When Alvarado Street Brewery’s taproom at its new Castroville production facility opens, it will have 20 taps.
Of these, 18 are traditional—the kind you see in every sleek new pub. They are lined up along a wall behind the bar. The other two are fixed to a stainless steel countertop, encased in ice.
This is a Japanese sharp pour system, something that is just beginning to catch on in the U.S. and is likely a first in Monterey County.
Alvarado Street owner and brewmaster J.C. Hill explains that the sharp pour technique captures the aromas and especially the effervescence of a lager. It’s a two-step process that first pours beer into a glass and then caps it with foam, trapping the aromatic notes.
The freezing temperature is important, in part to reduce escaping gasses during the first step. But it also gives the customer a crisper, more refreshing experience.
Alvarado Street’s taproom fills part of the new facility capable of increasing production by three to four times that of the brewery’s Salinas location. Hill says that once fully up and running, Alvarado Street will add non-alcoholic drinks—beer, cider and sodas—into the lineup.
The taproom itself is bright and modern, with a long bar and tables illuminated by large windows. A second room acts as a game lounge, with a pool table, dart boards and shuffleboard.
While finishing touches are still in process for the brewery itself, the taproom is ready—as soon as California’s Alcoholic Beverage Control department gives the final approval. Hill says that could happen any day. He hopes to host an opening on Nov. 7, but that remains to be determined.
In the meantime, the brewery is releasing a hazy IPA to celebrate the new facility with the name Helloooo Castroville.
The production facility and near-future taproom is at 11440 Commercial Parkway in Castroville.