Monterey may be riding high on its designation in January as one of the world’s 10 best wine travel destinations by Wine Enthusiast Magazine, but let us not overlook the humble hop. The traditionally blue-collar brew gets its due all over the county, with craft beer showing up at upscale restaurants, beermaker dinners and cask parties. Some prominent venues bringing local beer into the limelight, including the Cannery Row Brewing Co., Peter B’s, Post No Bills and English Ales, were covered recently in “Local beer is all the rage in Monterey,” which includes a guide to beermaker dinners. Here are some newer, more far-flung or simply underappreciated places whose atmosphere or selection is worth a quaff.
By many accounts the best pub in Monterey, the Crown and Anchor creates a palpably nautical atmosphere, with models of old sailing ships and motley historic artifacts. The bar boasts 20 beers on tap, ranging from English ales and Irish stouts to pilsners to microbrews. There’s also an impressive lineup of wines and spirits if you’re so moved. The pub leans British, but we’d take the beer-battered deep-fried artichoke hearts over fish and chips any day. 150 W. Franklin St., Monterey
The people-watching can’t be beat at this British-owned downtown sports bar, though the service definitely depends on who has your table. With a wide selection of well-priced beers on tap, its specials go well beyond the usual suspects. Match your style to the day of the week: Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday nights are karaoke, Thursdays are quiz nights, Friday brings live music, and a DJ works on Saturdays. 444 Alvarado St., Monterey
This wood-paneled tavern ensconced in the Lodge at Pebble Beach is where golfers go for post-link suds. Vintage Pebble Beach golf memorabilia surround a well-chosen selection of draft and bottled beers, along with vintage wines and a full bar. Legions of golfers and nongolfers alike swear it serves the best burger and onion rings to be found. 1700 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach
This year-old restaurant in Carmel Valley Village has made waves with its laser focus on local farm and vineyard products, but it has a few surprises in store for beer aficionados as well. Its 28-foot redwood bar, built of wood salvaged from the legendary Monterey Pops Festival stage, and its alfresco beer garden put local hand-crafted Czech-style brews (Lokal is Czech for “local”) on center stage. They pair admirably with the inventive small bites turned out by the restaurant. 13762 Center Street, Carmel Valley
You can’t actually down the suds in Carmel Valley’s only brewery, but the broad appeal of its small-batch pale and blond ales, crafted in a converted barn on the brewmaster’s ranch, is evident in the watering holes that carry them, from the sumptuous Post Ranch Inn to down-home beer joints:
Los Laureles Lodge Restaurant and Saloon, with its mahogany-paneled walls and stone fireplace, popular with ranchers, golfers and local artists; Will’s Fargo, a classic, 50-year-old steakhouse that shares an owner (and a chef) with Bernardus Lodge; and Running Iron Saloon, which channels the wild old West where bikers, cowboys, doctors and lawyers are united in their appreciation for fine food and drink.
A new pub that pays homage to rustic Big Sur tradition, the Big Sur Taphouse is run by the owners of the adjacent Big Sur Deli. With its big-screen TVs, board games and great small bites, this is a rural, relaxed and very affordable version of a downtown sports bar, in the middle of the Big Sur redwoods. It has a good variety of local and English brews on tap, plus bottled beer ranging from the common to the extraordinary. 47520 Highway One, Big Sur
Redwood timbers and ranch-style leather couches make for a down-home, traditional Big Sur atmosphere at this watering hole attached to the woodsy Fernwood resort on the Big Sur River. Live music takes over the joint on Saturday nights, with legendary indie acts popping up among an always-lively mix of up-and-comers. Be forewarned: Fernwood’s Friday trivia night is one of the toughest around. 47200 Highway One, Big Sur
This Old Town Salinas brewery/restaurant crafts unfiltered beer in small batches on the premises. Their harvest wheat and pilsner are reliable favorites, but there’s a wide variety choose from, including German-style wheat beer, Irish stout, porter, pale ales and seasonal brews (currently a bock). You can also order a growler (a half-gallon) to go. For first-timers, the sampler is a good deal. 165 Main St, Salinas
Others to try
On the off-chance you’ve run out of options, give Mucky Duck in Monterey, London Bridge Pub in Monterey, Jack London’s’ Grill Taproom in Carmel, the Otter’s Den in Marina or the Maiden Pub in Big Sur a try.
Former Chronicle travel editor Christine Delsol also writes the Mexico Mix column at sfgate.com/mexico.
Best spots for brews in Monterey County
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét