This article is based on information as of March 2026, fact-checked using real data from Untappd, BeerAdvocate, the official website, and Antenna America.

San Francisco is home to world-renowned craft beer breweries like Almanac Beer Co. Since its founding in 2013, Cellarmaker Brewing Company has stood out with its philosophy of “never brewing the same beer twice,” releasing new flavors on a near-weekly basis.
On Untappd, they’ve earned a 4.06/5 rating (619,439 check-ins), while on BeerAdvocate they hold a 4.17/5 (4,803 ratings). Their barleywine offerings Works & Days and Hard Cuts have achieved an astounding Untappd 4.5.
In 2024, Nagano Trading began importing their beers, making them available in Japan through Antenna America. This article compiles real reviews from American beer geeks to thoroughly explore Cellarmaker’s appeal.
*This article covers a brewery the author has not yet visited. It is written based on real data from Untappd, BeerAdvocate, official websites, and other verified sources.
- What is Cellarmaker Brewing Company? — An Innovative Brewery from SF
- What American Beer Geeks Are Saying — Review Roundup
- Cellarmaker Beers Available in Japan — Top 5 Recommendations
- Where to Buy & Authorized Retailers
- Cellarmaker Brewing Company’s 3 Locations Guide
- Cellarmaker’s Brewing Philosophy — “Never Brew the Same Beer Twice”
- Follow on Instagram for Latest Updates
- Google Maps — Location
- Related Recommended Articles
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q1. Where is Cellarmaker Brewing Company located?
- Q2. Can I buy Cellarmaker beers in Japan?
- Q3. What is Cellarmaker’s most popular beer?
- Q4. What is Cellarmaker’s Untappd rating?
- Q5. What is the difference between West Coast IPA and Hazy IPA?
- Q6. What beer styles does Cellarmaker specialize in?
- Q7. What is the shelf life and storage method for Cellarmaker beers?
- Summary
What is Cellarmaker Brewing Company? — An Innovative Brewery from SF
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Cellarmaker Brewing Company |
| Founded | 2013 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, California, USA |
| Locations | 3 locations (San Francisco / Oakland / Berkeley) |
| Address | 3193 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110 |
| Untappd Rating | 4.06 / 5 (619,439 check-ins) |
| BeerAdvocate Rating | 4.17 / 5 (4,803 ratings) |
| Registered Beers | 739 varieties (Untappd) |
| Official Website | cellarmakerbrewing.com |
| @cellarmakerbrewing (56K followers) | |
| Japan Distributor | Nagano Trading / Antenna America |

Cellarmaker’s greatest distinction is their free-spirited brewing style unbound by fixed lineups. While most breweries rely on flagship beers, Cellarmaker constantly experiments with new hop combinations, different barrel aging techniques, and new yeast strains every week.
They also consistently use West Coast fermentation yeast rather than English yeast. This produces a clean, dry finish that maximizes hop character. They excel at DDH (dry hopping techniques) and dank flavor expression, making them irresistible for hop lovers.
What American Beer Geeks Are Saying — Review Roundup
Untappd Ratings
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Brewery Average Score | 4.06 / 5 |
| Total Check-ins | 619,439 |
| Unique Users | 86,041 |
| Registered Beers | 739 varieties |
| Monthly Check-ins | Approx. 3,491 (last 4 weeks) |
| Community Awards | 🥇 13 / 🥈 15 / 🥉 15 |
Untappd Top Beers
| Beer Name | Style | Untappd Rating | Check-ins |
|---|---|---|---|
| Works & Days | American Barleywine | 4.50 / 5 | 1,080 |
| Hard Cuts | Barleywine | 4.50 / 5 | 833 |
| Black Meridian | Imperial Stout | 4.50 / 5 | — |
| Steal Your Dreams | English Barleywine | 4.40 / 5 | 140 |
| DDH: Daily Dank Hops | New England / Hazy IPA | 4.30 / 5 | 182 |
| Shifted Universe | New England / Hazy IPA | 4.20 / 5 | 154 |
| Coffee and Cigarettes | Smoked Coffee Porter | 4.00 / 5 | 5,305+ |

BeerAdvocate Ratings
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Brewery Average Score | 4.17 / 5 |
| Registered Beers | 346 varieties |
| Total Reviews | 4,803 |
BeerAdvocate Individual Beer Scores
| Beer Name | BA Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee and Cigarettes | 95 / 100 (Outstanding) | 279 |
| The Glow | 92 / 100 | 67 |
| Smell The Colors | 90 / 100 | 35 |
| Hard Cuts | 90 / 100 | 14 |

