Narrative Fermentations

Brewery · Hollywood

Narrative Fermentations

Brewery · Hollywood

1

101 E Alma Ave, San Jose, CA 95112

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Narrative Fermentations by null
Narrative Fermentations by null
Narrative Fermentations by null
Narrative Fermentations by null
Narrative Fermentations by null
Narrative Fermentations by null
Narrative Fermentations by null
Narrative Fermentations by null
Narrative Fermentations by null
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Narrative Fermentations by null
Narrative Fermentations by null
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Local brewery with diverse IPAs, sours, stouts, lagers  

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101 E Alma Ave, San Jose, CA 95112 Get directions

narrativefermentations.com
@narrative_fermentations

$$ · Menu

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101 E Alma Ave, San Jose, CA 95112 Get directions

+1 408 288 5181
narrativefermentations.com
@narrative_fermentations

$$ · Menu

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Aug 9, 2025

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The Bay Area’s Most Exciting Restaurant Openings - Eater SF

"A Kickstarted brewery called Native Fermentations has opened in the former Santa Clara Valley Brewery facility, the East Bay Times reports. They’ve got six beers available for takeout, four of which are IPAs." - Eve Batey

https://sf.eater.com/2020/4/13/21219319/spring-summer-restaurant-bar-openings-takeout-delivery-san-francisco-2020
View Postcard for Narrative Fermentations

Andy Rolfs

Google
Smaller brewery with some amazing beers. Interior seating options were great with bar counter, bar top tables, sit down tables and couch area. Only wish they had outdoor seating. Been drinking NF beers for years and finally got a chance to visit. Good selection of 11 IPAs, stouts, lagers, ales, Pilsners and sours. Was blown away by the PB&J sour. Grabbed another sour 4-pack to go.

Tere

Google
We discovered this spot through their peanut butter and jelly sour beer, which sadly they no longer brew. This time, we visited because my wife has gotten turned on to fresh hop IPAs, which are hard to find because they require that the hops be added within 24 hours after being picked. My wife liked hers and they had enough non-IPA beers for me. The beers were good. I would prefer a bit more variety, such as some sours, or dark ales, or more than one stout, but I can only drink two beers at the most anyway. The bartender said they are going to release a sour soon, so we'll check back for that. What made it one of my most enjoyable nights out in a long time was the friendly staff and laid-back atmosphere. We brought our card games and ate good food from the food truck and listened to an interesting variety of music from a decent sound system. There was indoor seating, but we sat out in the brewery warehouse area which was open to the outdoors and had a big TV. There was also a patio area, and both it and the warehouse were pet friendly. Narrative has a Facebook page on which they post their events and food truck vendors. They appear to have a good variety throughout the week. We will definitely be back.

Amy Hunter

Google
This is my favorite brewery. Plenty of options for craft beer and they always have something going on each night. I love the food vendors and musicians they partner with

Hannah Meeks-Carrigg

Google
Visited on a Wednesday afternoon. We got a flight + 1 to try every beer they had. All were amazing and there was something for both me and my husband which was great since we have different tastes. We were hungry but they had a food truck out front that EVERYONE else ordered from and it smelled great. Wish we lived here so we could visit more!

Kevin Ten Brink

Google
Even amid a pandemic that is affecting everything we do, Narrative Fermentations provides an experience that helps you remember the way things used to be. Tasty beers, friendly staff, and a chill vibe are just what I needed in these chaotic times. 2022/12/20 Update: beers are always quite good, especially the West Coast IPAs! Very friendly staff and great food vendors rotating through. 2023/05/13 update: Getting busy enough that I think they should consider expanding the restroom situation. Currently just one unisex and there is quite frequently a line of 3 to 4 people.

Rebecca Rainbolt

Google
Very much enjoyed ourselves And the burger truck along side was delicious. Lots of space for enjoyed friends and excellent beer

DANNY LIN

Google
So glad that the brewery had opened back up. We've ordered a few samplers to try first. My favorite being the Hazy IPA. The chicken sandwich available that day was excellent and well. The ladies up front were super friendly also. Will return for sure.

Joshua Diget

Google
Absolutely awesome spot. Showed up for a collab with them,red roses premium,super smash burgers,and Tito's pizza. Everyone inside was super kind and helpful and there is sooo much seating even during reduced capacity. Will definitely be returning
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Allen V.

