By Fran Endicott Miller

Located in between Chase Center and Oracle Park, newly opened New Belgium Brewing is the ideal pre or post game hangout. In fact, choose the right table or barstool and you can catch nearly all of the San Francisco Giants action via Oracle’s video board, clearly visible from vantage points within the 3rd street hot spot. 

The fourth largest craft brewer in the United States, New Belgium Brewing offers a world-class beer menu, natch, but its menu of globally inspired seasonal dishes make it much more than a beer hall. If brew is the draw for first timers, the Tomato & Roasted Garlic Tartine and the Schnitzel Strips will ensure repeat visits, as will the airy and playfully designed dining room and breezy outdoor patio that overlooks the canal. 

The fun and inviting space, designed in partnership with San Francisco-based ROY, exudes New Belgium’s vibrant brand. Walls feature San Francisco-themed murals by local artist John Thomas. Repurposed vintage bicycles hang from the ceiling, and Foeder-inspired wainscotting lines massive pillars. A convivial bar with multi-tiered light fixtures and colorful transparent acrylic panels features overhead screens on which to catch all the sports action. The lighthearted vibe extends to the restrooms where custom wallpaper shows New Belgium co-workers having fun on the job.

New Belgium’s beer list changes frequently, featuring brews made on-site, the core New Belgium portfolio, and renowned sour and specialty large formats for tableside and beer to-go. Highlights include Traceable Wit, a local malt from Admiral Maltings in Alameda, soft and hazy Talus-dega Nights with Talus, Citra, Amarillo, Mosaic, and El Dorado hops, Lefty, a modern take on an American Craft icon with Simcoe, Strata, Citra, Amarillo, and Mosaic hops, Voodoo Ranger Juicy Haze, a citrus-forward hazy IPA with a smooth finish, and the one that started it all, Fat Tire, with balanced, biscuity-sweet, slight fruity aromas. Guests on-the-go can purchase canned releases at the convenient retail shop or sign up to join the Cellar Club and purchase from the DTC online shop. 

The brewing team is led by Ramon Tamayo, overseen by Brewmaster Christian Holbrook. The pair collaborate closely with husband-and-wife chefs Laura and Sayat Ozyilmaz to create small-batch specialty beers that pair with flavors on the food menu. 

Soba Noodle Salad

The recipients of various culinary accolades, the Ozyilmaz duo finds inspiration in traditional beer and ballpark fare, yet their elevated take is anything but. Fresh and multicultural flavors showcase the culinary diversity of San Francisco’s varied neighborhoods in dishes that are meant to be shared. Highlights include the Soba Noodle Salad with grilled asparagus, radish, jalapeno, edamame, herbs, peanuts, and a ginger-Ponzu dressing. The standout in a trio of taco offerings is the Thai Paratha Taco with shrimp, papaya salad, crispy shallots, and Kosho mayo. A traditional burger gets the Ozyilmaz treatment with a cheese-stuffed Wagyu patty, tomato, caramelized beer onions, and Umami mayo on a brioche bun. And every baseball adjacent restaurant needs a hot dog. Theirs features a bacon wrapped jalapeno cheddar sausage, cabbage slaw, and pepper relish, on a toasted brioche bun.

Mission Dog

New Belgium Brewing was founded in 1991 in Fort Collins, Colorado. The company expanded to Asheville, North Carolina in 2016 and Denver, Colorado in 2018 and is dedicated to proving that business can be a force for good. New Belgium is a Certified B Corp and was the first brewery to join 1% for the Planet. The brewery, famous for its flagship Fat Tire Amber Ale and year-round favorites like Voodoo Ranger IPA, Sour IPA, and La Folie Sour Brown Ale, has donated more than $26 million to charitable causes since 1991. 

1000a 3rd St, San Francisco. Monday-Friday 4-9pm, Saturday 3-9pm, Sunday 3-9pm. But hours vary due to game day schedules. Check social media or call for updates.

Photos: Fran & Dan Miller