Thursday 23rd of February 2012 08:27:02 PM

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Monterey Coast Brewing had nine house-made beers on our visit, representing a fairly standard brewpub range of ales, and in this case, ones that don't push the envelope. The IPA we tried was good, if milder or more British-style than has become customary on the West Coast.

The brewpub is in an old building in the Old Town district. The pub is a large room with extremely high ceilings with hanging early 20th century frosted lighting fixtures and very robust exposed wooden joists. The side wall in the dining area section is exposed brick and decorated with large painted beer logos (murals, really) of the house beers. The opposite wall, in the bar section, has large openings (no glass!) revealing the fermenters, and this serves as the bar “back”.

The copper-clad mash tun and brew kettle are on a raised concrete platform to the left of the bar just inside the front windows and there is no barrier from the seating area other than a chain and the short concrete curb. The bar itself is wood lined by tall swiveling wooden chairs. A row of wooden tables with wooden Windsor-style chairs provide additional seating.

A four foot high wooden wall separates the worn (historical?) wood floored bar area from the carpeted dining area, which has quite a few more similar tables and chairs as well as a row of wooden booths.

The food choices are extensive but fairly standard although there are some nice specials. The quality is quite good and the vegetables very fresh. The grilled shrimp appetizer and chicken sandwiches we had were delicious.

Sunday 11th of January 2009 02:28:10 PM

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One long narrow room in a classic building, the bar and tall table seating is located along one side with booth and table dining along the other. The fermenters are visible through glass windows behind the bar and the brew kettles are in an open corner near the front door. Nine taps were operating when we visited and I enjoyed both the Scottish Red and the Chocolate Porter. The menu included a nice array of typical pub items and the house baked foccacia bread made for terrific sandwiches. Salads, seafood, pasta and some hearty entrees make for a well rounded dining selection. Parking is available on the street or in the large lot for the nearby National Steinbeck Center.

Thursday 4th of October 2007 08:52:38 PM

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Located next to the movie theatre and Steinbeck Museum in old Downtown Salinas.

All the brews here seem to be a little light in body although the characteristics of each style and taste are spot on. the brewmasters touch must account for this distinction. My favorite is the red but as with all my selections I like the porter too.

The food is a bit upscale and thoughly yummy. The Bar top is an irregular cross-cut of a full tree trunk and is very cool. There are no TV sets but the locals are very friendly and entertaining.

Thursday is half-off growler night and they will fill any clean growler.