What follows is a list of reasons why the Rake—a new Alameda taproom from the people who brought you the first floor-malting facility in California since Prohibition—is a place that you'll want to take some friends to right now...

1) Beer is fun.

We never said it was a long list. 

And so it shall come to pass that you and those friends will enter the rustic-yet-also-kind-of-industrial space and immediately grab some seats overlooking the malt-processing floor.

You'll gaze upon the Zen garden-like stirring of malt and your mind will wander… to beer. Of which they have 22 on tap, all brewed with malt made at the facility (you may have sensed that theme). Feel free to nerd out and cite how it's Maiden Voyage malt that makes up Thirsty Bear's White Cap Wheat. And Lagunitas' Spawn of Kashmir? Clearly made with Gallagher's Best malt.

And since nerding out has a tendency to make you hungry, you'll want to order some peanuts with rosemary and garlic or, better still, a charcuterie board courtesy of Meats by Pete.

If only your name rhymed with your profession.