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Church Key
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 5 pm - 12 am
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Music:
- DJ
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Trendy, Casual, Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
219 reviews for Church Key
Review Highlights
"Their beer selection was fantastic, to be honest."
(in 40 reviews)
"love the laid back ambiance."
(in 14 reviews)
"K ind bartender willing to let you sample first."
(in 62 reviews)
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219 reviews in English
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Review from Leslie H.
1/30/2012 1 Check-in Here
Super chill North Street bar that is a bit off the main drag (Columbus). Come here if you're looking for a relaxing place to enjoy a beer without having to deal w/ obnoxious clubbers and pushy Marina-types. Their beer list is extensive, and you better believe that the bartender knows his stuff because the only thing they serve is beer.
Random aside: First listing on the beer menu is the "American Mystery Beer" which can be anything from PBR or Natural Ice to something that actually tastes like beer!
Samples for $1 if you're not sure what you want. -
Review from emily f.
San Francisco, CA
2/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
Great beer selection.
Not crowded on a Friday Night.
Nice place to talk and catch up with people.
If you like IPA's, get the Dogfish Head Double IPA, high in alcohol content and pretty tasty. -
Review from Lexie S.
San Francisco, CA
1/8/2012
The Church Key has quite a delicious assortment of beer. Their variety does change but if you tell the bartender what you are craving, they are sharp enough to serve something satisfying to your senses.
It also makes a great way to try something new and not be disappointed.
The atmosphere is friendly, not too loud. Because it is smaller than most bars, it wouldn't ever be so noisy as larger places.
Cruising North Beach and thirsty, you should stop in for a pint!! -
Review from Zachery H.
San Francisco, CA
2/5/2012
Went to Church Key on a Friday night and I had a good experience. It was Super busy and packed so standing may be the only option for you. The selection is better than most bars and they carry about 8 different taps and the rest bottles. The bartender was a bartender, no complaints. A friend of mine even got the end of a keg and wasn't charged for it. I've been to bars that just throw it away. The only thing I wish it had was more space. One of the more interesting things to see was a sign that said "Pliny free since 2008". I like Pliny and Russian River, but I respect their open opinion. I'm more of a empty bar kind of guy instead of a crowded one so ill be back on a weekday.
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Review from Suzanne F.
Portland, OR
10/26/2011
When The Big Man is in SF working he finishes his day by stopping in to Church Key for a beer. I have been hearing about the beer wonders for ages & since we all were in town last weekend, I had an opportunity to visit. It was great! It is tiny, dark, & not touristy - everything I like in a San Francisco bar! Beer reigns King here & there are so many choices! If you are a fan of the hop, I would encourage you to try Church Key.
We happened to get here on a very warm Saturday evening - it was in the 80's, unheard of in San Francisco! Things were pretty steamy, and not in THAT kind of way, inside the bar. It was just very warm, kind of crowded, & there is no where to sit other than the bar or a couple of window seats.
If I were in this neighborhood again, this is where I would stop in for some great beer! -
Review from Erika C.
11/12/2011
When I was seventeen
I drank some very good beer
I drank some very good beer
I purchased with a fake ID
My name was Brian McGee
I stayed up listening to Queen
When I was seventeen
---
Got a 750ml bottle of Duvel Triple Hop for $50. This can be had at a store for closer to $25. Pretty standard to charge double at bars/restaurants, but I was still surprised I spent $50 on beer.
Luckily, it was very good beer. Not $50 good though.
Come here for a Mission vibe in North Beach. -
Review from Shanna T.
Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco, CA
12/23/2011
This place is a great option if you want to grab a drink with a friend or two. The downstairs is small so I wouldn't suggest taking a large group but the service was good, the music was pretty descent and we were able to grab seats right at the bar. Most importantly they have a serious beer selection and the bar tender was able to provide some solid recommendations based on what our preferences were. I would go back here for a drink any day.
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Review from Robert W.
Sacramento, CA
1/20/2012
Katie rocks! If you love beer and want to try the best beer in the world you have to go here. I don't think there is a better bar in SF for the true beer lover. Must Go!
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Review from Kent S.
El Sobrante, CA
12/3/2011
Tactical nuclear penguin! Yes you heard me! Its an imperial stout at 32% abv. And I just had to try it who the hell wouldn't?. Anyways very delicious and a once in a northbeach lifetime tasting some delicious beer from scottland that many would mistake for a hard liquor if they didn't know any better. Lone behold I will definitely be coming back to church key for the ultimate beer selection and hilarious bartender!
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Review from albion r.
Oakland, CA
10/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
my companion arrived about 10 minutes before I did.
all the chairs along the bar were full so she sat at the closest table.
when I arrived, the bar stools had cleared out and we took two.
the menu is quite impressive.
but...... at $7 to $9 a glass, I would really like a bartender to have some input - other than to say that they are good. how about offering samples?
and my friend was a bit put off that he hadn't acknowledged her before I got there.
the music was horrible.
we moved on. -
Review from Stephanie B.
Livermore, CA
11/19/2011
Really liked this place and definitely want to go back. They've got a great beer selection and the bartender of the night was really knowledgeable. Good music too!
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Review from Samir C.
San Francisco, CA
8/6/2011
I was never much of a beer drinker until I moved in with my current roommate. He introduced me to higher quality beers than what you normally find at your typical bar or restaurant. These beers are not the cheap college-drinking brew you pick up from 7-11 or Safeway and pound when you get home. These are ones which provoke your palette like wine does. This is what Church Key is all about.
A few to try out if you are not much of a beer drinker but are looking to explore: Tripel Karmeliet (which was on tap when I last visited) is a sweet Belgian beer. The Chocolate Cherry Stout is also a great choice for those who have a sweet tooth. Church Key has a very extensive menu which is always changing.
There's room upstairs to sit and hang out with your friends. It's fairly low key and not very noisy so you can actually carry a conversation. The only thing I don't like is that it last call is at 11:30pm. However it is close to Grant and Green, Maggie McGarry's, etc., so Church Key is a great place to start your night in North Beach. -
Review from Marilyn T.
Palo Alto, CA
5/28/2011
Super low key place where you can just chill with your friends without going deaf or being crowded. They have music (kind of a random variety of stuff plays throughout the night) comfortable seating, and it's spacious.
The bar has a huge selection of beers on tap, including pomegranate beer, a fruit cider that wasn't overly sweet, a smoky beer that was reminiscent of beef jerky....
And they also have melt-in-your-mouth fried pork rinds for purchase
No cover, and it's totally unpretentious. Only downside - they close at 12am :( -
Review from Kirstin E.
Phoenix, AZ
5/24/2011 2 photos
We dropped into the Church Key this past week on our visit to SF.
What a cool little spot! I would love a place like this in PHX! Small, Dark, no hipsters in sight, nice staff and a HUGE beer selection. Like ridiculous selection.
For sure go check this place out. -
Review from NB B.
San Francisco, CA
4/11/2011
This place blows Le Trappe out of the water for beers and atmosphere. And there's no douche baggery. They might also appreciate your yelp review unlike the owner of Le Trappe who thinks anyone that yelps is a complete loser.
Support businesses that care!
Glad these guys are in the neighborhood. -
Review from Lisa W.
San Francisco, CA
3/2/2011
Love love love love LOVE this place.
Classy, laid-back and quiet interior with a friendly bartender and a HUGE selection of beer (it gets pretty overwhelming so I would suggest you ask for recommendations if you don't see something you like right off the bat). This is not a place to rage - it's a place to sit down with a few friends and have a nice conversation. Beer and wine only!
There's a large seating area upstairs with ottomans and couches, so even though the space is small you should be able to find a seat. We invaded the place with a large group of 10+ on a Saturday night and there was enough space for everyone to fit.
