It’s been an active week in the L.A. beer community. Here’s a quick rundown of recent events and openings before we get to the week’s best beer options:

In early 2008, it would have been farfetched to think that Placentia would one day become the center of the SoCal beer universe. Incredibly, Patrick Rue and Famille Rue already accomplished that feat for one day – May 16 – when The Bruery hosted its first anniversary celebration.
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Charity has to be the best possible reason to drink six craft beers and devour a box of artisanal chocolates. On May 17, Gev Kazanchyan provided that motivation when he hosted Dionicess IV, pairing Stone beer with Mignon Chocolate at Side Bar in Glendale. The event raised almost $1400 for the Real Medicine Foundation (RMF), an organization that provides humanitarian support to people living in disaster, post-war and poverty stricken areas.
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On May 18, Mutineer founders Alan Kropf and JJ Bagley celebrated their magazine’s launch at Falcon Hollywood. The first issue of Mutineer hit stands in July 2008, dedicated to “covering the world of fine beverage from a cultural perspective, providing readers with content that is as entertaining as it is informative.” Kropf and Bagley convinced an impressive array of beer, wine, liquor and sake distributors to contribute bottles to the event. The hotspot for beer was definitely the San Diego Brewers Guild table, which supported a gigantic tub of bottles, plus growlers of rarely-seen beers like Green Flash Summer Saison, Ballast Point bourbon barrel-aged Black Marlin Porter and lip-curling Ballast Point Tongue Buckler, an ultra hoppy but highly drinkable brew that scores anywhere from 90-108 IBUs.
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I’d like to welcome two new restaurants into the community that both have a beer focus:

Chris Simms and brother Mike opened Simmzy’s two weeks ago in the former Manhattan Beach home of Ebizo’s Skewer. Chris, who goes by Big Simmzy, ensures that the pub’s 24 taps are “off the handle.” In their first two weeks, they’ve already swapped out 10 kegs. The brothers are both home brewers and decided to devote their taps to craft beers like Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA and Midas Touch, North Coast Brother Thelonious and Green Flash West Coast. Pints cost $5-8. Mike Simms promises to “change in and out as new fun stuff comes on the radar.”
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On May 15, BottleRock owners Fred and Isaac Hakim opened a second branch on the ground floor of downtown’s Met Lofts. Resident beer expert Alex Macy previously worked at Glendale’s Red Carpet Wine and helped organized the recent Craft Beer Fest L.A.. He’s overseeing 14 taps and started with options like Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA, Allagash Curieux and Ommegang Rouge.
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Now for the L.A. BEER BLAST. The blast is designed to let Food GPS readers know about what’s new at select L.A. bars and restaurants with great beer selections. Expect a new L.A. BEER BLAST every Thursday evening, in time for the weekend rush. SUBSCRIBE to Food GPS and you’ll receive the L.A. BEER BLAST by e-mail.

VERDUGO
3408 Verdugo Road, Glassell Park, 323 257 3408

Tonight is Ballast Point Brewing Company night at Verdugo, featuring a number of limited edition beers from the notable San Diego brewery, including a brandy barrel aged Navigator Doppelbock, whiskey barrel aged Sea Monster imperial stout, Dorado Double IPA and Sour Wench – brewed with a pound of Oregon blackberries per gallon. Verdugo co-owner Ryan Sweeney also promises a mystery cask.

BLUE PALMS BREWHOUSE
6124 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, 323 464 2337

NEW ON TAP

NEW ON CASK
Stone IPA

According to proprietor Brian Lenzo, Pure Hoppiness from Alpine, Hopnotic from San Diego Brewing Company & Speedway Stout are all on deck.

BottleRock
1050 South Flower Street, Downtown, 213 747 1100

Here’s the opening tap list from BottleRock beer expert Alex Macy:

* denotes oak-treated or oak aged beers

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DAILY PINT
2310 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica, 310 450 7631

NEW ON TAP

NEW ON CASK
Beginning yesterday: Stone Ruination Double IPA w/ Chinook Hops

THE GOLDEN STATE
426 North Fairfax Avenue, Fairfax, 323 782 8331

Here’s today’s update from co-owner Jason Bernstein: