The L.A. Beer Blast is designed to let Food GPS readers know what’s new at select L.A. bars and restaurants with great beer selections. You’ll also discover beer-related events in the area and meet industry leaders. The L.A. Beer Blast normally arrives every Thursday evening, in time for the weekend rush. Look in the left sidebar, Subscribe to Food GPS and you’ll receive the L.A. Beer Blast by e-mail.
Brew & You
This week in Brew & You: Some rare Hair of the Dog, taking the 395 to Mammoth and another craft beer homework assignment BEER GEEK MEETS BEER FREEK.
Echo Park bar owner Elizabeth Fischbach is now pouring Eagle Rock Populist IPA, Ommegang BPA, Bear Republic Big Bear Stout and Victory Braumeister Pilsner.
Beachwood chef-owner Gabe Gordon currently features draught beers such as Westoek X, Stone Old Guardian Belgo, Brouwerij West Tripel, Bear Republic XP and Iron Fist Renegade Blonde among others. Track changes to Beachwood BBQ’s 24-tap menu via Hop Cam.
Blue Palms taps are pouring Jolly Pumpkin brews like Maricaibo Especial, Eagle Rock Jubilee, Ladyface Trois Filles Tripel and Iron Fist Dubbel Fisted. They are also having a Sierra Nevada night this Monday, March 14, starting at 6 p.m. Track changes to Blue Palms Brewhouse’s 24-tap menu Here
According to bar manager Rory Snipes, “New beers this week include Abita Amber Lager, Dupont’s Biere de Miel, The Bruery 7 Grain Saison, Oskar Blues Gordon, Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye and Maredsous 6 Blonde.
As I mentioned last week, on March 27th we’re doing a beer pairing dinner with Firestone Walker at 7:30. Firestone’s Jace Milstead will be on hand to talk about the beers, and why they’re so fantastic. The dinner will consist of 4 courses: 1. Grilled Yucatan-spiced Shrimp Tacos with Honey Lime Pineapple Salsa, paired with Pale 31. 2. Sesame-Ginger Smoked Duck Breast with Spicy Dried Orange Peel and Daikon Radish Salad, paired with Double Jack. 3. Parabola Stout Braised Oxtails with Celeriac Puree, Lemon Zest Gremolata and Citrus Oil, paired with Parabola. 4. Sticky Toffee Pudding with bananas and butterscotch, paired with 14th Anniversary. $80 per person; due to the limited nature of some of the beers, space is limited and reservations must be made in advance. Cheers.”
BottleRock
Here are the new drafts at BottleRock’s downtown and Culver City locations: “This week we are pouring Allagash Black, Allagash White and Allagash Curieux amongst our 17 taps.”
The Bottle Room
According to chef-owner Tony Alcazar, “The Bottle Room would like to thank Eagle Rock Brewery and all our patrons for making our 2nd Anniversary so special and so crazy…we blew 4 Eagle Rock kegs in 5 hours. This week on tap we pour some interesting Belgians and some amazing Cali beers among 24 taps. The Belgians: Augustijn, Brigand, Bruges Zot and La Divine. The Cali’s: Coronado Red Devil, Craftsman Honesty Ale and RRBC Blind Pig.
Next Week (Ides of March??) March 14th through the 20th is our 2nd Annual mini IPA fest. On the list: Sculpin, Pliny the Elder, Knuckle Sandwich, DFH 90 Minute, BR Ryevalry, Cismontane Double Rainbow and many others throughout the week. Please join us it will be one hell of a week!!!”
Broadway Alehouse
According to co-owner Eden Noe, “Tomorrow we are having Strand pint night. We have Atticus IPA with new hops and pale ale. 50 free pint glasses! New beers include Firestone-Walker Double Jack IPA and Stone Double dry hopped!”
City Sip
Here is the latest from Alex Macy from City Sip, “We’ll be adding a fresh keg of Eagle Rock Populist IPA on Thursday!” That’s today.
According to Beverage Director Eli Wilson, “”INTERNATIONAL STRONG ALE FEST THIS WEEKEND!! Kickoff is at 2pm sharp this Saturday. Our opening tap list shall include but not be limited to: Craftsman Aurora Bourealis, Bootlegger’s Dr. Tongue, Brewdog Tokyo, Midnight Sun Obliteration Stout, Aventinus Eisbock, Unibroue Terrible, De Proef Monstre Rouge, 2007 Vintage Old Guardian, and Houblon Chouffe. First 50 patrons will receive a commemorative 2011 Congregation goblet! As kegs blow, more delicious brews will rotate on tap.”
