Drake's Beer: Where To Buy And What To Know

Drake's Brewing Company is a craft brewery based in San Leandro, California. The company was founded in 1989 by Roger Lind and initially sold wholesale-only kegged beer under the name Lind Brewing. Drake's has since expanded and now has taprooms in Oakland and West Sacramento, as well as its original taproom in San Leandro. The company's beers are distributed throughout California and can be found using online tools such as BeerMenus and TapHunter.

Drake's Brewing Company's history

Drake's Brewing Company is an independent craft brewery based in San Leandro, California. The company was founded in 1989 by Roger Lind, a brewer at Triple Rock in Berkeley, one of the first brewpubs in America. Originally, the company was called Lind Brewing and sold wholesale-only kegged beer. Lind constructed a 15-barrel brewing system using repurposed dairy steel and "Grundy" tanks imported from England.

In 2000, Drake's beer became available in six-packs, and all references to its former namesake, the sea captain Sir Francis Drake, were removed. The company is now named after mallard ducks, also known as "drakes".

In 2008, Lind sold the brewery to the owners of Triple Rock Brewery and Alehouse, John Martin and Roy Kirkorian. Under their ownership, the brewery's focus shifted to producing West Coast-style ales using high-quality hops and malt. Drake's also expanded its brewing capacity and distribution, becoming a household name in California's brewing community.

In 2011, Drake's opened its Barrel House in San Leandro, a taproom and retail home for the company. Four years later, in 2015, Drake's Dealership opened in downtown Oakland, inside a former Dodge Dealership and repair shop. The beer garden and full-service restaurant feature locally sourced, farm-fresh ingredients and have become renowned for their excellent food.

In 2018, Drake's opened another taproom, restaurant, and events center in West Sacramento called The Barn, which offers food, beverages, and entertainment.

Drake's Brewing Company has earned a reputation for its high-quality, innovative, and unique craft beers, winning several medals at prestigious beer festivals and competitions, including the Great American Beer Festival, the World Beer Cup, and the California State Fair.

Where to buy Drake's beer

Drake's Brewing Company is an urban craft brewery that has been operating in San Leandro, California, since 1989. The company was started by Roger Lind in 1989 as a wholesale-only kegged beer seller under the name Lind Brewing. Drake's has since expanded and now has several locations.

Drake's Barrel House, San Leandro

The Drake's Barrel House in San Leandro, California, has been pouring beers onsite since 2011. It has 24 taps, several of which are devoted to hard-to-find barrel-aged beers. You can also buy growlers, bottles, and cases of their beers to take away. The taproom is open daily except for the first Friday of the month when they host a fundraiser for a local non-profit.

Drake's Dealership, Oakland

In 2015, Drake's opened a new taproom in an old car dealership building in Oakland, California, called Drake's Dealership.

The Barn, West Sacramento

In 2018, Drake's opened a taproom, restaurant, and events center in West Sacramento, California, called The Barn.

Other Locations

Drake's Brewing Company's beers can also be found at various other locations, including:

• Toronado Pub (2.1 miles away)
• Thirsty Barrel Taphouse & Grille (123.2 miles away)
• Chuck E Cheese, St. Charles, MO
• Thee Elbow Room, Montrose, CA
• Mission Bar & Grill, San Francisco, CA

Drake's beer varieties

Drake's Brewing Company is a craft brewery in San Leandro, California. The company was founded in 1989 by Roger Lind and was originally called Lind Brewing. Drake's Brewing Company produces a wide variety of beers, including:

• IPAs: West Coast IPA, Juicy Hoot Hazy IPA, Get Weird Hazy IPA with Orange Zest, Hazy DIPA, Hopocalypse Hazy IPA, Hopocalypse Black Label, Hopocalypse Green Label, Hopocalypse Red Label, Hopocalypse White Label, Liquid Gold, Alpha Session IPA, Aroma Session, Brightside Brut IPA, Kickback Session IPA, Hazy Rye IPA, Impact Test IPA, Darkwing IPA, Foraging Raccoon, Draw Punch IPA with Peaches, Kick Back IPA with Mango, Get STUPID Hazy IPA, and many more.
• Stouts: Black Label Drakonic, Barrel-Aged Jolly Rodger, Jolly Rodger, Abominably Jolly, Imperial Coffee Stout, Black Robusto, and more.
• Porters: Black Robusto, Black Butte Porter Nitro, Black Label Hopocalypse, Black Robustito BA Session Porter, and more.
• Ales: Jolly Rodger Imperial Red Ale, Expedition Ale, American Red Ale, German Hefeweizen, British Brown Ale, American Brown Ale, and more.
• Other varieties: Mexican Amber Lager, Barley Wine, Reunion Barley Wine Ale, Santa's Brass, and more.

Drake's taprooms and restaurants

Drakes Taprooms and Restaurants

Drake's Brewing Company is a craft brewery based in San Leandro, California, that has been operating since 1989. The company was started by Roger Lind, originally under the name Lind Brewing. Drake's has expanded over the years and now has several taprooms and restaurants in California.

Drake's Barrel House, San Leandro

This taproom is located inside Drake's barrel-ageing warehouse in San Leandro and has been serving the company's beers on-site since 2011. It has 24 taps, with several dedicated to hard-to-find barrel-aged beers. The taproom is open daily, except for the first Friday of the month when they host a fundraiser for a local non-profit. A light food menu is available, and external food trucks also occasionally set up outside.

Drake's Dealership, Oakland

In 2015, Drake's opened a taproom and full-service restaurant in an old car dealership building in Oakland. The beer garden was built using repurposed wood and steel from the existing structure. The Dealership has become renowned for its excellent food menu, featuring locally sourced, farm-fresh, and seasonal ingredients.

The Barn, West Sacramento

In 2018, Drake's expanded further and opened a taproom, restaurant, and events centre in West Sacramento.

Other Locations

Drake's Brewing Company also operates in other locations in California, including Oakland, West Sacramento, and Berkeley.

Drake's awards

Drake's Brewing Company has been in operation since 1989, when it started as a wholesale-only kegged beer seller under the name Lind Brewing. The company has since expanded its operations and distribution, with its beer now available throughout California.

Drake's has earned a reputation for its excellent brewers and beer, winning numerous awards over the years. The company's first IPA was introduced in 1991, and since then, they have created a range of well-loved beers, including the Best Coast IPA, a classic West Coast-style IPA that has won multiple awards.

• People's Choice - 2004 Bistro IPA Fest
• Gold - 2004 Bistro IPA Festival
• Bronze - 2004 World Beer Cup
• Gold - 2003 California State Fair
• Silver - 2003 Bistro IPA Festival
• Gold - 2002 Great American Beer Festival
• Bronze - 2000 Bistro IPA Festival
• 2014 California State Fair Bronze
• 2010 World Beer Cup Silver
• 2008 Great American Beer Festival Silver
• 2004 World Beer Cup Silver
• 2004 Great American Beer Festival Gold
• 2002 Great American Beer Festival Bronze
• 2016 Great American Beer Festival Bronze
• 2018 Great American Beer Festival Gold
• 2023 World Beer Cup Bronze

Frequently asked questions