There's no sign above the door but keep your eyes peeled for a white key on a black background. -
Review from Owen S.
San Francisco, CA
10/31/2011
A nice little bar... a descent selection of high quality beers. Prices are a bit high, but that is what you get for high quality beers. Staff are always very helpful.
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Review from Krystal H.
Berkeley, CA
10/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
My boyfriend being an avid beer lover, we had wanted to go to this place for a long time. On Saturday night we finally got the chance after our pizza feast, and it was a lot of fun. We managed to get seats at the bar and had fun looking at the novel (menu) of beers in bottles and cans. We both had two each, some Oktoberfest selections and some from local breweries we hadn't tried before. The music selection was a good, eclectic mix, and the patrons were chill and laid back. Would come again!
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Review from Robert S.
San Francisco, CA
4/6/2011
Beer me!
I do like this place. They have a great beer selection, scratch that, they have an amazing beer selection! The bartender is helpful at getting you a beer that you would like and appreciate. I love how they list percentages of alcohol so you can maximize your drink to drunk ratio. My only problem is SOMETIMES this place can be dead. The last thing I want to do is sit in a bar all by myslelf drinking exotic beers. That has alcoholic written all over it. -
Review from Jack S.
Poughkeepsie, NY
6/22/2011
Awesome place. Great beer. Cool folks.
We went on an off night, just to check it out and ended up staying for a few beers. The small crowd at the bar was really friendly and the bar staff was knowledgeable and welcoming. -
Review from Tammy T.
San Francisco, CA
3/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
You go here to enjoy beer with an intimate group of 2-3. It's quaint for a reason, don't bring a party.
+ selection
I would make this my neighborhood bar if I lived nearby. -
Review from Saunders C.
San Francisco, CA
3/21/2011
Name as many movies starring Woody Harrelson as you can.
If you came up with more than 5 (White Men Can't Jump, Zombieland, Natural Born Killers, People vs. Larry Flynt, Kingpin, and the list goes on...), you would have won the trivia night here. Trivia nights, I love 'em! Just one of the reasons to go to Church Key.
They have a wide selection of beers and a pretty detailed menu that actually describes each of the brews. Beers on tap seem to change pretty often, so there will always be a reason to stop in. I'd say the bartenders lean somewhat towards a 'too cool for school' attitude, but maybe they just prefer having their regulars here. There's quite a bit of seating both downstairs and in their upstairs area. On a weekday, you can definitely chill with a bunch of friends and have plenty of room to sit. I think they set up a DJ upstairs on the weekends, sometimes.
Ok, but it's in North Beach, the land of no parking (or $10 parking lots), so unless you have somehow appeased the parking gods and find parking within 5 blocks of this place, it's not the easiest bar to access. Maybe that's a good thing for the locals. Also be aware that the sign is just a picture of a key so you have to keep your eyes peeled for it, as there's not neon sign announcing its existence to the world.
So if you want to test out your trivia savvy or try out some new microbrews, head on over to Church Key. -
Review from mary b.
Sacramento, CA
9/15/2011
I wish I could transport this place to Sacramento. Very low key and chill. The space is tiny and intimate and I wouldn't recommend bringing a big group of people...it isn't that type of place. The beer menu is huge and seems intimidating at first, but it's broken down by variety. Just close your eyes and pick a random page. I can say the hibiscus beer and the coconut porter were delicious! Props to the owner...there was a douchebag, drunk and obviously trying to network him, sitting next to the bf and I. The owner kept drinking his PBR, not having it, without being a shit to him. When my guy from Indiana, slightly awed, asked him some questions about the bar, the owner was the nicest guy. We went back twice in one week. It would def. be my first choice for a beer.
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Review from Issa K.
Los Angeles, CA
1/16/2011
Generally I like this place. Especially when they played some Gojira on the bar stereo.
