Every box of raisins is a tragic tale of grapes that could have been wine.
Drink Steam Week, 8.14-21
No matter how you feel about San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, we can all agree the guy made a smart decision in 2015 when he proclaimed the third week of August to be Drink Steam Week. This year's citywide celebration of Anchor Steam's contribution to craft beer in America includes more than a dozen events at various venues across town. Drink Steam Week kicks off August 14th with a party at Anchor's Beer Garden at the Yard (2-5pm). The week's highlights will include a Whack-A-Mole Tournament at Brewcade, a Silent Disco Bar Crawl, and an opportunity to "Drink Beer and Make Stuff" with Workshop SF. // Multiple venues (SF), drinksteam.com
Neighborhood Drinks at OneUP
If the Tenderloin were a cocktail, it would be made with bacon-washed rye whisky, sweet vermouth, and bitters—that is, according to the bartenders at Grand Hyatt's OneUP Restaurant and Lounge, where the Locally Inspired menu features boozy interpretations of five SF neighborhoods. Our current favorite is North Beach, with No. 209 gin, Campari, dry vermouth, and orange bitters. Stop in to see if your 'hood made the menu. // 345 Stockton St. (Union Square), hyatthotels.hyatt.com
Beachy Bevvies at Alta CA
We don't need summer weather to drink cocktails inspired by surf, sand, and sunshine. Ignoring this current foggy situation, Alta CA is pouring a trio of tiki-themed drinks ($6 each) during happy hour (weeknights from 4 to 6pm) and late night (after 10pm). Try the Blue(berry) Hawaii (blueberry rum, pineapple, coconut milk, curacao and house f#*^ing hot bitters); or Your Love is King (passionfruit gin, Benedictine, pineapple, cherry and bitters). // 1420 Market St. (Mid-Market), altaca.co
New Summer Drinks at Novela
Novela, too, is moving forward with or without summer weather with four seasonal cocktails. We're partial to the fruit-forward Pisco Punch (bing cherries, tart cherry liqueur, chamomile tea and lemon), but we'd understand if you opted for the Vodka Punch (basil-infused vodka with watermelon, Lillet, lime, and melange peppercorn). // 662 Mission St. (SoMa), novelasf.com
Burger, Bourbon & Brew at The Dorian
Fancy burgers deserve a worthy beverage. The Dorian clearly recognizes this important fact, as evidenced by the restaurant's weekly Burger, Bourbon & Brew special. The $20 deal includes a glass of Fort Point Kolsch, a shot of bourbon, and a Dorian burger (housemade patty with fancy sauce, bacon jam, white cheddar, caramelized onion, and gem lettuce). // Wednesdays, starting at 4:30pm; 2001 Chestnut St. (Marina), doriansf.com
Send drinking suggestions to renee@grassrootspr.com.