TripAdvisor & Local Reviews
On TripAdvisor, glowing reviews such as “My Favorite Brewery in SF” and “Amazing Beer!!!” abound. The most common comments include:
- “The hoppy beers are always fresh, and the tap list changes every week”
- “It’s a small taproom, but the beer quality is undoubtedly top-tier in SF“
- “The IPAs and pale ales are consistently excellent, and Coffee & Cigarettes is a must-drink“
- “They recently started serving Detroit-style pizza, and the beer pairing is amazing“
On Yelp (Berkeley location), 656 photos and 486 reviews have been posted, demonstrating strong support from Bay Area craft beer fans.
Cellarmaker Beers Available in Japan — Top 5 Recommendations
In 2024, Nagano Trading began importing Cellarmaker beers, making them available through Antenna America‘s online shop. While the lineup constantly rotates, as of March 2026, over 20 varieties are available.
1. Coffee and Cigarettes — Flagship Smoked Coffee Porter
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Style | Smoked Coffee Porter |
| ABV | 7.7% |
| Price (Japan) | ¥1,980 (473ml can) |
| Untappd | 4.0 / 5 (5,305+ check-ins) |
| BeerAdvocate | 95 / 100 (Outstanding) |
Cellarmaker’s signature beer. Built on a British malt base with a touch of German smoked malt, it uses generous amounts of South American coffee beans from San Francisco’s popular roaster Sightglass Coffee. The smoky and bitter coffee aromas harmonize beautifully in this complex brew. A BeerAdvocate score of 95 places it among the top-rated porters anywhere.
2. Mo’ Simcoe WCIPA — Classic West Coast IPA
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Style | West Coast IPA |
| ABV | 6.9% |
| Price (Japan) | ¥1,895 (473ml can) |
A dank West Coast IPA loaded with Simcoe hops. This is Cellarmaker’s West Coast fermentation yeast at its finest — a clean, dry body that lets Simcoe’s pine resin and citrus notes shine. Also recommended for fans of West Coast Brewing.
3. Alien Lifeform Hazy IPA — Tropical Hazy
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Style | Hazy IPA |
| ABV | 6.8% |
| Price (Japan) | ¥1,928 (473ml can) |
A DDH-style Hazy IPA created by combining experimental new hops with classic varieties. Features juicy tropical fruit aromas. A must-try for fans of Other Half Brewing and Trillium Brewing Hazy IPAs.
4. Nelson Galaxy Hazy WCIPA — NZ Hop Magic
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Style | Hazy West Coast IPA |
| ABV | 6.8% |
| Price (Japan) | ¥1,928 (473ml can) |
A Hazy × West Coast hybrid using New Zealand-grown Nelson Sauvin and Galaxy hops. White wine-like floral aromas coexist with the crisp, dry finish characteristic of West Coast styles. Cellarmaker’s NZ hop series (Mt. Nelson, Mt. Cook, Abel Tasman) have all earned high ratings.
5. Abel Tasman NZ Pils — Hop-Forward NZ Pilsner
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Style | NZ Pilsner |
| ABV | 5.2% |
| Price (Japan) | ¥1,827 (473ml can) |
A beer that showcases Cellarmaker’s skill beyond IPAs. This NZ Pilsner, also reviewed by Craft Beer & Brewing magazine, features refreshing aromas of white grape and gooseberry from Nelson Sauvin hops. At ABV 5.2%, it’s easy-drinking and perfect for a refreshing break from IPA fatigue.

Where to Buy & Authorized Retailers
Cellarmaker Brewing Company’s beers are imported to Japan by Nagano Trading, which began distribution in 2024. Individual consumers can purchase through the following channels.
Antenna America (Official EC Site)
An American craft beer specialty online store operated by Nagano Trading. As of March 2026, over 20 Cellarmaker beers are available. Prices range from ¥1,570 to ¥2,120 for 473ml cans.
👉 Antenna America — Cellarmaker Brewing Products
Rakuten & Amazon
Searching for “Cellarmaker” on Rakuten or Amazon may yield some retailers. However, stock is limited and availability varies. We recommend checking early if you’re interested.
Limited quantities available — don’t miss out!
Cellarmaker Brewing Company’s 3 Locations Guide
Cellarmaker operates 3 locations across the San Francisco Bay Area. Each offers a taproom and Detroit-style pizza, serving freshly brewed beer alongside food.
San Francisco — Mission St (Flagship)
The flagship location in the Mission District. Features Detroit-style pizza and a full food menu for beer pairing.
📍 3193 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Oakland / Berkeley
The East Bay locations. The Oakland store in the Jack London district has earned 192 photos and 90 reviews on Yelp. It offers Detroit-style pizza and bar pies with 13 taps in an open, inviting space.
📍 300 Webster St, Oakland, CA (Berkeley: 940 Parker St)

