Posts Tagged ‘Peter B’s Brewpub’

Alvarado Street Raspberry Wheat Release

Thursday, May 16th, 2013
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Imagine if Michelangelo got to take another crack at the Sistine Chapel or Leonardo Da Vinci repainted the Mona Lisa? It’s not often that an artist gets to recreate a masterpiece, but that is exactly what Peter B’s Brewpub Brewmaster, Kevin Clark has done with his re-release of his award winning Alvarado Street Raspberry Wheat craft beer. After winning silver medal at the BTI World Beer Championship in 2012, Clark figured he could improve on his work and what better week than to re-introduce the beer world to his genius than American Craft Beer Week, 2013.

Clark refined the process and tinkering here and there with the recipe and the outcome is one of the most highly anticipated releases in the area. Clark has become one of the hottest Brewmasters around garnering nine total medals from the World Beer Championships in two years including three bronze, four silver and two gold.

 

Rooted in sustainability, Clark’s process includes locally harvested hops from the Salinas Valley, re-use of salvaged grains for cattle feed and a system that a mad scientist would love that saves 40,000 gallons of water per year by reusing boiled water. With this hometown presence, it is no wonder that the name of his beer is derived from the historic Alvarado Street that ends just outside the Portola Hotel & Spa where Peter B’s is located.

So stop by Peter B’s Brewpub and rediscover the wonderful taste of Kevin Clark’s Alvarado Street Raspberry Wheat and be introduced to a true artist!

American Craft Beer Week 2013

Thursday, May 2nd, 2013
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In the United States, beer has long been synonymous with sports. Whether it is enjoying a couple of cold ones at the ballpark, tailgating with friends and thousands of others at a college or NFL football game or simply kicking back at home, sports equal beer. While dominated by the mass produced mega-brewers for years, Craft Brews and Breweries are quickly becoming a favorite for the sports-crazed American populace. Good times at the game do not have to mean a bad tasting beer.

If a professional football junkie’s nirvana is Superbowl week, then American Craft Beer Week is the equal for the casual and hardcore fans of the Craft Beer movement. May 13-19, 2013, America embraces Craft Beer in all its glory and locally, Peter B’s Brewpub, recently voted as Monterey County’s Best Brewpub and Best Beer is offering a full lineup of awesome events.

Brewmaster Kevin Clark is leading the festivities and the week kicks off in style on Monday the 13th with the release of the highly anticipated Alvarado Street Raspberry Wheat. Tuesday features a Mug Club Mixer from 4-6:30pm and complimentary Raspberry Wheat tasters for all Mug Club members. Pubtalk with the Beer Geek holds down its usual Wednesday place at the pub, but this week is extra special as Host Chris Nelson will feature a special American Craft Beer Week show and giving away two sets of Monterey Beer Garden Tickets (must be present to win). Want more? Peter B’s will also be offering Growler specials and its always popular Firkin Wednesday small batch tastings.

 

The week continues on Thursday the 16th with a 6pm Brewers Dinner featuring guest brewery Bison Brewing and special guest, The Beer Wench! (Reservations are highly recommended – (831) 647-4805) And if that was not enough, Peter B’s celebrates American Craft Beer Week at the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Cooking for Solutions Event on Friday the 17th from 7:15-10:30pm.

Each day, Peter B’s Brewpub will also offer Brewery tours from 4-5:30pm and daily Special Guest Brews featuring $3 pints. With so many great events, it might be hard to choose just one, so why don’t you choose them all. If you love beer, this is the week for you. Cheers!

How to Pack For A Monterey Vacation

Thursday, April 18th, 2013
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Visiting the Monterey Peninsula is one of the country’s great vacations. Whether you are on a weekender from the Bay Area, a mid-week business trip from the East Coast or are traveling internationally and spending a couple of weeks, the wide ranging beauty and landscape of the area make each day a unique adventure. It also, however, makes packing for the Monterey Peninsula somewhat of a challenge.

American author Mark Twain once wrote, “The coldest winter I ever experienced, was the summer I spent in San Francisco.” San Francisco’s location usually means a foggy day on their peninsula and warm sunny one slightly inland and the Monterey Peninsula is no different. In Pebble Beach it could be foggy and windy while in Monterey the conditions could be and sunny and mild. Meanwhile, as you move into Carmel Valley, you could experience clear skies and temperatures in the 80’s!