Yelp
Narrative Fermentation is such a gem in San Jose! Their beers taste amazing, and the overall vibe is super chill--perfect for hanging out with friends or just relaxing. There's plenty of seating for both small and large groups, which makes it great for any occasion. The service was fantastic, and the staff were super friendly and welcoming, which made the experience even better. Parking is also a breeze with spots available in both the front and back. Another highlight is the rotating food truck lineup. Be sure to check out their socials to see which food truck is there before you go! I didn't get a chance to try the Fresh Catch Poke food truck this time because I had already eaten, but now I have a great excuse to come back and explore whatever food options they have next time. Highly recommend!
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Ellen S.

Yelp
Great local spot for catching up with friends and trying interesting sours and beers. Came here on a Saturday afternoon on a whim and it was packed! It was chilly that day, but it didn't seem to stop the crowds who were in the open warehouse area where there are a lot of tables and picnic tables/benches and outdoor seating. Tried the sour which was absolutely delicious. We also ate at the food truck (will review it on their site). The location had ample parking. There's TVs as well so you can watch a game. If you do go and it's chilly, bring layers!
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Terry C.

Yelp
We discovered this spot through their peanut butter and jelly sour beer, which sadly they no longer brew. This time, we visited because my wife has gotten turned on to fresh hop IPAs, which are hard to find because they require that the hops be added within 24 hours after being picked. My wife liked hers and they had enough non-IPA beers for me. The beers were good. I would prefer a bit more variety, such as some sours, or dark ales, or more than one stout, but I can only drink two beers at the most anyway. The bartender said they are going to release a sour soon, so we'll check back for that. What made it one of my most enjoyable nights out in a long time was the friendly staff and laid-back atmosphere. We brought our card games and ate good food from the food truck and listened to an interesting variety of music from a decent sound system. There was indoor seating, but we sat out in the brewery warehouse area which was open to the outdoors and had a big TV. There was also a patio area, and both it and the warehouse were pet friendly. Narrative has a Facebook page on which they post their events and food truck vendors. They appear to have a good variety throughout the week. We will definitely be back.
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David H.

Yelp
Came here to try their Sours and it did not disappoint! Dog friendly so we took Scooby with us. Plenty of seating available and had live music in the back. We tried the Michelada since I saw a review here that said to give it a try. It was ok would prefer the real thing. Also had the Froot Sour which was great! The Shark City Sour was good as well. Definitely recommend if you're in the area! Oh and the staff gave Scooby a treat as well so that was nice!
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Shins T.

Yelp
I came on a Saturday afternoon with my fiancé and sister and we ordered 2 rounds of drinks. I ordered the Michelada ($9) both times. I liked the chamoy and tajin rim and did not mind the beer. They have ~12 beers on tap and a variety of canned beer. The crowd is definitely on the older side compared to other breweries I've visited. There are two separate sitting areas - one right by the bar that is air conditioned and the other with the barrels of beer with no A/C. There are TVs throughout and the Giants game was playing when we visited. Folks from the other tables were all wearing Giants gear so this must be a go-to viewing spot for baseball games. Service could've been friendlier, but this is a brewery after all and not a restaurant. Easy to access off of Alma. There is plenty of parking behind the building if the parking strip in front of the building is full.
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Mike S.

Yelp
Came in on a Saturday afternoon and this place is a hidden gem. Super good beers and its nice they are not all sours or IPAs. There are about 12 beers to choose from on tap, but they also have cans. They can also give you a crowler or any beer on the menu. The bar tenders are friendly and nice and it is air conditioned, but also there is a warehouse in the back where they brew and it opens up to the back lot which creates a nice breeze. There are also games and a golden tee. Parking can be tight in the front, but plenty of parking in the back... never would know this existed if not for Yelp!
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Aly A.

Yelp
I love my craft beers I'm kinda picky actually . So when in San Jose I looked up breweries near me and this one showed up highly rated and it looked good . Decided to stop by to pick up a 4 pack . They have plenty of parking it does not look like much or it would not catch your eye driving by but inside it's huge . They have plenty of seating inside . I was not sure what beers to get I asked for 2 samples and decided on a hazy can of Cosmic Bloom . They have cans to go or you can get a growler of any on tap beers . Overall this was a convenient stop for me I was able to enjoy my time with friends with a beer of my choice. Great location highly recommend.
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Danny K.

