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Nickerson Goes West

In the beginning of August, I went out to San Francisco to live. I didn't like what I saw, so I returned to Austin with a new outlook. However, there were a few decent things despite rude, too-cool people, early shows, expensive housing, etc....

For me, one of the best reasons to visit is - BEER! All of the micro breweries in California and the Northwest ship their brew to SF. While I was there, I had relatively few brands ($3 in most haunts) for monetary reasons, but check this out: Red Hook ESB (WA) - Soon to be down here via a distribution deal with one of the majors, this is a beer I could drink every day, along the lines of a bock, but so smooth! They make a great India Pale Ale as well: hoppy, but kinds fruity, too.

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Anchor Porter (both CA) are well-known here, but still deserve a mention, because they're classics in their own right, and believe me, I had plenty of 'em! Henry Weinhard (WA) has two shitty beers available here in Austin, but his private reserve (regular and dark -- I actually prefer the regular) is fairly cheap and is kinds what Shiner Bock was here, back when it tasted decent. A good, solid beer.

Naturally, I can't remember the brand now, but I tried a cappuccino stout (CA) that was delicious! Hard cider is also popular there (apple, peach, etc....) Also, don't forget to take a tour of the Anchor brewery if you visit, but make reservations at least a month in advance -- it's popular! One last bit of trivia -- CA microbrews are as expensive in CA as they are in TX, go figure....

Another cool thing about SF is the great bars. There are bars for every type of person, but my favorite was Zeitgeist (199 Valencia, in the Mission District). I was told it was a "biker bar," but if you're thinking of Harleys, think again: it was full of cafe racer photos! This place is so laid back, and it's the first quiet bar I've been to, anywhere! Great jukebox (Ramones, Stooges, Samoans, Stiff Little Fingers, etc...), lots of silvered wood paneling, a "beer garden" with actual growing plants in it! Plus it's right by an overpass, so ya get this mix of concrete and chlorophyll. Red Hook ESB on two taps, thank you!

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