Linden Street Brewery
95 Linden St
(at W Embarcadero)
Oakland, CA 94607 (510) 832-3345
- Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: No
- Parking: Street, Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
6 reviews
Neighborhood: UC Campus Area
"Soooooooooooooooo good. I bought a few cases and split them with friends. I finished a whole case in less than a week and I wasn't even…" read more »
25 Reviews for Linden Street Brewery
Adam has come up with great marketing idea and we all get to benefit. These Fridays are a good time. Good people, good beer, good food. Stop by and give a cheers to Adam and help support Linden Street's coming out party.
This is long over due. I came here one Friday evening in about February/March....
I got off work and hopped off 880, it was so close and easy to find! I'm glad that I came, it was a very good start to the evening and weekend!
It was very lively and everyone was so friendly! I got to meet Carey, the "Crossfit man" and the Lonely Planet crew. It was great getting to know everyone and kicking back on some beers and food.
That night I had "Common Lager." It's very yummy and made in Oakland! How cool is that? And if you didn't know already, its free, but it would be nice if you left some money in the tip jar...
I can't wait to go again!
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This place is sort of like the anti-Marina. Rather than trying to fit in by wearing pregnancy tops, Kate Spade bags and cancerous fake tans, the Linden Street crowd seems to try their hardest to look like no one else on this earth. It kind of reminded me of the end of the third corridor at Sir Francis Drake High circa 1998. There were rainbow knee socks, suspenders, hats that were certainly passed down from grandfathers featuring rare feathers. The one accessory they wear that seems to jive with popular culture is designer dogs. The guy with the top hat, wooden foot and pint of beer also was carrying a maltipoo in his recycled burlap clutch.
The Linden Street Brewery isn't officially opened yet, but apparently the owner just likes to throw parties for neighbors and Oakland's aging population of hipsters. He taps a keg of his finest brew, puts some sausages on the que, and throws a little spinach dip in a bread bowl, and the freeloaders come running (free beer tasting on Fridays. I suggest bringing your own mug or pint, unless you enjoying refilling a Dixie cup every two minutes).
The atmosphere is as laid back as any can get. It feels like you're drinking in someone's living room....which you might just be. There are bookshelves and old movie theater seats and Persian rugs. People are there to enjoy the end of the week in jovial spirits. There are no skeevy pick-up lines. No drunk blonds spilling their vodka soda's with a splash of pineapple on you. No sports games on the tube. Just a strange old bus out front that actually works if you're sober enough to figure out how to start it, and a damn good happy hour that isn't ruined by some creepy Egyptian doing the worm, or some balding guy telling you how many UFCs he gets now that he's a baby's daddy.
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Fridays at Linden Street Brewery is where it's at!
Snarky McSnark, my niece, was about to celebrate a B I G milestone B-Day but I was looking for a different, low key venue for a small gathering of friends to celebrate. She's a pizza and beer chica who doesn't like a big fuss (and is probably gonna get annoyed that I'm even writing about her here.) She's had Linden Street Common at The Trappist and even commented on how much she liked it (she's hella picky...wait...I meant particular about what she enjoys.)
I mention all of this to Adam, co-owner of Linden Street, and his very matter of fact response was, "Have your gathering at my brewery!" Now how awesome is that? So last Friday, he basically let us professional squatters set up wherever we wanted to have La Borinquena tamales, Zachery's pizza and even loaned us use of his grill for the Taylor's Sausages we brought. He was an exceptional host giving us paper for a "private party" sign we put on the garage door where the actual brewing equipment is set up. He also provided lighting for the gas grill and made sure our posse knew where the restrooms were located including the pass code needed to enter and to ask if we needed ANYTHING.
In addition to ALL that, Adam and his biz partner Carey provided the cold, delicious BEER that comes from the tap they have set up in their office/hang out spot. It's an open house of sorts on Friday nights only (4pm - 9pm) and they do provide some complimentary nibbles as well in the early evening. Overall, our parking lot potluck picnic was successful and the BDay girl had a great time. We temporarily had a crew of peeps join us (friends of a fellow Yelper) who maybe didn't understand how cool that there is a new brewery in the Lower Bottoms supporting the diverse indie spirit that Oakland has to offer, well that and FREE beer. After we returned to our original core posse, we busted out a chocolate/chocolate fudge cake and kicked it with the owners in the hang out room chatting it up.
