Monterey Bay – Page 5 – thebeergeek.com

May 19, 2011

American Craft Beer Week in Monterey: Peter B’s

There are currently a number of positive developments in the Monterey Peninsula beer scene. Topping the list at the moment is the rebirth of Peter B’s Brewpub. Long scorned by local beer geeks, us included, Peter B’s is reincarnated with new, well-crafted beers and a commitment to be part of our local beer culture. As part of American Craft Beer Week, the brewpub hosted a brewer’s dinner on Wednesday evening.

A nice-sized crowd was on hand for the very affordable, four beer, three-course, dinner. The evening was extra special for me and Merideth as they were featuring our Sierra Nevada Beer Camp California Common with the first course.

The California Common was paired Devilish Deviled Eggs, the filling having Dungeness crab. Not a crab eater, I was told by Merideth they were excellent.

You can’t go wrong with sausage and beer. The house-made Kielbasa over Spätzle was delicious. The slight smokiness paired well with the house-brewed Nut Brown.

Chef Jason was bold and creative with the dessert course, a grilled cheese sandwich with Fontina cheese and brioche bread over an apple compote. I sensed the crowd was a bit divided but I was one who thought it was a winner.

Kudos to Brewer Kevin Clark, Chef Jason Giles and Chris Sommers for hosting a fun evening. We look forward to many in the future.

View all the images from the Peter B’s dinner

April 3, 2011

Our Local Beer Scene: Toast Carmel Valley

With sunny and warm weather returning to Carmel Valley, this is a perfect opportunity to introduce the latest entry to the Monterey Peninsula beer scene — Toast Carmel Valley. In the heart of Carmel Valley village, Toast is a locally-owned, neighborhood bistro that opened in September 2010.

Merideth and I love where we live in Carmel Valley. Unfortunately, our beer options are very limited. Either we could go into town, a half hour drive, or hang out at our only local option, the redneck bar with a pretty standard selection of beer. More often than not, we ended having a beer a home.

So, it goes without saying that Merideth and I were really excited to learn about the coming of Toast. While not really a beer bar or pub, Toast, with its casual atmosphere and friendly staff, is a great place to drink a beer and relax with friends. With it’s welcoming atmosphere and dog-friendly outside seating, Toast will be OUR place to hang out in Carmel Valley Village during the Summer season.

I don’t need a gazillion beer selections at my local. Toast has six taps with our staple brews being Green Flash West Coast IPA, Allagash White and North Coast Scrimshaw. Offerings from Lost Abbey and Port Brewing also are regularly featured in the draft beer line up. As for bottles, there are 15-20 to chose from including all-time favorites Rodenbach and Allagash Black.

My usual dinner entree... Fettucine with Local Foraged Mushrooms, Humbodlt fog and Truffles

To be honest, I wasn’t really concerned about the food they planned to serve. It was all about the beer for me. However, the food has been the pleasant surprise. All the dishes are simple, reasonably priced and delicious. A few things on the menu that Merideth and I regularly order:

Marinated Olives, Hummus, Roasted Garlic with House Flatbread
Monterey Calamari with Green Grapes
Mussels Steamed in Reisling Butter with Frites
Fettucine with Local Foraged Mushrooms, Humboldt Fog and Truffles
Roasted Chicken with Mascarpone Enriched Orzo

And the desserts are excellent too!

From its sunny deck, Merideth and I will be spending many an afternoon and evening enjoying a few beers and watching Carmel Valley life pass by.

March 17, 2011November 1, 2011

Sierra Nevada Night at burger.

Merideth and I ended our 28-day beer hiatus Wednesday evening at a Sierra Nevada “Tap Takeover” event at burger. in Santa Cruz. A very large and cheerful crowd, including Spike from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, enjoyed probably the widest and best selection of Sierra Nevada brews on tap in Santa Cruz County history.

Fifteen Sierra Nevada brews were on tap, ranging from the standards like Pale Ale, Kellerweis and Stout to the special, such as three of the 30th Anniversary series, 2009 Bigfoot and Hoptimum. There were even a few unique brews: Empire Strikes Black Russian Imperial Stout, an early Beer Camp brew, 2×4, a blend of two Belgian-style ales and a Pro-Am Old Ale. All in all there was a pretty special selection of Sierra Nevada beers.

Going in, I knew my first beer after a 28 day hiatus was going to be my beloved Torpedo. Unfortunately, that one Torpedo made me pretty loopy. Not wanting to be under the table, I passed on the higher ABV special brews and moved on to a nice, mellow Kellerweis. Merideth, after beginning with a Kellerweis, tried the 2×4, a beer she much enjoyed.

Each of the Sierra Nevada beers had a food pairing. Having gotten through the beer hiatus by indulging my sweet tooth, the dessert items caught my eye. Bigfoot 2009 paired with a brownie topped with Stout whipped cream and the Empire Strikes Black accompanying a selection of chocolates.

It was a very mellow evening by our standards, but it was great getting out, being sociable and seeing friends. Congrats to Quinn from Sierra Nevada and burger. for putting on a fun event.

View all the pictures from our evening at burger.

Our California Common is being re-released

In other Sierra Nevada related news, we are so proud our Beer Camp brew was one of the four beers selected for Sierra Nevada’s upcoming “The Best of Beer Camp” mixed pack. We look forward to drinking our hopped-up California Common again. Look for “The Best of Beer Camp” 12-packs in mid-May.

If you missed our Beer Camp blog posts:
Our Kind of Camping
Brew Day at Beer Camp

January 8, 2011

New Year’s Eve at the Big Sur River Inn

Happy New Year from thebeergeek.com!

As fellow beer geeks, I trust that you all ushered in the new year in a very beery way. We were lucky enough to ring in the new year at the Big Sur River Inn after feasting on a wonderful 5-course beer dinner. A successful inaugural beer dinner in November inspired the River Inn to do it again. The New Year’s Eve feast started off with grilled shrimp on a pineapple plank paired with Bear Republic’s Red Rocket. It only got better from there, as attendees dined on such tasty treats as spicy chicken wings with Sierra Nevada Celebration, bacon-wrapped scallops with Rodenbach Grand Cru, and top sirloin with Chimay Red. The night finished off with a jubilant “champagne” toast at midnight with Malheur Brut Reserve. The River Inn staff is enthusiastic about more beer dinners to come, so I hope we see you there sometime in 2011!

View the images from New Year’s Eve…

November 16, 2010

Celebrating 30 Years of Sierra Nevada Brewing

For those Monterey Bay beer geeks not lucky enough to make it to Chico for Sierra Nevada’s 30th Anniversary Celebration, there were local festivities last night at Cannery Row Brewing Company.

The four-course beer pairing dinner was ably hosted by Quinn Gardner from Sierra Nevada and Gary O from Cannery Row Brewing Company. The standout course for me was the Maple Glazed Pork Belly with Butterbean Succotash. The pairing with Estate Homegrown Organic Ale was perfect. [And thanks to James for getting me seconds!]

Here are a few pictures to enjoy…