I’ll admit Merideth and I don’t get to Big Sur as much as we used to or should. In the past, we frequently drove down the coast to experience Big Sur’s world-renowned natural beauty, go for a hike and then grab a beer or two at one of the local establishments. The desire to visit a new beer bar, Big Sur Taphouse, was a good reason to make a much needed trip down the coast.
Opened in November 2011, Big Sur Taphouse is located near the post office in the Big Sur Center. Its bright interior, done up in mission-style decor with wood and wrought iron accents, provided us with a welcoming reprieve from the dreary fog outside.The seating in the cozy place is mostly communal with long tables and benches. However, for a more romantic visit, intimate seating set off from the main room is available. The first customers of the day, we settled in front of the fireplace to recover from the chilly walk on nearby Pfeiffer Beach.
The copper-clad bar was home to ten draft beers, supplemented by a small bottle selection. It could have been coincidence but California pride was in full force as all the beers were Golden State creations including a house Brown Ale brewed by Firestone Walker. I started with a Green Flash Hop Head Red while Merideth began with one of her favorite Pilsners, North Coast Scrimshaw. From there we moved on to Firestone Walker DBA and the house Brown Ale.
While enjoying our beers, we snacked on a few of the food items from their menu. Like their beer selection, Big Sur Taphouse chooses substance over quantity with each offering on the limited menu sounding as good or better than the last. The Charcuterie platter came with mounds of yummy cured meats and the bruschetta with flavored olive oil was an especially delicious accompaniment. We followed that up with the BBQ Pork Sliders. The pork was very tender but a bit dry for my tastes. I like my bbq pork like my beer… wet.
Merideth and I had a very pleasant time at Big Sur Taphouse. The pub’s atmosphere reflected Big Sur’s laid back nature and the beer and food selection upheld the area’s reputation for good, wholesome offerings. It’s always nice to have choices and Big Sur Taphouse is a top choice indeed.
View all the images from Big Sur Taphouse…