With so many microclimates within a few miles of each other, what’s a visitor to do? Layers are the key, but more than layers, are multi-functional pieces that can keep you warm on an early morning walk along the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail, dining al fresco at Jacks Restaurant & Lounge or Peter B’s Brewpub at the Portola Hotel & Spa, but then can easily fit in a backpack as you explore the Monterey Bay Aquarium. A light wind & water resistant jacket is a must, as are a couple of sweater options. Shorts and comfortable pants are also important as visitors often will spend time walking and sightseeing. A good pair of trail sneakers/shoes will be a savior for your feet whether you are hiking at Garland Ranch in Carmel Valley or strolling through Pacific Grove’s historic downtown. Don’t forget to bring a swimsuit. While the water can be chilly, the beaches of the Monterey Peninsula are fantastic and there are many spa options that offer Jacuzzis, saunas and more. Finally, don’t forget to bring something nice to wear. With a fantastic array of nationally recognized restaurants, art galleries and cultural events you’ll want to have the option of dressing up to enjoy your experience.

The Monterey Peninsula has something for everyone and with the some thoughtful packing, visitors can enjoy it all with ease!

Pub Talk with the Beer Geek & Friends at Peter B’s Brewpub

Friday, April 12th, 2013
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One of the great American pastimes is to pop open a cold brew and have a good talk. Whether the talk is serious or lighthearted, about sports or life, people really like to unwind with a good beer. So what’s better that talking over a beer? How about talking about beer and doing it live from Peter B’s Brewpub located behind the Portola Hotel & Spa?

Chris Nelson, better known as The Beer Geek, talks about beer, life and his lifelong love of beer every Wednesday at 5pm on KRML Radio’s Pub Talk. Chris Nelson and his wife, Merideth started The Beer Geek website(www.thebeergeek.com) in 2005 to help document their extensive travels as they tasted their way around the world, sampling locally brewed beers at their source. As their knowledge and experience grew, so did their following and a book, Teachings from the Tap, and a series of video blog episodes, One Pint At A Time later, they have firmly established themselves as a go to source for information and insight into the rapidly expanding craft brew industry.

Peter B’s Brewpub, recently voted by Monterey County Weekly readers as Monterey’s Best Local Beer & Brewery, hosts Chris and his guests as each week, they explore the world of beer and other topics of interest from around the Monterey Peninsula and the greater Central Coast area. While topics can be far ranging, the sudsy libation is never far from the conversation and with Peter B’s house brewed craft offerings and featured small batch specials, guests are invited to come down to the live broadcast and enjoy the interactive show. So if you are a diehard fan of craft brews or just enjoy a cold one with friends, join Chris Nelson and friends at Peter B’s Brewpub each Wednesday at 5pm on KRML 102.1 FM and 1410 AM for Pub Talk. It’s an experience worth tasting!

Earth Day is Every Day at the Portola Hotel & Spa

Thursday, April 4th, 2013
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With Earth Day right around the corner, many businesses and organizations start talking about being green. It’s a positive step in the right direction and every little bit helps. The green movement has made its way into the hospitality industry as well. While many hotels are beginning to go green, the Portola Hotel & Spa is one of the most environmentally friendly places to stay not only on the Monterey Peninsula, but throughout California’s Central Coast. As one of Central California’s first Silver LEED®-EB Certified hotels, the Portola has implemented a host of green initiatives focused on the well-being of the environment.

LEED Certification refers to a rating system that considers everything from the materials used to build a building to the way a business disposes of their garbage. Everything is taken into account and the entire staff at the Portola has embraced these initiatives. Some of the more innovative green practices are utilized in housekeeping. These include 100% organic cotton mattresses that are hypoallergenic and an Ozone Laundry System that utilizes an enzyme based laundry detergent for sanitizing linens and towels. They also include a green cleaning program that uses H203 system to clean and disinfect guest rooms without any harsh chemicals and guest room carpets that meet with the Carpet and Rug Institute’s plus program for low VOC material and paint that meets low VOC standards as well.

Not to be outdone is the group sales department. They have implemented the Monterey Green Meetings program that works with meeting and event planners, as well as private parties to plan green events and environmentally conscious team building exercises. Food and Beverage is also heavily involved in the movement by offering sustainably grown, organic and locally sourced ingredients as well as repurposing waste from Peter B’s brewery operation.

