Video: Elizabeth Street Brewery

The second episode of Brew Age highlight's Noe Valley's Elizabeth Street Brewery. Check it out because it's awesome (and because it has the best three-word motivation for launching a passion we've ever heard).

Brew Age is a new series from Oct28 Productions featuring Bay Area homebrew and craft beers. Good beer and local? We're in.

[Brew-Age, @brew_age]
[Elizabeth Street Brewery]

Update: Why Crafthouse Became Caskhouse

At least one reader questioned why the restaurant named Crafthouse has awnings advertising Caskhouse, so we contacted partner John Dampeer:

We received a cease & desist letter regarding a trademark on the word 'craft' being used in any food service business. We were familiar with the company using 'craft' but didn't think our neighborhood bar would be an issue... Live and learn, I guess! It was unfortunate, but we believe in our new name, Caskhouse, and how it represents our bar.

Still no set opening date, but John says "hope to be serving you soon!"

Caskhouse
3853 24th St

[NVSF: Interview: John Dampeer Of Crafthouse]

Interview: John Dampeer Of Crafthouse

We first reported in July that Joe's 24th St Cafe is to become Crafthouse but details were few and far between. Eater recently posted the menu and some design info that left us wanting more. We asked owner/partner John Dampeer to fill in the gaps:

What's your vision for Crafthouse? Eater's post left us wondering if Crafthouse is a bar or a restaurant? Describe the experience and who you think will enjoy eating there. Crafthouse will be a bar with a relaxed, communal environment to enjoy a casual drink and a bite. We're going to strive to live up to what SF has come to expect from their neighborhood bar: fresh, local and seasonal.

What attracted you to Noe Valley? Did you consider other sites? Noe Valley was definitely one of our targets and we were thrilled to find Joe's up for sale. Noe has a great community feel and we felt the area could use a fresh new place to gather over craft beers and unique, fun wines.

What will be some of the signature items on the menu? We're still honing the menu, but the focus is on sandwiches and snacks that are portioned and priced to share. We're really excited about our pork loin confit cuban and house-rolled bacon soft pretzels.

The post on Eater has us wondering if Crafthouse will have midweek lunch service. What will the hours be? We'll be closed Mondays to work on food production.. Tuesday - Friday 12pm - ? and Saturday - Sunday 10am - ?

Tell us about the team that will be running the show day to day. Myself and business partner Adnan will be working. It's my first go at it as an owner and Adnan currently owns a wine bar in Laurel Heights. [Ed.-- That's Adnan Daken of Internos Wine Cafe]

Will you be closed during the transition (and if so for how long)? When will the new Crafthouse menu and design be in place? We're going to need about 4 weeks to transition and we won't be open.

Now under wraps and morphing into Crafhouse, at least one obstacle is out of the way: the beer and wine license was activated on October 19th.

Update (12/13): Now to open under the name Caskhouse.

Crafthouse
3853 24th St
Opening Soon



[Eater SF: The Skinny On Crafthouse, Opening Soon]
[NVSF: Sold: Joe's 24th Street Cafe]

Opening Saturday: Noe Valley Wine Merchants

We've been watching the space at 3821 24th St since last summer when Eater SF announced that Urban Cellars would become Noe Valley Wine Merchants. And while the space has been ready since last fall, the ABC license was finalized just last week. Today Eater announced NV Wine Merchant will open this Saturday:

The rebirth of Urban Cellar as Noe Valley Wine Merchants (3821 24th St.) is set for this Saturday. New owner and 24-year retail wine biz vet James Mead has renovated the space to include a tasting room where he plans on holding bi-weekly tasting events. Mead says the store will also stock some spirits geared toward the "home mixologist" as well as "99 bottles of micro- and craft-brewed beers."

[ESF: Coming Soon: Noe Valley Wine Merchants]