My gripe is that the bartender on 12/30/10 was acting shady. I ordered a peach beer of some brand. The bartender gave me different beer of the same brand, which was my fault because I named the brand only and not the variety. He offered to take the beer back and give me the one I wanted, but I relented and accepted the beer he had already poured; he insisted that I was getting a good deal on the beer. I took the beer back to my table and checked the menu to see what I had gotten, and it seemed that I had been overcharged by $1. I decided not to bring it up cause I had already left the bar area.
The second time I ordered a round I checked the menu and added up the expected total in my head. I gave the barkeep my order and he checked the menu on his own to get the correct prices, but the amount he told me overcharged $2 for the round. I pointed this out on the menu and he apologized and charged me the correct amount.
The lesson is this: Go to this bar, be prepared to pay a premium for good beer, and definitely double-check your bill like you're getting Chinese take-out. -
Review from Jeremy G.
3/9/2011
What makes a good bar? Is it the mixologist churning out innovative and potent cocktails? Is it the carefully selected lineup of beers on tap covering the whole spectrum of the public's hop palate? Is it the crowd that fills the booths and bar stools? Or is it the architecture of the bar itself?
I don't know if the bartender was a good mixer and I wasn't pleased with their beers on tap. The crowd was a good mix of urban intellectuals (I went on a night where there was trivia), but in the end I fell a little in love with the ambiance created by my non-sentient surroundings. Love the red couch along the back wall. Love the few small tables and high tops, which left the space feeling intimate. Love that there is an upstairs. And the lighting was perfect for good conversation of any and all sorts.
So what makes for a good bar? A good bar is a space where you want to drink and converse and you feel more of yourself than you did before. Bars like this make me feel more sophisticated, but casually so. The Church Key to my heart! -
Review from Stephanie F.
San Francisco, CA
2/7/2011
Awesome selection of beers. Although they didn't have the first three I wanted in stock...
Cute little tight knit place with neat decor. Showed up around 11:40 on a Saturday night in a group of 5... Ordered beers, sat down, 10 minutes later the bartender told us that they were closing up shop. He was cleaning up the entire place while we sat there and pretty much pounded the rest of our beers. It would have been nice if he had told us they were closing at midnight so that we didn't have to pound our expensive 9% alc/vol brews....lame. -
Review from hen a.
a wet tuesday evening...days and weeks lagging...stroll from south beach to north beach...craft beers at church key...ten ounce deschutes stoic $eight...smooth fruity and easy drinking...seated downstairs at bar...sipping beers and chatting...wooden and great old school bar charm...small, but second floor available...quirky entertaining bartender...taking a fruity pursuit of happiness next for $five...taller glass and easy sweet beer....and, another....black xantus $eight the fourth beer...dark coffee flavor, but surprisingly smooth down...easy sipping beer enjoying with no aftertastes....fifth selection the speedway stout...the least favorite of the beers...dark and fruity, with a medicine aftertaste...not liking, but finishing...three seated at the bar drinking....harolds and kumar evening in north beach...
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Review from Mahsa K.
San Francisco, CA
1/25/2011
Was looking for a nice low-key hang out spot in North Beach on a Wednesday night and was shamelessly drawn by the 2 for 1 sausage special. Loved the vibe, small local feel, chill music that was not too loud to have a good convo with friends. The 10+ page beer menu is amazing and meticulously (yet not annoyingly) detailed..
Ordered:
Duchess de Bourgogne- sour, fruity, red-ale style beer, yumm!!
La Caracole Saxol- smooth blonde ale, sweet malt with a touch of spice, also recommended
Wild Game sausages- I tried the boar and rabbit, came served with a slice of sourdough bread and sauerkraut, good stuff when paired with your beers..
Unfortunately wasn't able to spend enough time here given its early closing on that night so will hopefully be back, maybe on a weekend next time, to try out some more beers from their extensive menu! -
Review from Samantha R.
San Francisco, CA
8/12/2010
Alright, as far as chill spots around North Beach, this and La Trappe are my GO-TOs for beer.
