patio backing up to 101 doesn't cut it for me. Thanks Fri Sep 03 18:55:50 -0700 2004 0 teddyboy 1 136505 Jupiter in Berkeley has a nice outdoor area. Not gardens, but Triple Rock has a roof area, and Lanesplitter has a funky back yard. Fri Sep 03 18:57:14 -0700 2004 136504 0 Robert Lauriston 2 136711 Lanesplitter should be on anyone's summer list. The motorcycle decor is toned down, and it has more of a practical burningman feel. The taps hold most of my favorite wide-distribution beers, and they have one or two hand pumps. They are known for their thin crust pizza. I'm not sure it would make anyone's "best ever" list, but it's mighty tasty at a good price. I like being able to get two slices with two toppings each (fresh made to order slices), and a pint of Lagunitas, with tip, for under $10. The back yard is a funny gravel area with picknick tables. Grab a bunch of friends and a pitcher. Myself, I'll be at the bar reading citybike. Mon Sep 06 10:53:14 -0700 2004 136505 0 Brian Bulkowski 1 136506 The nicest beer garden I'm aware of is in Berkeley at Jupiter, where it forms the center area of a courtyard of other shops. It is somewhat heated in the evenings too, when they offer live jazz. If you aren't familiar with it, Jupiter is downtown on Shattuck. Fri Sep 03 18:59:35 -0700 2004 136504 0 Joan Kureczka 2 136575 I agree that Jupiter is a great place both day and night...the wood-stove pizzas are tasty also. The music is different every night, here's a link to their schedule... Link: http://www.jupiterbeer.com/berkeley/events/index.html Sat Sep 04 16:54:52 -0700 2004 136506 0 Chris Shumway 1 136507 Spiessekamme (sp) in Alameda has a patio in the front of the restaurant. Raleighs on Telegraph in Berkeley has a very large patio/deck out back. Jupiter on Shattuck in Berkeley has a nice patio in the back. Kelly's (Mission Rock) has a good outside patio as does The Ramp. Fri Sep 03 19:00:38 -0700 2004 136504 0 HungryGrayCat 2 136533 Shame on me. The Ramp is in our backyard practically, and for some reason I didn't think of it in beer garden terms. The View from the Ramp (and Kelly's too for that matter) is of the only working dry dock in Northern California. So it's a bit noirish and authentic and wonderful... big boats, sometimes cruise boats being worked on. Great place for hanging out, especially during the week when things are less crowded in the early evening. On weekends they have live music, although its not the jazz sessions we used to love... more often salsa than not. Sat Sep 04 02:34:15 -0700 2004 136507 0 Joan Kureczka 1 136512 Pyramid Alehouse in Walnut Creek has a large outdoor area. It's usually warm enough for shorts in the evening this time of year and most importantly, their beers and pub-type food are quite good. Fri Sep 03 19:47:55 -0700 2004 136504 0 ron c 1 136516 OK, it's not really a "garden" but there's Pyramid Brewery off of Gilman. They're having an outdoor cinema series...."Best In Show" is showing on the 18th but remember, you have to bring your own seating. Plenty of beer there. Link: http://www.pyramidbrew.com/alehouses/berkeley/events.php Fri Sep 03 20:10:49 -0700 2004 136504 0 H 1 136523 The Warehouse in Port Costa. They serve almost 300 (not a typo) kinds of beers, and have a small patio outside where you can sit in the shade and look out over the Carquinez Strait. Best time to go is on the weekends. No live music, but a very ecclectic juke box there features Janis Joplin, Woody Herman, Frank Sinatra, and almost anything else in between. Fri Sep 03 21:46:39 -0700 2004 136504 0 wedgeheadjunkie 2 136710 Seconds on the warehouse -- but some some explainations are in order. The "300 beers" are ancient musty bottles. The place is more for rolling rock, or get a mixed drink. Go for the atmosphere, and if you ride, that nice twisty section between rte 4 and port costa. The outdoor seating is a bit white-trash. I wouldn't call it a beer garden. The warehouse has