For my brewery tour this month, I headed toward Half Moon Bay, where a half-mile stretch of coast near famous Mavericks Beach is home to three breweries, not to mention restaurants and other diversions — plus spectacular ocean views. These offerings often seem to fly under the radar of Bay Area beer lovers and get “lost in the fog,” according to one of the brewers I spoke with. Here’s hoping that changes, because this taproom trio is well worth a visit.
Half Moon Bay Brewing
This coastal brewery will celebrate its 25th anniversary next year. Co-founded by Lenny Mendonca, this Half Moon Bay landmark was originally a restaurant — until 2000, when Bay Area brewing legend Alec Moss added a brewery. Journeyman brewer James Costa, who brewed previously at Bear Republic, Moylan’s and Oakland Brewing, was hired to consult on a line of canned session beers called Mavericks, before taking over brewmaster duties 13 years ago.
I’ve known Costa for many years, and his talent shows in all of HMB’s beers. Their best seller is the Kolsch, a solid version that’s clean and crisp, followed closely by the Full Swing IPA, an excellently dank West Coast IPA with notes of pine, citrus and stone fruit. For even more hops, order the Swing For the Fences XXIPA.
Half Moon Bay Brewing Co. in Half Moon Bay is a great spot to grab a bite and a pint. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group File)
The brewpub is right across the street from the ocean and overlooks a protected cove near Mavericks Beach. Outside, there’s a large beer garden which is perfect on sunny days, and a smaller one around the other side, frequently used for private events. Inside, it resembles a large seaside cabin with lots of wood and numerous rooms that include some ocean views.
The restaurant offers a full menu of appetizers, salads, burgers and sandwiches, plus a great fish and chips made with local cod — plus wine and cocktails.
Details: Opens at 11 a.m weekdays and 10 a.m. weekends at 390 Capistrano Road in Half Moon Bay; hmbbrewingco.com.
Hop Dogma founder Dan Littlefield is shown at the Half Moon Bay brewery. (Courtesy Jay R. Brooks)
Hop Dogma Brewing
Around the corner at the Shoppes at Harbor Village, you’ll find Hop Dogma. Founded in 2013 by homebrewer-turned-pro Dan Littlefield, Hog Dogma initially opened in an old house. When a landlord dispute forced the change of locations in 2018, the taproom moved to Harbor Village and helped revitalize the space.
Littlefield’s Venti is Large, a coffee stout, just won a silver medal at this year’s Great American Beer Festival, giving the brewery bragging rights for winning a GABF medal four out of the last five years. I’m also partial to Alpha Dankopotamus, a West Coast IPA made with Mosaic, Simcoe and Citra hops, and Rocket Surgery Wit, especially if you’re looking for something with more delicate flavors.
Every second Thursday of the month, the brewery hosts comedy nights from up-and-coming Bay Area comedians known as the Comedy Sharks. They also have live music, usually on Wednesdays, and pop-up food on the weekends.
Details: Opens at 2 p.m. Monday-Thursday and noon Friday Sunday at 270 Capistrano Road, Suite 22 in Half Moon Bay; hopdogma.com.
Blue Ocean Brewing
Blue Ocean Brewing’s co-founder Rob Carpenter and beertender Lauren Barmore stand behind the Half Moon Bay bar. (Courtesy Jay R. Brooks)
The newest brewery in the neighborhood, Blue Ocean was founded in 2021 by a trio of locals including Rob Carpenter, Eddy Kalem and Tom McGuirk. Kalem was a homebrewer at the time, and McGuirk had restaurant experience, and the idea to open a brewery hit them, unsurprisingly, while sitting around enjoying some beers. In 2021, they began brewing kegs for a few local restaurants and opened the taproom the following year.
The taproom feels like you’ve stopped by the home of a cool friend. There’s a patio with comfortable seating, a small bar inside and a food truck is often parked outside.
They keep around a dozen beers on at any given time, in a variety of styles. Some of my favorites included the Kelly Ave., a dry, crisp Kolsch; Eventide, a slightly sweet Helles; and Sea Wolf, a solid old-school West Coast IPA.
Details: Opens at 4 p.m. Wednesday-Friday and noon on weekends at 315 Princeton Ave. in Half Moon Bay; blueoceanbrewing.com.
But wait, there’s more
Between Half Moon Bay Brewing and Blue Ocean at 155 Broadway, you’ll find the Jettywave Distillery, where the tasting room’s Slab Bar is open Friday through Sunday, offering tastings of their gin, bourbon, absinthe and other spirits, along with cocktails and a full menu for lunch and dinner by onsite partner Gibraltar Gems.
The Jettywave Distillery near Pillar Point Harbor. (Courtesy Amber Turpin)
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And over by Hop Dogma, check out OceanCiders, an outdoorsy spot that offers hard ciders, beer, non-alcoholic beverages and a few snacks from a trailer. It’s surrounded by fire pits, Adirondack chairs, benches and plenty of room to stretch out — and live music on Saturdays and Sundays.
Contact Jay R. Brooks at BrooksOnBeer@gmail.com.
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