Good times and I'm looking forward to spending more time in West Oakland at this spot for sure!
p.s. These fellas will be pouring as drink sponsors at the 2nd Annual Oakland Indie Awards. Buy Tix here! http://oaklandunwrappe...
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Right past "somewhere," just beyond Jack London Square lies a nexus of warehouses, train tracks and highway where you find a mall complex of red brick, concrete and steel. Linden Street Brewery lies towards the end, composed of an artfully decorated tasting room fronting a warehouse of shiny metallic vats, kegs, and other ambrosia producing paraphernalia.
Adam and Carey say they just had an idea to brew beer in Oakland. Pfft! Whatever ya gotta say to get it past the "inspectors" at home. This place smacks of dream bachelor pad. It just needs a few things like: a giant flat screen, Murphy bed, pool table, drum set, and maybe a mounted boar's head donning hot pink sunglasses and a grass sombrero. It's a cool, industrial and neighbor-less joint where you could, if you pleased, cause much ado and run amok until the wee hours of the night.... connected to an endless supply of beer.
Am I the only one who sees the possibilities here?!?! I guess my version of 'cool' is still 17 yrs old. *sigh*
Friday night means free beer. Maybe some snacks. Possibly a bus to the Art Murmur. Ergo, less than 5 stars would be quibbling over a flat Pabst.
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What a concept! Not only has a brewery popped up in Oakland but West Oakland no less. I'll come clean with ya'll, until Sat night I was scared of West Oakland probably in part to the stories told of murder and other heinous crimes. I really had to keep an open mind when I was hijacked uh I mean lead by Tina Tamale to this hidden brewery near the railroad tracks, literally!
Our conversation went kinda like this in the car...
TINA: Ok go down here (turning right onto 3rd Street)
ME: *Hesitation in my voice* Ok. Where are you taking me?
TINA: Keep going.
ME: Am I going to get shot?
TINA: *Giggling* No, you're not going to get shot. See there's the ACE Hardware (apparently a landmark for finding this place)
ME: Are we out of Jack London Square?
TINA: Now we are. (Crossing Castro & 3rd intersection). Now turn here.
ME: Ooooh Linden St, I bet we're close!
TINA: Turn into this driveway.
Once there we were greeted by an old-school funky bus (Art Murmur) and a gaggle of people casually hanging outside and in this industrial-themed brewery. To tell you the truth I was already digging this place and learning that pistol-whipping was not going to be the theme of this evening, yipee! Although right by the railroad tracks and a subsequent station, the brewery takes on a life hard to explain for those that haven't been. Due to Tina's connections we had a great time grilling sausages, eating her delectable tamales, and of course cramming Zachary's pizza slices in our gaping maws.
The owner, Adam, was very accommodating to our little crew and made sure our every need was met. He was also very nice, energetic, excited about this business he's trying to get off the ground with his Friday night socials he holds each week. I think this place isn't going to have a problem at all drawing in the crowds and becoming yet another shining star in Oakland's growing and impressive scene.
So, West Oakland, you're not so bad after all because Tina said so and we must believe her or else, capice?
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I had the pleasure this Friday past meeting, Adam, his beautiful wife and the other co-owners of Linden Street Brewery. What an amazing experience. A wonderfully real, simple, chill place to relax and enjoy one of their amazing micro brews. A special thank you to Adam for extending such amazing hospitality myself and our friends on Friday night. You made my friend's birthday truly an amazing experience. You are incredible, you have a GREAT product and I can't wait for you to be open all the time. Definitely a five star experience, no matter how you look at it. I will definitely come back to see you again in the very near future. I would highly recommend Linden Street Brewery to anyone.
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Love Friday's at Linden!
Love Adam!!
Love Carey!
Love Port of Oakland!!
Love Linden!
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I'm not so much a beer person. I don't hate it -- just not usually my libation of choice. But when I heard about FREE beer on Fridays at Linden Street -- close to work and did I mention free? -- I decided I should probably check it out. Free is my favorite kind of beer.
