Fall 2015 Happenings at Half Moon Bay Brewing Company

Half Moon Bay Brewing Company

The fall looks to be an especially busy time at popular coastside brewery Half Moon Bay Brewing Company (390 Capistrano Rd.). The jam-packed calendar consists of a number of events and seasonal specials in the coming weeks.

Fall 2015 Brews and Views

First up is the return of Brews and Views, a speaker series – created in Nov. 2009 by Half Moon Bay Brewing co-owner Lenny Mendonca – that invites the community to enjoy a beer and a fresh view on American politics and social issues. Each series event takes place on site at the neighboring Mavericks Event Center and typically runs from 6pm-8pm. Admission is complimentary unless noted otherwise. From the brewery:

“The fall 2015 lineup welcomes distinguished guests including Peter Sims, best-selling author, co-founder and managing director of The Silicon Guild; Abdi Soltani, Executive Director of the ACLU of Northern California and proponent of marijuana legalization, on September 17; Dave Burstein, Founder and CEO of Run for America, on October 1; Malka Kopell , Co-Founder of Civity, on October 17; Assemblymember Rich Gordon and San Mateo County District 1 Supervisor Dave Pine to speak on the rising sea level on November 5; Molly Sullivan, Chief of Strategy and Innovation for the US Department of the Navy on November 19; and a special screening of “The Mask You Live In,” the new documentary by filmmaker Jennifer Siebel Newsom on December 3.”

Fall Beers

Ever since joining Half Moon Bay Brewing in 2013, brewmaster James Costa has been crafting successful beers one after the next. His fall releases include the seasonal Pumpkin Harvest Ale (6.3%), an amber ale made with 120 pounds of local grown, roasted and spiced sugar pie pumpkins added to the brew kettle; Imperial Pumpkin Ale (10.2%) brewed with 35 lbs. of local sugar pie pumpkins and 35 lbs. of pumpkin puree; Papa Juice Barley Wine (11.6%) brewed with Crystal and Munich malts with American hops and aged for two months in a George Dickel Whiskey barrel; and Damage, Inc. (10%), a stout with hop character from Columbus, Chinook and Ahtanum hops.

Oktoberfest Menu (Sep. 15-30)

In addition to Half Moon Bay Brewing’s coastal cuisine, Executive Chef Federico Godinez will offer the following menu items: Beer Bratwurst Pretzel made with grilled beer Bratwurst served on a house-made pretzel bun with house-made beer mustard and sauerkraut; German-style sausages featuring grilled, house-made sausages basted in house beers; and classic German sides that can be selected with every entrée, including potato pancakes with fresh applesauce and sauerkraut. These items are available from Sep. 15-30.

Pumpkin Menu (Oct. 1-Oct. 31)

Made in particular to pair with Pumpkin Harvest Ale and Imperial Pumpkin Ale are Chef Godinez’ butternut squash and leek soup, Brussels sprouts salad with pumpkin vinaigrette and desserts, including homemade gingersnap crust butternut squash ricotta cheesecake; all available during the month of October.

Harvest Pumpkin Dinner (Oct. 6)

A three-course dinner prepared by Chef Godinez takes place at 6pm on Tues., Oct. 6 at Mavericks Event Center, featuring local Cozzolino pumpkins paired with the brewery’s pumpkin beers. Menu items include sweet and spicy braised Cozzolino Farms sugar pumpkin and arugula salad with crispy pancetta bits and roasted green garlic vinaigrette, and pan roasted wild king salmon served with slow roasted spaghetti squash and local Swiss chard. Pumpkin Harvest Ale and Imperial Pumpkin Ale will be on the menu as well as a special cider tasting – made from local apples – with the appetizer course from Reef Points Barrel Aged Hard Cider. Farmers Tony and Stephanie Cozzolino will be in attendance to share some of their pumpkin growing and decorating ideas, as well as have some of their unusual squashes, pumpkins and gourds for purchase.

The dinner is $65 per person, including tax and tip. Reservations are required as space is limited to 40 people. Tickets are available for purchase at www.hmbbrewingco.com. Vegetarian options are available. Those with questions may call 650-728-2739, ext. 204.

Coastside Brewfest (Oct. 24)

Half Moon Bay Brewing hosts the second annual Coastside Brewfest on Sat., Oct. 24 from 1pm-5pm at their waterfront parking lot. Look for mostly local breweries, including sister brewery Mavericks, Hop Dogma, Cellarmaker, Devil’s Canyon, Deschutes, Epidemic, Fieldwork, Fort Point, Green Flash, Magnolia, Marin, Moylan’s, Santa Clara Valley, Santa Cruz Ale Works, Sudwerk and others. Off the Grid food trucks will participate and look a special free tasting of Mavericks Grey Water Tunnel Vision Ale brewed with 100% NASA recycled grey water. A portion of the brewfest’s proceeds will be donated to Coastside Hope.

Tickets are $30 in advance or $45 at the door, and are available at www.hmbbrewingco.com.

Halloween (Sat., Oct. 31)

Live music courtesy of Bay Area rock band Bone Drivers starts at 7pm, and the annual costume contest begins at 8pm. Guests of all ages are welcome to enter the costume contest, which awards prizes for a variety of categories, including Most Original Costume, Best Group Costume and the Costume Most Likely to be Imitated Next Year.

[This post was shared on Examiner.com.]