Salinas brewmaster brings tastes of Germany to Monterey County

As a craft brewer, J.C. Hill has always had a romantic obsession with traditional European beer styles, but he had never gone to the source to try them.

That is until earlier this year when Hill, the owner and brewmaster of Alvarado Street Brewery in Salinas, took the trip of a lifetime. He moved his family to Munich, Germany, where he could immerse himself in the world-renowned beer culture of Bavaria and complete his beer bucket list.

"I was fortunate to try a lot of classic styles in their freshest form and talk to the brewers that made them, including Helles in Munich, Kolsch in Cologne, Pils in Prague, and Trappist Ale in Belgium," Hill stated in a press release.

The beer tour was part of a unique educational experience, which culminated in Hill earning a Master Brewer certificate at Germany's Doemens Academy, which operates a joint venture with Chicago-based Siebel Institute called the World Brewing Academy.

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Hill is taking what he has learned and implementing some gradual changes to operations at Alvarado Street Brewery, which has locations in Salinas, Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea.

To celebrate the annual beer Bacchanal, Alvarado Street Brewery is showcasing some of Hill's first German-inspired beers at all Alvarado Street locations, including Alvarado-on-Main in Salinas during a special Oktoberfest event on Saturday, Sept. 21.

A new focus on European-style beers at Carmel-by-the-Sea

Alvarado Street Brewery & Bistro located in the Carmel Plaza in tourist destination Carmel-by-the-Sea is well known for its California coastal cuisine, expansive outdoor patio and dining room and full bar.

The smallest of its multi-site brewing operation, the Carmel location has traditionally focused on Alvarado's R&D program crafted on a pilot five-barrel brewhouse. After his European sojourn, Hill has plans for Carmel to focus solely on traditional European-style lagers and ales.

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More progressive, experimental beer styles that are centered around hops will be the main production of Alvarado Street Brewery's original location in Monterey.

"The switch in brewing focus between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Monterey will allow us to pursue all the German, Belgian and Czech beer styles we could ever make," Hill said.

Classic Alvarado brews reign supreme at Salinas brewery

Hill intends for Alvarado Street Brewery and Tasting Room on Dayton Street in Salinas to stay true to its roots.

The more than 20,000-square-foot warehouse space is where most of Alvarado Street Brewery's beer is produced and will continue to churn out fan favorites including the tropical Mai Tai, Monterey Beer, a light American lager based on an original Salinas beer from the 1930s, Cold Pressed Hazy IPA, Pils (German-style Pilsner) and Howzit Punch, a fruited sour ale.

Alvarado-on-Main in Oldtown Salinas

A gem of Oldtown Salinas, Alvarado-on-Main is the place to go if you want to lounge and feel casually fancy while sipping a Paloma cocktail or Snaquiri, a mini daiquiri.

The art deco inspired dining room is the perfect venue for date night or to catch up with friends and watch the football while enjoying burger and brunch specials.

The circular bar keeps you within eye gaze of the bartender and the large windows give you a perfect view of the goings on outside while enjoying the cozy confines of the comfortable seating.

Upstairs, the mezzanine offers a casual, comfortable and private lounge to enjoy a cocktail or beer with friends and a full menu accessible through QR code is available so there is no need to flag down any staff to keep drink orders coming.

"It has truly been a pleasure to be able to be a part of the rejuvenation of Oldtown Salinas," said Brock Bill, director of marketing. "The scene here on Main Street continues to entice new, local businesses to set up shop and the energy behind this insurgence has been very inspiring to us. From offering unique culinary experiences, imbibing among friends with a cocktail or local beer, to exploring the nightlife of a weekend night, Oldtown is the place to be these days."

This article originally appeared on Salinas Californian: Salinas brewmaster brings tastes of Germany to Monterey County