Good beer spots in the Monterey area?

Peter B's has gotten a lot better in my opinion due to a new head brewer.

Cannery Row Brewing Company is actually not a brewing company at all (I think they have someone who contract brews for them, forget who though) but they have a pretty decent tap list, albeit somewhat overpriced.

Post No Bills in Sand City has about 10-15 rotating taps and is kinda cool. Nothing super rare but a nice well chosen selection. They have a cold case with bottles as well.

Bottles n' Bins on Lighthouse is a good bottle shop. The owner is old school Monterey and super friendly.

I live on the North side of Monterey Bay (Aptos) so Monterey peeps may have more info.

 

Is English Ales still around? Are they worth a visit? It's been at least 3 years since I've been out that way too. Glad to see there's a few more options coming out as it will make my next visit that much better too.

 

I will add a few notes. I travel to the area a few times a year.

Cannery Row Brewing has the largest selection of craft beer and a decent bottle selection. They do contract some of their beers, but they do not brew on site. They do have a full bar if you are traveling with people who are not as in to beer as you are.

I also agree that Peter B's beers have gotten better in quality. Depending on what they have on tap when you are there, you will be happy but not 'wowed!.' The food menu still needs a push. A nice clam dish though.

I also like English Ales. I love their bitter when it is on cask. The cask rotates frequently. They also sell growlers now. I think people mistakenly feel their beers are mediocre because they do not take in to account that they are brewing the beers in a traditional english style with traditional ingredients. These are not pushing the envelope, over the top beers, and they are not meant to be.

The pubs in the area can be hit or miss. There are quite a few pubs in Monterey and the surrounding areas. Sometimes they have some great beers on tap, and sometimes the rotation is basic. Mucky Duck used to get a variety of Sierra Nevada beers on tap that I would rarely find elsewhere. I have no idea if this is still the case?
The last time I was in the Britannia Arms the selection was was decent.

I have not been to Post No Bills in Sand City or Toast in Carmel. Next visit. Have a great time!

http://beeradvocate.com/beerfly/list?city=Monterey&c_id=US&s_id=CA
http://beeradvocate.com/beerfly/list?city=Carmel&c_id=US&s_id=CA
http://beeradvocate.com/beerfly/list?city=Sand+City&c_id=US&s_id=CA

 

If you can make it to Santa Cruz, go to Sante Adairius Rustic Ales. They open at 2 p.m. Definitely the best brewery between SF and Paso.

 

Wow-that is an insult for those of use who do know beer and have been to English Ales. During my last visit there in May, with few exceptions, the beer was not good-not because they are using traditional English ingrediants, but because they aren't good.