46 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY NOVEMBER 27-DECEMBER 3, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com CHILL As fall lengthens, colors begin to change. The bright glimmering gold and amber deepen until they turn dark and brooding. Late fall and winter is the season for hearty beers—rich, creamy and contemplative, dreary to the eye, but resonating with flavor, hefty like a blanket yet also smooth. Christmas beers offer sensations of warm spice and dried fruits suited to the holidays. But the team at Other Brother Beer Co. chose to take a stout in that same festive mood—without the whopping belt of alcohol. Max Cherry weighs in at 6.5 percent. It’s strong, but with a more relaxed presence. The name suggests bold strokes, but its aromas are quiet, revealing only a notion of toasted coffee bean. Take a sip, however, and the beer unleashes what can only be described as holiday comfort. There are swirls of black cherry, vanilla and malted chocolate, as if the brewer had blended flavored Coca-Cola. An impression of mild coffee—Folgers comes to mind—emerges on the finish, preceded by a light sensation of candied fruit. None of this is overt. Grounded notes of toasted grain and minerality mute considerations of sweetness. Max Cherry’s swagger is deftly balanced. This is a stout for the season of chocolate-dipped cherries, vanilla-scented pastries and warming mugs of coffee. Other Brother’s Max Cherry needs only a fireplace, a favorite recliner and a long winter night. Other Brother Beer Co., 877 Broadway Ave., Seaside. (831) 747-1106, otherbrotherbeer. com. Dark Force Other Brother welcomes the season with a stout that brings holiday cheer. By Dave Faries SEND IDEAS TO: chill@montereycountynow.com DAVE FARIES INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING AND TAKEOUT Eat + Drink 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 ’25 Best Appetizers/ Small Plates 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 57 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey 831-373-1851 www.abalonetti.com ’25 LUNCH & DINNER SERVED DAILY from 11:30am-8:30pm Monterey County’s Best Calamari 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 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 BEST PIZZA PLACE ’25 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 ’25 BEST RESTAURANT IN MONTEREY! JOIN US NIGHTLY FOR DINNER AT 4:30PM TWO HAPPY HOURS DAILY 4:30-6PM & 8-9PM 3-Course Early Menu, $49, 4:30-6pm Daily Call or go to sardinefactory.com for details, reservations. 701 Wave Street, Monterey, 831-373-3775 OPEN EVERYDAY for DINNER at 4:30pm Offering all your favorites plus wine, cocktails, bottle and draft beers. Now Serving Snake River Farms’ American Wagyu Prime Rib. 763 Wave St., Monterey | 831.373.3778 | thewhalingstation.com ’25 Best Steak news talk insight a community service of CSU Monterey Bay
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