101 South
SLO Brew
SLO Brew has been in town since 1988, when it opened as the first brewpub on the Central Coast--and one of the first in the U.S.--since prohibition. Now this main pub is right downtown, amid a sea of pubs. Recently expanded, it is now composed of three venues:●The Brew
736 Higuera St., (805) 543-1843. L-D daily.
Located smack across the street from Bubblegum Alley and on the street where the SLO Farmer’s Market is held each Thursday, this brew pub is situated within the renovated and remodeled 1890s Carissa Building. The Brew is spacious, with several seating areas that include a long bar and an area with mega booths, and live concerts are often scheduled on a stage that at other times holds a huge TV screen tuned to sports. A few brews are still made here, but most of production has moved out to The Rock. If you are indecisive, you can order a sampler flight of four, like I did. My faves were Pismo Pils and Reggae Red. Pub fare includes roasted roots (ours included carrots, beets, and turnips), fresh local fish and chips battered with IPA, and a chicken pot pie topped with a flaky crust.
Located smack across the street from Bubblegum Alley and on the street where the SLO Farmer’s Market is held each Thursday, this brew pub is situated within the renovated and remodeled 1890s Carissa Building. The Brew is spacious, with several seating areas that include a long bar and an area with mega booths, and live concerts are often scheduled on a stage that at other times holds a huge TV screen tuned to sports. A few brews are still made here, but most of production has moved out to The Rock. If you are indecisive, you can order a sampler flight of four, like I did. My faves were Pismo Pils and Reggae Red. Pub fare includes roasted roots (ours included carrots, beets, and turnips), fresh local fish and chips battered with IPA, and a chicken pot pie topped with a flaky crust.
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| 1890s Carissa Building holds The Brew at SLO Brew in San Luis Obispo, California |
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| check-in at The Brew at SLO Brew in San Luis Obispo, California |
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| interior of The Brew at SLO Brew in San Luis Obispo, California |
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| giant booths at The Brew at SLO Brew in San Luis Obispo, California |
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| bar at The Brew at SLO Brew in San Luis Obispo, California |
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| roasted roots and sampler beer flight at The Brew at SLO Brew in San Luis Obispo, California |
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| chicken pot pie at The Brew at SLO Brew in San Luis Obispo, California |
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| fish and chips at The Brew at SLO Brew in San Luis Obispo, California |
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| tending to the tanks at The Brew at SLO Brew in San Luis Obispo, California |
●The Lofts
738 Higuera St., (805) 543-1843. 5 suites. Pets ok. Free parking 2 blks. away by Jamba Juice.
Perched directly above The Brew--yes, you can hear the live music, but it is subdued and free and earplugs are provided, and sometimes you can even smell the fragrant grain from the brewing process--this sophisticated lodging offers one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites. Featuring a contemporary decor plus exposed brick walls, each suite in The Lofts is unique. All feature a flip-on fireplace, sliding barn-style doors, high ceilings, tall doors, wood floors, old-fashioned but new plumbing, a well-appointed kitchen with high-end appliances, a sofa sleeper, white cotton bed linens on a comfy four-poster high bed, and--in concert with the music theme--an old-fashioned record player and some well-loved 33 1/3 albums. My husband was chuckling to Charlie Daniels and I was enjoying The Doors. Two rooms have a back porch with a creek view. Lobby decor is artsy, and includes music-related art such as a psychedelic painting of Jimi Hendrix and an unusual black-and-white photograph of Tina Turner, and room service is available from the hotel pub.
