Drakes' Beer Selection: Take-Home Options Available

Drake's Brewing Company is a craft brewery in San Leandro, California. The company started in 1989 as a wholesale-only kegged beer seller under the name Lind Brewing, after company founder, Roger Lind. Drake's operates a taproom called Drake's Barrel House inside its barrel-aging warehouse in San Leandro, California. Drake's Barrel House offers 24 taps, several of which are devoted to hard-to-find barrel-aged beers. Drake's Barrel House also offers an outside seating area and a light food menu. Visitors can buy growlers, bottles, and cases of beer to take away.

Drake's Brewing Company is based in San Leandro, California

Drake's Brewing Company is a craft brewery based in San Leandro, California. The company was established in 1989 as a wholesale-only kegged beer seller under the name Lind Brewing, after its founder, Roger Lind. Drake's operates out of the former Caterpillar Inc. production facility, located in the heart of industrial San Leandro, behind a Walmart.

The brewery has expanded over the years and now has multiple locations across California. In 2011, Drake's opened its Barrel House in San Leandro, serving as the tasting room and retail home of the company. The Barrel House offers 24 taps, featuring a variety of beers, including hard-to-find barrel-aged offerings. They also have an outside seating area and sell growlers, bottles, and cases of beer to take away.

In 2015, Drake's expanded further by opening a taproom in Oakland, called Drake's Dealership, and in 2018, they opened The Barn, a taproom, restaurant, and events center in West Sacramento. Drake's also operates a taproom inside its barrel-aging warehouse in San Leandro, where they offer unique barrel-aged beers that are typically not available for growler or keg fills.

Drake's Brewing Company has earned a reputation for its excellent brewers and beers, winning multiple awards at the Great American Beer Festival, the World Beer Cup, and the California State Fair. The brewery primarily produces West Coast-style ales, using high-quality hops, malt, and a neutral California Ale yeast strain.

The company was founded in 1989 by Roger Lind

Drake's Brewing Company, formerly a production-only brewery, has been an independent California-based business since 1989. The company was founded in 1989 by Roger Lind, a brewer at Triple Rock, one of the first brewpubs in America. Lind proved himself to be an excellent brewer and chose to build his own brewery inside a former Chrysler Dodge factory in the heart of industrial San Leandro.

Lind constructed a 15-barrel brewing system using repurposed dairy steel and several "Grundy" tanks imported from England in the 1980s. The gravity-fed brewing system was handmade and served as a symbol of hard work and adaptability. Lind, a bit of a privateer himself, decided to name his beers after the English privateer Sir Francis Drake. On the side of the brewhouse wall, Lind spray-painted the word "Brew" in bold blue letters. This simple word was a daily mantra, reaffirming the purpose of Lind's endeavour amid the pioneering 1980s.

Twenty-eight years later, "Brew" remains on the brewhouse wall, continuing to serve as a reminder that, at the heart of everything Drake's does, they will always "Brew". Since its founding, Drake's has earned a reputation as a home for excellent brewers and beer. Lind departed San Leandro in 1998 but left his brewery in capable hands, with his successors going on to win countless medals at beer festivals and competitions.

In 2008, the life of the brewery came full circle when John Martin, Lind's friend and former boss at Triple Rock, and his business partner Roy Kirkorian took over the brewery. Since then, the brewery's focus has evolved, and Drake's mainly produces West Coast-style ales using high-quality hops, malt, and a neutral California Ale yeast strain. The brewery's production has expanded, and Drake's beer is now distributed throughout California, becoming a staple in the state's brewing community.

Drake's has taprooms in San Leandro, Oakland and West Sacramento

Drake's Brewing Co. has taprooms in three locations: San Leandro, Oakland, and West Sacramento. The San Leandro taproom, called Drake's Barrel House, is located inside the company's barrel-aging warehouse. It offers 24 beers on tap, including small batches of Belgian beers, IPAs, Pilsners, Stouts, Sour Ales, and Porters, which are often only available on tap at the Barrel House. The Oakland taproom, called Drake's Dealership, is located in an old car dealership building and features a beer garden and a full-service restaurant. The West Sacramento taproom, called The Barn, opened in 2018 and is Drake's third location.

