The West Coast has a vibrant beer scene from Seattle in the north to Baja, Mexico, in the south.

What? The craft beer trail HAS to end in San Diego? The craft scene in Baja and Ensenada is growing (obviously influenced by the massive scene in San Diego) but still remains hidden to us in Los Angeles and we end up reaching for a Modelo or a Dos Equis when at a Mexican restaurant.

There are a few reasons as to why the flow of beer to us is still limited despite inroads by brands like Cucapa in recent years. Getting beer from one market to another is hard. From one country to another is even harder. Secondly, the taxes levied are discouraging to craft brewers. The government’s share is based on sale prices and not the amount produced, which incentivizes cheaper beer and more of it.

But a new choice from Baja Brewing Company has arrived. Cabotella is their flagship beer. They call this a blonde, but I would be hard pressed to find a beer style that this beer actually fits into. Cabotella pours a hazier medium brown and is incredibly malty with a touch of sweetness. Sorta like a brown ale with milk stout qualities.

Jordan Gardenhire is the founder and brewmaster at BBC. He moved from the brewery-soaked state of Colorado to Cabo and in time started Baja Brewing Company, “the first brewery in the state of Baja California Sur.” The Brewery has created seven other beers plus seasonals, but Cabotella is the only one available here.

Look for a short interview with Gardenhire here on Food GPS in the coming weeks.

Your Beer of the Week is Unite Red Ale, the International Women’s Collaboration Brew from Three Weavers. The recipe was developed at the Pink Boots Society‘s Los Angeles Chapter and it features a few hops. Like Cascade, Chinook, El Dorado and the newer Jaryllo hop. A portion of proceeds from this brew will benefit the Pink Boots Society’s national scholarship fund.

You craft beer Homework is to get tickets for this year’s L.A. Beer Week Kickoff event. If you didn’t know already, the 2015 festival with 75+ breweries will be held in Exposition Park. This will be one L.A. beer happening that you will not want to miss, as evidenced by the fast sell-out of Early Bird admissions.

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