The Tastiest Breweries in Oakland

Barebottle Brewing Company

★★★★☆ 4.4 (615) • $$

"Barebottle Brewing Company is a fantastic spot for beer lovers! With a wide selection of seasonal beers, there's something to suit every palate. We sampled a variety of their offerings and were impressed by the diversity and quality.Parking:Parking can be a bit tricky as it's limited to street parking, so be prepared to hunt for a spot, especially on weekends.Ambiance:The outdoor seating area is vibrant and welcoming, with colorful umbrellas and a relaxed atmosphere. It's the perfect place to enjoy a sunny day with good company and great drinks.Pastries from Neighbor Bakehouse:We also picked up some delightful pastries from Neighbor Bakehouse nearby. The desserts were fresh, delicious, and paired wonderfully with our beers.Tacos from El Fuego Food Truck:For a more savory option, we ordered fish tacos, and El Fuego tacos with beef and chicken from the El Fuego Food Truck. The tacos were flavorful and generously portioned, making for a great complement to the beers.Overall, Barebottle Brewing Company is a must-visit for beer enthusiasts and anyone looking for a fun and tasty experience in the area. Highly recommended!"

Elevation 66 Brewing Co

★★★★☆ 3.8 (661) • $$

"The food was a 4. I ordered fish & chips, and Honey Spicy wings. The fish was a 2. The batter to fish ratio was off because the batter was thick. It did arrive with crispy ends, but the batter across most of the fish was softer (not mushy just softer) than the ends. It was also visually oily when handling so much so that I could see the oil secrete from the batter. There wasn't much ventilation in the container so there was some condensation insider the container. The batter had a mild flavor, but was complimented by the well seasoned fries. The fries, again, were well seasoned and cooked somewhat to my liking. The condensation in the container may have soften them a bit. They were definitely the best part of the fish & chip duo: a solid 3.5. I wouldn't order the fish again, but I'd definitely include the fries as the side of another dish. The chicken was the best part of my entire order. Again, the container was poorly ventilated resulting in some condensation and softening of the skin. The flavor was fantastic. I will definitely order this 4 star chicken again.This restaurant is definitely worth trying. If not for the fish and packaging, I'd be able to give a higher star value."

Cellarmaker Brewing Company

★★★★☆ 4.3 (475) • $$

"Solid experience, I haven't been since it was rare barrel. I enjoyed the sours and they have a few other options as well. My friends and I enjoyed a pizza and a cheese plate. Outdoor area is nice."

San Francisco Brewing

★★★★☆ 3.7 (617) • $$

"Oh snap, this place is awesome!!¡First, don't order, ask Romeo what to get. He'll set you up after a few questions. I had all the stouts, they were spectacular, especially the girl scout cookie one.Fantastic experience, thank you!!"

Off The Rails Brewing

★★★★☆ 3.8 (378) • $$

"A couple pints and some finger foods ... all of it was pretty good. In particular, the mushroom empanadas were very tasty. The chicken wings were also good but they are basted in that thick, sticky, sweet sauce, so you gotta like that. Fried calamari was light and fluffy. Beers on tap of several varieties. Service was fast to start, but we ordered the calamari in the "second batch" and they took 20+ minutes. Not cool. But this has a real brew pub atmosphere and there are games on the tv's. Pretty cool hangout spot."

Barebottle Brewing Company

★★★★☆ 4.4 (277) • $$

"Hung out at Barebottle for the husband's birthday and overall, had a nice time! Our group arrived around noon and although the place was busy, we were able to grab a table. Barebottle offers a wide selection of beers in which we couldn't decide on just one. So, we opted for the flight and I'm glad we did, because all of them tasted good!Staff was friendly, service was quick, and prices were fair. There is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, and atmosphere is chill yet lively. All in all, solid taproom."

Willkommen

★★★★☆ 4.1 (273) • $$

"Truly authentic German food in a laid-back, no-fuss spot where you can count on a hearty meal. Order the schnitzel and sausages, they never miss. Their beer list is top-notch (and the cider is a hidden gem). We've come here multiple times with friends, and it's always a great hangout."

Woods Cervecería

★★★★☆ 4.1 (234) • $$

"Quaint vibe with a deep funky bass line. I came in serenades by 80s times from the cure, to Bikini Kill to Joy Division. A Pilsner accompanied the DJ/bartender's excellent choice of tunes. Excellent service. Sitting along the great window and having a mushroom empanada rounded out the evening. Turning a lugubrious day into light and laughter."

Cellarmaker Oakland

★★★★☆ 4.3 (57) • $$

"I've been a fan of their beers for years now. I've never actually been to one of the brewery locations, but have had their beers when it was on tap at beer bars or when friends within my craft beer group have brought cans/bottles to shares. This location is right by Jack London square (if not located within the square?). The space feels like a hybrid brewery and a clean, nicer pub/ restaurant. In terms of service, you order at the bar/ counter when you walk in or you can order from a QR code (toast tab if I recall) and they bring your food and drinks. A friend of mine said their bar pies were really great, so that's what I wanted to order. They also have Detroit style pizzas that sound and look delicious (maybe next time). I ended up ordering the seasonal bar pie, which at the time, was the fall harvest. The toppings just sounded so amazing. A variety of fresh seasonal vegetables.... the pie is cut up like a grid so you can pick up small pieces and eat easily and these are very shareable. The crust had nice caramelized cheese that provided a nice crunch and concentrated flavor. Just a really big fan. I would love to try the pepperoni, but it's hard to pass up the seasonal pies. Oh and as luck would have it, they had one of their barrel aged stouts (my fave!!!) on tap during the visit. It was the Old Rip Van Winkle Vastness of Space. It had everything I loved about BA stouts. I rated it high on Untappd as well (the high average suggests I'm not alone in loving this beer). Just a really cool spot and if you are a fan of their beer or beer with good food in general, this place is a place that should be frequented.I was here on a Saturday afternoon and parking along the street, especially if you don't mind walking a bit, was really easy to find."

Olfactory Brewing

★★★★★ 4.8 (17)

"Just posting to add photos. I haven't been back yet, although I plan to, either before or after a concert at The Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse or a play at Berkeley Repertory Theater, which may happen in January."

Triple Rock Brewery & Ale House

★★★★☆ 3.7 • $$

"My friends and I came here to attend a friend's band's concert. Hubby dropped my friend and I off and another couple of friends drove but had a hard time finding parking on a Friday night so they parked in a lot. This is a humongous place with two big rooms and a rooftop with seating. I hadn't eaten dinner so using the QR code on the table, you can order drinks and meal and/or appetizers and pay on your phone, very convenient! They have a huge menu! We had a Diamond Dealer moscow mule, beer, cheese croquettes, fried brussel sprouts, a basket of french fries and a buttermilk fried chicken sandwich with coleslaw. The drinks and food came out pretty quickly and there is plenty of seating inside the venue. I thoroughly enjoyed the Diamond drink, along with the crispy french fries and fried chicken sandwich. Next time, I'll try one of their beers since it is a brewery!"