Drake's Brewing Co. was founded in 1989 by Roger Lind as a wholesale-only kegged beer seller under the name Lind Brewing. The company changed hands a few times before settling on the name Drake's Brewing Co. in 2008. In addition to its taprooms, Drake's beer is distributed throughout California and has become a staple in the state's brewing community.

The San Leandro taproom is located in an industrial area and has an outdoor seating area. It is open daily except for the first Friday of the month when they host a fundraiser for a local non-profit organisation. A light food menu is available, and external food trucks occasionally set up outside the taproom.

Drake's Brewing Co. has a diverse range of beers, including core beers such as the Denogginizer Double IPA and the Best Coast IPA, as well as seasonal and one-off beers. They also offer a "Drink Different Party Pack" available for purchase in-store.

The company has won several awards for its beers, including at the Great American Beer Festival and the World Beer Cup

Yes, you can buy beer to take home from Drake's Brewery and Barrel House in San Leandro, California. Drake's, an independent California brewery since 1989, offers 24 taps in its Barrel House, with several devoted to hard-to-find barrel-aged beers. You can also buy growlers, bottles, and cases of their beers to take away.

Drake's Brewing Co. has earned its reputation for excellent brewers and beer, winning several awards for its beers over the years. The company has won medals at prestigious competitions, including the Great American Beer Festival and the World Beer Cup.

At the Great American Beer Festival, Drake's has taken home medals across various years, including a Silver in 2013, a Silver in 2010, and a Bronze in 1991. They also won Gold at this festival in 2002, showcasing the consistent quality of their brews.

Moving on to the World Beer Cup, Drake's has also proven its mettle. They won a Silver medal in 2004, a Silver in 2014, and a Bronze in 2002, demonstrating their ability to create world-class beers recognised by industry experts.

Drake's success at these renowned competitions highlights the brewery's dedication to craft, quality, and innovation. Their awards span different categories, indicating a diverse range of offerings that appeal to a wide range of beer enthusiasts.

With a rich history, a commitment to excellence, and a track record of award-winning beers, Drake's Brewing Co. has established itself as a prominent player in the craft beer scene, offering beer lovers a unique and memorable tasting experience.

Drake's Dealership in Oakland is based in a former car dealership building

Drake's Dealership in Oakland, California, is a full-service restaurant and beer garden housed in a former car dealership building. The building, located on Oakland's historic Broadway Auto Row, once served as the sales, service, and parts department of an old Dodge Dealership. The space has been transformed into a unique dining and drinking destination, featuring a grand open-air beer garden with fire pits and Adirondack seating.

Drake's Dealership was opened in 2015 by Drake's Brewing Company, which was founded in 1989 by Roger Lind. Lind chose to set up his brewery inside a former Chrysler Dodge factory in the heart of industrial San Leandro. In 2008, the brewery came full circle when John Martin, Lind's friend and former boss, and his business partner Roy Kirkorian took over the brewery.

The Dealership in Oakland stays true to the company's roots, with 32 beers on tap, including a variety of fresh beers brewed in the East Bay. The menu features wood-fired pizza and locally sourced, farm-fresh, and seasonal ingredients. The space also includes a Drake's brewery store with a growler station.

In addition to its unique setting, Drake's Dealership offers validated parking in the nearby Hive Oakland parking lot. The venue is easily accessible via public transportation, with the 19th Street BART station and several AC Transit lines just a short distance away.

Overall, Drake's Dealership in Oakland is a unique destination for craft beer and pizza enthusiasts, offering a blend of historic charm and modern brewing expertise in a former car dealership building.

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