Best Beer Bar

Comments (0) Wednesday, May 11 2005

Magnolia Pub & Brewery

1398 Haight (at Masonic), 864-PINT, www.magnoliapub.com

There are always 10 to 12 house-made beers on tap here (as well as another three to five on the hand pumps), including the award-winning Blue Bell Bitter and Proving Ground IPA and such original creations as Sara's Ruby Mild ("with a hint of black cherries"), Cole Porter ("just a hair shy of being a stout"), and the hearty, chewy oatmeal Stout of Circumstance. (Seasonal offerings include Jubilee Pale Ale, to celebrate the Haight Street Fair and the start of summer; Old Thunderpussy Barleywine, named in honor of a previous occupant of the corner spot; and Winter Warmer.) The pub grub menu, featuring organic seasonal produce and meats and designed to complement the tipples, should also please non-beer drinkers. The weekday lineup includes small plates, sandwiches, salads, soups, pizzas, and main courses, with a special late-night selection available from 10:30 until midnight (11:30 p.m. on Sunday). On Saturday and Sunday, Magnolia offers an eclectic brunch, too. The menus and the restaurant's interesting Web site are packed with information about the brewery, the pub, the location's history, and the cask-conditioned ales.