We slept, despite not being able to open the window in what was quite a stuffy room when we arrived back at Adante Hotel last night. Two double beds fitted into our room, just. Dr. Stan went down to sample the inclusive Breakfast, it was reportedly Minimalist, he would need to find a Diner and have his customary morning feed. This permitted Hector to disappear for an hour to satisfy his craving other than for Bier. Chutney Indian Restaurant impressed.
Dr. Stan was waiting in the lobby, he had a suggestion. He wished to walk up Jones St. beside the hotel then head east. After one or two blocks he realised that if we turned east we would be giving away all of the energy expelled in getting as high as we had already reached, it’s a Physics thing. Dr. Stan claims to know about Physics. We kept going, 
Nob Hill, I remember this from the Spencer Tracy/ Clark Gable/ Jeanette Macdonald movie – San Francisco. I used to show the Earthquake sequence to my pupils, the special effects were excellent for the time, the destruction of infrastructure well portrayed.
When one climbs a hill one knows the top cannot be seen from the starting point, each block was becoming progressively steeper. There were words of encouragement from passers by. The Americans talk to everyone, including themselves, which I find disturbing. We reached a top and could see across to the north of the Peninsula. A Cathedral, Grants? Every way was now – down. Back to the original plan, it was Dr. Stan’s idea to walk up Nob Hill. Such was the heat and the amount of sweat excreted, I knew we needed a reward.
We headed east as per Dr. Stan’s plan, it was his idea.
Approaching Mason we could hear a Swing Band playing classics. On the TV this morning there was the news that a street in San Francisco was being renamed – Tony Bennett Way, we had stumbled across the ceremony, no sign of – The Man – himself.
A few blocks further and we were in China Town, we would have to eat here at some point, not now, not today. I was leading us northwards, a Multi-tap Pub was a few blocks away. China Town was markedly different from what I recall in New York, this was not simply eateries. Here were all the shops and services the Chinese community would require. The inevitable Gift Shops sold the usual crap, no Dragons, why no Dragons?
Google Maps took us with efficiency to the Rogue Wave Bar, there was scaffolding all along the block, closed, derelict. Tessa, is is too early to introduce Tessa? It’s never to soon to mention Tessa, would tell us later that the building had gone on fire. Holden Tours.
The San Francisco Brewing Co. lay a short bus ride to the north at Fisherman’s Wharf, Fort Point Beer Company lay beyond that in the Presidio, hang on, nothing open yet. We needed a new plan, we also needed a Bier, This was the hottest temperature I have seen in San Francisco this year since I started making my daily checks. We chanced a Bus, it took us back over the hill, but not by the steep route we had previously walked. Not even Steve McQueen would have done his stunts up there.
Howard St. is where we alighted, there had to be a photo. ThirstyBear Organic Brewing was the objective, the first of the known Brewpubs on our list. As with last night at Bartlett Hall, we sat at the Bar, more chance of engaging the Chaps working. Howard Street IPA (7.0%, 70 IBU) was the first Bier of the day. Unfiltered, Gold, Dry with a big body, this was a big hitter to start.
It was after 15.00, Marg would be going to bed soon, a phone-call was imminent. On cue, a goodnight call. Marg has yet to get to grips with the fact that as she heads for nocturnal repose, our day is just getting underway.
Dr. Stan had spotted some hand-pull fonts, and also the availability of a Maibock called Amber Ale (7.6%). Dr. Stan had it the Traditional way, I had the standard keg pumped version. I preferred the latter version of the Amber Ale brewed with almonds. Flavour-wise, it was a timely alternative to full on Hops.
We were undercharged, the Chap serving suggested the management could – let it go. We paid in full and tipped. Even then nobody checked what we had left. It is going to take time for Hector understand these goings on.
Google Maps had flagged up a Baseball game starting at 19.05. The AT&T stadium was in the same direction as we were heading. Baseball was on every TV in ThirstyBear except one showing a recording of today’s Sverige v Danmark match which I already knew finished 0 v 0. Ladies Baseball, there’s a hoot. The Pitcherette goes through all the same motions before delivery as her male counterpart, then throws underhand. Sinister, stupid to watch. Softball.
The 21st Amendment Brewery and Restaurant was buzzing with as many people outside as in. We nearly had a window table but the Photographer was distracted. Bar seats for two were attained. Behind were a group I dare not look around to see, hysterical girlies. I was not here to give – The Hector Stare. Fortunately they departed early in our stay.
Homefront IPA (6.1% 58 IBU) has Chinook and Citra Hops, plus Orange Peel. I could taste the Citra but the Bier was too cold to taste, Peel?
Baba O’Reilly (The Who) came over the sound system: all the music I have heard to date in the Bars of San Francisco has been British. No Freebird, Sweet Home Alabama and Hotel California here 24/7 as I feared.
