The history of your beer
Twelve tours of Bay Area food and drink manufacturers

1. Anchor Steam Brewery Brewed in San Francisco since 1896, Anchor Steam beer is way more San Franciscan than Rice-a-Roni. Make reservations three to six weeks in advance. Tour: two hours. Taste: a sample of each beer, from lightest to strongest; seconds offered upon request. Mon.-Fri., 1 p.m., 1705 Mariposa, S.F. Free. (415) 863-8350.

2. Anheuser-Busch Brewery If Budweiser is the King of Beers, then this is its palace. Tour: 45 minutes. Taste: two 10-ounce samples. Tues.-Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (on the hour), 3101 Busch Dr., Fairfield. Free. (707) 429-7595.

3. Beach Chalet Brewery and Restaurant The somewhat pricey tours of the brewery at this historic landmark are lead by the brew master. By appointment only. Tour: 45 minutes. Taste: sample any (and we recommend all) of 7 to 10 beers. 1000 Great Highway, S.F. $125 for a group of up to 10. (415) 386-8439.

4. Bison Brewing Co. Visitors touch and taste the raw ingredients of beer at this organic Berkeley brewery. By appointment only. Tour: 30 to 45 minutes. Taste: four to six six-ounce samples. 2598 Telegraph, Berk. Free. (510) 812-5996.

5. Herman Goelitz Jelly Belly Factory Learn what separates the 'Belly from the bean. Tour: 35 minutes. Taste: a small bag of Jelly Bellies. Daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (every 15 minutes), 2400 N. Watney Way, Fairfield. Free. (707) 428-2838.

6. Marin French Cheese Factory Bring your own Two Buck Chuck and crackers to complement the samples. Tour: 15 minutes. Taste: free samples. Wed.-Thurs., 10 a.m.-noon (on the hour), 7500 Red Hill Rd., Petaluma. Free. 1-800-292-6001.

7. Pyramid Ale House Tours are led by the bartenders. Tour: 45 minutes. Taste: up to four three-ounce samples. Mon.-Fri., 5:30 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 2 and 4 p.m., 901 Gilman, Berk. Free. (510) 528-9880.

8. San Francisco Brewing Co. This North Beach brewery's beer is unpasteurized and unfiltered, requiring that it always be served fresh. Reservations recommended. Tour: 30 minutes. Taste: pay as you go. Mon.-Fri., 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., 155 Columbus, S.F. Free. (415) 434-3344.

9. Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker You don't need a golden ticket to take this tour. Reservations strongly recommended. Tour: one hour. Taste: free samples. Daily, 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 and 3:30 p.m., 914 Heinz, Berk. Free. (510) 981-4066, www.scharffenberger.com/factory/onsite_tour.html.

10. Speakeasy Ales and Lagers Home of Prohibition Ale, Big Daddy IPA, Untouchable Pale Ale, and more. Call ahead to schedule. Tour: one hour. Taste: four to five six-ounce samples. Usually Friday afternoons, 1195 Evans, S.F. Free. (415) 642-3371.

11. Takara Sake Takara features a museum rather than an actual tour, but visitors can watch sake production from a window. Taste: choose from the tasting-room selection; refrain from sake bombing. Daily, noon-6 p.m., 708 Addison, Berk. Free. (510) 540-8250.

12. Thirsty Bear Brewery There's no formal schedule, but if brewers are available, they can lead tours, usually on weekdays. Call ahead and ask for a manager. Taste: one- to two-ounce samples of the brewery's nine beers. Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 661 Howard, S.F. Free. (415) 974-5624.