On tap are Anderson Valley’s Boont Amber, Shipyard Double Thumper, Ommegang BPA, Brouwerij West Tripel and Avery’s Joe’s Pilsner.
Since last Thursday, Phil McGovern’s iconic Santa Monica bar has added Dogfish Head Aprihop, Port Hop 15 and Affligem Blonde.
Get a growler fill or stop in for a pint at Eagle Rock Brewery. Great food trucks this weekend include Nomad Truck tonight, Mandoline Grill on Friday and Manilla Machine on Saturday. Don’t forget that the tasting room is now open on Wednesday’s too.
According to James Starr at The Golden State, the draught beer selection now includes “Craftsman 1903 lager and Honesty ale, Great Divide Grand Cru, Avery Dugana, Great Divide Espresso Oak Aged Yeti, Moylan’s Old Blarneywine, Lost Abbey Serpent Stout, Ommegang BPA and the Stone collaborative Highway 78 Scotch ale.”
According to Ladyface rep Robyn Britton, “There are 10 Ladyface ales on tap, including both the 2010 & 2011 Blue-Belly Barleywines. There’s a fresh batch of Wit and Blind Ambition will be back on Friday. Sierra Nevada 30 Series: Fritz & Ken’s Black Barleywine, Charlie, Fred & Ken’s Helles Bock, and Brewer’s Reserve Oak-Aged Blend as well as Outta Town Brown are on tap along with Avery Reverend & Firestone Velvet Merlin. Cask of the Week is Belly Full of Hops, our 2011 Blue-Belly Barleywine with extra hops.
We’re celebrating our 100th brew today. Our newest seasonal is an English Pale Ale, single varietal hopilicious Kent Goldings hops from across the pond. Watch for it later this month. Check out our upcoming beer versus wine Battle Of The Barrel at www.ladyfaceale.com.”
According to General Manager Tom Kelley, a certified cicerone, “This week we have 3 New Belgium Lips of Faith sours pouring, Le Terroir, Ooh La La, and Vrienden as well as the Ranger IPA. Blind Pig will pour till its gone, then we have Pliny the Elder. Anderson Valley’s Weech Geek hoppy session, and Pizza Port’s Carlsbad Chronic are also on. Guinness is back on for the next few weeks to celebrate St. Patrick’s day. We will be pouring black and tan’s and black velvet’s as well.
In bottle we now have the 2011 La Folie, but only 12 bottles have been released, so get in soon if you want one, as well as the iO Saison from the Baudelaire series from Jolly Pumpkin.” Check the Library Alehouse Facebook page for updates.
According to assistant manager Martin Svab, “New beer on draft: Bear Republic Ryevalry, Hofbrau Dunkelweiss, Abita Purple Haze, Bear Republic Racer 5, Mad River Steelhead Double IPA, Oskar Blues Gordon’s Ale and Russian River Pliny the Elder
Upcoming events: Firestone Walker Brewery featuring Double Jack, Union Jack, 14th Anniversary, and a surprise or two! Thursday, March 3/24 — 8pm till 10pm
New Belgium Brewing Company featuring 7+ beers including the ultra-rare Le Terroir, Oh La La, Metric Ale 101010, DunkelWeiss, Ranger IPA, and more! Thursday, March 3/31 — 8pm till 10pm”
According to Tuesday night’s update from assistant manager Josh Salinas, “This weekend we have Cismontane Coulter IPA, Telegraph Golden Wheat, Rubicon Irish Red, Allagash Black, Strand 24th ST Pale Ale, and Craftsman 1903.”
SideBar
Here is the update from Jace Milstead, a certified cicerone who’s consulting on the beer list, “Mardi Gras may have come on Tuesday, but we have a little piece of Louisiana hanging around SideBar. It’s the SOS Pilsner from Abita. Flying Dog’s Gonzo Imperial Porter is on nitro, as is Great Divide Belgica. On deck, we have some Alesmith, and Green Flash Happy Hour 6-8, with $4 beers. As Always, the best beer list in Glendale.”
Simmzy’s is currently pouring beers like Avery Dugana, Dogfish Head Chicory Stout, Deschutes Inversion IPA and Simmzy’s Hef (made by Firestone Walker). Track changes to Simmzy’s tap list Here.
