March 22, 2012
This is a nice bar but the focus is definitely on fancy cocktails rather than beer. I stopped in early afternoon and it was pretty much empty so I can’t say much about the clientele or atmosphere but it seemed like it would be relatively calm based on the choice of music. Their are only about a half dozen taps here and almost all of them were for Magnolia’s beer which is just down the street. It is cool to see a tap list 100% focused on local brew but this is an easily skipped location if you’re beer hunting. There is all kinds of whiskey and other liquor though so if you’re interested in that--or food--this becomes a much more appealing location.

January 24, 2012
Last stop on my and my wife’s little pub crawl on Haight street. This is a small little restaurant than has nice decor and is dimly lit. Only had 3 beers on tap which was disappoint to say the least but the food was extremely good. Had Shishito Peppers and bone marrow and both were excellent. Had Moonlight Toast on tap which was very good. Nice selection of mixed drinks too. Worth a stop for the food alone, but if your in it for beer only I would just go to Toronado.

October 15, 2010
This place had a great vibe to it, very old and rustic, not a lot of taps, but they had quality beers, with some locals. I was really looking forward to this place, but unfortunately the service was absolutely terrible, there weren’t many people there but it was almost impossible to get the bar tender’s attention, they were mostly just talking to each other. I wanted to try the food, but I sat there trying to wave down a bar tender for 20 mins and finally gave up. Also of note they have a good selection of whiskey and scotch.

August 6, 2010
I’m tempted just to cut and paste DaSilky1’s rating, because that’s pretty much how I felt on my visit here. Rounded up a bunch of my family, who were a bit leery about being led to a purported beer joint. I assured them the food was supposed to be superb, but they weren’t buying it when they spotted it sandwiched between burrito and slice joints. Several hours later, I was redeemed and the fam was raving. Wonderful vintage bar vibe with old wood, high ceilings, nice natural light from a skylight, and a lovely long narrow bar. Great selection of local taps, from Magnolia (the sister establishment), Moonlight, Marin, and others. Terrific service, chilled but really informative and serious about the offerings. Relaxed pace to the whole meal. The food is fuckin killer, from inventive appetizers (chili peppers with sea salt and blackened duck hearts, e.g.), nice local cheeses, to sweet mains like Croque Madame with bechamel and watermelon/watercrest infused sashimi. Yes, the price point is high but you know that when you’re visiting this town. And the beers were fabulous, with nice English pints filled with fresh local brew sealing the deal on a great, great experience. Kudos, Alembic. I’ll be back at least once next time I’m in town, and my local family is looking forward to making you a regular.

July 24, 2010
While not necessarily a beer bar per se, the Alembic is legit! There are always good selections in both bottles and on tap, and the prices are very, very fair especially considering they give you large pours. You’re not going to harpoon your white whale most likely, but you won’t walk out without drinking some great beers if you choose wisely The food is amazing. I first came here during SF Beer Week for a Dogfish Head and Magnolia beer dinner. The beers were great of course, but the food was amazing! The jerk spiced duck hearts really stood out. In subsequent visits, they have never failed to impress with their food selections. The service is generally nice and attentive, and if you’re into cocktails, theirs are excellent. How would I know this? I’ve sampled the drinks of others. Don’t worry, I only tick beers, not cocktails. Great whiskey selections too though, which I noticed since distilled malt is my next favorite libation after fermented malt. Overall, an excellent bar, whether you’re looking for a beer bar or just a bar in general. One of my top choices in San Francisco.

March 22, 2010
Stopped in for a quick draught to check out the place. Crowded, so I got a beer and stood at the shelf along the wall. Service was fine, small place. Prices were a bit high for their limited (but good) bottle selection. Nice place if you want to get some cocktails or are into bourbon/scotch. Most taps were Magnolia (from down the street) and the bottle selection was good, if not smaller than I would have liked.

March 13, 2010
great bar in the haight area. bartender was a true artist at her work.

July 16, 2009 [ Updated December 18, 2011 ]
Seriously, this place is the coolest place I’ve been in a long long long fucking time. Went for a pre-dinner snack with cquiroga, gueuzehound, playitnybeer, and arjoseph and $160 later, I was one happy camper. The food is off the fucking hook...we had bone marrow, pickled quail eggs, tiny dried shrimp, goat cheese croquettes, duck hearts, and some octopus...the beer list was pretty impressive, even having burton bridge old expensive...though they weren’t the funky bottles...the bourbon list was big and we ended our stay with two of them, both of which were very nice. Seriously, one of my favorite eateries ever. Re-rate 2011: this place IS my favorite eatery ever. I had 3 orgasms eating here this 2nd time...and everything else I said above stands....but I’m boosting points for multiple orgasms. I want to live here...this place is beyond my wildest dreams. If they had don quiote on tap, I would have a weird orgasmic heart attack and die...luckily they don’t and I live on.

March 4, 2009
Maybe not so much a beer destination but more for combination beer/food other spirits. Went on an afternoon and the food just rocks. We had a couple of small plates that were just excellent. I agree with some comments about the beer selection. Limited with quite a few magnolia brews (for obvious reasons, same owner) and not cheap. Service also has room for improvement.

September 6, 2008
Didn’t care for this bar at all, went there at 3pm only to find that they didn’t open until 4, which was annoying as Magnolia down the road was undergoing a face-lift. For some reason I had this place noted as a ’must-visit’, I don’t know why though, it wasn’t worth my time. Very expensive with a really poor beer list (most of which were Magnolia brews I could have got for half the price at Toronado) and it had an uber-trendy feel that I really didn’t care for. I had one beer and left smartly for Toronado down the street.