Church Key has a great selection as well as solid prices that both Nifty Thrifties and Baller Shot Callers can appreciate. The place has a lot of character, and its a dive bar you can be proud to frequent. For newbies, it can be hard to find--especially for those of you who are bad at wheres waldo. Look for the closet sized store front on convoluted Grant St with a key over the door, thats it.
This one lacks seating though, and gets really crowded Fri-Sat. Come early to chill out, or maybe at night to stand around and listen to someone spin.Listed in: Liqour Holes
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Review from Ryan F.
San Francisco, CA
Summary: Great bar with a great selection of quality beers.
Church Key is not easy to find (corner of Grant and Green under a sign with no name, just a white key), but it is worth the effort. Grant is filled with lively bars which definitely hold their own, though Church Key is the place I go when I want to avoid the crowds and enjoy a craft beer. The bar offers one of the better beer selections in the city, with thick printed menus available at the bar. Also, rotating local brews are available on tap, keeping things interesting.
Another point of note is the quality bartenders. A few regulars rotate and all have an impressive understanding of their offerings and beer in general. If you are unsure or overwhelmed by the large selection, I am confident you will be in good hands.
This is definitely not the place for a crazy night (closes at midnight), but worth a try after a tough day at work. -
Review from Susan L.
San Francisco, CA
7/27/2010
I hate to admit it, but yes, I do judge a first date on the bar he chooses to take me to. So, when this fella asked me to meet him at Church Key, I knew things were looking up.
With what feels like 100 IPA's on the menu, i felt giddy with all the possibilities that could be tasted and swallowed that night (get your mind out of the gutter, sicko!) I have to admit, I must have clearly looked a bit overwhelmed, so the bartender came up and suggested one that I might like and he was right...hoppy goodness!
Small space that gets kinda crowded...but the people are chill and the bartender adorable and helpful.
Some of the brews are STRONG and I felt kinda F'd up after only 2 glasses. (Yeah, my date was no fool...he knew exactly what he was doing when picking this place!)
Looking forward to coming back and tackling some more of those IPA's! -
Review from Matias D.
San Francisco, CA
Can one say enough good things about this place, the selection, or the service?
YES, one can. So I'll mention a couple of other particulars that interest me at the time:
-- Cool copper bartop. I saw an apparition there the other night (see photo). It's like chemistry experiment and religious experience all at once.
-- La Folie for sale (like Duchesse de Bourgogne but not so sweet)
-- Mezzanine with mirror on ceiling. It's pretty small, don't go gettin any ideas...Listed in: Current 5 Favorite Watering…
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Review from Robert B.
San Francisco, CA
1/4/2011
Like everyone else says, a little inconspicuous. But if you know the corner and look for the key it's not that hard to find. The beer menu is over flowing with great choices, including a Southern favorite Turbo Dog from Abita Brewing in Louisiana.
The bartender wasn't very friendly. Maybe he didn't like the fact that the one night in the last year I actually wore a shirt with a collar on it was the night I walked into his bar. Or maybe I just didn't seem hipster enough. Although I have to admit that his saving grace was that Pantera was on his playlist that night.
Why the three stars?
Small and decorative but not very cozy. I expect a warmer atmosphere from a neighborhood bar. Lastly, they have very few beers on tap. It's personal preference, but I prefer mine out of a keg. -
Review from Daniel K.
Orangevale, CA
12/19/2010 2 Check-ins Here
I had been trying to find Church Key after it was recommended to me, for weeks! The fact that I frequent North Beach and had to make multiple attempts to find this place is bogus.
HINT: Look for the TINY white key above a door, the type of sign that anyone who's already had a drink prior to looking for this place will never find.
Other than that the beer selection is solid but pretty pricey. An ideal place for someone not worried about price, only quality. Bring a beer guru here to find more than a few difficult to find brews with completely unique taste.
