Magnolia Brewing in San Francisco is the Haight-Ashbury brewpub since 1997, with a British-leaning ale lineup and the city's longest-running cask programme.
Tip: The Smokestack Lightning porter on cask is the order; ask at the bar about real-ale Thursdays.
Address: 1398 Haight Street, San Francisco, CA 94117
Standard Deviant Brewing in San Francisco is the Mission micro-brewery, with a Belgian-saison lineup, monthly food-truck pop-ups and a small wood-aged cellar.
Tip: The saison is the standout; the Friday food truck rotates and the schedule is on Instagram.
Barebottle Brewing in San Francisco is the Bernal Heights craft brewery, with rotating sours, a long IPA list and a back patio for dog-friendly afternoons.
Tip: The Black Currant Sour is the dark-horse summer order; ask if a fresh keg is on draught.
Fort Point Beer Company in San Francisco is the Presidio-born brewery with a Valencia Street beer hall, a strong KSA Kolsch and a sharp west-coast pilsner.
Tip: Order the KSA Kolsch on draught; the wood-fired pizza kitchen runs from 17:00 nightly.