The Portola Hotel & Spa is continuing to strive for environmental excellence by going through a LEED recertification process by the U.S. Green Building Council. So as Earth Day draws closer, residents of and visitors to the Monterey Peninsula; can rest assured that one of the area’s premiere hotel and spa destinations, and their restaurants are leaders in the protection of our precious environment.

Meet Our Brewer Kevin Clark

Monday, January 28th, 2013
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A Northern California native and a resident of Monterey County since 1998, Kevin Clark, a beer enthusiast and aficionado, is the Brewmaster of Peter B’s Brewpub at the Portola Hotel & Spa in Monterey, California.

After graduating from California State University, Monterey Bay, Kevin traveled the world. He immersed himself in the cultures of the countries he visited, paying particular attention to their food and beverage. His destinations were wide-ranging including the continents of Africa, Asia and Europe and the island countries of Samoa, Tonga and Fiji. This cultural and culinary diversity gave Kevin a unique perspective on flavor which led him to begin his career in the industry at Passionfish in Pacific Grove, CA. There, he studied wine and food pairings, but his heart always belonged to his first love; beer. He began to experiment with the pairing of beer and food, but found his choices in hops based beverages limited in comparison with wine and its many varietals.

Soon, Kevin found himself beginning to homebrew his own beer in an effort to not only discover new tastes, but save money in the process. The plan backfired however, as Kevin began to sample and taste as many commercial and homebrewed offerings as possible, falling in love all over again with the complexities and varieties of beer.  Kevin started at Peter B’s as the Assistant Brewer and was promoted to Head Brewmaster in early 2011.

For Kevin Clark, the act of combining the beautiful aromas and flavors of malt and hops with other additions is a gift and one of life’s true pleasures. The history and traditions of the beverage are wonderful, but for Kevin, the creation of a beverage that is alive and brings people together is his gift to the world.

Brewer’s Dinners in Peter B’s Brewpub

Friday, January 11th, 2013
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For a number of years, winemakers have been taking advantage of the well-known pairings of food and their varietals. While winemaker’s dinners have been all the rage, recently, the talented brewers of wine’s bubbly cousin, beer, have been getting in on the action. It wasn’t too long ago that beer was regulated to cookouts and college parties, but in recent years, brewmasters have elevated their craft to incredible heights. With new tastes and trends emerging all the time, the art of craft beer has taken its rightful place alongside wine as a true art-form. With that recognition, has come the opportunity to experience these creative flavors paired with chef inspired eats.

Nowhere is this being done better than at the Portola Hotel & Spa. Brewer Kevin Clark of Peter B’s Brewpub and Executive Chef Jason Giles of Jacks Restaurant & Lounge and Peter B’s; have teamed up to create a series of Brewer’s Dinners that take the best of the worlds of food and craft beer and combine them into delicious, gatherings where seasonal and special varieties of come together in a wonderful celebration of taste.

Usually featuring three to four courses of locally sourced and sustainable food prepared by Chef Giles and accompanied by beers either brewed or chosen by Clark. These Brewer’s Dinners have become one of the most popular events at Peter B’s. Seating is limited and usually sell-out so early reservations are highly recommended. If you want to experience a new dimension in flavor, “like” the Peter B’s Facebook Page and you’ll know as soon as the next of the series is announced! There are events not to be missed.

The “Best Weekend in Monterey”

Monday, December 24th, 2012
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With the holiday season and winter finally here the special events and happenings in Monterey are as plentiful as relatives and leftovers. Choosing what to do and where to go can be overwhelming, so your friends here at Central Coast Living have put together, in our humble opinion, an itinerary for what we would like to think of as the “Best Weekend in Monterey” during the holidays.

The weekend starts off on Friday afternoon with a relaxing walk along the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail. Unwind and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary as you walk or bike along the coast. From Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey, it’s just over two miles of paved and rolled trail with views of Cannery Row, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Hopkins Marine Station and the stately Victorian-era homes lining the way Lovers Point Park of Pacific Grove.

After working up an appetite, return to Fisherman’s Wharf and explore the shops and restaurants while sampling some of California’s freshest seafood.  Evening activities can include theatric or musical entertainment at one of Monterey’s many venues or depending on the weekend of your visit, holiday-themed activities including various tree lightings, historic tours of seasonally decorated buildings and special cultural and wine events.

