I finally had a chance to visit Dean Biersch’s new brewpub in Sebastopol, the Hopmonk Tavern. My good friend, Pete Slosberg, invited me to join him to hear Tony Magee, the owner of Lagunitas Brewing, perform there last night, and we met some other friends from Lagunitas for a nice dinner and blues music. The Hopmonk is beautiful and, as expected, Biersch remade the space with a wonderful attention to detail. The new beer garden, the biggest departure from its earlier configuration as Powerhouse Brewing, is the most comfortable new feature. The food was terrific, as was the unfiltered pilsner. Their beer list is quite impressive, too.
 

Outside the new Hopmonk Tavern in Sebastopol, California.

My good friend Tony Magee warms up for his set of blues music.

For more photos from the Hopmonk Tavern, visit the photo gallery.