Ferment Drink Repeat - FDR Brewery

I've been here a few times and days like this, I miss places like this. As a former Portola District resident, I love to see local businesses like FDR rise in a neighborhood that can use the business boost.

How I would just love to pull up a bar stool, order a beer sampler and enjoy the scenery, the trivia, live music or meeting locals - right now. FDR is a micro brew with a strong support system for other brewers. They have lots of supplies, hops, yeast and tools.

I love the variety, something for everyone or a little of everything for me. They have great beer, mostly due to the hard work and dedication of the owner and master brewer. Keep it coming FDR!

What's a german style beer as opposed to a Belgium style? What's dry hopping (not dry humping)? Why could Lager be a contestant for the trend style of 2020...and why not? Me and about 30 of my colleagues found answers to these and other beer-related questions when Kevin - the owner of FDR - came to our office to give a beer tasting seminar.

The reason why Kevin came to our office is because he was the "boss" of one of my colleagues when they served together in the army a few years ago. And when it came to organizing a Veterans Day event at the office, my colleague connected with Kevin and asked him if he'd be interested to teach us about beers.

It was a true pleasure listening to Kevin and tasting four different kinds of his beer. I had bought some pretzels from a German bakery (Hahdough) to bring out a little post-Oktoberfest atmosphere.

Thank you, Kevin. I'm sure many of my colleagues (including myself) will come visit you at FDR in Portola as well as at your new location in downtown SF.

I've been wanting to come to FDR for so long, and I finally had the chance back in December. I love everything FDR stands for--supporting home brewers, it's a microbrewery, and they have games/wifi. Everything any beer nerd could want, they have!

I just wasn't feeling the beers. I'd actually give them 3 stars for the beers. Sure, the beer menu is super exciting--diverse IPA's and cool options like a Mexican chocolate white stout and a belgian IPA, but my boyfriend and I both got tasters (4 for $10--great deal!), and honestly we each only enjoyed one out of the four of them. I know right?! Like we both love beer, but it was such a huge disappointment for the both of us. It's alright. Everything tasted yeasty or just completely not cool with our taste buds. I love my beer, I do. But even the surprising beers weren't surprising in the good sense--no pleasant surprises here. I'm not sure what happened, but I wasn't a fan of their IPA's (and I am all about the hazy's), and actually liked the Yardworker blonde the most. It was crisp and refreshing and not what I usually go for.

Everything else we loved though, hence the 4 stars. The space is so cozy and great for parties of all sizes. Their restrooms are in the back, and they have a cute little home brew store built in. We came in the early evening, and there were some regulars at the bar, and various groups sitting around the shop--ambiance was so warm and service was friendly. The beertender was a solid dude who was very chill and approachable. Their ambiance is better than other breweries like Cellarmaker (in my opinion), and they have live music on certain days too!

This is a great little brewery/beer bar where the owner, Kevin, brews all of the beer pretty much by himself! After home-brewing for 20+ years, he started up FDR and they're going to open up a second location somewhere in Mid-Market (near Market and 10th?)!

They have about 8-10 beers on tap, with new brews coming out constantly. He's brewing an alcoholic seltzer which I heard will be ready soon, so if you're basic and like White Claw, this seltzer will be perfect for you (and I assume it'll taste better)! Just kidding. I drink White Claw too. There was also a kombucha on tap so non-beer drinkers are welcome!

The black lager and mexican lager were delicious. The hazy IPA was okay, and the American IPA was pretty good!

The music trivia took foreverrrrrrrrrrr. I don't think songs should be repeated. There were 3 rounds and trivia literally took 3 hours. Almost every team left, and most of our team left as well. But we won, so it's all good. Worth it for the free brew!

I stopped by FDR one day mostly because of a pop-up event by Outlaw BBQ.

FDR was already having an event for their 3rd anniversary so it was pretty packed and had live music and friendly vibes all around.

Definitely wanted a beer with my BBQ. Glancing at their wall, Wit Love caught my eye because of the name and for having won an award in previous years...so glad I tried it. Probably hands down one of the best beers that I've tried of all time. Refreshing, great flavor, pretty good ABV content.

I would go back just for Wit Love, but I would be down to try anything they have after trying that one!

This was a favorite spot on the little tour of breweries that we took in the city. It is the perfect place to hang out with friends and enjoy a chill atmosphere.