Blood Orange Brew Free! Or Die (7.0%) was next. 
A West Coast IPA with blood Orange purée and citrusy dry hops. This was definitely more in the face.
The Chaps working behind the Bar were working flat out, I had to admire the choreography as they served the various Biers and Cocktails.
We walked past the Pacific Brewing Laboratory because it was named as Black Hammer Brewing above the door then realised this was the place. We took seat at the Bar and found a Chap originally from Barnsley sitting on my left, conversation ensued but was brief as he was on the point of leaving.
Dankmaster (7.4%. 24 IBU), what an off-putting name for a Bier, however, it featured Chinook and Mosaic Hops. Another gold offering, not hazy, but unfiltered, it lacked the required dryness but was not sweet even after the 70 IBU which had preceded it. This was a good staging point for something worthwhile to follow. Alas, the Bier we had set our minds on was not available, so we decided to take our Dollars elsewhere.
One thing that did amuse here, the screen showing the Bier Taps had an Untappd reference, and along the bottom recent purchases by those who subscribe to this were listed. Dr. Stan appeared under his chosen Bier name.
Local Brewery & Beer Bar was minutes away. On entering it was apparent that this was another no-frills establishment, reminiscent of the outlets along the Bermondsey Beer Mile (Southwark – London). The array of tanks impressed. We had fourteen Taps to chose from.
The Barman greeted us in the manner which I still find over friendly, the American way. Explaining that we were here for Hops, he offered hops, just in a glass, no liquid. That’s a line I may use again.
Neverclear (6.0%) was a decent starter, a New England IPA, hazy as the name suggested.
The Chap next to us, Steve engaged us in conversation. I asked if he had studied Marine Biology or Psychology as virtually all US people I met in Israel in the 1980s and 1990s appeared to do. Psychology and Business business was the answer. Steve had studied in London and took the opperchancity to tour Britain. He admitted to the insanity of climbing Arthur’s Seat (Edinburgh – Scotland) on the steep side with a backpack. Crazy, dangerous. He mentioned – Lagunitas – so that’s how you pronounce it: Lagoo-neat-ass.
On the return from my first visit to the restrooms, I found Alejandro’s wallet so handed it to the Lady who had taken over behind the bar. She recognised Alejandro and was able to phone him to inform him that his wallet was here. Alejandro appeared within the hour, so no thanks then. If I lose my wallet, or worse, on this Trip, I’ll be beside myself.
The LG has not been behaving since I arrived. Yesterday it would not make outgoing calls. EE were useless, and did not phone back to check all was well. I solved the problem myself. Outgoing calls have to start – +44, not – 0044. My backup charger was not charging my phone today yet all the lights were suggesting it was. It was charging my camera. The Lady offered me a charger, I borrowed an Android cable, success.
Duboce IPA (6.9%) was up next. This was a West Coast IPA and much more like it, 7 of 10 on the bitterness scale used here. Doboce: Doo-bochay? – I asked. Doo-bose – apparently. Alexander Dumas and the revenge of The Shawshank Redemption then? Two Biers per Brewpub was the plan, we were considering staying for more, however as it happened, more came. Meet Tassa, sorry – Tessa. She had given us a San Francisco Beermap which would complement my reliance on Google Maps and Dr. Stan’s pile of paper. She suggested – Cellermaker – as our next stopoff, it was halfway back to Adante Hotel.
Meanwhile, a Schnitt of Drift the Bay (6.5%) was presented. This was beautiful, a gold haze, hoppy, and sat on palate so well. This was easily the best Bier so far with balanced hops, flavour, no astringency. Mosaic, Citra, and Simcoe Hops were here, the latter doing no damage as sometimes it can. CAN.
Tessa then admitted that this had come from a can – I had some leftover.
The can was shown, a Pint, just what is a US Pint?
Once we had paid the Bill, a top-up can appeared, this was very much appreciated. Great Bier, a great venue, great people. This is what one hears of, thanks. Hands up, Hector was last to leave.
We walked north towards our hotel, somehow we found ourselves back in Bartlett Hall. There had to be more Goofy Boots (5.9%).
As good as I’ve had – said Dr. Stan.
An excellent nightcap.
The Brewpubs and Restaurant visited today:
ThirstyBear Organic Brewing – 3915, 661 Howard St, San Francisco, CA 94105
21st Amendment Brewery and Restaurant – 563 2nd St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Pacific Brewing Laboratory/ Black Hammer Brewing – 544 Bryant St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Local Brewery & Beer Bar / Local Brewing Co. – 69 Bluxome St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Bartlett Hall / Bartlett Brewing Co. – 242 O’Farrell St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Chutney Indian Restaurant – 511 Jones St, San Francisco, CA 94102