Brewing in San Francisco has a rich and great history.  According to American Breweries II, a book by Dale P. Van Wieren (East Coast Brewiana Association, 1995), there were about 76 breweries in San Francisco's history.  This is counting recently closed Twenty Tank, but not counting the current 11 breweries that currently operate in the city.  Also according to the same book, Milwaukee, 'brewing center of the country', there were only 78 breweries in existence - counting all the currently open breweries.  There are possibly about 5 breweries operating in Milwaukee currently (note - I am in no way qualified to make an accurate judgment).

Other breweries include Bose & Jungens, Hayes Valley Brewery, closed 1903; Merrifield & Rosiner, Star Brewery - at 11th and Folsom, near 20 Tank, 1877?; North Star Brewery, Inc., Filbert at Sansome - 1935; Union Brewing and Malting, 18th and Florida - in the same building as Potrero Brewing Co. - 1916; Jackson Brewery, once located across the street from 20 Tank - 351 11th St., closed 1920; Wunder Brewing Co., Greenwich and Scott - closed 1909; Falstaff Brewing Corp., 432 10th - where Costco is today - closed 1978; Acme Brewing Co. which closed as Globe Brewing Co., Inc. in 1938 located at Sansome and Greenwich. 1.

So many breweries in so many parts of town.  There were about 68 more breweries located in every part of San Francisco.  The most recent closing was 20 Tank located at 316 11th St @ Folsom.  This was San Francisco's favorite brewpub for almost 10 years - forced out of business by rapidly increasing rents in the South of Market Area due to the dot-com revolution.  The brewpub was so popular, even though it closed June 2nd, 2000, the web site is still up and it receives thousands of hits every  month.

So the idea of a "brewpub" is not a new or recent fad, but a very old and standard concept.  Many of the old breweries in San Francisco closed either because of the 1906 earthquake or in 1919 to 1920 because of prohibition 1 2 (the only amendment to be repealed in U.S. history).  Unfortunately many weren't able to reopen.

Many breweries survived prohibition by existing as some type of beverage company - basically supplying sodas, or as a bottling plant.  By the time 1933 rolled around and prohibition ended, many breweries had folded.  Many also went out of business because the Great Depression started just a few years earlier.  I'm sure it's no coincidence that the reopening of breweries at the end of prohibition and the end of the Depression were at the same time.  (Yeah, maybe that's a little assuming, but I like to believe it.)

It's amazing that this city was so rich in brewing history.  76 breweries is an enormous amount of breweries.  Today the city has 11 breweries.  Per capita that's quite a bit.  My opinion, as well as the opinion of all the brewery owner in San Francisco is that's not enough.  Each brewery in this city represents a certain population and a certain style.  And the brewers do a great job of matching the two together.  But there's many neighborhoods that don't have a local brewery.  In the early 1900's every neighborhood had one.  Hopefully someday soon we will again.

I typed all the breweries from the American Breweries II book (see footnote below) into a .pdf document for all to view.  Click here.

1. All historical information taken from American Breweries II, a book by Dale P. Van Wieren (East Coast Brewiana Association, 1995).