By MJ Pramik
On a sunny Thursday afternoon on San Francisco’s Fort Mason waterfront, Bay Area Travel Writers were treated to a very large, clear stein of beer. The 20-plus members of BATW spent a few hours with the delightful owner of Radhaus Brewery, Aaron Hulme learning the history of the site and of his adventures in building the venue at 2 Marina Blvd, Bldg A, San Francisco’s Fort Mason.
Host Aaron Hulme greeted each BATW attendee with a liter (1000 milliliters!) of their new Paulaner Oktoberfest “Wiesn” Bier. The massive glass strained arms as the attendees struggled to bring it to their lips. Some writers resorted to decanting the brew into smaller, more manageable, water glasses.
The Paulaner Wiesn Bier tasted fresh and fantastic, even to those who may not be fans of beer. (A few members broke the script and ordered whiskey or a mixed drink.)
Hulme chatted with attendees, relating the history of the building, a former Army machine shop with panoramic Bay Views. He explained how he and his twin brother Matt put in a bid for site development with the Fort Mason management, the National Park Service. They were shocked and elated when the governance body gave their blessing. They transformed the concrete block machine shop to a light airy Bavarian brew hall. The vibe is happy (definitely cheery for happy hours), energetic with patrons hunkered down at picnic table styled seating, a good-looking bar, and tables/chairs to gaze out onto the bustling Bay and Golden Gate Bridge thoroughfare. Envelop A+D design created the streamlined comfortable interior. The actual bar in Radhaus was carved by arborist Even Shively from a 300-year-old ponderosa pine originally grown in Camp Mather in the Sierras near Yosemite Valley.
The Radhaus brackets the Building A galleries and offices with Greens, the vegetarian and intellectual restaurant where a reservation requires a wait of sometimes weeks. Radhaus fare is more of the meat, German Bratwurst, sauerkraut variety. The Hulme brothers menu posts German meatballs and mashed potatoes (Konigsberger Klopse), chicken schnitzel (with cucumber, pickled onion, and dill), currywurst, bratwurst – you get the idea.
BATW attendees were treated to the Radhaus signature “Haus Pretzel & Obatzda”, a toasty baked—rather large—soft pretzel, served with Haus mustard and a very exciting Bavarian cheese spread with notes of an aged blue.
From the sound of the BATW chatter, a happy time was had by all at the Radhaus gathering. Hulme says the Paulaner Wiesn beer has that effect on drinkers. Radhaus’ Octoberfest meadow beer has a 6.5% alcohol content that is just enough to warm up conversation with friends and strangers alike.
One Response
What a great write up!