Yelp
One of the coolest local breweries in San Jose. Constantly rotating selection of creatively-imagined craft beers from Pilsners, IPA's, sours and stouts. This is both a blessing and a curse. If you find a brew that you like, chances are that it won't be available for more than a month or two. For instance, there was a rice lager that I really liked and would probably have been a signature beer for them, but they let it circulate out. Haven't seen it since. The location is south of downtown San Jose in a relatively safe area. There's plenty of parking and seating most of the time. They usually have a choice food truck such as Smashburger in the parking lot as well. They post the rotating food popup on their Instagram page. Much of the tap room is crafted out of wood, including the bar and tables. There are board games available to play with friends. It's a great spot to hang out with friends and visitors from out of town.

Maria Y.

Yelp
It sounds like an incredible spot, with something for everyone! This place is an absolute gem and a must-visit! It's a chill spot where dogs and kids are welcome, creating a relaxed and inclusive atmosphere. They offer an impressive selection of local beers with different flavors to try, and if you get hungry, there's a food truck outside with delicious options. The staff here are amazing--friendly, attentive, and make you feel right at home. You can even host events here! I celebrated my birthday here, and my son surprised me by hiring one of the DJs--it was an unforgettable night! Every first Friday of the month, they bring the best DJs from the Bay Area, including Majestic Chris from Wild 94.9, Double Barrel, and other old-school legends. The music, the vibes, and the people make it an experience like no other. If you're looking for a great time, this is the place to be. Check it out--you won't be disappointed!
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Debbie L.

Yelp
This brewery was awesome. Their sour Radiate was amazing!!!! Guava,boysenberry,Blueberry,Marshmallow & Vanilla in a beer? Such a different taste but so so good. I would give the brewery 5 stars alone simply for this beer. Cool little spot, lots of people with doggos and price was moderate not crazy expensive in my opinion.
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Audrey L.

Yelp
Narrative Fermentations was fun overall. I really enjoyed their West Coast IPA. I stopped by here on Sat night - a friend is really into craft beers & recommended this place. When I arrived, the 49ers game was on (!!). They only have 1 TV though, so just note that- it's right above the bar area. Apparently there was also a comedy show going on later that night in the patio area, but I didn't have a ticket. I really enjoyed their DIPA and liked that they offered a smaller pour (10 oz). They also have flights. The only thing though: the location is a bit strange (in a random strip mall). Also, it's a bit far from downtown (1.7 miles away) San jose.
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Rithvik R.

Yelp
Great place to get some drinks and have a good time with friends. I love taking a look at local breweries and their selection of drinks. The bartender was very friendly and offered a lot of recommendations with the local drinks to choose from. My favorite was their west coast pilsner called Microdose. All the drinks on tap were reasonably priced and I liked the selection that I had tried. They have a rotating list of food trucks hosted there for dinner and the night we went also was a trivia night. Although we placed next to last, we still had a great time!
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Monica G.

Yelp
This is a two part review due to us eating from a food truck outside. The staff was beyond friendly and I was SHOCKED to see kids. Make me so at ease my husband and best friends would be able to enjoy our food knowing kids were welcomed. The area is small the bar is on the left and then there is an eating area to the right where we sat. The bartender asked us a few questions on the types of beers we like before recommending an IPA(which was delicious) there were games to keep the kids busy. We will definitely be paying a visit soon again.
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Jiwon K.

Yelp
I think I found my new favorite brewery in San Jose! I've been here a few times and have loved all the beers I've tried so far, especially the sour. They have a variety of beers and didn't seem like they lean heavily towards one type which I loved. They appear to have pitchers on Thursdays which I've never seen at a brewery and thought it was very cool! The brewery is located in a quiet area with a good amount of parking. It doesn't seem huge when you first walk in, but there's actually a back area with ton of seating and food truck.
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Marisa V.

