Dr. Stan may eventually become used to Hector’s – morning after – blogging. Curry-Heute at least must be kept up to date, Bier-Traveller is a much more complicated affair, so time consuming.
I came out of the hotel to find two fire engines across the street, but no fire. The fire brigade in San Francisco appear to just cruise around the streets instead of dossing, sorry, training all day, at the fire station.
I went a few blocks to Lahore Karahi for Sunday brunch whilst the good doctor took on bunkers no doubt at a local grill-cafe. The Curry disappointed, the name of the restaurant could have been – Spicy Shorva.
Dr. Stan was waiting for me in the lobby at the Adante Hotel, his bus timetables at the ready. He had a route worked out to Fisherman’s Wharf. When I announced that Bus 19 was leaving from three blocks west of us on Geary St. in a few minutes, he was taken aback. How did I know this? The bus wheeched us up over the hill we walked up yesterday, so much simpler.
Dr. Stan had – Chouder – in mind, Hector had eaten and was not inclined to do so again. Taylor St. had to be recorded.
I was becoming used to seeing the same street names in different parts of the city. Streets we had already walked along in the downtown areas started/ended out here. 
We had already seen one end of the San Francisco cable-car, now we saw the other, and the queue. Why bother?
Alcatraz, it was a matter of how good a photo. The Golden Gate Bridge was in the hazy distance, tomorrow. Yesterday I saw a similarly coloured bridge looking down through Chinatown and took this to be it. Now I know.
The naval dockyard display was free to enter, yay! I had heard of – Liberty Ships – but had never seen one. Much larger and broader than I had imagined, but then the Americans launched their ships sideways.
I had never seen a US submarine before either. Henceforth I shall study every U-Boot in movies and spot the imposters.
It was Bier o’clock. We had looked at some bars along Beach St but stuck to the plan – Brewpubs.
San Francisco Brewing Co – is housed in a converted mill / chocolate factory. There was a lot of children around were they still hoping for chocolate? And as for the toilets, did I end up in the ladies? A crazy queuing system.
As has become a tradition which – The Faither – despises, there had to be a post Curry – Cider – to begin with. This went down a treat.
Marg phoned, she has yet to get used to the time difference and us just starting our fun when hers has ended. I wish Hollywood producers would come to realise this also, how many TV programmes have daylight shown in transatlantic phone-calls when it is oftentimes impossible?
Dr. Stan probably had better Bier here. Hector’s next choice was written – Curry Chef IPA. Not the best.
The Original Blend Cider (South City Ciderworks, San Bruno, CA, USA) 5.5%
Cold and refreshing, no nasty surprises, excellent.
Chef Curry IPA 7.0%. 60 IBU
IPA Despite the hops – Chinook, Cascade, and Columbus – this did not have the particular flavour one looks for.
We were at one end of Polk Street, our next port of call was directly up the hill, Russian Hill, to Woods Polk Station, back on the bus.
This was one of many taprooms for Woods Beer & Wine Co. Had the premises been more salubrious, who knows, we may have had another. The Crusoe IPA (7.9%) looked the part, it did not hit home. The – ham & cheese pastie – was more memorable than the Bier, it’s all in the seasoning.
At this point some might have considered going straight back to – Local Brewing – and continuing last night’s – IPA party. That was not our grand plan.
Bus 19 dropped us at 8th & Howard St., two blocks from Cellarmaker. Howard Street is becoming a familiar locus.
Cellarmaker has a small seating area. We were in the far corner beside the bar initially. As the place emptied so we grabbed a better table. Why close so early?
Hop Making Sense 5.6%. 45 IBU
Pale Ale Nelson, Mosaic, Simcoe, Amarillo and hops. The Bier was served so cold I could taste nothing. A waste.
Oils & Powder 6.1%. 47 IBU
IPA Citra, Mosaic, Amarillo, Citra, and Simcoe Hops. Despite having the same hops as Septem 8th Day, my favourite Greek Bier, this did not have – it.
Two potentially great Biers, so what happened here?
Moving on, we had a couple of more nearby venues in mind. Sadly, we were being frustrated by early closing on Sunday evenings. Eventually we took a trolley bus to Toronado, a bar which is as near the Fillmore district as Hector is likely to get.
As we sat on our bar stools, something unusual occurred, Mein Host took my photo, just like that. No introductions, was Hector a wanted hound? It was the the t-shirt which fascinated Mein Host, Hector was both here and possibly not.
Cash only was established very quickly. When I paid and put the change in my pocket, Dr. Stan was appalled. Apparently I must look as though I’m going to tip, even if I don’t right away. To that affect I noticed that the punters sitting at the bar had left their change on the bar in front of them. I’ll get used to this, but tipping, and every round?
Despite the Multi Taps, the choices were not exactly riveting. I can’t believe it’s not hazy (Allamont, Livermore, Ca) 6.0% is an gold, almost clear IPA. It was served too cold and so marred the flavour.
I decided to go to the dark side. The 7.0% Vanilla Porter (Heretic Brewing Co., USA) was suitably mellow, not too sweet, and not too cold. Success.
The decor was somewhat intense, beyond even a Belgian bar, with lots of well known brands on display. The point of our being here was to try Bier from breweries we had never heard of, and be – in the style.
With Mein Host tipped, all was well. Ah, the American sense of humour.
Tonight we gave Bartlett a miss. An early night.
The venues visited today:
San Francisco Brewing Co. – 3150 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109
Woods Polk Station – 2255 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109
Cellarmaker – 1150 Howard St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Toronado – 547 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117
Lahore Karahi (612 O’Farrell St, San Francisco, CA 94109