Mikkeller SF lands in the ‘loin

The ambitious new bar Mikkeller Bar SF technically opens today at 5pm at 34 Mason in San Francisco, kicking off what its Facebook page admits is “one of the longest soft openings in history.” This bar has been eagerly awaited by many beer nerds since 2012, and usually I’m too crowd-averse to visit such a highly-anticipated bar early in its existence. But I got to sneak in early on Thursday night, and I ain’t complaining.

Resting my beer on a bar so sturdy it will outlive us all

As you may already know, Mikkeller SF is a project from local publican Chuck Stilphen (co-owner of Trappist, Trappist Provisions, and my workplace ØL) and Mikkel Borg Bjergsø, (co-founder of Denmark-based roving brewery Mikkeller and several beer spots in Copenhagen). The SF bar is being managed by local beer veteran Bob DeMoisey, who you may know from previous stints at ØL (he hired me — thanks boss!), the Trappist, and Triple Rock. The food is being masterminded by chef Michael O’Brian, formerly of the super-awesome beer bar Churchkey in Washington, DC. With that cast of characters — and don’t forget the highly-qualified bartenders — you know Mikkeller Bar SF isn’t gonna suck.

The beer

People have been asking whether the bar will only have Mikkeller beer, and the answer is no. There is plenty of Mikkeller beer on the menu, of course, including some house brews with names saluting the Tenderloin neighborhood. (I enjoyed a TenderBrown. Tee hee. Yes, really.) I counted about 40 taps, a mix of beer-nerd classics like Rodenbach Grand Cru, up-and-comers like Prairie, and one-offs I’d never seen before.

Decision-making paralysis incoming!

Here is a more legible photo of the taplist. I assume future menus will include prices, and that those prices will be similar to those at The Trappist, but I really don’t know yet.

This is also one of the few bars with a flux capacitor, allowing each tap to be poured at an individual temperature, pressure, and CO2/nitro mix.

The food

I don’t know how last night’s self-serve spread of meat and cheese will compare to what’s on the real menu, but let’s just say there’s a lot of promise in this kitchen (unless you’re vegan). One of the servers I know there shared her study sheet for learning about the charcuterie-intensive food that will be served. Can you properly define “pate” and “confit” and a host of other high-end culinary terms? Your Mikkeller bartender can.

The space

I normally don’t care what bars look like, but it must be said that Mikkeller SF is frickin’ gorgeous. It’s slick enough to work as a fancy-pants downtown office worker hangout but somehow still manages to be a comfortable place (maybe it’s the Danish influence adding some hygge).

Imagine this is a good photo

The rumored downstairs “sour room” is still under construction but does in fact exist and has a fridge full of goodies already.

Coming soon

Mikkeller Bar is on a block that one could call either “gentrifying” or “sketchy” depending on your perspective, and boy am I not going to debate the pros and cons of this with anyone. I will confirm that you will likely encounter some of San Francisco’s less fortunate residents on your walk between the bar and your train or car. Use your city sense, and if you don’t have any city sense, call a cab.

The grand opening

As I said, the bar will be “softly” open — I think that just means “we’re new, give us a break while we get this down” — for limited hours for the next few weeks until its August grand opening weekend. Check Mikkeller Bar SF’s Facebook page for updates. Here’s the grand opening schedule, stolen from that same Facebook page:

• August 9, Official opening Festivities kick off at 12 noon. Meet …(**insert names of cool people here**) Lots of awesome cool & rare beer will be tapped, etc etc. (draft and bottle list to follow…)
• August 10, 11am, Brewers Brunch, Meet ..(**insert names of more cool people here**)
• 6pm. the Christening of the Tivoli Sour Room, (in the cellar) lots of new lambics and sours.
• August 11, Beer dinner with Chef Jakob Mielcke http://www.mhcph.com/ starts at 3 PM. (Pair 7 +/- course meal with all Mikkeller Beer, details to follow…)

See you two again soon

Share this article