46 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 3-9, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com CHILL Between Monterey County’s seven breweries—10 if you count each Alvarado Street location separately—taphouses for Dust Bowl and Fieldwork, as well as beer-centric pubs like Post No Bills and The Brass Tap, one can find anything from American pale ale to Vienna lager, even a Flanders-style oud bruin—maybe. Ask what they like to make and brewmasters like Natalie Mika of Peter B’s in Monterey (which is temporarily closed for renovation) will reel off a long list of styles. There’s no reason to limit one’s creative impulses. Yet when it comes to personal preferences—when they crave sipping rather than working—they tend to fall back on habit. “Double West Coast IPA, all day long,” says Mike Durrant, owner of Hops & Fog Brewing Co. in Pacific Grove. “I love the crispness, the hoppiness—everything about it.” That includes the alcohol level, which puts him at odds with his brewing partner Cody Leano, a fan of light lagers. Jeffrey Vitalich of Hidden Hills Brewing & Blending in Carmel also leans toward the easy-going styles. “Right now I’m really into Japanese lagers,” he says. “They are well rounded and go with almost any food.” In 2024, Alvarado Street Brewery’s J.C. Hill earned a master brewer certificate from the Doemens Academy in Bavaria, immersing himself in the historic beers of Central Europe. As for Mika, perhaps we can glean a clue what she has said in the past: “I love pilsners. I love brewing lagers—I love the taste of them.” April 7 is National Beer Day. We know what they will be pouring. Brew Crew Some of the local brewers on their favorite styles of beer for National Beer Day. By Dave Faries SEND IDEAS TO: chill@montereycountynow.com DANIEL DREIFUSS . INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING AND TAKEOUT Eat + Drink Fisherman’s Wharf’s Newest Restaurant Serving Fresh Seafood, Pasta, Steaks, Sandwiches Open Daily at 11:30am Great views at the end of the Wharf #1 www.rockfishmonterey.com • 831.324.4375 Indoor and Outdoor Dining on the Dog Friendly Patio Tapas (Happy) Hour 4:30–6pm Nightly Saturday & Sunday Brunch 9am–1:30pm 700 Munras Ave., Monterey | 831-375-0176 | estebanrestaurant.com ’24 Best Appetizers/ Small Plates Monterey’s MOST Recommended Pizzeria Open at 4pm Mon-Thurs • Open at 3pm Fri Open at 12pm Sat.& Sun. 725 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey giannispizzamonterey.com 831-649-1500 Best Pizza ’98-’24 OPEN EVERYDAY for DINNER at 4:30pm Offering all your favorites plus wine, cocktails, bottle and draft beers. 763 Wave St., Monterey 831.373.3778 thewhalingstation.com ’24 Best Steak BEACH HOUSE RESTAURANT + BAR @ LOVERS POINT ★ CASUAL CALIFORNIA DINING INDOOR & PATIO DAILY AT 4:30PM 620 OCEAN VIEW BLVD. PACIFIC GROVE 831-375-2345 • BEACHHOUSEPG.COM LOVERS POINT BEACH CAFE OPEN DAILY, 9AM–4PM ’24 Best Restaurant in Pacific Grove Wood Fired Pizzas, Burgers, Pasta, salads, sandWiches and more 11:30am mon-Fri, 10am Sat & Sun melvilletav.com 484 Washington St., Downtown Monterey 831.643.9525 haPPY hour Food & drinK sPecials Sun-Thurs 4-6pm WEEKEND BRUNCH WITH BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS 57 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey 831-373-1851 www.abalonetti.com ’24 LUNCH & DINNER SERVED DAILY from 11:30am-8:30pm Monterey County’s Best Calamari ’24 BEST RESTAURANT IN MONTEREY! JOIN US NIGHTLY FOR DINNER AT 5PM TWO HAPPY HOURS DAILY 5-6PM & 8-9PM Call or go to sardinefactory.com for details, reservations. 701 Wave Street, Monterey, 831-373-3775 SCAN THE QR CODE FOR MORE INFO! LIVE MUSIC EVERY TUESDAY BLUES NIGHT 6PM THURSDAY JAZZ NIGHT 6PM RESTAURANT + BAR “THE OLD” ITALIAN COOKING NOW OFFERING ONLINE ORDERING! (831) 243-6066 UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP! Fresh Pasta, Wine Pairings, & Charming Decor LUNCH 11:30AM - 2PM DINNER 5PM - 9PM Store CloSing 40% gifts for the Holidays [everything goes] The Garden Song 225 Forest Ave. Pacific Grove [across from Grove Market] 1-831-656-9771 11:30 - 4:30pm Tuesday through Sunday off Sale e d e e d e WE'RE MOVING! OFF SALE The Garden Song 225 Forest Ave. Pacific Grove [across from Grove Market] 1-831-656-9771 11:30 – 4:30pm Tuesday through Saturday Store CloSing 40% gifts for the Holidays [everything goes] The Garden Song 225 Forest Ave. Pacific Grove [across from Grove Market] 1-831-656-9771 11:30 - 4:30pm Tuesday through Sunday off Sale e d e e d e
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