The staff in really nice and attentive. The bartender working that day recommended their CUPCAKE REINCARNATE and described it as being very unique. He also mentioned that this beer is his favorite. Well, we obviously gave it a try and let me tell you that this is one the best beers that I've ever tried (if not the best!). It was absolutely delicious and perfect for people who are not a fan of the wheaty taste of beer. It was sweet and coconuty.

I wish FDR was closer to us. I think I found my go to beer!

Holy Shit, there is a brewery here. Never been? Come on down try a few, I did I kinda forgot I was in San Francisco.....

When I read the prior reviews about their soft launch with 4 beers on tap, I was so jealous I wasn't their first reviewer, but I felt consoled when I arrived and saw they had 6 beers on tap... Ha!

I took some time to order their flight of 4 tasters for $10. I tried to pick beers I would like, but would also put them through their paces. I got a glass of water to swig and reset in between brew samples. The barkeep suggested I set up in order of bitterness because going backwards could dull the tastebuds.

Meanwhile, I get to meet an awesome couple from the neighborhood...

The flight arrives, so here goes:

First up was their Saison. It was certainly interesting with bright herbal notes and would have been awesome with the Vietnamese meal I just had--the coriander and orange peel and spiciest likely complimenting the mint and fish sauce featured in the food. Did I mention they allow food to be brought in?

Next was the "Ol' Black" followed by the "Orange is the New Black". The two drank very similarly but in a different sequence, the Ol'Black seemed to have the more pronounced suite of citrus notes come first followed by the toasted coffee and chocolate finish; and the Orange is the New Black seemed to have the citrus notes sing after the drink is swallowed, albeit in a more subtle sonnet... Or was it vice versa. Heck, I was so engrossed in conversation with my newfound bar buddies I could not remember, but I did enjoy both. These lovely warming stouts would be sheer pleasure to sip on dour rainy days or chilly winters. Would go well with a Massive bacon cheeseburger with grilled jalapeños, or a wicked burrito. (see Shay, I used a word from your part of the country)

Finally, I ended with Belgian Hooked ESB. What was interesting about this beer is that it drank like a pale ale with a very complex nose. The notes were distinct but well orchestrated such that they formed a delightful chord that evaded description and deep analysis. Damn the engrossing conversation again--don't they know I have serious work to do? Well, not really. A lovely milky bloom of yeast lingered at the bottom of the glass after it was drained. This was the drink for me tonight. And it surprised me because I am normally a huge fan of stouts. This versatile pale ale would be superb with anything from cioppino, to wood fired pizza; tapas to chicken and waffles.

The crowd at the bar was getting boisterous cheering on the Warriors, and my butt was feeling sore in the cute metal orange high chairs. So it was an early departure for me. Great way to sample beers before bringing some home (foreshadow for "fill your own Growler to take home" service coming soon).

For superb price performance at $6 for exemplary craft beers for a regular pour (about a pint). The uber hip ambience. The community that is easy to meet, and that I really like Kevin and Shay. 5 stars. Good thing they don't have more comfortable seating or they would not be able to expunge me from the place.

Word of warning: never, ever under any circumstance... enter the DIY brew supply room on the right on the way to the restrooms... You shall instantly become a home-brewer... .. . Consider yourself warned. PSA Out

Footnote: having reflected a bit, I was initially annoyed that I could not offer a more objective and precise set of tasting notes because I was having so much fun meeting people... And then Duh! It hit me--I'm meeting fun people! So, there you go, I got schooled yo!

I was here a couple weeks ago and orderwd the Queens Spare, Honey Amber, Session Rye IPA (when they go low, we go rye), and Hibiscus Saison (you're such a tease). My favorite was definitely tbe Hibiscus Saison.

A really great place to come with friends as there is plenty of seating and board games available. No food, but I believe you can bring your own food (byof I suppose) as I saw someone bring in some Subway from down the street.

They play sports on their 2 TV screens, but no sound/commentary to go with the sports.

Will definitely come back since I live in this neighborhood!! They are closed on Mondays.

It baffles me that I haven't reviewed this place. This placeeeeee, which husband and I adore so much even though we don't go as often as we should since we're trying to drink less. As close as it gets to a neighborhood bar for us (we live in Bayview and there's literally nothing around).

This was the first beer bar we visited after moving to the city and we loved everything about it. No pretentiousness or snobbery here. Just good vibes, delicious beer, and the capacity to order some food if you want. Did I mention super affordable? They usually have live entertainment that's consistently good, and a nice porter for me which is my kinda beer. Love FDR, and you will too.