Saturday brings a day full of activities and none greater than the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  Whether a couple or a family, you are sure to be amazed by the variety of exhibits and hands-on educational opportunities. There are so many interesting areas that you might want to take two days to fully explore the Aquarium, but if one day is all you have time for, be sure to check out their newest exhibit, The Jellies Experience. You’ll learn what makes the jellyfish one of the most intriguing animals on land or sea. With the Aquarium behind you, stroll along historic Cannery Row and immerse yourself in the world of John Steinbeck while shopping and taking in the sites.

There is no better way to enjoy a trip to Monterey during the holidays than with a visit to Ice Skating on the Bay. Located directly behind the Portola Hotel & Spa on the Custom House Plaza, the seasonal ice skating rink is open from 11am – 10pm Monday through Saturday and from 12pm to 8pm on Sunday’s. After reliving childhood memories or creating new ones with your kids, head over to the Portola Hotel & Spa for your choice of dinner options. Jacks Restaurant offers an upscale dining experience featuring locally sourced, sustainable ingredients throughout the menu and an impressive wine list, all created under the expert culinary eye of Executive Chef Jason Giles. If you are in the mood for something more laid back, then relax in Peter B’s Brewpub. As Monterey’s only craft brewery features a delicious pub fare with a wide variety of beer brewed directly on site. Brewmaster Kevin Clark’s award winning seasonal brews pair perfectly with the menu and with 15 HDTV’s you are sure to find the game of your choice.

While Sunday may be the day of your departure you can still experience much more in Monterey. Walk historic Alvarado Street just steps from the Portola and treat yourself to pastries and coffee at one of the many café’s and then immerse yourself in the history of Old Monterey along the self-guided Path of History. You’ll encounter a variety of historic buildings and landmarks detailing Monterey as the first capitol city of California. With so much more to offer, the Monterey Peninsula must be experienced in more than just a weekend. Check back with us throughout the year as we give you tips and ideas on how to experience the seasons and the scenery of Monterey and beyond!

Salinas Valley Food & Wine Festival

Friday, October 19th, 2012
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The Salinas Valley is widely known as the “Salad Bowl of the World”. From strawberries and lettuce to artichokes and broccoli, much of our nation’s produce comes from this fertile region. So it should come as no surprise that one of the fastest growing events in Monterey County is the Salinas Valley Food & Wine Festival. The fun begins on Saturday October 20th at noon and runs until 5pm. Featuring world class wine and gourmet food, the event highlights the culture of the Salinas Valley and takes over six square blocks of Oldtown Salinas. The event is free to the public and those wishing to taste wine and beer can purchase a wristband.

In addition to the gourmet highlights of the day, a variety of art and activities are also available including musical acts performing throughout the day and a classic car show. The National Steinbeck Center also plays host to a VIP Pavilion starring an additional 150 vendors. In addition to food exhibitors the VIP Pavilion an additional 50 wineries and 30 breweries will be on site. The Portola Hotel & Spa’s very own Peter B’s Brewpub will be on site, pouring some of their famous craft beers. So come experience the bounty and the rich culture of the Salinas Valley at the Salinas Valley Food & Wine Festival!

2nd Annual Monterey Beer Garden

Tuesday, September 4th, 2012
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There is just something inherently right about enjoying a beer outdoors. Whether it’s on a hot summer day, tailgating at a football game on a crisp autumn afternoon or simply relaxing with friends in the backyard, fresh air and a freshly poured beer go hand in hand. That’s why the return of the Monterey Beer Garden is being met with such anticipation.

The second annual event held on September 22nd from 12pm-4pm at Monterey’s historic Memory Garden at Custom House Plaza is shaping up to be a Who’s Who of the Central Coast Craft Beer scene. With local heavy hitters Peter B’s Brewpub and English Ales leading the way and Seabright Brewing, Rock Bottom Brewing and Hollister Hills Brewery among the 11 participants, attendees are sure to get a sense of the skill and imagination of our local brewers.

Sponsored by the Portola Hotel & Spa, The Offset Project, The Monterey County Weekly and Peter B’s Brewpub, the event features unlimited beer tasting, BBQ and live music from local favorite Cheeky Spanks with proceeds of the event benefiting local environmental non-profit, Save Our Shores. And if that was not enough, Save Our Shores will also be raffling off a number of great prizes.

Tickets for the event are still available and can be purchased online at www.montereybeergarden.com . Raffle tickets are sold separately at the door.

Good Friends, Good Cheer, Good Time, Great Beer!