What it is: The Rake is the taproom and barbecue smokehouse of Admiral Maltings, a craft malthouse. It features 22 taps, including cask ales on beer engine, from breweries in California and beyond—but they all feature craft malt. The Rake supports Admiral’s fellow craft maltsters, so the beers might be made from grains malted on Admiral’s own floors, or they might come from another craft maltster. In keeping with the theme, the Rake also features an extensive spirits list—again, all made with craft malt.
Why it’s great: Love malt? Here is where beer lovers can see and smell the raw materials while drinking the beautiful things made with them. The beer list names the brewery, the malt, and the malthouse behind each beer. Huge windows overlook Admiral’s three malting floors, inviting guests to ask questions about where their beer comes from, but the Rake also boasts a large, sunny outdoor space. It’s a great place to enjoy beer, spirits, cocktails, and barbecue, inside and out, all while appreciating the craft behind the craft.
Hours: noon–7 p.m., Monday; noon–8 p.m., Tuesday–Thursday; noon–9 p.m., Friday; 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m., Saturday; 11:30 a.m.–7 p.m., Sunday
Address: 651A W. Tower Ave., Alameda, California
Web: therake.admiralmaltings.com