Hophead Public House

By Edita McQuary

Are you looking for a friendly eatery that has locally-sourced food and a good variety of locally-brewed beers? Look no further. Hophead Public House in Victor Square, Scotts Valley is your kind of place.

Owner Jay Patel, a graduate of San Jose State University with a degree in Economics, Supply Chain and Operations Management, opened the business two years ago. Born and raised in Fremont, Jay now calls Scotts Valley his home. He learned how to cook from “grandma, mom and dad.”

He is the Owner, Executive Chef and invested every dime he had, taking no loans, to open his own business. He and his friends salvaged and repurposed wine barrels into tables. They also built the high-rise chairs and many of the other décor that you see when you visit the Hophead.

Conceptually, the bar is all Jay’s. He is happy to come to work and is hands on when he needs to be. He is very proud of that fact that he uses local, organic ingredients. The bread comes from Kelly’s Bakery, produce from Watsonville Coastal Produce and the fish is fresh every day from Stagnaros.

The pub serves two to three different salads, about a dozen kinds of sandwiches, 3-5 pizzettas, along with pub “bites,” that include fish and chips, stuffed mushrooms, beer batter avocados, mac attack, and a cheese board. Jay likes to rotate his menus and his beers.

The kids’ menu has pepperoni/cheese pizza, grilled cheese sandwiches, and fries. There is a small kid’s play area at the back and a shuffleboard in the front.

Five television sets keep sports fans up to date. A must-have for any self-respecting pub is a dart board. For good measure, Jay has two.

Let’s talk beer. On tap are eighteen beers, almost all of them locally brewed, as well as two types of cider. “Happy Hour” is Monday through Friday 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. when all beer is $5.00.

There is live music starting at 8:00 p.m., Wednesdays through Saturday. The musicians are generally local bands. Every other week on Monday and Tuesday, he has special bands like Bourbon Bros., Paperback Writers, Green Dog Band and others.

He likes to support the Scotts Valley Falcons, has sponsored S.V.’s recent play, “Chicago,” Vinehill Auctions and other local events.

A few new things you will be seeing from the Hophead this summer are; a revised Lunch specials menu, daily food and drink specials, a variety of Tap Takovers with local breweries, new summer menu, and lots of great music.

If you’d like a neighborhood pub where they know your name, serve a great beer, and a tasty snack, Hophead Public House is your kind of place.

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Hophead Public House is at 18 Victor Square, Suite B, Scotts Valley, Telephone 346-6945, website www.beahophead.com.