Without question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh, I grant you that the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza. ~Dave Barry
DOSA Hosts a Cocktail Class
DOSA's cocktail class series, The Art of the Spice-Route Cocktail, continues this Saturday with a hands-on workshop at the South Indian eatery's Fillmore Street location. Over the course of 90 minutes, students will learn from DOSA lead bar manager Chris Lukens how to make two of the restaurant's signature spice route cocktails: the Shere Khan and a Mezcal Manhattan. Lukens will be joined by Reza Esmaili of Casa Noble tequila and Jackie Patterson-Brenner of Black Bar Project, a US importer of mezcal and other spirits. The class begins at 11:30 am and includes instruction and practice, a history lesson on tequila, cocktail and tequila tastings, and South Indian snacks. Tickets are available online for $65 per person. // 1700 Fillmore (NoPa), dosasf.com
Happy Hour at Mezcalito
The former Reverb Kitchen & Bar has been converted into a mezcal mecca, and happy hour is the perfect time to pay your respects. Every Tuesday through Saturday from 5pm to 6pm, the lively cocktail bar serves a handful of cocktails and wines by the glass for $7, shot and beer combos for $8, and a couple of mezcal and tequila specialty cocktails for $8 and $9. Be sure to order a side or two of Oaxacan snacks, such as the confit pork belly taco or the octopus tostada. // 2323 Polk St. (Russian Hill), mezcalitosf.com
Roka Akor Celebrates National Sake Day
October 1 is National Sake Day, and Roka Akor is celebrating by offering 40 percent off sake bottles, all day long. If you find you want to know more about the fermented rice beverage than you can read on the label, schedule a cocktail class for you and your crew. For $60 per person, guests will taste 6 to 8 sakes from Roka Akor's extensive list, learn to home in on personal preferences, and build confidence in ordering sake. Classes can be scheduled any day of the week for 9 or more people, with at least 48 hours notice. To schedule a sake tasting experience, contact Jessica Kostecky at jkostecky@rokaakor.com or (415) 362-8887. // 801 Montgomery St. (Financial District), rokaakor.com/san-francisco
Toast Willie Wonka with a Mr. Charlie Chocolate Stout
If the mere thought of Gene Wilder as Willie Wonka brings a smile to your lips, a taste of Mr. Charlie Chocolate Stout will bring ecstasy to your entire being. The collaborative chocolate stout conceived by Magnolia Brewing's Dave McLean and Alpine Beer Company's Patrick McIlhenney is now available at both Magnolia's Dogpatch and Haight Street locations for $8 per 20-ounce glass. The cocoa-infused brew features a special combination of Michael Recchiuti's signature chocolate syrup and burnt caramel syrup, alongside roasted Madagascar cacao beans. // 1398 Haight St. (Haight) and 665 22nd St. (Dogpatch), magnoliabrewing.com
Try Four New Brews at Thirsty Bear
Speaking of beer, ThirstyBear Organic Brewery just released four new brews as part of their 20th anniversary celebration. Drop by San Francisco's longest operating brewery-restaurant for a pint of Wet Hop Harvest Ale (20th anniversary ale), The Deceiver (American triple IPA), Black Bear Lager (German-style schwarzbier), or Oatgrist (English brown ale). The small-batch beers are only on tap while supplies last, so don't dawdle. // 661 Howard St. (SoMa), thirstybear.com
