Vacations Blog

Flagship Steam Beer

I love the rich history of my home called San Francisco. That history brings lots of tourists every year to walk and eat their way through historic Chinatown, see the Golden Gate Bridge and have a drink at the top of the Mark Hopkins Hotel. But what I really love about my home is its underbelly, its darker side.

Besides an infamous earthquake in 1906, San Francisco’s history includes men being shanghaied, a wild Barbary Coast and Alcatraz Island. It shouldn’t surprise you then that one of my favorite things to recommend for visitors is the Anchor Steam Brewery Tour.

Anchor is the last operating brewery in San Francisco. Andrew, a guide who gives the morning tour explains to about thirty people daily, that in 1896 dozens of breweries were in the city.  I imagine this contributed to the creation of the Barbary Coast District don’t you?

Proud to be still standing...

After Prohibition ended in 1933 only Anchor Steam returned to San Francisco.

Andrew our guide

During the 1960’s Fritz Maytag, heir to the appliance company (the one with the Maytag Repairman commercials), took sole ownership of Anchor Steam. Soon after an unknown Janis Joplin flew into town to join her new band, and came on the tour. It was at the start of her career in 1966 and you’d hardly recognize her.  I’m only showing this sign rather than her image they have up because of copyright laws.

Young Janis Joplin liked the tour too!

Today Anchor Brewing has 50 employees. They produce 100,000 bottles of beer a day. You are not allowed to take photographs inside but they have a bottling area that is straight out of Laverne and Shirley, and Shotz Brewery. The tour is great for kids to learn about old school American industry. You need to call a month ahead for a reservation but the tour is free of charge. Your guide will walk you over three floors before you return to the tasting room for about 30 minutes of sampling, which is also free.

Fun facts: In case you ever wondered, the recipe for their Christmas ale is their only secret, and they change it slightly every year. “Steam” beer is an old nickname for beer brewed along the West Coast under primitive conditions and without ice.

Only steam beer made in the US

Photo credits to my iPhone…

With its upscale restaurants, landmark buildings, beautiful bridges and breathtaking views, San Francisco always tops the lists of favorite US cities and tourist destinations.  Many people come to visit during the summer months and get disappointed by the cold fog and damp weather. However you would be pleasantly surprised if you made a trip to the city during this time of year.  The winter months often bring cold temperatures but very blue skies during the day and nights full of stars.

San Francisco is almost more beautiful at night during the holidays than any other time of year – and that is saying something.

During the holidays living in the City is such a gift: the bright lights on the Embarcadero Center row of buildings, outlined to look like giant present boxes; the beautiful window displays in high-end stores like Gump’s and multi-colored lights adorning neighborhood parks and homes. Walk through any of these areas of the city and you can’t help but smile and get a little more into the holiday spirit.

If you are visiting the City or planning to in the future and want to experience a uniquely San Francisco evening, I have the perfect recipe for you. The itinerary will need a little planning but should only require one phone call for the dinner reservation.  This evening is a local favorite for a romantic date but it can be adjusted for just a great night out with friends or family.

First thing you want to do is plan on wearing some warm layers of clothing, especially a scarf and gloves.  San Francisco at night, during this time of year, can be very cold. Wear some nice holiday clothes and comfortable shoes and you will be set for the evening.

Begin the evening with a drink at the beautiful Big Four Restaurant on Nob Hill. Located inside the Huntington Hotel, this secret spot doesn’t have the view that you can get from the Top of the Mark, but this is the place locals go. Filled with beautiful dark wood, the bar area is rich and a historic reminder of the robber barons that built San Francisco.

After a glass of wine or cold cocktail, walk slowly across California Street, watching out for the cable cars and taxi drivers heading across town. Criss-cross the street and stroll through Huntington Park, a wonderful small city park situated between Grace Cathedral and The Fairmont Hotel.  It is one of my favorite parks to visit at night during the holidays because the neighborhood association installs beautiful old-fashion lights in the trees.

Walk through the park towards your dinner reservations, at Venticello Ristorante on Taylor Street. This wonderful Italian restaurant has a warm intimate setting that reminds you of San Francisco society pages from the 1920s. I have had dinners where I have watched patrons walk in that could have been related to Grace Kelly or Kim Novak, in their style of dress and manner. The food is classic Italian with homemade pastas, risotto and roasted meats. The fireplace and wood oven add warmth to your dinner setting along with a backdrop of cable cars going up and down California Street.

After your dinner walk down Taylor Street to Jackson Street and catch the Powell-Hyde Cable Car, with its maroon colored sign, to head towards the waterfront and Hyde Street Pier.  The cable car ride will be very chilly but you can cuddle up inside the center of the car or wrap your scarf tighter and hang onto the outer poles like a local.

Your ride will take you up past Nob Hill and across Russian Hill until you head down Hyde Street to the end of the line. Hop off and turning your back to the bay, walk into The Buena Vista Cafe – home of the perfect Irish Coffee!

Irish Coffee

The recipe of this famous drink was created in 1952 when the restaurant owner and a well known travel writer worked to re-create a highly touted “Irish Coffee” served at Shannon Airport in Ireland.

The Irish Coffee served here at the Buena Vista is the perfect night cap any night of the year, but especially in winter.  How and when you decide to end your evening is up to you, but after all the lights, rich foods, fresh air and drinks – I recommend taking a cab home. Enjoy!

If you’re planning a trip, check out flights to San Francisco.

Photo credits to bill lim, tinou, shayne kaye and rick