About this time each year, I implore that people visit Eagle Rock Brewery and Ladyface Ale Companie for their respective anniversaries that fall around the same time in late January.  This year, I add an extra element to the mix.

We start first with the newcomer. If you head north (or is it Northwest?), then you will run across the newly expanded Enegren Brewing.  They have quadrupled their brewing space and doubled the size of their taproom. On January 24, they celebrate growth and also assist the White Heart Foundation with a special White Heart White IPA brewed with Cascade, Citra and Galaxy hops which will be on tap only at the brewery with 100% of the revenue donated to charity.

Ladyface ushers in another year in Agoura Hills with La Dame du Bois, AKA The Lady of the Wood, a really strong Belgian Dark Strong ale that clocks in at 10.3% ABV. This 50/50 blend of 2013 La Trappistine and the 2014 Anniversary Ale has been sitting in oak for 12 months, but Ladyface doesn’t stop there. They have a special Brewmasters Dinner, a barrel-aged beer night and a birthday party finale with live music. They aren’t messing around.

Eagle Rock will be 5 this year as well.  They too will have a special anniversary beer and a party with part of the proceeds going to Pedal Pushers.  It will be at the main brewery (now that their Public House is open, I have to specify) and will run from Noon to 6pm on January 25.  On my L.A. Beer Calendar, I have two must-not-miss events.  One is the Eagle Rock anniversary and the other is the Eagle Rock Session Fest.

The Beer of the Week is Hop Hunter IPA from Sierra Nevada.  Forget about the stupid and quite possibly made-up controversy with Lagunitas about the font.  This beer is made with hop oil and may well be a new avenue to add fresh hop notes to IPA’s long after the bines are taken down at the hop farms.

Your Homework assignment is check out the booming cider selections around town.  If you thought craft beer was late coming to the party in Los Angeles, well, cider is even further beyond the curve.  But it is catching up and it makes a great addition to your drinking repertoire.  My suggestion is that you head over to Sunset Beer Co. and check out their cooler space and make a selection or two.  Two cideries to ponder are Two Towns and Reverend Nat’s, which are pushing cider in new and exciting directions.

Find more of Sean Inman’s writing on his blog, Beer Search Party.