Friday 2nd of March 2012 06:33:50 PM

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Right next to the San Luis Obispo Creek on one edge of the mission square, Creekside Brewing is in a building with one long wall of large large bricks on the outside, but is thoroughly mission-style inside. Quarry tile floors, white-washed and smoothed rounded walls, exposed joists, and heavy wood tables and chairs with leather seats set the tone. A decorative washbowl and ceramic tiles continue the theme in the single restroom. The fascinating lighting fixtures are made of bowl-shaped dark brown sheet metal with sea-related cutouts of sea creatures around the rim and translucent white and blue marbled glass globes beneath. Two booths provide seating in an alcove on one side and the brewery is directly ahead behind six foot high glass panels.

On the opposite side from the booths are doors that open wide to a covered tiled veranda overlooking the shady tree-lined creek. Glass panels run all along the railing on the veranda. Glass panels also fold down to further enclose the space and along with the outdoor heaters, this space is usable even in off weather. Potted geraniums were hung from the railing on our visit in the summer.

There is also a cave-like bar area downstairs, but overall, Creekside is essentially a restaurant.

The food is California-style upscale pub - burgers, sandwiches, tacos, and salads. The soft tacos we tried (pulled pork and smoked brisket) were excellent.

There were five house-made beers as well as two guest beers on our visit. The Bird of Prey IPA we had (made with Falconer hops) was quite good.

Monday 1st of March 2010 02:54:44 PM

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A torrential rain had the tiny SLO creek underneath the patio flowing like a raging river. I was soaked to the skin from coaching next to the arena at a horse trials all day. All I really wanted was a hearty stout and a bowl of stew, but to be fair, ordered a flight of tasters...good choice because I never would have tried the "Spice ale" and come home with a growler full of it. The ultimate complement to a brewer.

The inviting entry leads to a main dining area and a lovely enclosed patio overhanging "the raging river" aka creek. A glassed in brewing area is the center of visual attention. The place had a bit of a mission feel without being cliche.

Happy noises from downstairs attracted me. I was covered in mud - head to boot toe....a downstairs brewpub was just what I had in mind and was not disappointed. Both of the owners...John Moule (brews and handles the kitchen end of things) and Eric (brews and handles the beer stuff) made me welcome and chatted me up for nearly 2 hours!! Incredibly intellegent (professors at the University) attractive and successful, no surprise that the 7 beers on tap, plus the 2 guest taps were all quite yummy with a few surprises. They have a 7 barrel system and brew about every week and a half. Liquor was available at the "bar" and an enormous but unpublished "stash" of unique and cleverly hidden bank of refrigerated bottled beers that Eric has been trading and hiding away for special friends and special occasions!! It's all about who you know and how to ask nicely.

The downstairs area was intimate without being claustrophobic. The fermenters and brewing area were visible without overwhelming the bar experience. A local CalPoly girl was having her birthday and this was where she chose to celebrate. Always tells me alot! Fun and games on the tables, a few tv's (although not "in your face"), add a dartboard or shuffleboard and I'd give it a "10" for atmosphere.

The "coup" for me was finding out that this was one of the 4 locations where "Island brewing" in Carpenteria had "shared" their winter grains overstock. The story goes that someone (I think Firestone? but I was "tasting" when I heard the tale and might have it all wrong, sorry! don't quote me on the details here) gifted Island brewing with 2,000 lbs. of grain at Christmas time. Instead of using them all himself, he shared with 4 other breweries and they each made specialty ales to trade and share. Eric made a "Pumpkin" ale but left out the pumpkin. The result is their "Spice" Ale, 8.9% ABV, with a mild clovey, cinnamony, barely nutmeg essence that smelled like your best memory of Christmas ever but slipped right down the tongue with no aftertaste. I give it a "9" and brought it home as well as drinking it there. Usually I'm opposed to "gimmicky" beers but this was an exception AND an exceptional beer. It was a memorable outing, too bad I didn't try the food because the menu looked good, they change it up regularly. Thanks John and Eric, keep up the good work!

Tasting notes:
Monarch Lite Blonde: their best seller, would appeal to any unsophistocated palate, SQ (slammability quotient)=10...perfect for a hot day. Clear, crisp, pale yellow. AR=8 (Amy Rating)

Brewcrew Brown: sweet malty, nice undertones, warm brown color. AR=8

Spice Ale: 8.9%ABV, 1st: BIG nose of clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg made from a pumpkin recipe without the pumpkin (good choice!)....I prepared myself for the worst....then...I was dreading what would come next.... AND... No icky spicy aftertaste on the tongue!!! Very smooth drinking, almost like all those amazing aromas didn't come out of the liquid. It tasted like beer - not gingersnaps. Wow! I bought a growler ($4 for empty growler and $23 for the beer, steep but worth it) AR=9 One of the top 3 beers I've tasted....ever.

Black Irish Red: Eric explained that the black color came to pass because he reintroduced a brown sugar syrup into this interesting beer on 2 occasions during the fermenting process to kick up the yeast. The result was an unusual darkness from a basic red recipe. Easy drinking, SQ=9 AR=8.5

Smoked Porter: Not TOO smoky but not my favorite AR=7

All Cascade IPA: All cascade hops used in this IPA with a huge nose, mild midtones and a pleasant aftertaste. AR=8

Stout: I didn't take any notes on this because I had discovered the Spice ale and apparently had lost my ability to use any of my senses except the one saying "Drink more Spice ale". It reminded me a bit of the planet Arakis from Dune....ahhhh, now I understand the addiction. Way too bad that there isn't much of the Spice ale left...Oh, but wait...Did I mention Christmas in July??? Eric said he saved a batch that NO ONE knows about! Um, no one but you - the truly devoted that read this all the way to the end!! Thanks for the follow: hopslove peacenbeer,out.

Monday 16th of November 2009 06:00:48 PM

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We stopped in to visit this brewery around 8pm on a Sunday, just before heading back to our campsite near by. We found street parking, but it could have been harder on a busy day.

As we walked into the upstairs dinning area, we noticed a couple of people eating on the side patio over-looking a scenic creek.

To our delight the whole place smelled of beer being brewed by the brewers behind the glass at the back of the dinning room.

We headed to the bar downstairs. As we walked into their small, yet warm/stylish bar area, there was a large group of people celebrating the birthday of the bar manager. The bar tender was very friendly and explained about the party. Later the bar manager gave me a short tour of the brewery.

They had four tables, two TV's, and table games for patrons that some people at another table where utilizing.

We ordered their beer sampler and their sampler platter of cheese, meat, and bread. The beer was not remarkable in my opinion, but we did enjoy their stout. The food platter was impressive.

I would come here again if passing through, mainly for the warm and friendly atmosphere.