Adam and Carey have a great gig going on here and I have no doubt that their brewery will be a huge success. They both have a true love of and dedication to good beer, and it's difficult not to pull for them, as they are both very cool (and I'm not just saying that -- I already get free beer) and they open up their randomly awesome space to strangers on Fridays to get that word of mouth going. I am known to be a bit chatty (shut up, people that know me ...) so I will continue to rave about them, their product (oh, yeah, I forgot to mention that they make really good beer that I would even pay for!), their vision and their generosity.
I don't know of very many places that would open up their doors to have random strangers drink beer, cook stuff on their grill and loiter in their facilities for a few hours at no charge. Linden Street does just that on Fridays and I give them mad respect.
Had a great time hanging out with friends, drinking some delicious beer and eating Taylor's sausages.
Their steam beer was tasty and I'm looking forward to them rolling out other brews.
Thanks also to Tina for letting us share their party area to keep warm.
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Another review from my husband:
Friday my drinking buddy and I wandered into the Linden Street
Brewery. Both of us are beer snobs who love to wander to new places.
This place is a true gem. Adam, the brewer, has an incredible view of
what he wants to accomplish. He wants to bring back a brewing
tradition to Oakland. The Friday get together give everyone a chance
to check out his beer, his operation and just have a great time. The
front room is a comfy place, sofas, books, just a very homey feel.
You also can check out his brew set-up with him as a happy tour guide willing to discuss any aspect of brewing, his set up and his ideas for Linden Street. His brewing set up, once fully operational, is run sustainably. The California Common he is producing is very good. I can't wait to check out his future offerings. You can check the beer out at the Trappist (another brilliant place in Oakland) as well.
Great place run by great people. Definitely worth a Friday happy hour
check-out.
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How can you give any fewer stars to a community loving steambeer pouring brewers that serve barbecue on Fridays as their marketing strategy? Please come and visit them on Fridays and give them your ideas for great contacts and connections in the East Bay. The latest beer is like a pale yellow ale with a nice kick to it. Thumbs up, we look forward to seeing the Linden name at our local hangouts!!
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Please forgive my overuse of exclamation points - it can't be helped: A brewery in Oakland! A five minute bike ride! Free food and tastings on Friday night! Oakland is really starting to happen, I think, and I'm glad to live in the thick of it.
The Linden Street brew wasn't available last night, but I have a very good feeling about it. Adam used to work for the untouchable Anderson Valley, and he knows a LOT about beer. He and his wife get super-extra bonus points for their hospitality - they made me feel like they had invited us to their little party, rather than just bopping in because I heard a rumor about free beer. Their adorable daughter is learning well from them -- when we started to say goodbye, she asked us to wait -- Pizza's coming!
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Great place!
Friday's are full of really kind, really great people. People are respectful and very chatty after a few glasses of the Common Lager.
Something like this shouldn't be able to work, but it somehow does.
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Last night we went to this small brewery for a gathering with some of our friends. So I guess on Friday's this place opens it doors, taps the kegs and let's people go to town with some free snacking food as well. Our actual goal was to also cook some of our own food because I guess there are grills, but not sure if they are for public use. I think there was a connection with the owner that allowed us to just hang out with the cylinders while trying to keep warm. The free beer was great, it was steam beer. What I could have used were some more washroom facilities. I thought I saw some beside the AEX, but at around 9PM, that was all closed up and peeing was no longer allowed unless you could find a prius to pee behind (I didn't do that though). Anyway, if your intention is to drink beer, 5 stars! If it is to hang out and cook your own food, 3 stars as originally noted.
UPDATED:
I received a nice email from a fellow reviewer and have decided that it is not the fault of the brewery that we didn't eat as well as we could have. I blame other factors for that. Anyway, for next time, maybe 3 walls outside around the bbq would be awesome so that it's not so cold. I've only put the rating up to 4 stars because it is about the whole experience rather than just because of the beer.
This place is awesome. What a hidden gem in Oakland. If my friends and I were to have a club house, it would look like this place ... only with a lot more electronics. Came here on Friday for the beer and it was a great way to kick off the weekend.
Everyone was very friendly, the beer was cold and refreshing (and very hoppy) and I can't wait to come back with more friends when the weather starts to get warmer.
Thanks Adam! I hope you get that PG&E stuff worked out so you can start brewing at the location.
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Rolled up here with the wifey and the toddler the other day expecting it to be a brew pub restaraunt, but to our surprise it wasn't. It was a chill gathering of people that love beer. Very cool industrial space. One of the owners approached us when we arrived and gave us the 411 on the brewery and poured us some free brew, how awesome is that. It actually felt like we were at somebody's house. Very kid friendly. The owner says that they should have some of there own brew in about three weeks. I can't wait to come back and give it a taste. I love Oakland!!!!
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one can say this section of town has been gentrified, redeveloped by foresighted developers. linden street is at the front tenant (#8) of such a development.
linden street will be shutting down it's friday openings for 3 weeks to iron out it's grand opening plans in june. they had lager on tap. lager isn't my type of brew. they had nice snacks and a nice crowd enjoying the weather and the brew.
linden's beer can be found at the trappist and fireside.
be careful when parking here. cars seem to come from all directions.
enjoy!
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nothing makes me more excited about oakland than the people of oakland.
adam, the owner of the linden street brewery, is just one more reason as to why i have this sentiment.
a few friends and myself ventured over to the lsb last friday, taylor's sausages in hand, and had a great time. it was a cold night, but luckily the place was cozy and warm - many thanks to the (free) use of their grill, and tina's willingness to share!
anyway, i will definitely come back and patronize this fine, oaklandish establishment. thanks lsb; you're awesome!
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Great hospitality. Cute kids and dog running around. I can't wait for Linden Street Brew in a few weeks time. Go check it out next Friday night.
Adam, I love you. Ok, maybe it's the California Common talking. But why did you have to open up shop in walking distance from home? Do you really want to see me every Friday? Great beer, which I first tried at Trappist and then at the brewery. Can't wait for the other styles, so I guess I'll have another Common. Serving old style Oakland beer with a sustainability credo. Be kind to the planet and bring your own glass to the tasting room. No reason to ever go to Berkeley again, well except for Amoeba. Awesome - today's Friday! See you on Linden Street.
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I experienced the first brewed beer in Oakland since Prohibition. This brewery is called Linden Street Brewery. They have an open house every Friday. They are pouring a California Common Lager (think Steam beer, as in Anchor) that is great! Next they will be producing an Oak Smoked brew.
If you want to experience their brew before they are fully up an running at the West Oakland local, check them out at the Trappist in Oakland or the Fireside in Alameda or come on a Friday night between 4 and 7 and talk to the owner (Adam Lamoreaux) and his loyal friend Cary about his brewing equipments local pedigree (Bison in Berkeley).
You can even buy a swing top bottle for $10 and keep bringing back for refills for $5 like I did to bring the beer home to the sick hubby. Apparently the guys across the street at Lonely Planet all have their own swing tops with their names on them. I have gone to a few Lonely Planet parties back in the day, and they know how to tear it up! I also heard that our work neighbors Numi tea are buying a keg from Linden for their holiday party this year. I love that!
They hope to disseminate their beer in what they called the Mariners Circle (Alameda and Port of Oakland). Look for them on tap hopefully soon at Quinn's Lighthouse and maybe even Merchants. Who knows where they will pop up next?
Oakland RULES!
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a great place to spend a few hours after work on a warm friday. the people were friendly, the beer was good (and free...but y'all should TIP). there's people hanging outdoors and indoors. there are couches and seats in a living room-esque space. there are some snacks to enjoy. thank you to the linden brewery folks! i'll definitely be back.
UPDATE: i've been back a few more times and love this place. this past friday i went and it was way more crowded. a long long line for beer, and tons of people hanging out in the sun. i took the legendary old double decker bus to first fridays/art murmur and it was a grand old time. can't wait for next time!
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Wow! Just wow! What a great little gem in "The Town". I was invited to film a commercial at this place last weekend and I was really impressed with how nice Adam & Carey were I spent a good amount of time chatting with them and hearing all about their beer making process which is similar to another well known brewery in the bay area. The beer was crazy delicious!!! Friday nights are the night to come and hang out with the lonely planet peeps,googlers and other locals. Very casual and laid back looks like you could probably get a good game of Scrabble going to.
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