Old Monterey District Blog

Award winning Peter B’s Brewpub, located behind Portola Hotel & Spa, is pleased to announce Justin Rivard as the new Head Brewer. Rivard has been brewing beer professionally for many years, spanning from Grizzly Peak Brewing Company in Michigan to Head Brewer of Arbor Brewery Company Microbrewery.

Rivard began his career as an Assistant Brewer for three years at Jolly Pumpkin Artesian Ales and Grizzly Peak Brewing Company. Shortly after, he earned a position at Arbor Brewing Company and accelerated his position to Head Brewer after just 7 months. There he developed the skills necessary to lead a team and was able to increase overall production.

Rivard hopes to expand beyond the brews that have become so popular at Peter B’s and to push the envelope while maintaining the existing flagship styles. “I do enjoy brewing historic styles like mild’s and porters and I am excited to brew funky, off the wall Saisons while bringing unique pale ales and IPA’s from around the world into the lineup, as well as traditional German style beers.” said Rivard.

Peter B’s Brewpub’s new Head Brewer will official join the team in Monterey on June 1, 2016 and the team could not be more enthusiastic about his arrival.

Montrio Bistro was recently certified as a 2-Star Certified Green Restaurant by the Green Restaurant Association (GRA), an international nonprofit organization helping restaurants become more environmentally sustainable.

Founded in 1990, the GRA has pioneered the green restaurant movement, becoming the leading voice within the industry and encouraging restaurants to green their operations using transparent, science-based certification standards.

Just the Green Facts:
* Near-zero waste operation
* Full recycling and composting
* Renewable energy credits
* Reusables for in-house
* Over 40% of food is organic

See Montrio's detailed Green Label and highlights from their GRA certification report.

My Museum is excited to announce two new classes to our weekly schedule: the Parenting Empowerment Group on Tuesdays at 9am, and BabyJam on Wednesdays at 9:30am.

The Parenting Empowerment Group, beginning May 10, will replace the Tuesday morning Positive Parenting Plus Class. Join Kim Biggio for a lively, one-hour interactive discussion on the adventures of parenting. Fee is $10 per parent or $15 for one parent plus on-site childcare for potty trained children ages 2 and up. To insure adequate supervision, childcare pre-registration is required by the Friday before each class. Please bring a snack for each child; we will provide water and access to the museum.

BabyJam^TM is a half-hour, interactive tickle, giggle, and cuddle class that will strengthen the bond between parent and baby, newborn to walking. This class stimulates physical and cognitive development through music, object exploration, and creative movement while creating loving memories. The class is open and free to all MY Museum Members and daily guests. The museum exhibits will be ready for play at 10am when MY Museum officially opens.

Renee Marchelle Photography is now booking appointments for senior portrait sessions of the class of 2017. As of April 25, 2016, she only has 5 more session dates left for the summer and 11 session dates available for the rest of 2016! Visit her website learn more about what makes Renée Marchelle Photography so fun and unique. Then be sure to fill out the contact form and she'll send you everything you need to know on how to book your senior portrait session.

Renee Marchelle provides the most unique senior portrait experience in Monterey County and has established herself as the first and only photographer in Monterey to specialize in high school senior portraiture. Renee is considered one of the top senior portrait photographers in the nation, effortlessly capturing the unique personalities of every high school senior she photographs while simultaneously creating timeless art for their families to cherish.

Alvarado Street Brewery is proud to announce the opening of their new beer garden. The open air, pavilion-like structure, located outdoors behind the restaurant, features six picnic-style tables and a lounge space complete with adjoining fire pits.

“We wanted a casual space where locals and guests could come in, have a beer, and relax in an outdoor setting,” said JC Hill, Head Brewer and Co-Founder of Alvarado Street Brewery. Hill explained that part of the casual theme is the counter-service ordering process where guests can order any of the twelve beers available as well as certain restaurant menu items such as the Alvarado burger, garlic fries, or one of Chef Jeremiah Tydeman’s smoked BBQ creations such as ribs, brisket, short ribs, or pulled pork (each of which will be available on different days of the week). High demand for BBQ and limited supply will limit the BBQ menu solely to the beer garden for now.

For serving beer in the garden, Hill has selected a 16 ounce stainless steel cup as the pint vessel of choice because it protects the beer from sunlight, which can cause a reaction and lead to a “skunky” aroma (think Corona without a lime).