A coastside brewpub will soon be offering more than just its distinctive brown ales and blonde hefeweizens during happy hour as it hosts a series of events tackling issues such as California’s broken government and the state’s education system.

The Half Moon Bay Brewing Company will start offering “cold brew and a fresh view on American politics” once a month beginning this week on Dec. 3.

The program kicks off with Jim Wunderman, the power behind Repair California, a group of reformers and advocacy groups that has turned in ballot language to call the first California convention in more than 130 years.  Voters will decide whether to hold the convention on the November 2010 ballot.

The inaugural event will be moderated by Lenny Mendonca — founder of the Half Moon Bay Brewing Company and senior partner at McKensey & Company.

Mendonca might not be what you would consider your typical brewpub owner.

He has written and spoken extensively on economic development, globalization, corporate social responsibility, energy policy, regulation, education, health care, corporate strategy and financial services. McKensey & Company helps dozens of corporate, government and nonprofit agencies solve management challenges.

The brewpub owner is also the chairman emeritus of the Bay Area Council and chairman of the Economic Institute of the Bay Area.

Mendonca was inspired to hold the monthly events after the nonprofit group Common Cause held a function at the brewpub recently. The event had a great turnout, beers were downed and some serious issues were discussed, Mendonca said.

The brewpub also got a little political last year when it brewed two special ales, the Obama ale and McCain ale. The pub held a competition to see which one sold the most leading up to the election. The Obama ale outsold the McCain ale similar to the final election results in the county, Mendonca said.

Mendonca was even able to present the president with the beer.

Since there is not a lot to do on the coastside during the week Mendonca thought a Thursday night would be a great way for people to socialize and learn up on some topics that have state and national importance.

“We’re hoping a little lubrication would help the conversation,” Mendonca said. The brewpub owner wants to get coastsiders into the mix on these important topics but also hopes to draw people from the rest of the county and San Francisco to participate in the Brews & Views events.

The guest speaker in January will be Ted Lempert, a former assemblyman and county supervisor and current president of Children Now, a national research and advocacy organization. Lempert will speak on the challenge and opportunities for improving state schools in the current economic and budget environment

Bill Silverfarb can be reached by e-mail: silverfarb@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106.