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Seabright Brewery Santa Cruz, Ca

In my never ending quest for the best beer and pub food, it was recommended to me that I check out this brewpub. I visited this place on a Saturday, and it had a good crowd in the restaurant, which has been there for a long time, and the ambiance was ok; a little dated. I ordered up a green IPA, named such for it s hop characteristics which was good, no awards. Then I tried their Stout, which was quite nice, and has apparently won several awards over the years. The food looked sort of typical so I didn’t eat anything…but nice brews.

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Categories microbrewery, pubs, Restaurants, Uncategorized

Widmer (Gasthaus) Brothers Brewery Portland Oregon

11 Jun

No trip to Portland to review brew pubs and microbreweries would be anything near complete without a stop at probably the largest microbrewery in Portland (Actually the Bar Tender told me that Widmer had merged with Kona and New Belgium. Not sure about the extent of that, but the man who started it all still rides his bike to the brewery every day.

This place is mostly known for their Heffenweizen, which is nice, however it was great to taste some of their other offerings. This place seemed to me to have the most polished brews, very high end, crisp, clean interpretations of style, where some of the smaller brewers struggle with this…

The sausage with cheese dip was amazing, as were the brews…especially the Russian Raspberry Imperial Stout. You have to try that one!! Very nice place. So far my favorite food as well at at a pub.

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Categories microbrewery, portland, pubs

Rogue Brewery Public House Portland Oregon

8 Jun

So, I have been a big fan of Dead Guy Ale for quite some time, I never did, however, connected the Suds Sipping Portlandian culture with this brew (brew ignorance), all I can say is that this place rocks some tasty brews.

I sat down and ordered an Amber Ale, and some WINGS, as I always do at a brew put, it is my first judging point on the quality of the food. This Place served me the wings RAW still, that is right I bit into a raw chicken wing, only cooked on the outside. Gross.

Then I ordered up a bacon cheese Kobe burger, which was good, not great, and I tried a beer sampler. All in all this place was in downtown Portland, had great brew, but so far I was disappointing in the culinary culture that these ale houses endorse…Come on Portland, I need some good grub.

They have great unique brews, including the Bacon Maple Voodoo Donut Ale!!!! Check out the photos below!

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Categories microbrewery, oregon, portland, pubs

Six Rivers Brewery McKinleyville Ca

8 Jun

This particular Pub owned and operated by Meredith Maier, her fantastic brew-master Carlos Sanchez and head Chef Mike Ripley. The combo has certainly struck a chord with local fans in this sleepy little Humboldt area restaurant and microbrewery.

Having heard of the brewery due to their popular Chile Pepper Ale brewed with several types of real Chile Peppers, which was a focal point of a Rachel Ray Publication, I wanted to give the brewery a try to sample the food and the other beers that they brewed up on site.

First, I have to say that the ambiance is very nice, bright and festive. I was dining on a Monday night (Sushi Night) and the place was packed! I began with a beer sampler and enjoyed many of the brews. Especially the Chile Pepper Ale, the IPA, and the Stout.

Then I moved on to the food. I started, as I always do, with the WINGS! Delicious, they have them in all spice levels, go as high as you dare!

Then I had a sandwich that was on special…it was seared pork belly, grilled onions, and melted cheese on griddle bread, so amazing…

This is truly a must visit if you are in the Humboldt Area, fantastic brews and good eats, I will return!!!

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Categories microbrewery, pubs, Restaurants

Cannery Row Brewing Company, Monterey Ca

7 Jan

This larger than life brew pub offers 40 draft beers, a selection of house brew, a full bar complete with an impressive bourbon list, served up on two levels of restaurant.

An initial installment of the Coastal Luxury Management Team, lead by Dave Bernahl and Robert Weekly, the pub mirrors some of the better gastro-pubs in the US.

There are obviously a few areas where the pub falls short, and shy of its initial intent. Initially there was a CLM burger on the menu made with Kobe Beef a fantastic item – Gone. The Oyster Po Boy, the Lobster Roll; all initial items that have disappeared due to poor execution and lack of proper culinary oversight as the restaurant sank in its noble intent into a more pedestrian tourist attraction.

Still, they have a phenomenal Ahi Poke appetizer, juicy burgers, and amazing slow smoked wings – but the restaurant will never be measured with the great gastro-pubs with such a lack of strict product oversight. Clearly the means of the CLM crew are too varied to make this project a truly amazing one. That is why on most travel sites it recieves middle of the rung reviews.

Also service is sluggish on a good day. Still though, you cant beat the beer menu, tasty burgers and fireside chat with some good friends on Cannery Row. I will still be back, and just know that my experience will reflect the items reviewed above…

overall 3.5 stars out of 5 from this critic.

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Categories coastal luxery management, monterey, pubs, Restaurants

Peter B’s Brewpub Monterey Ca

7 Jan

As far as pubs in Monterey go, there is no other Craft Brewery like this in the area, there is no other Craft Brewery actually. There is, however, English Ales in Marina, Ca that makes great beer, but they are technically considered a Micro Brewery.

On the note of Peter B’s, they brew all of their own beer right there in the brewery/restaurant always nice and fresh, second, their Amber ale is fantastic! I can IV it! Third, they have a new brew-master who is quite good.

Food is typical pub food, they have a very nice happy hour and during the football season they do 49Cent Beers if the Niners win! Overall Great local spot. Try the Corralito’s Dog for some local frank action as well. If they are smart the will put the Bavarian Cheese sausage on the Menu!!