Ales Unlimited, the Pac Heights shop specializing hard-to-find craft beers, ciders, and other beverages, is launching its new bar spinoff, Beer Basement, at 222 Hyde St. this Saturday evening.
The lightly updated bar and lounge—which took over from nightclub The Basement less than 30 days ago—will be open from 4pm-12am on Saturday, May 21st, with eight taps of rare beers and ciders, as well as 40-plus bottles.
Owner Steve Smith says one of the main highlights on Saturday night will be Mission-Trail Cider Company's strawberry-pear hard cider aged in tequila barrels, which took the top prize in the San Francisco Cider Summit's fruit cider challenge last month. While the award-winning beverage was brewed exclusively for the summit, Mission-Trail offered him an extra keg. The bar will carry the company's full line, produced in southern Monterey County.
Another special for the soft opening: the 2016 release of Firestone Walker Parabola, the Russian imperial stout everyone is on the hunt for right now, Smith said.
Though dance nights have departed with The Basement, Smith said he will continue to host the venue's stand-up comedy shows. It's still up in the air when those will return, though, as the venue's live entertainment permit is still under review.
For the full list of beverages available on opening night and the bar's hours moving forward, keep an eye on Beer Basement's Facebook page.
