Half Moon Bay, Calif. — Half Moon Bay Brewing Company, the Coastside’s favorite family- and dog-friendly destination for craft beer and local seafood, has plenty to celebrate this May, including new Head Brewer, Shane Aldrich, who recently joined the brewing team alongside Brewmaster James Costa, a festive Cuatro de Mayo celebration and Mother’s Day beer tastings.
MEET THE BREWERS
Tuesday, May 13
The Half Moon Bay Brewing Company is proud to announce the arrival of the newest member of the Brewing Team, Head Brewer, Shane Aldrich. To celebrate his already winning collaboration with Brewmaster James Costa, and coinciding with American Craft Beer Week which is May 12-18, a Meet the Brewers reception will be held on Tuesday, May 13, from 5 to 7 p.m. In addition to meeting and chatting with Shane and James, guests will be able to taste their newest brews and Chef Gaston Alfaro will offer complimentary bites of his latest culinary creations in the bar.
Over the last 12 years, Shane Aldrich has had the pleasure of working at some of the West Coast’s most notable craft breweries including Marin Brewing Company, Lagunitas Brewing Company and Devil’s Canyon Brewing Company. Since joining the Half Moon Brewing Company, he has already played an integral role in the creation of some truly spectacular beers including the Tunnel Vision IPA which recently won first place at SF Beer Week’s annual IPA competition at Barclay’s in Berkeley, beating out notable local breweries like Bear Republic, Drake’s and 21st Amendment. When he isn’t dreaming up new beers, Aldrich loves travelling, especially to Europe, to experience beer festivals and learn about different styles of beer. Some of the best brews he has ever tasted were during his recent travels to Germany and Belgium, and he hopes to create some Belgian and German-style Lagers and Ales of his own at the Half Moon Bay Brewing Company in the near future.
Additional events at the Half Moon Bay Brewing Company this May include:
CUATRO DE MAYO
Sunday, May 4
The Brewing Company is throwing a Cuatro de Mayo party on Sunday, May 4, complete with live music from Key Lime Pie, a funky Latin rock band, from 7 — 10 p.m. There will be a special drink on the menu called a “Mexican Drop-chata,” a shot of Rumchata and Patron XO which guests may then drop into a pint of Mavericks Chocolate Porter ($10). Brewmaster James Costa and Head Brewer Shane Aldrich have created a special spicy beer which they are excited to debut on Cuatro de Mayo, their Mavericks Smoked Habanero Ale. This beer is not for the faint of heart, and packs a punch due to the tincture of smoked habaneros added to the brew kettle during the boil. Chef Gaston Alfaro has also created some Latin-inspired menu items which will be front and center Sunday and Monday, including:
Shredded Chicken Flautas ,Sour cream, guacamole and warm, spicy tomato salsa: $14
Housemade Sopes, Choice of beef, grilled chicken, conchinita or vegetarian. Served with rice, black beans, pico de gallo, warm spicy salsa, and sour cream topped with queso: $15
Homemade Churros with beer vanilla ice cream: $7
MOTHER’S DAY
Sunday, May 11
Moms drink beer, too! The Half Moon Bay Brewing Company is known for being a favorite destination for families on the San Mateo County Coast, so this Mother’s Day treat mom to some fresh beer, delicious seafood and live music overlooking picturesque Pillar Point Harbor. Jazz great Pamela Rose will be getting moms dancing from 5 to 9 p.m. and every mom over 21 who eats at the restaurant will be treated to a decadent Chocolate Strawberry paired with a taste of the Mavericks Chocolate Porter (limited quantities, offer only available while supplies last). For moms who prefer bellinis to beer, there will also be three fresh flavors available on Mother’s Day: strawberry, mango and peach for $8 each.
In addition to the regular menu, which will be available starting at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Chef Alfaro has created some special additions for Mother’s Day including a Local Beet Salad and Avocado Stuffed Sea Bass.
MEMORIAL DAY MUSIC
Monday, May 26
Close out the long Memorial Day weekend with some swinging music and freshly-brewed beer overlooking the bay on Monday, May 26. Swing Fever has played swing era material around the Bay Area for 35 years, 14 of those on the California Arts Council’s touring roster. They have played the Monterey Jazz Festival twice and four SF Black & White Balls and are excited to spend this Memorial Day at the Brewing Company from 1 to 4 p.m.
ABOUT THE HALF MOON BAY BREWING COMPANY
Recently selected by Men’s Fitness as one of America’s Top Ten Craft Breweries and by Travel + Leisure magazine as one of America’s Best Beach Bars, the Half Moon Bay Brewing Company is situated on picturesque Pillar Point Harbor overlooking the Marina in Princeton-by-the Sea. The Brewing Company expertly pairs a family-friendly, come-as-you-are atmosphere with a winning combination of fresh, sustainable seafood, craft beers, live music and an expansive, dog-friendly patio area with blazing fire pits to keep patrons warm on the waterfront. The Brewing Company is a casual coastal venue that has become an institution in the Half Moon Bay area for locals and visitors alike since opening in 2000. With its warm, wood-toned interior, expansive windows to the ocean, and walls dotted with surf memorabilia, the 6,000-square-foot restaurant and bar is reminiscent of a typical California surf shack. Behind the restaurant lie the 1,200 square-foot Mavericks Beer Garden and on-site brewery, where hand-crafted, award-winning Mavericks┬« Beers & Ales are piped directly to the bar. The Mavericks Amber Ale won a bronze medal in the 2012 World Beer Cup, and the Ocho Barril Saison won Best in Show for session beers and the gold medal in the Wood/Smoke Ale category at the California State Fair in June, 2013.
The Half Moon Bay Brewing Company is located at 390 Capistrano Road in Half Moon Bay, Calif. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. to close; Saturdays and Sundays, 9:00 a.m. to close. To book a reservation, please call 650-728- BREW (2739) or visit OpenTable.com. Additional information may be found at www.hmbbrewingco.com.
The Half Moon Bay Brewing Company also manages the neighboring Mavericks Event Center which overlooks the picturesque Pillar Point Harbor and is the ideal setting for weddings, celebrations, retreats and corporate events. Named for the famed surf break just up the beach, the Mavericks Event Center sits on a large oceanfront bluff, with an indoor ballroom that can accommodate up to 150 guests, plus a spacious outdoor deck and harbor view garden. For more information please visit www.maverickseventcenter.com.