Cellarmaker’s Brewing Philosophy — “Never Brew the Same Beer Twice”
Cellarmaker Brewing Company’s defining feature is that they have no fixed production schedule. Their official website states: “It has always been our goal to keep your taste buds intrigued by constantly producing different flavors.”
This philosophy manifests in the following approaches:
- Weekly new flavor releases: Rather than depending on fixed lineups, they constantly explore new combinations
- Experimental hop usage: Skillfully combining newly developed hop varieties with classics to create unprecedented flavors
- Barrel aging diversity: Long-term maturation programs using bourbon and wine barrels
- Consistent use of West Coast yeast: Maintaining a clean base while maximizing hop character
This approach is reflected in their staggering 739 varieties registered on Untappd. Alongside innovative California breweries like Green Cheek Beer Co., their relentless pursuit of new flavors has earned high praise from American beer geeks.
Follow on Instagram for Latest Updates
Stay up to date with Cellarmaker Brewing Company’s latest releases on their official Instagram, which has over 56,000 followers.
Google Maps — Location
You can find Cellarmaker Brewing Company’s flagship location (Mission St, San Francisco) on the Google Maps below.
Related Recommended Articles
If you’re interested in Cellarmaker Brewing Company, you may also enjoy these articles.
- 🏆 Green Cheek Beer Co. — California’s Most Exciting Brewery with 4 WBC2023 Medals
- 🍺 Other Half Brewing Co. — East Coast’s #1 DDH IPA Brewery (Untappd 4.21)
- 🌿 Trillium Brewing Company — RateBeer World #3 Hazy IPA Masters
- 🔥 Hop Butcher For The World — Chicago’s Ultra-Popular IPA Brewery
- 📖 DDH & TDH Beer Complete Guide — From Basics to Advanced Dry Hopping
- 🌲 What is Dank? — A Deep Dive into Craft Beer’s “Dank” Aromas
- 🇯🇵 West Coast Brewing — World-Class WCIPA from Shizuoka, Japan
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Where is Cellarmaker Brewing Company located?
Cellarmaker Brewing Company is a craft beer brewery founded in 2013 in San Francisco, California, USA. They currently operate taprooms at 3 locations: San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkeley.
Q2. Can I buy Cellarmaker beers in Japan?
Yes, Nagano Trading has been the official Japanese importer since 2024. Over 20 varieties are available on Antenna America (antenna-america.com). Prices range from ¥1,570 to ¥2,120 for 473ml cans.
Q3. What is Cellarmaker’s most popular beer?
“Coffee and Cigarettes” (Smoked Coffee Porter, ABV 7.7%), which earned 95 points on BeerAdvocate, is their flagship beer. It has over 5,305 check-ins on Untappd and features a distinctive smoky coffee flavor. For barleywines, “Works & Days” and “Hard Cuts” hold an extraordinary Untappd rating of 4.5/5.
Q4. What is Cellarmaker’s Untappd rating?
Their brewery average on Untappd is 4.06/5, with 619,439 total check-ins and 86,041 unique users. 739 beer varieties are registered, and they’ve won 13 gold, 15 silver, and 15 bronze community awards.
Q5. What is the difference between West Coast IPA and Hazy IPA?
West Coast IPA is clear with prominent bitterness and a dry finish, featuring pine resin and citrus hop flavors. Hazy IPA has a cloudy appearance with juicy tropical fruit flavors and subdued bitterness. Cellarmaker excels at both styles and even produces a hybrid “Hazy West Coast IPA.” For more details, see our DDH Complete Guide.
Q6. What beer styles does Cellarmaker specialize in?
West Coast IPA, Hazy IPA, Barleywine, and Smoked Coffee Porter receive particularly high ratings. They consistently use West Coast yeast to maximize hop character, with a track record of brewing over 739 varieties spanning from NZ Pilsners to Barleywines.
Q7. What is the shelf life and storage method for Cellarmaker beers?
IPA and pale ale styles are best consumed fresh, so drink them as soon as possible after purchase. Refrigerated storage (around 4°C) is recommended. Barleywine styles (such as Works & Days and Hard Cuts) are barrel-aged and can be cellared for aging under proper conditions. Check each product’s official description for specific guidance.
Summary

Cellarmaker Brewing Company is an innovative San Francisco microbrewery that has created over 739 varieties of beer. Under their philosophy of “never brewing the same beer twice,” they continue to release new flavors weekly, maintaining a standout presence in the American craft beer scene.
Since 2024, Nagano Trading has been importing their beers to Japan, making them easily accessible through Antenna America. Experience world-class flavors like the BeerAdvocate 95-point “Coffee and Cigarettes” and the Untappd 4.5-rated “Works & Days” right here in Japan.

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