Formerly known as the Westbrae Biergarten, Headlands Brewing is an outdoor beer garden with casual food options. It is open as of June 21, 2024.
The Berkeley taproom and beer garden, located on Gilman Street, features Headlands’ own brand of craft beers, as well as a rotating selection of sours, hazy IPAs, and more. The team reports plans to offer guest beers and local wines and cider, too. Executive Chef Jose Gonzales (previously The Cooperage, 4505 Meats, Jupiter) has designed the menu, with family-friendly fare such as sausages, hot pretzels, smash burgers, and tacos.
How it works: Everything is outdoors. You order at the counter and they bring your food out to you. (In the future, ordering is planned to be handled by QR code from your seat.)
“Berkeley has a rich tradition of embracing craft beer and wine, and we’re excited to contribute to that tradition with our beloved lineup of beer and our food program, as well as our commitment to community engagement,” said Austin Sharp, a Berkeley dad and CEO of Headlands Brewing.
What we like:
- Family-friendly – tons of strollers, babes in arms, and toddlers running around the place. Plus there’s stroller (and bike) parking in the rear.
- Plenty of seating – picnic tables, lawn chairs, high chairs, and a fake grassy area for small children to play while the parents enjoy dinner.
- Gated with only one open entrance so you don’t have to watch multiple exits while your child runs around.
- Umbrellas for when it’s hot, heaters for when it’s cold, and fire pits.
- Bathrooms
- Sporting Events. Soccer, the Olympics, and other events that attract a spectator crowd with a global vibe are shown on the TVs.
- Beer.Â
- Easily accessible. We walked, but you could bike, and there’s plenty of free neighborhood parking.
- Trains! If your kid is train-obsessed like my toddler, it’s on the BART path.
- Kid Zone A small turfed alcove is a special invitation for small guests to hang out
Maybe we’ll see you there!
Logistics:
Open 7 days a week | 11a – 9p
1280 Gilman St. (at Curtis), Berkeley
2 thoughts on “Headlands Brewing For Outdoor Dining or a Quick Date”
Oh my goodness. The NiMBy culture is alive and well in Berkeley alright. A little music seems fine during waking hours, but it’s not my backyard.
This place sounds amazing for families! There are so many thoughtful features like stroller parking, plenty of seating options, and a safe, gated area for kids to run around. I love that there are umbrellas for hot days, heaters for cold ones, and even fire pits. Plus, they show sports events on TV and have a great beer selection. The easily accessible location and free parking are huge bonuses. And the fact that it’s on the BART path is perfect for train-obsessed toddlers. The Kid Zone sounds like a fantastic touch too!