Yelp
My coworkers and I love coming here after work to chat and have a drink. We try to come when there's some type of food tuck happening to get a little after work meal. Plenty of seating and if the front lot is too full I'll usually park in the back. The back is usually open so you just walk to the front half to order a drink. Admittedly not a huge beer drinker so I'll usually order the hard seltzer or a more fruity beer. This time I got the the thumb dent and i really enjoyed it. The place can get kind of noisy but it's a great place to get a drink and chat with friends
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Misha T.

Yelp
Good brewery, with some interesting stuff. There's these fruity stouts that are pretty unique. The stout part is apparent in the texture but the flavor of the one I had was strawberries. Almost a beer smoothie/milkshape type deal. Oh and it tasted great if your'e in the mood for something like that!
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Jen C.

Yelp
I only came here for entertainment in the back room. There was comedy night and the back space was very big. It looked much bigger than the front house with more tables for us to sit and enjoy the entertainment. I didn't have any food so I can't comment. Overall, the space seems very welcoming but they only had one restroom so you had to wait in line sometimes.
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Emanual P.

Yelp
Nathan was so cool! I'm not a big fan of drinking but he recommended The Fruit and it was SO good! I'll definitely be back out again soon!
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Arthur T.

Yelp
Narrative Fermentations came highly recommended by my friend! I ordered the Sasquatch Feet (hazy) and my friend ordered the Bits & Pieces (West Coast Pilsner). I highly enjoyed the hazy :D definitely want to be back to try their other hazys! The space is huge. They have some seating out front, but it wasn't until we left, did I realize they had huge picnic tables in the back. Easy parking. We did come by closer to closing, so wasn't too busy. A good spot for both casual or large groups!
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Fatima B.

Yelp
this place is a gem! it's all & more of what you'd expect from a brewery. they have an array of beers, a space indoor & outdoor that allows dogs, host trivia nights, bless us with amazing food trucks (shout out to smack burgers bc they are delish!!), support local artists by having craft fairs, & the list goes on. it's a great place to spend time alone, with a buddy or a group of pals. the staff is friendly & always know how to put a smile on your face. one time i came here & was not drinking & they allowed me to bring in a boba drink which i thought was considerate (as long as there was no vodka in it lol). this place is awesome!
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Benny H.

Yelp
Pretty cool place to hang out, drink, and just sit back and relax. They have games for the kids and the beers are pretty good. They usually have some different business providing the food and this week it was Smack Burgers which was easily one of the best burgers I've ever had. Does Smack Burgers have a Yelp page because I can't find it! Any help would be appreciated. Still, the beer is good here, and it's animal friendly, so there is that. Overall, a nice little spot.
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John T.

Yelp
It's funny that as I am about to attempt to talk about this place I see things to consider, food, service, ambiance and I wonder if they have food here. I know smack burger is there on Saturday nights. But the other two I can speak about. The back seating area feels like i'm in a garage and I mean that in a good way. the service here was nice, the gentleman was friendly and not a beer snob. And of course the beer I had was great so high marks for them.
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Christopher C.

Yelp
This for their barleywine "consonance". Hella good. Savory, sweet, not bitter. I tried their barrel aged stout quintessence. It's pretty good. First had it as a can stout. It's definatley on the upper end of can stouts. Has a maple syrup flavor to it, pastry like.
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Judy H.

Yelp
Great service! Great ambiance. Very laid back and the server was friendly. No food here but the beers were nice and crisp. Definitely going to make this place one of our go tos for beer.
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Cali C.

Yelp
Great beers and great venue! The back of the brewery opens up into the backlot with picnic benches and tabletops. Board games and food vendors supplied and free play Golden tee! Always good beer and good times with the beer staff ready to help you select the tastiest grog to your liking!
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Jessica N.

Yelp
Good beers. I especially liked the sour smoothie. Initially upon entering it looks like the bar room is the only seating but if you walk past the bathroom it expands into a large room with picnic tables. Dog friendly and family friendly. Usually has a food truck on site.
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Lesly L.

Yelp
It was our first time here, my gf and I came on a Sunday afternoon and they had some nice live music and food. Some people grooving. LOVE that they're dog friendly. We got a flight even though they offered to let us taste anything. I really enjoyed all 4-5 beers we tried. The ambiance & interior was sweet and just what I was looking for-- a little lively, but not rowdy and overstimulating. The AC felt really nice too. I saw a review warning POCs but as a outward presenting lesbian latinx it felt nice and welcoming to me but I will note it was predominantly white presenting crowd with 2-4 BIPOC groups present. It was a pleasant experience so far so we'll be returning sometime.
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Jodi H.

