Old Monterey District Blog

The Portola Hotel & Spa is proud to now offer a full 1 gigabit (Gbps) Internet connection to support meetings, events, and guests of the property. The enterprise grade connection supports wi-fi, fiber, and ethernet connections to meet the needs of conferences and tech-savvy event planners.

Along with The Portola Hotel & Spa’s Event Technology Group, which has 40+ years of combined technical expertise, this versatility and precedent-setting Internet capability distinguishes the property by having one of the best and fastest guest networks in the area. The connection type, speeds up to 1Gbps, and public static IP addresses may be customized for individual clients’ needs. This is beneficial for supporting the varying needs of presenters and groups, many of which now rely on cloud based services. The Hotel's new gigabit connection has increased previous Internet capacity by tenfold.

Other highlights from Portola Hotel’s technology upgrade include: all event technology equipment is onsite and owned by Portola Hotel & Spa; fiber optic infrastructure offers maximum flexibility throughout the property; the finest multi-media systems, including High Impact HD20K Barco Projectors and Barco Video Switcher; and 16:9 wide screens to support today’s video presentation formats.

Guys and gals, there’s still time to get your prom dresses and tuxedoes at Bride N' Formal by the Bay! Beautiful prom dresses in varied styles are arriving weekly. We also have the very latest, very classy tux by Michael Kors available for rent - it’s really sharp. Come on by and take a look!

There’s some construction in front of our shop, but don’t worry, we’re still open!

Peter B’s invites adults age 21 and older to enter our first-ever Wing Sauce Competition! Each original recipe must include a Peter B’s Original Craft Brew and all entries must be submitted via our Peter B’s Brewpub Official Facebook page by May 8, 2015 and include #PeterBsWingsContest.

Just stop by Peter B’s Brewpub to purchase a growler or buy a bottle brew (please ask the bartender which seasonal beers are available to use in the competition), then create your recipe and post the recipe to Peter B’s Brewpub Official Facebook page with the #peterbswingscontest

Judging will take place during the live broadcast of KRML’s Pub Talk with the Beer Geek on May 13, 2015. The grand prize winner will be awarded a one-night stay at the Portola Hotel & Spa with dinner for two at Peter B’s and, of course, bragging rights!

Please note: Must be 21 years or older to enter. Competition not open to employees of the Portola Hotel & Spa. Winner does not need to be present the day of judging.

The Monterey Jazz Festival, in partnership with the Museum of Monterey, will exhibit historical material at the Museum of Monterey from March 20 through May 1, 2015. The exhibit will include historical photos, posters, clothing, and memorabilia from the Festival's 58-year history, including a drum set once owned by Shelly Manne.

Admission is free and all are welcome. The Museum of Monterey is open Wednesday-Saturday, 11am-5pm, and Sunday, 12pm-5pm.

In addition, on Thursday, April 9, 5pm-7pm, the Museum of Monterey will host a reception honoring the 58 years of the Monterey Jazz Festival. Admission is free and open to the public.

Here at Old Capitol Books, we love National Poetry Month – I mean, what’s NOT to love? So, in celebration of this glorious time, we are offering 20% off all our used poetry books, April 1-30, 2015! Come get your fill of Milton, Dickinson, Maya Angelou, H.D., T.S. Eliot, and hundreds more. (Please note: new books are excluded from this offer.)

And don’t forget to check out our awesome National Poetry Month party with a poetry workshop and an open mic on Saturday, April 11.

Bella's Studio, Old Monterey's sewing, craft, and design studio, is presenting Summer Kids' Camps June 1 - August 7, 2015 for a variety of ages and skill levels. For a complete list of our summer camps, including descriptions, please click here. Be sure to sign up early because sessions fill up quickly.

