Pacific Coast Brewing Company

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4.15/5  rDev +6.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$$

I've been coming to Pacific Coast Brewing Company for many years, and have to admit that it will always hold a special place in my heart.

I first started coming here back in the mid to late 80's, when what they were doing here was literally ground breaking. I still remember going in there the first time, and seeing a place with over 20 beers on tap, not one of them BMC.... and what beers they were. I saw beers with names like Devil Mountain, St. Stan, Santa Cruz brewing, Sierra Nevada and Anchor Steam. There were also beers from Spaten and Fuller, not to mention Guinness and Harp. I had never seen a place like this in my life. I wanted to try everything. Aside from these "guest" beers, Pacific Coast also brewed their own beers, making two excellent pale ales (Blue Whale and Gray whale), as well as a passable porter and stout.

Over the years Pacific Coast has expanded their guest beer line-up, though of course I no longer find their selection unusual. Still, how many brewpubs do you find that also happen to have 20 or so imports and micros not of their making? To this day I have to commend Pacific Coast for their selection and quality of the beers they have available.

As for atmosphere, I think to some extent this place is hurt by it's location The area tends to be very crowded, with bad traffic and miserable parking. It's also a bit hard to find if you've never been there before, and if you sit outside it can defnitely be noisy. As you walk inside from Washington Street, you see a fairly long wood and metal bar running along the right side of the room. The place has a comfortable, woodsy feel to it, with a TV over the bar, as well as few interpersed throughout the dining rooms. It's a nice place to hang out and have a beer.

Service has always been up and down here. I've had days where it's not bad at all, and other times when I've almost walked out in annoyance. Considering that I usually sit at the bar when I visit, this is especially annoying.

Like the service, the food here is also up and down. I've had a decent ploughman's plate here, and some decent entrees as well. On the other hand, simple dishes like a ceaser salad have often all but been tasteless. Sandwiches are a complete hit or miss.

Over the years the food menu has gotten increasingly ambitious, with an increase in prices to match. IMO, both beer and food prices are a bit high now.

Still, all the minor negatives aside, this is place I always like to visit whenever I'm in town. My tastes have changed over the years, when I first came here the Blue Whale ale was too big for me, and I prefered the Gray Whale. These days the Blue is my favorite, especially if they happen to have it on cask. The newer beers (code blue, trippel, etc.), are excellent, though I do wish they'd bring back the Hammerhead some day.

I should add that in addition to first learning about craft beer at Pacific Coast, the convention center next door is where I took the California Bar examination. I stopped by for a glass every day of the test, and to this day am convinced there is a connection between the beer there and my passing the exam. Like I said, this place will always hold a warm place in my heart.

10-26-2007 19:20:56 | More by johnmichaelsen

Misajet90

Montana

4.26/5  rDev +9.5%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4 | food: 4.25 | $$

Went to visit my brother in Oakland and we went to the Trappist which is right around the block. Trappist is great but you are gonna spend a boat load of money if you stay for a while. This place is a block away and I thought it was pretty damn good.

Started with a Killer Whale Stout and then moved up to the Leviathan which was so good I had 3 more. Got an order of the Shepherd Fries both times I went, best appetizer they got. Prices are extremely reasonable for the location, worth a stop.

01-15-2013 20:32:29 | More by Misajet90

colonelforbin

California

2.85/5  rDev -26.7%
vibe: 3 | quality: 2 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 2 | $$

Located in downtown Oakland, Pacific Coast Brewing Company has been around for a few years. Their house beers are generally not very good. They are an all extract brewery and this shows in their house beers. Fairly bland and nothing that really stands out. Take a look at the reviews of their individual beers to get a sense of their quality.

The atmosphere is not too bad. Pretty spacious with a nice bar and a little outdoor patio.

Guest tap selection is pretty good and is the only reason I come to this place. Probably about 12-15 solid guest taps on at all times. They do have special events once in a while and the kegs from these events will linger for a week or two, so there is the opportunity to try some rare/unique offerings on occasion.

Food is decent, nothing to write home about.

Service has been pretty standard every time I've been here. Never have to wait too long and usually the bartenders know their stuff in regards to the beers. One nice thing they do is have a little double sided page listing the guest beers and nice descriptors of each one. This is particularly useful for people that are new to craft beer and may not know what to expect from a particular beer.

06-17-2011 16:38:36 | More by colonelforbin

womencantsail

California

2.89/5  rDev -25.7%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 2 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | $$$

Stopped in here with t0rin0 before going to The Trappist. Sort of wish we had not.

The place is very brightly lit, surprisingly, but that's not necessarily think that's a good idea, since the place looks old and weathered.

The young woman serving us was nice and quick with bringing the beers, and fairly attentive. Though she wasn't terribly knowledgeable about what it was that she was serving.

Unfortunately, the beers at this place are crap. These are some of the worst house beers that I've had anywhere, but especially in the Bay Area. Luckily, they have a pretty good guest tap list which is the main reason to come here.

Their prices are also fairly high. We each ordered a sampler which was $13 and the two half pints of beer were $4 each (WTF?).

I don't really recommend this place.

12-29-2010 08:36:34 | More by womencantsail

isualum12

Idaho

3.83/5  rDev -1.5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$$

Cool place for the most part close to the Bart so easy for walking and tourist. Beer sampler for 5oz pours 7 beers for 12.50. Good value. Rest od the food seemed over priced to me. Waitress is really nice. And hey I will say it she is great looking also. Not bad for a Sunday afternoon.

The garlic bread is good with a great feel in the mouth. They have probably 5 TV's with the games on and a sports themed restroom.