Yelp
Love Narrative Fermentations, not only for their delicious and unique beer varieties, but also for the kid and dog-friendly inclusivity. The spirit of SCV brewing would be happy to know that y'all are taking good care of this space. I've stopped by Narrative Fermentations a few times already, both times with my dog to meet up with a smaller group. Parking and the space inside is not that much different from SCVBrewing which was the old brewery that used to be here. They have self-serve water, dog treats, and food trucks in the back if you need some grub after your drinks. They also have canned beers to go, and serve flights which is pretty great if you're one of those who like to taste it all. I LOVE their Froot slushie which is so tropical and has a gorgeous fuschia color--you can't even really taste the lactose but it is pretty rich. Their hazy IPAs are delish, and they also offer other selections from sours to DIPAs. I've never felt overly crowded here and there are so many seating options indoors and outdoors, I don't think it's ever been fully seated. I wish they had wifi, but other than that...everything about Narrative is perfectly setup for success. Can't wait to stop by Narrative in the near future.
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Lvnulwys G.

Yelp
This is my first time visiting this place with my son. I love the atmosphere, people are very friendly and very diverse. They have a local DJ well known and some live music. The beer is very good I will recommend to check it out you can bring your kids too.
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Lester F.

Yelp
Narrative Fermentation Post Covid Review... Location: located off Alma next to the Oak Grove Hall. It's literally a hole in the wall, camouflaged amongst the other commercial offices. Ambiance and decor: Super chill. Definitely not your standard brewery. As you walk in the tinted glass door, your are surprisingly welcomed into mural wall to the right and a tap bar to the right. Music played at a volume where date night doesn't involve yelling at each other, yet loud enough for people to get lost in the music Service: bomb diggity. I don't know if that's a proper adjective, but I'm still using it. Service with a smile and their knowledge of their beer on tap is refreshing. Food: None but I frequently see patrons bring food from the outside. Drink: so this is where the real review begins and will be expanded as I try new drinks. One two One two: Czech dark lager. Crisp start with a frizzy feel on the tongue. At first pour, it looks like a nice cup of expresso with a fat head of foam. Some would say it has a hint of coffee, I like to use the word toasty chestnuts with a after note of roasted almond. Yum. Highly recommend if you need a get away from downtown San Jose!!! --to be continue next visit-----
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Yashu C.

Yelp
A blissful place after a long day. Bartenders are alway amazing. Atmosphere is for You to respect and understand. Love this place.

Atharva K.

Yelp
Been here a few times. Few things that are good but a lot that bother me (people of color make sure to read): Pros: - beer is decent most of the time - it's quite cold inside, excellent on a hot day (there's also an area where there's no AC) Cons: - Staff never ever seem interested in what they're doing. I ask for a sampler and I get stared at as if I asked them to solve a differential equation. It's like the employees are always talking about some inside joke customers never get. Also pretty unhelpful with general questions I ask about the beer. - At least two employees visibly display bit of prejudice against people of color. The way they were interacting with me and my family was horrible compared to how they talk with white people. - It's pretty dark inside, leading to a bit gloomy vibe - Food truck options are extremely limited (sometimes none!) for vegetarian/vegan people. Is it that hard to request the food trucks carry a basic dish everyone can eat? Honestly would love to give a higher rating, it just seems that the staff either just sucks or they don't care.

Ashley G.

Yelp
What can I say, a local Jem of a brewery. Amazing beers, friendly service and laid back atmosphere. All the times I've been here they've had live music, which they post on their website. Some of our favorites Flight of different beers they have on tap. Favorites include "sunshine on my mind" an amazing "cherry lemonade sour with vanilla", "Frooot" a mixed fruit (pineapple, Cara Cara orange,cherry)smoothie style, "busy doing nothing" a white ale with guava, a coconut stout, "chaos, and caffeine," another type of stout, "rogue, shark", and "two birds stoned at once" are both West Coast style IPAs If you haven't been I suggest getting a flight to try up to 8 different beers they have on tap. I will definitely be back.
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Katie R.

