www.montereycountynow.com MAY 22-28, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 39 CHILL There is something spiritual about Belgian ales. Those produced by monks—the dubbels, tripels, quadrupels and the rarely seen (outside of monasteries) singels—represent daily bread in fermented form. The farmhouse beers are more downto-earth, reflecting the necessity where nothing goes to waste. Jeffrey Vitalich, owner and brewmaster at Carmel’s Hidden Hills Brewing & Blending, has an affinity for both styles—from farmers starting with leftover grain and wild yeast to the artistry of the monks. “Trappist beers are one of my favorite non-American styles,” he says. Craft brewers, he adds, are motivated to pursue those skills. Soleil is noticeably a Belgian tripel, and not just from its 8.5-percent alcohol bite. The sensation of ripe red apple is inviting on the nose and lively on the palate. Yet the style yields a nuanced and balanced beer. Lolling under the apple tree are impressions of split stone fruit, pine straw and holiday spice. It’s a glass to linger with and appreciate. Vitalich also plans to release it in bottles—a first for the brewery. Biere de Ferme is a saison, a style brewed for farm laborers enduring a long summer day. It is pale and slight, with notions of light grain—a beer to quell heat and refresh the spirit. “Farmers collected whatever grain they could find,” Vitalich says. “It’s a worker’s beer.” Yet there is an effervescence that seems almost celebratory, and at half the alcohol of the tripel. Hidden Hills Brewing & Blending, 3777 The Barnyard, Carmel. 250-7311, hiddenhillscarmel.com. Abbey Road Hidden Hills showcases the beauty and simplicity that can be found in Belgian ales. By Dave Faries SEND IDEAS TO: chill@montereycountynow.com DAVE FARIES Voted BEST Appetizer/Small Plates ’24 Locals’ Favorite: Weekly Specials & Patio Dining Tapas Happy Hour, 4:30–6pm | Dinner starting at 4:30pm Brunch Saturday & Sunday 9am–1:30pm | Open for Breakfast daily Reservations recommended 831-375-0176. estebanrestaurant.com Adjacent to Casa Munras Garden Hotel & Spa | 700 Munras Ave., Monterey Easter Sunday Brunch April 20, 9am-2pm VALIDATED PARKING 136 OLIVIER ST. MONTEREY NEAR OLD FISHERMAN’S WHARF (831) 644-9007 WWW.BENIHANA.COM OPEN DAILY FOR LUNCH AND DINNER EXPERIENCE THE ORIGINAL Make Memorial Day Weekend Reservations ♦ 3 Card Poker ♠ Century 21st No Bust Black Jack ♣ Texas Hold’em ♥ Baccarat FULL BAR! BLACKJACK BONUS POINTS PAYS UP TO $20,000 SMALL TOWN BIG PAYOUTS! 1-800-Gambler • Gega-003846, Gega-Gega-003703, Gega-000889 Gega-000891 Gega-002838 The Marina Club Casino ensures the safety and security of all guests and team members at all times, while providing exceptional service. 204 Carmel Ave. Marina 831-384-0925 casinomonterey.com ♠ ♣ ♥ ♦ Just minutes from Downtown Monterey Where Monterey Comes To Play
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