When the ancient Polynesians invented surfing, they often used a paddle to help them navigate. Fast-forward a few millennia, and Stand-Up Paddleboarding, or SUP, finds itself trendy again. Part of its increasing popularity is that standing upright allows surfers to spot waves more easily and thus catch more of them, multiplying the fun factor. Paddling back to the wave becomes less of a strain as well. The ability to cruise along on flat inland water, surveying the sights, is another advantage. Finally, it’s a good core workout. If you’re sold on the idea, schedule an intro SUP lesson, free with board and paddle rental, and you may find yourself riding the waves like a Polynesian king.More
Many of us remember coming home from our elementary schools with freshly glazed pinchpots, cups, or whatever else our young imaginations could conjure up. Saturday mornings at the Randall Museum can bring that memory back, or create a new one for the youngsters. Ceramics make great gifts — especially on Mothers' and Fathers' Day. Hop on board for the Randall's once-weekly class, and for $6 and two weeks to have your work fired and glazed, you'll have all the materials you need.More
December is almost over - the New Year is coming up and everyone is busy drying off from the rain or holiday shopping. Let's take a look at what's happened this month.
The queer group Gay Shame was the bane of DPW workers everywhere this past year, using "wheatpaste" (wheat + water = irritatingly hard-to-remove glue concoction) to post flyers targeting everyone from astroturfing pro-development group SFBARF to its capitalist benefactor, Yelp founder Jeremy Stoppelman (lest ye forget his epic response to now-fired Yelp staffer Talia Jane's Medium post complaining about the cost of living in SF: "Move to Phoenix!").
Sub Pop recording artists 'clipping.' brought their brand of noise-driven experimental hip hop to the closing night of 2016's San Francisco Electronic Music Fest this past Sunday. The packed Brava Theater hosted an initially seated crowd that ended the night jumping and dancing against the front of the stage. The trio performed a set focused on their recently released Sci-Fi Horror concept album, 'Splendor & Misery', then delved into their dancier and more aggressive back catalogue, and recent single 'Wriggle'.
Opening performances included local experimental electronic duo 'Tujurikkuja' and computer music artist 'Madalyn Merkey.'"
I enjoy my whiskey neat, my beer hoppy, and my meat medium rare. I have been covering craft spirits, suds, and gourmet cuisine for a decade, with work published from New York, across Montana, and up and down the Pacific Coast.
If you haven't finished your holiday shopping by now, you could surely use some booze to help calm your nerves. Happily, that same magical liquid also serves as a sensational gift for those that you're shopping for. It's like…
Sweet, easy-drinking, and naturally gluten-free, ciders are so hip right now. In an era where 'gluten' is seen as only slightly less sinister than Satan himself, their sales have skyrocketed, making it one of the fastest growing segments of…
In less than 20 years, Woodford Reserve has rocketed towards the upper echelon of the Kentucky Straight Bourbon market. It many ways, the journey is a testament to the vision of Master Distiller Chris Morris. Regarded as the "frou-frou"…
Although Oktoberfest has been going strong for a couple of weeks, there's no better time than right now to get in all of the action. You know, it being October, and all. This weekend marks the official conclusion of…
When the U.S. announced the normalization of relations with Cuba, much attention was focused on the economic boon it would bring to the beleaguered nation. But the Caribbean's largest isle is hardly the sole benefactor. Americans now have the opportunity…
Caley Shoemaker isn't your average vodka maker. Which is fitting, because she's not making an average vodka. Hangar 1's Head Distiller, who came to the Alameda operation from the world of whiskey, is now overseeing a frenetic expansion. Over…
There's a few reasons why mezcal is frequently lauded as the "scotch of tequila.'" Elegance and complexity certainly have something to do with it. But the most obvious connection is smoke. And where there's smoke, there's fire. In the case…
Ever ahead of the curve, San Francisco was thirsty for sour beers long before they became cool. A landscape defined by adventurous drinkers allowed daring brewers to pursue a style that can easily intimidate casual consumers elsewhere. As a result,…