Yelp
So many good beers! I've been a fan of Narrative Fermentation's sours for a while as I've had them at restaurant/tap houses in the area. I finally made it out to the brewery and was so impressed with everything I tried. Their beer board has great descriptors of each draft. They only had one sour when I went but had a few hazy's, an imperial porter and stout, a pale ale and a pilsner. I went with a tasting flight of the sour, half life hazy, and Presley imperial stout. Without a doubt this was the best stout I've ever had. It truly tasted like bananas and chocolate, I've never had a beer that was described so accurately. Went on a Tuesday night, it wasn't very crowded but still a few groups of people spread out. They had a food truck outside, which I believe rotates daily. This time it was Mexican food. Inside they had a cubby filled with a bunch different board games, didn't play any this time but for sure will if I go back with a bigger group in the future! Also our beer-tender was super nice! She was doing an awesome job running the show.
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Will A.

Yelp
Went to Wednesday night trivia, it was fun but the rest of the night was blahhh. Food truck outside had okay food, expensive and really bland for the price! The beers me and my group tried were okay but expected more from a local brewery. The ambience needs some work. Lighting was harsh and florescent. The real kicker came at the end of the night. Let's just say there was a mixup and we were left with a sour taste in our mouths and wont be returning. I hope the person who attended to us wasn't the owner, if it was I don't see this place lasting very long. Learn the meaning of the customer is always right and avoid having your customers in awkward and humiliating circumstances. Train your staff to do their jobs correctly, which is to serve the customer if you need a reminder. PS: Thanks to Menace II Society for trying to save face for the Brewery, wasn't your fault.
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Ken J.

Yelp
Cool place. Busier than we thought it would be. Food truck out back. We will stop by before the Cuda or seeing teams pound the SJ Giants.
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Stephany Y.

Yelp
Awesome date spot to grab a cold beer and finger food. The service is quick and efficient. Our server is flawless.
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Bandtfoodie S.

Yelp
Awesome space, great beer, and super friendly people. We went on a Saturday afternoon and it was packed. Our group had IPAs (West Coast and Hazy), a Pale Ale, a Dark Lager, a Stout, and a Sour. As usual they nailed every style of beer. The food truck out back was amazing too. We'll be back!!!!
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Miriam F.

Yelp
First time here, great variety of IPAs. We tried different ones and they were all pretty good. The staff is super nice and very friendly. Is a family and dog friendly place. They have boardgames, and big screen TVs, they also have different food vendors. We enjoyed our delicious hamburger meal from "Smack Burgers" super GOOD! Definitely a great place to hangout and have good quality IPA.
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Jocelyn P.

Yelp
A brewery that allows furry friends and children to come and hang out! Me and my bf have been coming here ever since we were trying to find a new hangout place where the vibe is very relaxing. We were searching on Yelp and found this spot that was a bit far but had many amazing reviews. We can tell why! They always have new beers made, they allow children inside their establishments, they are very dog friendly, they have board games you can enjoy, AND they have food vendors on a daily basis! The food is always spot on, the drinks are never the same they brew different beers, they serve miches during the weekend (if they do not run out of the beers they mix it with), and they are a very relaxed and fun environment. We love coming to this place and we will continue to come and support their business here! Also they do have an IG where they post all about the taps they have and which food vendor will be coming during the week!
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Stephanie G.

Yelp
Came here with my softball teammates. Really wanted to try the Froooot slushie but they ran out on a Sat night! Hella popular! U gotta come early. So I actually went the next day to try it lol. It was all our first time there. I got a flight of 5 oz pours. Loved the Frooot one. It had a smoothie consistency! Loved that! Que Onda was pretty good too. Lots of seating inside & outside. The inside ceiling towards the back looks like the insulation was falling out but idk it is an old building. Love the lil logo too. Check out the slushie!
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Jake W.

Yelp
Decent space but poor beertenders. They were slow and offer poor customer service with a bad attitude. The beers were okay and nothing to write home about.
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Nina A.

