San Francisco Brewing Company

The first microbrewery in the city, it's surprisingly low-key for an alehouse, serving its creations with burgers, fries, grilled chicken breast, and the like. The bar is one of the city's few remaining old saloons (ca. 1907), aglow with stained-glass windows, tile floors, skylit ceiling, beveled glass, and mahogany bar. A massive overhead fan runs the full length of the bar -- a bizarre contraption crafted from brass and palm fronds. The handmade copper brew kettle is visible from the street. Most evenings the place is packed with everyday folks enjoying music, darts, chess, backgammon, cards, dice, and, of course, beer. Menu items range from $3.70 -- curiously, for edamame (soybeans) -- to $8.70 for a shrimp and chips platter. The happy-hour special, a 10-ounce microbrew beer for $1 (or a pint for $1.75), is offered daily from 4 to 6pm and midnight to 1am.

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