When Dave McLean was building out his brewery in San Francisco’s Haight Street neighborhood sixteen years ago, he had to use a shoehorn to fit brewing equipment into the basement. Most of the well-known manufacturers refused to even work with him after seeing the usable space. It’s small, very small. Thanks to Brian Hunt of Moonlight Brewing, Dave ultimately sourced his seven-barrel system from Sonoma County and Magnolia Pub & Brewery was born.
Most people don’t have a clue that a brewery lies beneath the cozy pub, unless you visit during lunch and malty air is pouring through the floor vent and fogging up the windows on brew days. It’s nice a treat during the winter months. Another subtle hint is the occasional vibration running through the floor, which I assume is emanating from the cold cellar you see above.