ALVARADO STREET BREWERY
426 Alvarado St., Monterey 655-2337 www.alvaradostreetbrewery.com
The area newcomer has quickly become the jalapeño cream ale rising to the top, with as many as 11 fast-rotating house beers that have been crushing it on the festival awards circuit, to go with 12 more curated taps and crab mac ‘n’ cheese, stylish flatbreads and short-rib poutine in a slick, high-ceiling setting.
CANNERY ROW BREWING COMPANY
95 Prescott Ave., Monterey 643-2722 www.canneryrowbrewingcompany.com
A popular readers pick for the Best of Monterey County® vote in Best Selection of Beers because of 75 on tap, a handful of specially made house drafts, plus superior smoked ribs, slow-braised pork belly and breakfast burgers on a robust menu.
CARMEL VALLEY BREWING COMPANY
659-4341 • www.carmelvalleybrewing.com
Dean Hatfield digs down to basics to produce Carmel Valley’s flagship Pale Ale – down into the Valley ranch’s well water to produce Pale Ale, Blonde Ale and an IPA in the German style of simplicity and mild doses of bitterness.
CRAFT ARTISAN ALES*
717-7543 • www.craftartisanales.com
Dave Olsen is a beer afficionado who tracks down obscure hops to give to a brewmaster along with a recipe for what he wants. The results – Doc Ricketts Lab IPA, Nebulous Imperial IPA and two more coming in June – are damn good, and available at an increasing number of spots like Post No Bills and Grove Market. Lalla Grill even has it on draft.
ENGLISH ALES
223A Reindollar Ave., Marina • 883-3000 • www.englishalesbrewery.com
The venerable and most ubiquitous local brewer produces 11 popular flagship beers like Fat Lip Amber, 1066 Pale Ale, Monk’s Brown and Black Prince Porter. Those pour at their community-hub pub in Marina (which also serves hearty English-leaning fare) and at restaurants from San Francisco to Big Sur. They also do a range of house brews for restaurants under those places’ own label.
MAD OTTER ALES*
2965 Highway 68, Monterey (distribution/tasting room) 869-0764 www.madotterale.com
For Monterey’s Mark Fitch and Scott Coming, the dream of running a craft beer brand has come true. They have day jobs, but they find the time to tap a passion by contract brewing with a partner to produce cans and kegs of a balanced and floral ale that’s starting to find local traction through tastings and pairing events. The brewery’s out of county, but every drop is circulated within it, at spots including Tarpy’s, Ellie’s and Big Sur Tap House.
MONTEREY COAST BREWING
165 Main St., Salinas 758-2337 www.montereycoastbrewing.com
Oldtown Salinas fixture does seven classic styles, from wheat to porter, two seasonals, solid grill-style burgers, sandwiches, salads and steaks, with the on-site brew tanks furnishing ambiance.
PETER B’S BREWPUB
2 Portola Plaza, Monterey 649-2699 www.portolahotel.com/dining/brewpub
Four house styles are always on tap (including Belly-Up Blonde and Legend of Laguna IPA), plus as many as seven seasonals (like the just-finished Extra Special Bitter) to go with superb beer-centric food, mug deals and sports watching.
*Note: Contract brewers often decide recipes, but partner with third parties to have the beer made under their own label.
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