For the month of March, Marlene Samaniego and husband Sam are featuring DOUBLE IPA’S on draft (plus a few non DIPA surprises!)
Here’s the line-up (with a few more waiting to go on): Russian River Pliny the Elder double IPA, Great Divide Hercules Double IPA, Firestone Double Jack double IPA, Mission Brewing Shipwrecked double IPA, Avery Maharaja Imperial IPA, Bear Republic XP Pale Ale, Port Brewing Hop 15, Abita double IPA and Shipyard Old Thumper Double ESB Ale.
According to Andrew Kelley, The Surly Goat is currently pouring “Iron Fist Velvet Glove, Hofbrau Munchen Delicator, Green Flash Fizzy Yellow Water, Bruery Saison de Lente, Port Mongo and Stone’s collaboration Scotch Ale Highway 78.” To get the latest tap news, check out the Surly Goat Tap List
The latest from Pete Shuey at Tin Roof Bistro: “We’ve got Stone Smoked Porter, Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout, Oskar Blue’s Mama’s Little Yella Pils, Craftsman 1903 Lager, TAPS Irish Red, Chimay White, Tripel Karmeleit, Dogfish Head 90 min IPA, Allagash White, Big Sky Moose Drool, Strand Beach House Amber and Napa Smith Pale Ale.”
According to yesterday’s update from general manager Paige Reilly, “Super yummy stuff this week! Mother Earth The Crucible Black IPA, Iron Fist Spice of Life Belgian-style Pale, Cismontane Coulter IPA, Bear Republic Ryevalry Belgo-Rye DIPA, Nibble Bit Tabby Ransom Brown and Craftsman 1903 lager. Also, stop by this Tuesday for a Meet the Geek Night with the Bakofsky Brothers, Andrew and Lee. The Gingers are taking over for one night only!”
Vendome Toluca Lake’s weekly Beer Tasting is from 2-5 pm. Each week has a theme and this Saturday you will be treated to a Blind Tasting. “This Saturday’s tasting will put your palate to the test. The net has been cast wide in regards to beer styles and alcohol content, therefore it should prove to be a challenge to identify any particular beer. One thing is for certain; it will be interesting to discover how preferences change when preconceived notions are stripped away.”
According to Ryan Sweeney at the Verdugo, the following brewery is featured tonight: Ballast Point. 21 taps from the San Diego brewery include Sextant and Calico on Nitro, two different versions of Sea Monster and Navigator. The brewers will also be in house as will the Grill ‘em All truck. Other brews include Lost Abbey Red Poppy, Green Flash Fizzy Yellow Water, Black Market Brown and New Belgium’s Oooh La La raspberry lambic.
The Yard
Here is what is on tap at The Yard: Sam Adams Revolutionary rye, Taps Irish red, Tripel Karmeliet, Dogfish 90, Craftsman Honesty sour, Blanche de Chambly, Strand 24th St pale ale, Yeti barrel aged stout, Ommegang BPA, Stone Vertical epic 10.10.10, Mikkeller imperial IPA, Cask ale: stone ruination with centennial hops. Also: this Friday, tapping another Bell’s Hopslam minikeg, to be paired with 2 other IPAs
EXTRA Beer-y Events
La Cachette Bistro is hosting “A Taste of Euro Food and Beers” on April 5th at 7 p.m. For more information, and to see the pairing dinner menu, visit their website.
Bakelab is offering pretzel and beer classes. Students will learn to make real dark and delicious soft-baked pretzels, then pair them with three craft beers in a tasting session with Skipp Shelly. Classes are $95, with two sessions on offer, Saturday March 19 and Saturday April 2, 12:00-3:00pm. Classes are held at the Bakelab kitchen near LAX.
The Craft Beer Chronicles
Today, Brand X contributor Steven Armstrong shared his latest installment of The Craft Beer Chronicles, titled Steingarten L.A. brings craft beer and spirits to West Los Angeles.
L.A. Beer Blast compiled by Food GPS Beer Editor Sean Inman
Blog Comments
Tom Hudson
March 11, 2011 at 4:58 PM
It looks like Manhattan Beach Brewing Company (“BrewCo”) is missing from this otherwise excellent update list.
Last night they had a Lagunitas Night (not sure exactly what’s still on tap), and this afternoon, they just put on a ferkin (cask) of Stone Smoked Porter with Chipotle Peppers.