Huntington Beach Beer Company Hops to It As a Brewery

Down by the ocean, along breezy, palm-tree-lined Main Street in Huntington Beach, a new microbrewery has quickly become a favorite weekend hangout.

Located one flight of stairs above the intersection of Main Street and Walnut Avenue, the Huntington Beach Beer Company offers a view of the never-ending parade of teen-agers, tourists and others. The informal atmosphere is emphasized by friendly servers in shorts and white T-shirts, and the casually dressed families and young couples seated throughout. An eclectic mix of music plays softly in the background, including selections from Ray Charles, Van Morrison, Oingo Boingo and U2.

The decor inside is cheery, clean and unpretentious, with exposed air ducts on the ceiling, large bay windows that keep the place sunny all day, brick walls and small wooden tables. Outside on the balconies, it’s bright almost to a fault, so most everyone wears sunglasses as they sip chilled brews and watch couples on the sidewalks below pause in the shade of the swaying palms. Young and old alike pack the place on weekend nights.

The beers made here are some of the best around. Especially notable for its light, sweet taste is the Main Street Wheat, served with a round slice of lemon floating on top that adds a enjoyable tang to the brew. The Huntington Beach Blonde is also a favorite, with a pale color and crisp taste. The Beer Company offers five-ounce taster glasses of its “handmade ales” for $1. Twelve-ounce glasses cost $2.50, while pints go for $3 and 60-ounce pitchers go for $8.

It’s not possible to taste all the brews in one visit. Although the Beer Company boasts about 25 beers, it only makes a few at a time and changes its offerings every two weeks. The Beer Company offers brews such as Budweiser, Coors Light and Amstel Light, but at $2.75 they’re more expensive and not as good as the locally made choices.

Wines are also available ($3.50 to $5.50 per glass); soft drinks, iced tea, pink lemonade and coffee are $1, and mineral water goes for $2.

Menu selections range from pasta and salads to hamburgers and pizzas. Unusual fare includes the spicy “armadillo eggs,” made of jalapenos stuffed with Cheddar cheese, breaded and deep-fried ($3.95). The wood-fired brick oven pizzas are especially good and include treats such as barbecue chicken, Thai and vegetarian toppings, as well as traditional cheese and pepperoni ($5.75 to $7.25).

Huntington Beach Beer Company, 201 Main St., Suite E, Huntington Beach. Open Sunday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to midnight; Friday and Saturday till 2 a.m. (714) 960-5343.