Kids' Summer Camps 2015
June 1-5: For the Young Ones (ages 6-8)
June 8-12 (a.m.): Boys Can Sew (ages 7-9)
June 8-12 (p.m.): Sew Green Fashionista #1 (ages 8-16)
June 15-19: All Dolled Up #1 (ages 7-13)
June 22-26: Sew Green Fashionista #2 (ages 8-16)
June 29-July 3: Soft & Cuddly (ages 7-13)
July 13-17: Totes, Pouches & Pillows (ages 7-13)
July 20-24: All Dolled Up #2 (ages 7-13)
July 27-31: Quilt & Stitch (ages 7-13)
Aug 3-7: Sew Green Fashionista #3 (ages 8-16)

I think it’s time to discuss one of my personal favorite elements of the beer realm for this month’s post, HOPS. It doesn’t matter if you’re a light beer drinker, are into darker styles, or one who can’t stand IPA’s, one cannot underestimate the importance of hops in beer and their role in growing the industry into what it is today. I can’t tell you how many people I meet that aren’t a fan of IPA’s or hop forward beers and then try the one that stimulates their olfactory senses to the point of completely reversing their opinion only seconds prior. It makes sense, the average beer drinker probably doesn’t realize that the aroma of a beer exists, let alone one of the best parts of the drinking experience. The rise of experimental hops, International varieties, and a fundamental shift from high alpha acid cultivation (hops used primarily for bitterness) to predominately aromatic varieties has had a direct impact on the public’s perception of hops. In the wine world, the aroma is arguably one of the most important elements of the drink – for beer, the same rule applies. And often, hops are setting the stage. Here’s a look a different varieties from around the world, and how they impact a beer.

THE FUNCTION OF HOPS IN BEER
Let’s cover the basics. The four main reasons why hops are added to beer is as follows:

1. Add bitterness to achieve balance with the malty, sweet wort derived from the mash (where malted barley and water are mixed).
2. Provide unique flavors and aromas.
3. Enhance foam quality.
4. Protect beer from microbial contamination, i.e. – hops will assist preserving beer from infection.

So there you have it – hops augment the appearance (by aiding the beautiful, pillowy-white lacing that catches the sides of the glass), aroma, flavor, provide balance, and even act as a preservative in beer. It’s no wonder that hops are truly an indispensable proponent that make modern beer what it is.

HOPS AROUND THE GLOBE

The Pacific Northwest
It’s no secret that the United States is leading the charge of the craft beer revolution. Much of the reason for that are the unique American hop varieties being cultivated in the Yakima Valley of Eastern Washington. It started with the Cascade variety in 1971. The floral, grapefruity character of these hops were noticed by early pioneers like Sierra Nevada, whose use of the hop in their pale ale changed the industry forever. Other varieties soon followed like Columbus, Centennial, and Chinook – mostly known for their pine-like, resinous, and citrusy qualities. Then a whole slew of experimental, aromatic varieties started pouring out – the infamous Simcoe (Pliny the Elder, anyone?), tropical Amarillo, and relatively newer varieties like Citra, Mosaic, and Equinox – prized for their stone fruit heavy, “dank” aromatic profiles. In the coming years, as craft brewers’ insatiable demand...Read More

The Monterey Bay is filled with endless open space. From white sand beaches to whimsical gardens, parks and lush forests, there is no shortage of family-friendly places to picnic and explore. Portola Hotel’s Family Picnic Adventure package includes an overnight stay in a nautically-inspired guest room, a box lunch from Jacks Restaurant for a family of four, and the help of our concierge to find the perfect location where your picnic adventure will begin!

Lunch orders will be placed at check in and delivered to your room the following day at your requested time, 8am-3pm. For more information and to book your package online, please click here. Offer is available March 1, 2015 through July 31, 2015.

Please note: terms and conditions apply to all Monterey Bay hotel deals. Based on availability. Blackout dates apply. Subject to change without notice.

Coastal Home Furniture Gallery announces our Sweet Dreams Sale, February 27 - March 17, 2015. We're offering up to 20% off bedroom furniture, mattresses, and bedding (excludes Tempur Pedic and iComfort). We're also offering innerspring, visco/gel and latex mattresses from $299 (for queen). Visit us at 458 Alvarado Street in Monterey.

Recycling, sustainable living and “going green” are a way of life, especially in California. As Central California’s first U.S. Environmental Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Certified Silver LEED-EB hotel, the Portola Hotel has always led from the front. But, recognizing the need for their employees to have a channel with which to bring their own green ideas to management, the Portola Green LEEDers program was started in January 2011.

