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Triple Tasting of Beer News From Peter B's Brewpub

On the heels of an ambitious retooling of their beer operation that I described in January with a piece called "Brew Pub Love," the sudsy ones at Peter B's are seeing some hardware head their way—in sync, appropriately enough, with a pair of attractive tasting events on the carbonated horizon.

Beermaker Kevin Clark (pictured) saw his Inclusion Amber Ale earn a silver medal ranking with an 88-point rating from Chicago's The Beverage Tasting Institute's World Beer Championships, a score that equaled more storied breweries like Goose Island, Full Sail and Rogue Ales.

The evaluation on BTI's tastings.com: "Rich amber color. Pleasant aromas of toffee, orange and peach marmalades on rye toast with a supple dryish medium-to-full body and a refreshing dried citrus, toasted nut, and mesclun greens finish. Tasty and very sessionable."

They also received recent recognition from www.craftbeer.com with an appearance on the respected website's "Bed and Brews of America" lineup of "lodging options that are sure to provide some good hand-crafted beers and some good times on your next vacation."

"The elegant Portola Hotel and Spa is home to Monterey Bay’s only craft brewery, Peter B’s," the piece reads. "After riding around on what USA Today calls 'one of the top bike paths in the country,' or a game of golf at the nearby Pebble Beach Golf Links, be sure to enjoy a cold craft beer on their pet-friendly patio."

The beer-champ Inclusion Amber will star at a Brewer’s Dinner 6-8pm on Tuesday, Aug. 30, when Clark will team up with Chef Jason Giles on a three course late summer seasonal menu paired with Peter B’s handpicked, handcrafted beer, and rap about the beer making process and how he paired the craft brews with the menu.

Here's a peek at the pairings:

Starter Lemon Thyme Buttered Popcorn Belly Up Blonde

First Course Baked Scallop With Roasted Garlic Herb Butter Carnavale by the Lost Abbey

Second Course Spinach and Strawberry Salad Served with an IPA vinaigrette Inclusion Amber Ale

Third Course Braised Kurobuta Pork Belly Braised Red Cabbage and Garden Fresh Carrots Legend of Laguna Lager

Fourth Course Burnt Toffee, Coffee Ice Cream Pie Stout Caramel and Chocolate Sauce Stout Resistance

Tickets look to be a bargain at $25. Call 649-2699 to make your reservation.

Then, noon-4pm on Oct. 9, Peter B's parent Portola Hotel hosts an inaugural "Monterey Beer Garden" event ($55) in their storybook Memory Garden. A barbecue and live music will accompany the following beers (though they are subject to change):

Boulder Creek Brewing Company Firehouse Brewery Faultline Brewing Company Campbell Brewing Company Uncommon Brewers English Ales Tied House/Hermitage Brewery Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery Seabright Brewery Drakes Brewing

Call 647-4805 for tickets.