Brew Tour

BREW TOUR A taste of the Pajaro Valley

By TONY NUÑEZ

The Pajaro Valley is best known for its agriculture but its craft brew scene is also starting to demand some attention. This short but strong list of breweries and taprooms around the Watsonville area are key stops on anyone’s tour through California’s bountiful brew catalog:

Fruition Brewing

Location: 918 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville Website: www.fruitionbrewing.com/ Social media: fruitionbrewing - Facebook, Twitter & Instagram

Contact:

info@fruitionbrewing.com Open: Tuesday-Thursday & Sunday 11am-3pm, Saturday & Sunday 11am-6pm.

Services ofered during Covid-19

pandemic: Free same day local delivery Tuesday-Sunday. Online ordering with scheduled contactless pick up, and walk-up window for fresh beer to-go. The lowdown: Fruition Brewing has been open for one year, utilizing local, sustainable and organic ingredients to make fresh beer with attention to balance. Owners David Purgason and Tallula Preston are proud to source California grown grains and local hops from our friends at Akiyama Hopyard, and ingredients from the world class farms in Watsonville and surrounding counties, including JSM Organics, Gizdich Ranch, Coastal Moon Farm, Dirty Girl Produce, Ox and Willow Farm, B & R Farms, & Ken's Top Notch Produce to name a few. They can't wait for the day when they can safely re-open their patio and tasting room, but, until then, they are committed to keeping MOVING ALONG The Slough Brewing Collective co-owner Jorge Vasquez makes some changes at the brewery’s 65 Hangar Way location.

their small team and community safe, while making sure their customers are able to enjoy fresh beer during this difcult time.

Corralitos Brewing Co.

Location: 2536 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville Website: www.corralitosbrewingco.com/ Social media: corralitosbrewery - Instagram | Corralitos Brewing Co. - Facebook Contact: 831-728-2311

Open: Porchside pick-up 2-5pm, Wednesday-Sunday

Services ofered during

Covid-19 pandemic: Porchside pick-up for beer ordered through www.shopcbcbeer.com/ The lowdown: Located in Corralitos on the outskirts of Watsonville. They brew and pour their own hand-crafted ales. Visit their friendly new taproom and experience what all the buzz is about.

The Slough Brewing Collective

Location: 65 Hangar Way, Watsonville Website: www.thesloughbrewing.com/ Social media: thesloughbeer - Instagram | The Slough Brewing Collective - Facebook Contact: ben@thesloughbrewing.com Open: Working on opening to the public as it transfers to new ownership. Check back in August.

contributed photo

Services ofered during Covid-19

pandemic: Once open, they will focus on pick-up orders, and will gradually roll out an outdoor seating solution The lowdown: Formerly Elkhorn Slough Brewing Company, The Slough Brewing Collective is the natural progression of what the original owners intended. The former owners, Michael Enos and Julie Rienhardt, have passed their business down to their Head Brewer, Jorge Vazquez, a Watsonville local and part owner of Akiyama Hopyard, and their friends; Erix Celis, local teacher and community advocate, and Ben Ward, a veteran of the Santa Cruz brewing scene. They hope to keep the joyful, unpretentious spirit of the original brewery alive, while focusing on what brought them there in the first place: community. They focus on the unique ➝ 10