I am in the Bart and beer tour. Check it out it is great. No driving. The place seem nice enough

12-06-2010 00:40:47 | More by isualum12

mjl21

California

4/5  rDev +2.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

Been in here a bunch of times over the years for a quick pint. Pacific Coast is located right in the heart of downtown Oakland and is directly across the street from the Convention Center. It is a decent sized space. When you walk in the bar is to your right. There are a few areas with plenty of seating. The chalkboard that has all of the beers is hanging in the middle of the room.

They brew their own beer and also carry a good selection of guest taps. They usually have around 7 house beers plus one cask offering. The last time I was there their house beers included a Columbus IPA; Holiday DIPA; Gray Whale Pale Ale; Blue Whale Amber on tap and cask; Killer Whale Stout; Elephant Seal ESB; and Leviathan Imperial Stout. They also have around 16 guest taps. They almost always have Pliny the Elder and Blind Pig. They also had Lost Abbey Judgment Day; Double Bastard; Racer 5; Brown Shugga; Green Flash Trippel; Anchor; and a few others. They typically charge around $5 for a pint of their house beer and guest taps are typically a little more.

I have never eaten the food here. From what people order it seems they move a lot of cold and hot sandwiches. The menu includes all of the usual brewpub options.

The service at the bar isn't bad. They are quick to get you a drink. The bartenders seem to spend most of their time talking to their daily customers.

If you are in downtown Oakland this isn't a bad place to go for a pint. The prices are reasonable and they have better hours than The Trappist.

01-30-2010 01:38:29 | More by mjl21

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +2.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

Located on Washington Street, just up from the intersection with 9th Street, they had a long window front with the entry in the center. The "U"-shaped wood bar with its ornate wood, mirror, and stained glass back bar was off to the right, down a couple of steps. The left wall of the bar area was exposed brick with high tables and chairs, followed by a group of standard restaurant tables and chairs. A chalkboard hanging above the tables listed the available beers. The bar area also had a couple of TV monitors and a CD jukebox. The kitchen was to the extreme right of the bar. The restaurant area was off to the left and consisted of standard restaurant tables and chairs.

Beer: Code Blue Barley Wine-10.0; Leviathan Imperial Stout-10.0; #19 Anniversary Ale-9.1 (Trappist Style); Paul's Ley Warmer-7.9; Winter Warmer; Blue Whale Ale-7.0; Emerald Ale-6.0; Killer Whale Stout-5.5; and Gray Whale Ale-5.5; plus Blue on Cask. Fifteen (15) guest taps.

11-26-2009 14:23:18 | More by woodychandler

hiikeeba

Texas

4.2/5  rDev +8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

I attended the National Homebrewers Conference in Oakland and we stopped in for dinner between sessions. It's in Old downtown Oakland, which is a little nicer than the surrounding areas, I'm told. It's a small little place, and since there were a lot of homebrewers in the area, the place was slammed, which is why I dinged 'em for the service. We actually had to flag the waiter down to get our ticket. Even though the whole staff was all assholes and elbows, he could have checked on us a bit more.

I had the meatloaf and potatoes. The mashed potatoes were real, complete with peels and lumps. yum. The serving size was more than adequate. The meat loaf was also good, with a brown gravy and mushrooms.

And as an extra bonus, they had free WiFi that even my finicky iPhone could connect to. I can't even say that at home!

I have two more days in Oakland, and I expect I'll be back.

06-20-2009 02:13:18 | More by hiikeeba

jjboesen

Maryland

4.05/5  rDev +4.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

During my recent trip to the Bay Area (See Reviews), I took the ferry over to spend a day in wonderful Oakland. I must disgaree with Ms. Stein; there is a "there" there. And there are several excellent purveyors of malted beverages ready to offer a quenching quaff to those who know how to find it. One place is the Pacific Coast Brewing Company. Located in Historic Old Oakland amid blocks of Victorian rows, it is a quaint place that seems to attract plenty of locals - and a few world weary BAs. Of moderate size, PCBC consists of a small bar area to the right of entry; opposite is a dining area with hightops and tables, the former being located towards the rear. The small brewery can be found down the stairs along with the urination facilities .. I mean, the bathrooms, of course.

As for their beer; well, they only had two of their own on tap: the Killer Whale Stout, which I had and reveiwed (See Reveiw) and their Leviathian Imperial Stout - I did not try this.

However, several quality guests were to be had: an IPA from Santa Cruz Brewing, Dogfish Head 90-Minute (I did not have this, since it is available back east) and the remarkable Pliny the Elder - and yes ... I did have this one.

The albacore sandwich was very good and filling; decent pub grub all the way. As mentioned in previous posts, PCBC is around the corner from the Trappist (my next destination) and is near the BART station.

An enjoyable place to spend an afternoon. I really would've liked to have tried more of their beers - but .... Pliny The Elder! [Sigh]

11-16-2008 23:29:57 | More by jjboesen

Georgiabeer

Georgia

3.78/5  rDev -2.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3 | $$

I really, really want to love this place, but I think its a little hit or miss. The beers are very solid- which is the most important thing. The thing is, on the two occasions I've been here they were out of almost everything interesting and only had a few basic brews. Don't get me wrong, these were good, but I left feeling disappointed in the lack of selection. The service is...serviceable, but not exactly excited- but they do know their beers. The food is not great. The building is a really nice older structure in a great historic neighborhood just up from Jack London Square near the convention center. It sounds like I should give it another shot based on some of the other reviews, I just didn't have the experience that it sounds like is possible at this place- but I'd return for the beer alone.

10-31-2008 02:07:55 | More by Georgiabeer