Patrons can dine in former police station’s weapons vault
Morgan Hill – After 16 years of planning, El Toro Brewing Company finally opened its brew pub restaurant Saturday in downtown Morgan Hill.
Featuring hearty pub fare such as homemade burgers, fish and chips, stews, chilies, soups and salads, husband-wife owners Geno and Cindy Acevedo said they couldn’t wait to open their doors at Monterey Road and Main Avenue.
“We have wanted to open a brew pub since we were home-brewing together in college,” said Geno, president and brewmaster of El Toro Brewing Company in Morgan Hill. “We even used to spend our weekends (in college) rummaging through old stainless steel equipment from the Falstaff Brewery (in San Jose) and the old canneries in San Jose as they were closing.”
Geno and Cindy launched El Toro Brewing Company in 1994 after four years of planning but decided to wait for the right moment before entering the risky restaurant business. The couple invested $2 million in the brewery while polishing a business plan for a pub.
“For over five years now, and on the heals of the dot-com explosion, we decided that the timing, population and sophistication of Morgan Hill was right to expand our microbrewery and execute our own brew pub business,” said Geno, a member of the Morgan Hill Planning Commission.
Occupying the former site of the Morgan Hill Police Department, the brew pub touts a 45-foot bar of inlaid and polished poppy jasper – Geno proclaims it’s the only one of its kind in the world.
The 7,500-square-foot pub can seat 300 patrons on its two floors and patio, with room for 20 in the former police station’s weapons vault.
More the 25 beers and handcrafted sodas are on tap, including guest brews from other cities.
A fire pit adorns one end of the patio, and outdoor diners can watch their pizzas cook in a wood burning oven.
Adding to the leisurely atmosphere, an upstairs lounge features darts, foosball, shuffleboard and board games.
A gleaming copper brewing system with 100-gallon capacity is located downstairs.
“We’re thrilled to be open and look forward to employing up to 50 local employees,” Cindy said, describing the joint as a family friendly environment.
Geno said the pub will feature live music and dancing regularly, with bands playing rock, blues jazz and reggae.
El Toro Brewing Company has built a reputation among microbrewery fans for top-notch brews and friendly service. Located at 17370 Hill Road, the brewery produces a variety of beers every year such as Geno’s Honey Blonde, Kölsch, Peach Ale, Poppy Jasper and Imperial IPA.
Tony Burchyns covers Morgan Hill for The Times. Reach him at (408) 779-4106 ext. 201 or [email protected].