Perched directly above The Brew--yes, you can hear the live music, but it is subdued and free and earplugs are provided, and sometimes you can even smell the fragrant grain from the brewing process--this sophisticated lodging offers one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites. Featuring a contemporary decor plus exposed brick walls, each suite in The Lofts is unique. All feature a flip-on fireplace, sliding barn-style doors, high ceilings, tall doors, wood floors, old-fashioned but new plumbing, a well-appointed kitchen with high-end appliances, a sofa sleeper, white cotton bed linens on a comfy four-poster high bed, and--in concert with the music theme--an old-fashioned record player and some well-loved 33 1/3 albums. My husband was chuckling to Charlie Daniels and I was enjoying The Doors. Two rooms have a back porch with a creek view. Lobby decor is artsy, and includes music-related art such as a psychedelic painting of Jimi Hendrix and an unusual black-and-white photograph of Tina Turner, and room service is available from the hotel pub.
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| lobby elevator at The Lofts at SLO Brew in San Luis Obispo, California |
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| upstairs lobby at The Lofts at SLO Brew in San Luis Obispo, California |
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| Jimi Hendrix portrait at The Lofts at SLO Brew in San Luis Obispo, California |
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| 4-poster high bed at The Lofts at SLO Brew in San Luis Obispo, California |
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| bathroom at The Lofts at SLO Brew in San Luis Obispo, California |
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| front room at The Lofts at SLO Brew in San Luis Obispo, California |
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| kitchen at The Lofts at SLO Brew in San Luis Obispo, California |
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| comp beers in fridge at The Lofts at SLO Brew in San Luis Obispo, California |
●The Rock
855 Aerovista Place, off Broad St./Hwy 227, near the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport, 3 mi. from downtown. L daily, D W-Sun. Tours by request.
Located in a business park, this new brewing facility features a tasting room, the casual SLO Brew Taproom restaurant, a beer garden, and event space. The Rock is centered around a dramatic historical rock that is part of the Seven Sisters volcanic rock formation, and the outdoor patio has “The Rock” as a dramatic backdrop. The taproom centerpiece is a rotisserie Oyler smoker, considered by many BBQ aficionados to be the finest barbecue pit in the world. Meat is slowly cooked over locally-sourced red oak and apple wood for a distinct smokehouse flavor. Menu highlights include smoked fish tacos, mussels in a pot, Carolina-style pulled pork, and Texas-style smoked brisket. Sandwiches, salads, burgers and wraps are also available. The brewery expects to produce 5,000 barrels in 2017 and now uses only cans, no bottles.
Located in a business park, this new brewing facility features a tasting room, the casual SLO Brew Taproom restaurant, a beer garden, and event space. The Rock is centered around a dramatic historical rock that is part of the Seven Sisters volcanic rock formation, and the outdoor patio has “The Rock” as a dramatic backdrop. The taproom centerpiece is a rotisserie Oyler smoker, considered by many BBQ aficionados to be the finest barbecue pit in the world. Meat is slowly cooked over locally-sourced red oak and apple wood for a distinct smokehouse flavor. Menu highlights include smoked fish tacos, mussels in a pot, Carolina-style pulled pork, and Texas-style smoked brisket. Sandwiches, salads, burgers and wraps are also available. The brewery expects to produce 5,000 barrels in 2017 and now uses only cans, no bottles.
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| beer garden at The Rock at SLO Brew in San Luis Obispo, California |
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| co-owner Hamish Marshall in tank area at The Rock at SLO Brew in San Luis Obispo, California |
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| colorful inventory at The Rock at SLO Brew in San Luis Obispo, California |
More things to do in San Luis Obispo.
More ideas for exploring Northern California.
images ©2017 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
I visited three craft breweries in San Luis Obispo, but not these two. The decor and food at The Brew looks inviting.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to see a company with such a rich history expanding...
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty neat: the brew, the lofts, and the rock all in one place for drinks and pub food, lodging and tourism.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the culinary offerings don't include bubblegum! I much prefer the sound of roasted roots. And The Lofts looks like an interesting place to stay.
ReplyDeleteSLO Brew looks really cool. I'd love to stay there if and when I ever get to San Louis Obispo!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading about San Luis Obispo and SLO Brew. I'd love to visit!
ReplyDelete