Great beer, service and true brewery ambience. Provides excellent Pita chips with healthy dips too.

I ride in from Fremont regularly on my motorcycle and usually stop here for a pint or two. I've always enjoyed the service, which is why I keep coming back. Today was a different experience. I walked in around 6:40 behind two other customers. They were served while I waited, and after a few minutes I was told they couldn't serve me a single pint because they were closing out tabs. The brewery was still open at the time, which made the interaction a bit confusing. Unfortunately that experience left me feeling unwelcome. The beer is decent, but the friendly service is what usually brought me back. I hope this was just an off day, but there are many breweries around where customers feel a bit more welcomed. read more

Came here last weekend for their craft fair, and enjoyed a nice hazy IPA and a my wife had a nice sour. We also had great wings & fried pickles from Worlds Fried Chicken which doesn't seem to have their own Yelp page. And got to see some adorable pups up for adoption. We hung out in the industrial side parking lot where the fried chicken was. The tap room up front looked nice and cozy, but the fried chicken was calling. read more

Narrative Fermentations - The back patio, with fried chicken. No wait them are fried pickles! - Breweries Near Me - San Jose, California

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Good beer. Enjoyed the pita chips and hummus as well. This place had a cool vibe with a nice beertender wearing a "No Nazis" pin. :)

We don't often frequent South Bay, but being familiar with the local beer scene, I was well aware of Narrative Fermentation's reputation of the best brewery in San Jose (and immediate vicinity). So on a recent day-trip we stopped by to check it out. Located in an industrial strip mall, parking is somewhat cramped, but adequate. The front of the large room is dominated by a large bar with good selection of fresh craft styles. Being the first-timer I went with a 5 beer flight-but since the tasters are served on a large paddle-you can get up to 8. The back of the space is reserved for the brewery, but there is also a good amount of guest seating available in that area as well. They also have a small music stage and the band was just about to come on when we got in. Since it was a nice fall day, the back door was open with more seating on the patio outside and a food truck/tent going full steam (think it was BBQ that day, so maybe full smoke would be a more appropriate term). As for the beer, I've had multiple NF collabs in the past and they were all solid. Their own selection is not far from it. Out of the 6 beers we've tried (5 tasters and a michelada), the consensus is that NF lives up to the reputation, especially with hoppier beers. Since their 5th Anniversary just happened recently, I also had to try the special "pastry" stout they released for their birthday, appropriately called 5th Chapter. Out of the beers I've had at NF this was easily my favorite, even though I usually stick to WC IPAs. With a lot of space for seating, 8 beer flights offered, food on premises, live bands, and good service; Narrative Fermentations gets 5 stars from me. Even if San Jose is not a craft beer city, NF saves the day. read more

Went here before a soccer game with a friend. They make some tasty beers. They have seating in the front of the business which is A/C and they have seating in the back where they brew their beer. There is no A/C back there but lots of additional seating. They sometimes have food trucks or food vendors behind the brewery that can be accessed by walking through the brewery and out the back roll up door. Nothing too fancy in regard to the ambiance. Just solid brews. read more

Narrative Fermentations - Breweries Near Me - San Jose, California

I was feeling like getting drunk and drowning myself in grief and walked into this bar. The beer selection was good. The bartender cut me off appropriately. The bar was dim enough for me to hide my tears, but bright enough to show off my fit. Snazzy bar. read more

Narrative Fermentations - Breweries Near Me - San Jose, California

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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! read more

Narrative Fermentations - Sour - Breweries Near Me - San Jose, California

Love having a food truck (burgers!) parked right behind the brewery where you can enjoy both burgers and brew in an open-space environment welcoming dogs, kids, and laughter! Bring in the vibes, baby! It's an expansive-enough menu to give you what you like and try something different. They even had a slush! I enjoyed the nitro coffee beer - looks like Guinness but without the heavy after-taste! It's a very spacious environment with decent seating mostly for small groups but there are 2 tables big enough for a bigger group, and some more in the front! Only downside I wish they provided was a bit of board games, but it makes for a nice environment just to socialize and catch up with folks. read more

We weren't the only ones waiting outside for them to open, that's how good they are! They have something for just about every taste, sour, hazy, IPA, porter, you name it. The four of us all ordered something different and none of us were disappointed. We sat inside since they had the a/c on but there was plenty of seating around this place. Staff were helpful in making suggestions and allowing small samples. They are family friendly, although I personally don't care for the new trend of bringing your toddler/infant to a brewery. Not a knock against the brewery by any means, they're there to make money and maybe it works for them. More of a knock against society's new norm I guess. So, bring everyone down here and have a tasty afternoon pour! read more

Love the selection and especially the blueberry sour. Smash burgers and pizza are amazing. Super chill and great service

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. read more

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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! read more

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They had a Birria food truck in the back that was actually bangin. Birria can be big time hit or miss. Went there for the shark sour, one of the best I've had. Servers were nice, offered samples. Ambiance is nice, industrial area. Live music on a Sunday. No complains read more

Narrative Fermentations - Dogs allowed inside/out - Breweries Near Me - San Jose, California

We were in San Jose and this place is awesome. Cute decor, the bartenders were amazing and easily answered any questions about the beers. PB&J sour was absolutely delicious, would definitely gladly return when in San Jose. read more

Narrative Fermentations - Sour and hazy - Breweries Near Me - San Jose, California

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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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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Our favorite place to have beer. Casual atmosphere. Usually there's a food truck for eating a light meal.

Beer is good. I liked their Hazy IPA. Brewery was nice place to hang out. They have a food popup. read more

Narrative Fermentations - Flight of beers - Breweries Near Me - San Jose, California

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. read more

Narrative Fermentations - Michelada! - Breweries Near Me - San Jose, California

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My brother, Rick and I were invited here by our niece, Emmy Cat to meet her fiancé. We had not been here before and Emmy Cat said the brews were amazing. Rick and I, being long time beer drinkers, could hardly wait to try out some IPA 's and Porters. I think the Harbinger IPA was my favorite and Rick liked one of the porters. It was a very interesting place. The bar was well designed with a large listing of all the different brews on the wall behind. The bar tender was accommodating and friendly, allowing us to sample before deciding. Prices were reasonable and the beers were exceptional!! I will go back there again soon. It's a great place to bring a friend or a date. The food vendor set up in the parking lot in front makes great sandwiches also! I highly recommend Narrative Fermentations!! read more

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! read more

Narrative Fermentations - Breweries Near Me - San Jose, California

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! read more

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 truck 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. read more

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. read more

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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. read more

Narrative Fermentations - Inside - Breweries Near Me - San Jose, California

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. read more

Narrative Fermentations - Breweries Near Me - San Jose, California

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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! read more

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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. read more

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! read more

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. read more

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. read more

Narrative Fermentations - Froots sour and Alpha 5 Hazy IPA are my faves on tap! - Breweries Near Me - San Jose, California

Went for a comedy show and they had some good brews to go with the laughs. I really appreciate the help to find something I enjoyed drinking. Would go again read more

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! read more

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----- read more

Narrative Fermentations - One two one two - Breweries Near Me - San Jose, California

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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. read more

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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. read more

Narrative Fermentations - Breweries Near Me - San Jose, California

Brought my friends here to taste the beers. Bartenders were quite polite. Allowed tastes and poured us a flight. Big welcoming and clean space. Wish they had more than one bathroom. would recommend and return. read more

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! read more

Narrative Fermentations - Froooot Slushie - Breweries Near Me - San Jose, California

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