Ever ahead of the curve, San Francisco was thirsty for sour beers long before they became cool. A landscape defined by adventurous drinkers allowed daring brewers to pursue a style often intimidating to the casual consumer. As a result,…
To any grown adult with respectable taste buds, Sriracha hot sauce, and finely-aged whiskey are high on the list of life's finest flavors. So for the two to collide into one mouth-watering mashup seems beyond sensible, but inevitable. Yet…
The Mai Tai is an often misunderstood mixer. The Polynesian mashup of rum, Curacao liqueur, orgeat, and lime juice has long been associated with parasols and faraway beaches requiring more SPF 45 than any San Franciscan would ever own.…
As thirsty as San Francisco is for bourbon, the overwhelming majority of the liquor is imported from Kentucky and Tennessee, where centuries-old traditions are never threatened. But a new wave of Bay Area distilleries is figuring out ways to honor…
The middle of August signals the approach of yet another exciting season of NFL football. This year, it also marks the first anniversary of chef Michael Mina's Bourbon Steak at Levi's Stadium. To celebrate the occasion, the restaurant —…
Precious, little lambs. They are so cuddly and adorable. And delicious! But as one of the world's most heavily consumed meats, lamb is surprisingly underrepresented on American dinner plates. Seeking to change that, the American Lamb Board (yes, that's…
There's that age-old adage about moderation: the whole "marathon, not a sprint" thing. While most clichés induce eye-rolling dismissal, it will behoove you to hold this one to heart as you navigate the id-filled excesses populating the Outside Lands Festival…
Our city ceaselessly lives it up to its reputation for innovation. While that flair drives an inimitable way of life, it's not exactly an atmosphere compatible with whiskey production. A notable example: Straight Bourbon and Rye. America's native spirits…
"Straight" bourbons and ryes are among the most tightly regulated spirits on the planet. To carry the term on the label, the juice inside can't contain any additives or coloring, and it must be produced from grain consisting mostly of…
Even though bottle shops dedicate increasing swaths of real estate to America's native spirit, threats of a bourbon shortage continue to loom over us. Considering the time and space necessary for proper barrel-aging, it's nothing short of a small miracle…
'Straight' bourbons and ryes are among the most tightly regulated spirits on the planet. To carry the term on the label, the juice inside can't contain any additives or coloring, and it must be produced from grain consisting mostly…
Threats of an impending bourbon shortage hang like a dark cloud over the whiskey world. Consumers have yet to see evidence of a dwindling supply, however. Quite the contrary, in fact; bottle shops seem to dedicate increasing swaths of…
Although it sounds as if it could be some ominous beast from a George R.R. Martin fantasy novel, Nyctophiliac is assuredly real. The latest release from Chico's High Water Brewing is a dark sour ale straddling the divide between…
A $125 bottle of tequila seems extravagant. A $125 bottle of Cuervo tequila seems like a joke. But Reserva De La Familia is no laughing matter. The elegantly packaged expression, made from 100 percent blue agave, and aged for…
Wes Rowe of Wes Burger fame is teaming up with LookOut in the Castro to launch Soul Delicious, a southern-infused brunch pop-up. The weekly affair will feature a rotating menu set to the soundtrack of Motown classics. Come hungry,…
Make way for the artichoke. The once underutilized flowering bud is rising to prominence in contemporary gourmet cooking, arriving unexpectedly atop Mexican cheese plates, with fried eggs in pasta, and subbing for meat in savory vegan offerings. It's even…
Sub Pop recording artists 'clipping.' brought their brand of noise-driven experimental hip hop to the closing night of 2016's San Francisco Electronic Music Fest this past Sunday. The packed Brava Theater hosted an initially seated crowd that ended the night jumping and dancing against the front of the stage. The trio performed a set focused on their recently released Sci-Fi Horror concept album, 'Splendor & Misery', then delved into their dancier and more aggressive back catalogue, and recent single 'Wriggle'.
Opening performances included local experimental electronic duo 'Tujurikkuja' and computer music artist 'Madalyn Merkey.'"
