What’s the dill with pickles and drinks?
It’s not simply the rise of the pickleback – a dive-bar favourite combining a shot of bourbon adopted by a shot of pickle juice that has been rising in reputation since its reported 2006 invention. Pickles appear to be having a second, popping up more and more in and close to our drinks.
Pickle juice has lengthy been a cult favourite of endurance athletes, a few of whom swear by its cramp-prevention powers (although the information is much less conclusive). Then, this previous April Idiot’s Day, the development went mainstream at company meals chains. Popeyes debuted chilled and slushy variations of its pickle lemonade, a surprisingly refreshing drink, candy with a cool bread-and-butter pickle tang to it. And Dutch Bros. joined in, launching a short-lived pickleback Insurgent power drink.
In the present day, although, you don’t have to go to your nearest Popeyes or chug a dive bar pickleback to get your pickle repair (although you’re definitely welcome to). Strive these two Bay Space bars specializing in pickles — and fermented items extra broadly — as an alternative.
Little Hen, Oakland
A bird-themed bar? Whose solely meals is “custom pickles”? Positive, why not — it’s Oakland.
In November, Little Hen opened downtown within the former spot of the dirty treasure, Radio Bar. The late-night operation has up to date the dive with main colours that recall the plumage of macaws. There are additionally hanging, handmade chicken cages, and hidden all through the area birds painted in hidden locations like a “visual scavenger hunt,” in accordance with Jennifer Seidman, proprietor of Berkeley’s Acme Bar & Firm.
Seidman consulted on the bar’s redesign for brand new homeowners Alfredo Botello, Trevor Latham and Tim Tolle. People who’ve been to Acme may recall Seidman’s penchant for pairing whiskey with picklebacks. The briny theme is sustained at Little Hen, whose meals choices are pickles from Golden State Pickle Works. (Clients may also usher in their very own grub.)
Pickles permeate the menu, showing as garnishes and mixers with pickle juice. There are plans for to-go pickles and a complimentary happy-hour pickle bar.
Little Hen serves craft cocktails, native beer, California wine and zero-proof choices that embrace a “Green Roots” with inexperienced bean-rutabaga brine and fish sauce and a “Caesar Caesar!” with Clamato, yellow pepper-brine, lemon and Worcestershire. The cocktails are — bucawk! — themed round avian species, like a “Birds Of Paradise” with gin or vodka, pomegranate liqueur and lime cordial and a “Murder” (of crows) that’s a martini made black with squid ink.
The bar has a mezzanine that may be reserved for teams of 15 or extra, without cost, and in addition a cheerful hour day by day from 4-6 p.m. Maybe a callback to its divey historical past, there are additionally beer-and-shot specials for $10.
Particulars: Open each day from 4 p.m.-2 a.m. at 435 thirteenth St., Oakland; littlebirdbar.com.
Fox Story Fermentation Venture, San Jose
If you stroll by way of the doorways of San Jose’s Fox Story Fermentation Venture, two phrases that spring to thoughts are pleasant and funky. The comfortable, colourful area, decked out in work by native artists, pairs inventive beers with an array of fermented concoctions, together with a number of kimchi and sauerkraut varieties.
Plant-forward menu gadgets abound, just like the hearty and filling funk bowl ($17), that includes purple jasmine rice, seasonal greens, black chickpeas, avocado and one of many store’s signature ferment choices. (Notice: Fermentation is one methodology of pickling an ingredient; the opposite is soaking it in vinegar.)
House owners Wendy and Felipe Bravo opened their nanobrewery in 2022, and since then have served up an array of inventive craft brews, together with their flagships: Viva Cultura, a Floriani crimson corn lager, and a West Coast pilsner referred to as Hell Yeah, Brother! Their rotating faucets showcase their experimental facet, from Whirling Wind, a Berliner Weisse-style bitter ale brewed with African fonio grain, to Unfastened Leaf, a farmhouse ale made with fig leaves and osmanthus flowers.
They’ve additionally received a big selection of mocktail, tea and kombucha choices on provide — together with sips just like the Cucurbit Contemplation ($10), made with sage tea, lemon juice and fermented Blue Hubbard squash syrup; and Rosie’s Margarita ($8), mixing hibiscus, fermented nopales syrup, damiana and lime.
Particulars: Open from noon-9 p.m. Wednesday and Sunday and noon-10 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. at 30 E. Santa Clara St., Suite 120, San Jose; foxtalefermentationproject.com.