Through the Green LEEDers program, Portola staff help to continue and maintain the green initiatives put in place and introduce new ideas, such as in the staff lunch room, where there are separate waste bins for trash, recyclables, and food waste. In 2012, the hotel adopted Monterey’s Del Monte beach in 2012, where Green LEEDers organize four beach cleanups a year through the local environmental non-profit organization Save our Shores.

With interactive programs that engage the hotel and its employees in green practices, as well as engaging in additional sustainability projects, the Portola Hotel & Spa and its restaurants, Jacks Restaurants & Lounge and Peter B’s Brewpub, have established themselves as true leaders in going green.

BEER WEEKS: THE BEST OF CRAFT BEER
As I’m writing this, San Francisco Beer Week is halfway over; tons of amazing events have taken place, and more are in the works. So where did the concept of a “Beer Week” come from, and why are more and more beer tourists flocking to these destinations to participate every year?

The answer to the latter part of the question is simple - if you’re a beer enthusiast, a “Beer Week” in any city lays out a plethora of events with local breweries. All the specialty batches, one-off’s, and collaborations you could imagine - highlighting the best of the local scene. Last weekend, I went up to the Rare Barrel in Berkeley, where they were serving three different dry hopped sour ales and several collaboration beers with fellow Bay Area brewer (and hop Gods), Cellarmaker, and the highly lauded Sante Adairius from Capitola. Needless to say, I was blown away by these offerings - the Rare Barrel is already coming out with some of the most progressive sour ales on the market, and collaborating with these two breweries made the event that much more special. The brewing community does everything in its power to create meaningful events geared towards their fans, and it pushes the industry forward in every way imaginable. Beer pairing dinners, “meet the brewer” events, tap takeovers, festivals, educational seminars, and charitable events all take place over the region in the name of beer.

A modern “Beer Week” is the product of the brewers in the local community, and is usually planned by the local Brewer’s Guild. The San Francisco Brewer’s Guild was founded in 2004, and since then, San Francisco Beer Week has grown to accommodate over 800 events in the span of nine days. Other prominent beer weeks throughout the state include Sacramento Beer Week February 27 - March 6, Los Angeles Beer Week September 20 - 28, and San Diego Beer Week November 6 - 15. Other beer weeks that are starting to gain momentum are Silicon Valley Beer Week in late July and early August, Santa Cruz County Beer Week in August, and OC Beer Week in late June. Honestly, there’s never been a better time to be craft beer enthusiast in this state than right now.

MONTEREY BEER WEEK: LAUNCHING JUNE 7 - 15
Yes, Monterey is jumping on the train with a beer week we can call our own! Endorsed by the Monterey County Fair Heritage Foundation, Monterey Beer Week will feature events from every restaurant, bar, brewery, homebrew store, and bottle shop throughout the county that supports craft beer. This will not only encourage the local beer industry to collaborate, but will also spawn interest in our local food, art, and culture. The culminating event of the week is the Monterey Beer Fest, happening on Saturday, June 15, 2015. We hope that our first beer week can offer a dynamic range of events, attracting locals and tourists alike in the effort to bring recognition to Monterey County as a destination...Read More

Measure P: Fixing Monterey Streets:
There will be community meetings on Monterey Street Repairs on the following dates

Monday, February 9
Hilltop Park Center, 871 Jessie Street, 7 - 9 pm

Wednesday, February 11
Council Chambers, 580 Pacific Street, 7 - 9 pm

Wednesday, February 18
Casanova Oak Knoll Park Center, 735 Ramona Street, 7 - 9 pm

Monday, February 23
Monterey Youth Center, 777 Pearl Street, Noon - 2 pm

Coastal Home Furniture Gallery announces that all our mattresses will be on sale in February 2015! We invite you to visit our showroom at 458 Alvarado Street in Old Monterey - we’re open Monday-Saturday, 10am-6pm, and Sunday, 10am-5pm.

We’ve got some great deals this month! Save up to $200 on select Tempur-Pedic mattress sets. Receive a free box spring with the purchase of a Serta iComfort mattress or save up to $400 on a Serta Motion Perfect Foundation. All other mattresses, including Spring Air California and Serta Perfect Sleeper mattresses, are on sale from $299. And we’re refreshing our floor models, so come check out our selection of floor model Tempur-Pedic and Serta iComfort mattresses on sale.