There was a lot of seating, unfortunately the bar was full so we had to take a table. It was a nice place inside and had seating outside. The sampler had 6 beers:
-Pale ale- Seemed like a weak IPA, we weren't sure if it was the wrong pour, but in the description it did say they use 3 different hops to make it.
-Amber- Ok, basic amber, got more of an aftertaste than anything else.
-Stout- It was a stout, not much chocolate until the after taste, but then it was a little bitter also.
-Raspberry wheat- This was ok, a little sweet, but has a good ras. aroma.
-Blonde- Was alright, easy to drink.
-Wheat- Again was alright, my wife thought it was the best, but she usually prefers darker stouts or Scotch ales.
My wife ordered the clam chowder which was lumpyand had no taste. She recommends skipping that. But the couple next to us got a spinach salad that looked good. I tried the Margarita pizza which was ok, nothing special.
Blueprint for a great brewpub: See Marin Brewing Company. This place looks the part so perfectly and has a ton of seating that makes it look deceptively smaller than it is.
I am always satisfied, never disappointed.
The menu looks like a typical family joint, but the food has a definite slant towards the organic, the fresh, and the local. Great prices, too.
The beer selection varies incredibly. Sometimes 4 on tap, sometimes 8. Always seasonality in the beer menu and the specials here are the stars, including the barleywine, starbrew and high octane beers. Also, one of the few breweries to really nail the fruitbeers, outstanding job on those.
I grew up in Marin so I am all too familiar with the brew co. I have mix feelings for the place. They have good beer, good food but the service is good and bad depending on who you get. Also they charge for soda refills and don't tell you. Or at least my waiter didn't tell me until I got the bill.
With that said if you like Marin Brew Co beers, then this place has the selection you want. They carry lots of their beers and have a good atmosphere. Just don't go for the service.
On our visit, there were eight house-made beers on tap - 3 Belgian-”inspired” beers and a fairly standard set of the usual craft-beer ales. We thought the IPA was special and so was the Point Reyes Porter.
The mash tun and brew kettle of the (small) brewery is visible through windows along the entry hallway. The fermenters are behind in another room but are also visible through windows. Continuing straight back is a long wooden bar with wooden stools. The rest of the room is a dining area, made up of quite a few wooden tables along the extensive windows and even more on a raised section in the middle of the main space.
The outdoor seating is in a great space in the back, away from the generous parking lot. A low fence ringed by potted plants serves as the barrier from the outdoor shopping plaza. Various good quality wood tables and chairs fill the area several tables have umbrellas. The trees in the shopping mall also provide welcome shade.
During a weekday lunch time, the bar was filled with sports fans (sports being shown on the TVs) and the outdoor seating was occupied by office workers and assorted business-types.
Food is fairly standard brewpub/restaurant fare - burgers, sandwiches, pasta, steak, and pizza - except perhaps for the addition of fruit being offered as one of the choices for sides with a burger.
Marin Brewing is located in Larkspur Landing Shopping Center, right across the road from the Golden Gate Ferry terminal. There is a good size bar with a comparable tall counter for additional seating. The adjacent dining area includes both tables and booths plus there is outside patio seating on the mall. The tap list includes a good selection of standard house brews plus seasonals and occasional guest beers. Over many visits, my favorites have included San Quentin Breakout Stout, Old Dipsea Barleywine and Point Reyes Porter.
The menu has a nice selection of unusual appetizers and entrees as well as salads, sandwiches, burgers, pasta and pizza. There is ample free parking in the lot or you can use the ferry from San Francisco or ride one of the many bus routes that feed the ferry terminal.