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Start your day with our mouthwatering Breakfast! Serving Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner 40 Penny Lane, Watsonville FULL BAR opens at 11 am daily 831.722.8052 • californiagrillrestaurant.com ...in the place you've always loved! ...in the place you've always loved! The food you love... The food you love... Gizdich Ranch Order Your Easter Pies NOW! Fresh Fruit Pies • Lemon Meringue Gift Baskets • Gift Certificates Gizdich Ranch 722-1056 • 55 Peckham Rd, Watsonville Pies Also Available At: Shoppers Corner • Ben Lomond Market Deluxe Foods • Corralitos Market • Freedom Meat Lockers • Sunnyside Produce www.gizdich-ranch.com S anta Cruz County has no shortage of breweries and tap rooms. Ask any lo- cal with a penchant for craft beer and you'll likely receive a list of recommendations. But much of the county's beer joints are centered in the north- ern end of the county, with the largest con- centration falling un- der the City of Santa Cruz's jurisdiction. The southern part of the county has its fair share of bars but only a handful that carry an extensive craft beer collection. But that's slowly changing thanks to Corralitos Brew- ing Co. and Elkhorn Slough Brewing Co., the only two breweries in the southern region of the county. In an area that is a desert for craft beers, the two are welcomed water holes. Corralitos' op- erations on 2536 Freedom Blvd. near Watsonville are sur- rounded by orchards and farmland. While it's far from a conve- nient location that most breweries are in, the business has steadily grown its clientele since opening two years ago. Mike Smith, a co- owner and co-brewer, says that while he didn't picture himself surrounded by or- chards as a brewery owner, he loves the location. They con- sider themselves a part of the Watsonville community, though the operations are technically under the county's jurisdiction. It meant that opening the brewery made pa- perwork difficult since Smith and co-owner, Luke Taylor, were breaking barriers. Smith admits the site drew trepidation from some because of its remote location. "I'm proud that we did it," he said. "A lot of people were talking and saying we were crazy. That we wouldn't get customers." For the duo, the brewery is a full-time job. Their taprooms typically have 12 to 13 beers available, all of which are produced by the brewery. Elkhorn Slough Brewing Company, at 65 Hangar Way in Watsonville, came just a year after Corralitos opened. Owner and couple Julie Rein- hardt and Michael Enos opened their brewery operations in January 2016 and a taproom six months later. Like others in the beer business, it all began as a hobby with home brewing and grew from there. They thought they were onto something when they began us- ing local ingredients in their home brews, which led to winning local and state compe- titions. That mindset led the couple to specialize in brewing wild beers, which use wild yeast to create a tartness to the By Calvin Men Mike Smith, co-owner and co-brewer of Corralitos Brewing Co., clears grain from the mash tun. What's Brewing in Pajaro Valley continues on next page photo by calvin men run the Elkhorn Slough Brewery in Watsonville. kevin johnson - santa cruz sentinel Matt Burnes, from left, Julie Reinhardt and Michael Enos