Hollister Brewing

Where: 6980 Marketplace Drive (Camino Real Marketplace), 805-968-2810, hollisterbrewco.com

What: Gastropub with a wide range of beer styles and pleasing pub food

How much? Appetizers and salads $5.50 – $13, paninis and pizzas $10-$13, mains $10.50 -$18, beer $4-$5 a pint

The dish: Brewer Eric Rose has been making so many beers so well of late it’s easy to forget there’s food to be had at Hollister, but even the food is better than when this friendly, multi-TVed haven for hopheads opened in May 2007. So while you enjoy his pitch perfect ales, whether that be a Pigman Pale or a Big Box Brown, or go for one of his more whimsical creations like a Passion Fruit Wit or Sancho (his take on a Mexican lager he featured this summer), you should eat, too. The burger is good, nothing too flashy despite its claim of being made from American Kobe beef, and actually the sliders might be better, especially since they come with a fine tomato-onion relish atop and homemade pickles, a tad tart, a soupcon sweet, on the side. The duck fat fries are crispy and never greasy (and a huge order as an appetizer). Fish tacos really taste of fish, and are appropriately garnished with queso fresco and salsa quemada. The individual pizzas are fine, too, and even a bit inventive (they just want to keep up with the beer) – a tri-tip with caramelized onions, blue cheese, and a three cheese mix soothes the savage appetite.