#Cornerstone berkeley full

There is also a special eight-tap bar system set up on the patio that Popov said will be perfect for tap takeovers. Photo: Marcell Turnerįood will be available in the large dining area that includes several long, tall tables that can accommodate large parties, or on the back patio/beer garden area complete with two massive fire pits. The back patio area at Cornerstone contains two large fire pits and space for breweries to hold tap takeover events. It will also serve macaroni and cheese balls, which will be baked in a Turbo Chef oven instead of being fried, Paula Deen style. Popov and Hoff described it as “rustic comfort food that tastes good with beer.” Think - pot pie, ribs, meatloaf and vegetarian lasagna. Speaking of food, Cornerstone’s menu will be fairly simple. Beer is food, so it needs to taste good.” “I’m happy to work with craft beer folks that know more because, unless you have that trained palate, it’s hard to do craft beer correctly. “I learned a lot at Pappy’s,” Popov said. (Larger companies, like Budweiser, will often clean the lines when they deliver beers, according to Popov.) Before that, Popov didn’t know that beer bars often have to be responsible for cleaning out their own lines that bring the beer from the keg to the tap, as smaller breweries don’t have the capacity to do so when they deliver their beers. His experience bringing in craft beer at his Telegraph Avenue bar, Pappy’s Grill, was also instructional. One of Popov’s “beer guys” even drove down to San Diego recently to pick up several kegs of one-offs and special beers from places like Abnormal Beer Company, which are usually harder to find in the East Bay. It even offers Abita root beer on tap which is, according to Hoff, the “best root beer I’ve ever had. In addition to Cornerstone, Richard has developed the beer lists at Portal, Philomena Pizza and Rosamunde.Ĭornerstone is pouring everything from Fieldwork IPAs and Faction pale ale to Council Beatitude tart saison and Harmonic Brewing‘s English ale made with Marasca cherries. Popov added that he’s been grateful for the help he’s gotten from Michael Richard, who has worked at Øl Beercafe in Walnut Creek and currently runs a company, Liquid Curations, that helps with beer list curation.

#Cornerstone berkeley full

Photo: Cornerstone/FacebookĬornerstone does have a full liquor license and some of the drink offerings Popov is most excited about are high-end boilermakers featuring whiskey and beer pairings. He’s also planning to stock beer magazines around the bar for perusing. Many beers, much of them lower in ABV, or alcohol, are available by the pitcher. In addition to bringing in certified cicerones (sommeliers for beer) to work at the restaurant, Popov has taught his bartenders about tasting beers and identifying off-tastes, so they’re as knowledgable as possible for his guests. “We want people who don’t know much to be able to come here and ask questions and educate themselves if they want,” said Popov. The aim, both Popov and Hoff said, is to keep the beer program accessible. Much of Cornerstone’s 50-foot main bar is dedicated to a sprawling 42-tap beer list that is divided up into easy-to-use categories: hoppy, dark, light, tart, cider and “specialty” finds. For now, the venue area is playing host to ping pong tables, corn hole boards and a giant collection of Jenga blocks. Popov said Cornerstone has already been a draw for such serious ping pong players that they bring in their own paddles. Most shows are all ages unless otherwise stated.The larger venue space will not hold music shows until next month. When they are not hosting private events or live music the main venue space turns into a game room where guests can enjoy Ping-Pong, Corn Hole and Giant Janga. The lighting and sound system are one of the best around and help make for a great all around show. Although the main floor is mainly standing room only, the stage is set up much higher than typical club stages, which makes great viewing from anywhere in the venue. Those seats fill up quickly, so plan on getting there early if you are wanting to sit.

There is a 'U' shaped balcony above with bar stool seating all the way around. The venue space is a large open space with the stage to the left, bar to the right and minimal seating along the back wall.

Out the back is a large garden patio area with seating and fire pits to relax by. facility with two stages, a tastefully designed and decorated restaurant and bar with 42 beers on tap and plenty of seating. Hiding behind the brown facade is a 13,000 sq. in Berkeley is the Cornerstone, but it's much more than it appears from the street. Blending in with the other buildings on Shattuck Ave.