Yelp
You'd miss this place if you didn't know what you were looking for. It looks as though it is located in the middle of a strip mall, which it technically is, but in reality this place is actually huge! Dog & kid friendly as well. They have it decorated it very well, it is very clean & they follow covid protocol still which I found really cool. They have awesome beers (duh), they have a food truck as well! But be aware on the weekends it sells out quick & their might not be anything left for you (they are super popular & it is sooo yummy). This location has one ADA compliant, all-gender bathroom that was fully stocked every time I went to use it. The sitting area is very wide & inside. It side have a large 'garage door' that opens up to give a nice outside, open air, feel. There is a ton of seating for all types of gatherings; large parties of 10, or even a date night. It is a more chill place, which is why it is a good place to come with family - pets too! Bring them all :) They have zip-ups, t-shirts, & tanks for purchase that are great material (I totally snagged a zip up!) Their prices are a little higher than other breweries in the area, but the drinks are a little Vibes be forsure vibin'!
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Sirena L.

Yelp
Great beer, friendly people! We love coming here because they always have some top-notch beers on tap plus cans you can take home. When you enter, it looks like a nice little bar, and then you can go around back to a spacious warehouse area with more seating. They're also dog-friendly and often have a food truck outside and/or a vendor inside, plus some snacks for purchase. They have quite a wide variety of board games (but many of them are in disarray unfortunately by no fault of their own). TVs are available if you're trying to catch a game. And again, the people working here have always been really nice every time we've stopped by! One of our favorite breweries in SJ!
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Katrina V.

Yelp
My friend and I met at Narrative Fermentations for some beers and a playdate for our pups. We both have never been to Narrative Fermentations, but I immediately recognized that I've been to the establishment before when the former brewery was there. We were at Narrative Fermentations around 7:30pm on a Friday night and stayed until closing time. The place was considerably busy, but I was able to snag a great table by the TV in the back area that had enough space for our pups to play out of people's ways. I started off with a flight of their west coast IPAs and sours, and then I capped my night with a pint of their hazy IPA. They were all enjoyable, but the sours really stood out for me. The "Frooot" was so good that I bought some crowlers. There happened to be only 2 packs left, and I was advised to swoop on it because they'll be gone before the night's end. There was another sour that tasted like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, which was wild!
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Meredith C.

Yelp
We love this spot! They have live music on Tuesdays, great band. Air conditioned during the summer, different food vendors from pizza to beer. Sweet spot close to freeway, intimate, yummy beers!

Daniela F.

Yelp
Narrative has always been such a gem! Definitely a 5 star brewery, but unfortunately I took a star off on my review because of one of their employees. Their employee (tallish guy with white hair/beard) comes off rude at times. My friends and I love coming here!

Wilmer E.

Yelp
Love this brewery! Hole in the wall type of place. Great selection of beers and a cool atmosphere. Only downside is one of their employees (tall guy with grayish hair). Not sure if he's a manager or what but he is often rude with his fellow employees and customers.
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Dan B.

Yelp
My kind of local microbrewery!...though I wish it were more local to me. A couple of friends and I arrived at Narrative Fermentations on a recent Saturday afternoon following a hike in Calero (about 20 minutes south of here). We wanted good beer plus a little food; and NF delivered the goods (the latter via a food truck from Scratch Cookery). Chill vibe? Check! - Off the crowded main drag; easy parking; and plenty of spots to sit inside and out. (Note: The frontage has the best sun exposure but zero character; however behind-the-scenes it was all good). Friendly staff - Check. We were first served at the bar by one of the owners, who was excited to tell us about the beers. Beer quality - Double-Check! - I was very pleasantly surprised after purchasing a flight of 4 tasters. Highlights were the "Chaos & Caffeine": a delicious, smooth, imperial milk porter on nitro. Their "You Got to Pils" was a wonderfully quaffable, hopped pilsner...sooo good, and only 4.6% abv! And the "Soar like an eagle" IPA had a terrible name but a wonderful, dank, citrusy nose and flavor. I was sad they didn't have any of these in cans, but I bought a few 32 oz crowlers to take home with me. As for weaknesses, the lack of bathroom space was a big one - Just a single-room toilet & sink, so there was always a short line. And the aforementioned frontage was was way too meager - how about some canopies, or strung lights, or maybe better visual blockage from the street? Overall assessment - I'm a fan and hope to come back!