Laughing Monk Brewing Is Officially Open To Pour Bayview Its Beers

Homebrewing is so hot right now. Exhibit A: this upcoming Bernal Heights brewery. Exhibit B: Laughing Monk Brewing, started by home brewers Andrew Casteel and Aaron Hicks, is open as of Thursday, March 17. There are currently four beers on tap (an American coffee stout, a hoppy American pale ale, a fruity Belgian dubbel and a chamomile golden ale), but there is capacity for up to 16 taps, so that number will rapidly grow as Casteel and Hicks brew more varieties. For now, there’s no food, but Azalina’s Malaysian will soon deliver from its commercial kitchen nearby.

Down in Bayview, the 32-seat space has a mural from local artist Shawn Mullen of Imprint.City. The plan is for the California-Belgian crossover beer brand to be fully up and running by April 23, at which time there will be lots of events. The current space allows for a maximum production of six thousand barrels, so it will remain a boutique brewery. Until then, in honor of its St. Patrick's Day opening, there will be corned beef sliders, nachos with a stout cheese sauce and beer on offer tonight.