The “Love Handles” department in Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine® is devoted to great beer bars. Here are the three beer bars that we explored in Issue 3 (Fall 2014).
City Beer Store (San Francisco, California)
A world-class selection of craft beer that you can mix and match in a six-pack and a friendly taproom with alluring beers.
WHAT IT IS: As lovers of fine food and fine beer, the founders of City Beer Store (pictured at top), Craig and Beth Wathen, often wondered about the lack of a beer-specific retail store and tasting bar in their much-loved city of San Francisco. City Beer Store opened in May 2006. The Wathen’s vision was to create a friendly community gathering spot to sip a beer while you browse the shelves. They believe that each customer deserves a unique individual shopping encounter, and they work closely with their staff to provide this experience. They continue to source and seek out the finest offerings for the City Beer Store community.
WHY IT’S GREAT: As you walk through the door of City Beer Store, you are struck by its unique approach to craft beer. There is a welcoming bar area with a friendly, laid-back vibe. That said, you are also drawn to the rare selection of bottled beers in the retail-store section. This store has a world-class selection of craft beer that would make the most geeky beer geek perk up with intrigue, while the taproom is equally alluring with beers such as Jolly Pumpkin Bière de Mars, Evil Twin Imperial Doughnut Break, and hard-to-find local brews such as Late for Work from Marin Brewing. — John Bolton
Hours: Noon–10 p.m. daily.
Address: 1168 Folsom St., Ste. 101, San Francisco, California
Michael and Louise’s Hopleaf Bar (Chicago, Illinois)
A slice of Belgium in North Chicago. Get there early. Stay all night.
WHAT IT IS: Known simply as Hopleaf, Michael and Louise’s Hopleaf Bar is a legendary beer bar with a focus on Belgian beers and food. This outstanding gastro-pub is located in the Andersonville area of Chicago (north of downtown). Open late (3 a.m. on Saturdays), Hopleaf has more than forty beers on tap and more than 250 bottles from which to choose. Hopleaf opened in 1992 and started serving food in 2003, making it one of the first gastro-pubs in America.
WHY IT’S GREAT: Expect not to get your first beer for at least fifteen minutes because that’s how long it’s going to take you to choose from their massive selection of killer beers. Generally reliable for having Zombie Dust on tap, Hopleaf serves up many hard-to-find beers regularly. Despite its rapidly growing notoriety, Hopleaf has retained its local neighborhood vibe. With a charming beer garden and arguably the best steamed mussels in all of Chicago, Hopleaf has great ambience in addition to great Belgian food and world-class beers. Be warned, however—no kids allowed. — Steve Koenig
Hours: Bar is open 12 p.m.–2 a.m. Sunday–Friday, 12 p.m.–3 a.m. on Saturday. Lunch is served at noon. Dinner hours vary.
Address: 5148 North Clark St., Chicago, Illinois
Redlight Redlight (Orlando, Florida)
A voluminous beer hall in the hip Audobon Park neighborhood that caters to locals and beer tourists alike.
WHAT IT IS: Redlight Redlight is the place that beer fanatics from around Florida have gravitated to since 2005, thanks to its tremendous international tap list and exclusive beers from the growing Florida craft-beer scene. In addition, they’ve recently made the jump to brewing, with a nano-system on the mezzanine.
WHY IT’S GREAT: Redlight Redlight’s tap list routinely includes names such as Boon, Kulmbacher, De Ranke, Weihenstephaner, Hitachino, and St. Bernardus in addition to Florida locals such as Cigar City, Funky Buddha, and Swamphead. Their extensive and well-curated bottle list includes hundreds of offerings, plus a growing list of cellared “vintage” beers (think older guezes, stouts, barleywines, etc). The staff knows beer and is happy to guide your selection without pretension, and they’re open until 2 a.m. even on weeknights. On top of all that, they’re part of a cluster of creative businesses, including Park Ave CDs and Stardust Video & Coffee, that make the neighborhood an interesting destination even for those just visiting. — Jamie Bogner
Hours: 5 p.m.–2 a.m. daily.
Address: 2810 Corrine Dr., Orlando, Florida