occasionally had live music - I've played there. It was a halloween many years ago. But I digress. The warehouse also has a companion resturant that fires up at night. As I remember, the menu is short - steak dinner, lobster dinner, or steak and lobster. Mon Sep 06 10:45:50 -0700 2004 136523 0 brian bulkowski 1 136528 Let's not forget Zeitgeist! I think it's on 199 Valencia at Duboce. The huge outdoor area out back with picnic tables really feels like a beer garden, the beer selection is impressive, and the crowd is interesting. However, some may be bothered by the occasional smoke from tobacco and other substances. Sat Sep 04 00:04:45 -0700 2004 136504 0 Bryan Harrell 1 136534 If you don't mind a patio backing up to the Cal Train lines (I know I don't -- quite like it, in fact), there's Marvin Gardens in Belmont, on Old County Rd. (just off Ralston). Sat Sep 04 03:21:36 -0700 2004 136504 0 Zach Georgopoulos 2 136537 Whew, what a nice reminder. I love that place Sat Sep 04 04:01:54 -0700 2004 136534 0 srr 1 136549 The Tourist Club in Muir Woods. It is a 90-year-old Alpine-style lodge. Short hike in/out - off the Redwood Trail. They don't serve food & are open only on the weekends. The link below gives their phone #. Pretty unique! Link: http://marinfo.marin.org/bizmo/biz_org.cfm?OrgID=3646 Sat Sep 04 12:31:45 -0700 2004 136504 0 abby 1 136561 The Park Chalet, behind the Beach Chalet. OK food, great beer and splendid atmoshphere. Sat Sep 04 14:33:42 -0700 2004 136504 0 shandu 2 136571 They have an outdoor seating area? That's nice to know. Sat Sep 04 16:45:46 -0700 2004 136561 0 Robert Lauriston 2 136593 Great beer?? at the park chalet??? what is your reference point? Sam Adams? The Park Chalet has SF's most expensive pints: only $5 and the IPA has a strong taste of Iodine. Sat Sep 04 23:46:27 -0700 2004 136561 0 dukedee 3 136622 I have only been there three times, but on all occasions, the beer has been excellent. As for comparing it to Sam Adams, I am not sure, since I haven't had a commercial beer for at least ten years. Their beer is probably not for everyone, but I think their beer is in the top five of the bay area. I must admit, I am a brewer myself, and have spent over 20 years trying to perfect the art of brewing, as well as traveling the continent in search of the best brewpubs, so you could call me a beer geek. My tastes are not mainstream, but their beer is great! Also, as for iodine taste in the beer, this is probably from the sanitation fluid in the glass washer, which is required by law. Most beer geeks ask the bartender to rinse the glass with water before pouring their beer, and then continue to use the same glass throughout the night. Try this wherever you go. Good luck! Sun Sep 05 04:50:17 -0700 2004 136593 0 shandu 2 136647 Yeah--I went to The Park Chalet last week.I was worried because I always thought the beer was weak.I was wrong-New brewer?I enjoyed the IPA very much and loved the atmoshere! My fave beer garden? The Pacific Coast Brewery in Oakland.Great selection of housemade and guest brews! Sun Sep 05 14:35:27 -0700 2004 136561 0 Trumpet Guy 1 136634 Raleigh's in Berkeley has a nice one out back...great french onion soup too. Sun Sep 05 12:38:59 -0700 2004 136504 0 S 1 136649 I am not sure what a Beer Garden is, is outside seating the only requirement ? Alpine Beer Gardens in Palo Alto. Tied House in Mountain View is a brew pub with outside seating. Oasis in Menlo Park, probably better known for their grill (burgers), but they have outside seating. St. John's in Sunnyvale has outdoor seating, but it is a patio backing up to Lawrence Expressway. Mollie McGees in Mountain View, has outdoor seating. Some oldies, may not be in business: Do Drop Inn, on the way to Coyote Reservior, and there is a bar with a large patio on McKee next to Calero Reservior (this one used to (still does) attract a lot of motorcyclists. Sun Sep 05 14:55:45 -0700 2004 136504 0 Alan408