Pacific Grove’s new brewpub adds a West Coast IPA to its growing lineup of beers.

Hops & Fog Brewing Co. already made history as the first commercial brewpub to open in formerly dry Pacific Grove. The team did it again by pouring a fruit sour, the first beer from their tanks.

But here’s a little footnote that history will soon forget: The fruit sour was an accidental first. Brewmaster Mike Durrant intended to roll out a West Coast IPA. However, his perfectionist nature sent him back to the mash tun.

Now the regional IPA—dubbed Westy—is on tap as the second beer from Hops & Fog. Amber in hue with a sturdy head, it is a wily actor, inviting you in with the aroma of fresh citrus, promising a breezy sip. On the palate, Westy reveals its resinous IPA nature, with a steady bitter streak that rides over the friendly malt. That it does so without obscuring whispers of fruit, melon and spice is testament to the brewmaster’s patience.

“The secret is a lot of hops,” Durrant says. He turned to the IPA classics—citra and mosaic for the tropical appeal on the nose, as well as hints of melon and dry grass on the palate, simcoe to keep the fruits grounded and cascade to even the temper of the bitter pine savor. “It will be something special.”

Durrant foreshadows because on this particular occasion, Westy had just been transferred from tank to tap. By the time of the brewpub’s official grand opening, Wednesday, Oct. 23, it will have settled. A third Hops & Fog beer—a double IPA—also joins the lineup. 

Hops & Fog Brewing Co., 511 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove. 215-1658, hopsandfog.beer.