If I'm spending this much and looking for selection I'll typically stay with Rogue across the street, but the two aren't really comparable. -
Review from Nick F.
San Francisco, CA
11/20/2011
Awesome spot, great beers and always a good vibe
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Review from Andy S.
San Francisco, CA
Have I told you lately that I love you? Over the past year ChurchKey has become my go-to bar in SF -- it has NEVER disappointed, even when it was completely crowded during the North Beach festival. The beers are FANTASTIC -- completely diverse, always changing and never dull.
I happened upon trivia night recently when I was out with a group of friends -- and it was great. Good crowd, good service, great beer. Well done CKey.Listed in: SF Beer Bars -- another love…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/7/2010
Sweet, glorious beer. An amazing and diverse selection on tap coupled with an extensive bottle menu… Read more »
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Review from jessica b.
San Francisco, CA
8/9/2010
I am not a huge drinker, but if I were an alcoholic, this would be my bar of choice. I've been multiple times and every time we end up in epic battles of who can order the most ridiculous beer. They have 7 pages of beer. 7 PAGES. That is crazy.
its hidden farther down on Grant, so, its usually not too crowded. You're pretty much guaranteed to find a spot upstairs to have a quiet moment admiring the art on your beer bottle or wondering why they have 1 small mirror on the ceiling.
Once you've had one too many, you can mosey down to golden boy or any of the other late night joints in the hood to soak it all up.Listed in: North Beach Places
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Review from Caroline T.
San Francisco, CA
11/14/2011
I really like this place. It's perfect for when you're in the mood to drink a couple of beers and unwind with friends, but aren't really up to Going Out and stumbling your way back home in the wee hours of the morning (a different yelp review for another time). I usually come here when I want to grab a drink or two with a friend or a small group of people, but wouldn't really recommend going here if you're with a large group because it isn't huge and seating is somewhat limited. The beer list is LONG, so if you plan to come here with someone who "doesn't like beer" there is probably something on the menu even for these foolish people. The bartenders also let you sample the beers on draft, which helps you avoid the disappointment that comes with spending $9 on a beer you thought you would like but actually makes you want to gag. Ok, I haven't actually had a beer that makes me feel like that, but I could imagine. The bartenders I've encountered here have been pretty knowledgeable and helpful, so I've only gotten good suggestions so far. I just came here again this past weekend when a friend was in town, and he was both impressed by the local feel of the place and happy to see an obscure beer he loves on the menu (which made me look cool). It is definitely worth trying sometime!
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Review from Andrew S.
San Francisco, CA
1/27/2011
Really great beer place in North Beach. HUGE, i mean HUGE selection of unique beer from all over the world.
Beer connoisseurism is on its way up - so this is a great place to expose yourself to all different types of brew if you want to become a beer sommelier, or at least someone who knows a thing or two about beer beyond keystone and natty ice.
Try the Chai Tea Beer - its awesome. -
Review from Joshua G.
Millbrae, CA
1/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
I am so late in writing this review. This place is so friggin awesome.
One of my favorite things to do in SF is host networking mixers, and Church Key was one of the best ever.
I'm a bit of a beer fan, so when I saw Lost Abbey's Serpent Stout on tap, I knew that we'd found the right place. Extremely knowledgeable bartenders, lots of rare ridiculousness, appropriate glassware and friendly folks.
Also, they had the Black Keys album on repeat. *WIN*!!!
The place is a little small, but it's cozy. Upstairs has a low ceiling, which, at first, was oppressive, but after a few beers, it kicked ass. One caveat, which doesn't matter so much during the winter months, but during the summer it gets hotter than a supermodel in a Microbikini. Like, literally uncomfortable. Other than that the setting is great.
They have a pretty quick rotation of kegs, and their website is inaccurate. Just go there, ask them what's best and drink away. You won't leave disappointed.
TL;DR: AWESOME Beer bar, right up there with Toronado, but a little smaller.
