The L.A. BEER BLAST is designed to let Food GPS readers know about what’s new at select L.A. bars and restaurants with great beer selections. You’ll also discover great beer-related events in the area. Expect a new L.A. BEER BLAST 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.

L.A. BEER FLOAT SHOWDOWN
THE GOLDEN STATE/SCOOPS vs. BOTTLEROCK LA/MILK

The L.A. Beer Float Showdown is finally here. Everybody who scores a slot on Sunday is allowed to vote on two beer floats from each competitor. Four total. A score sheet will allow every attendee to judge the beer floats according to flavor, originality and presentation. Proceeds benefit 826LA.

Luna Park owner AJ Gilbert and wife Martha Madison opened Henry’s Hat on July 9 in the former home of Minibar. Luna Park San Francisco Executive Chef Nick Cobarruvias developed a beer-friendly menu. Alan Pehrson consulted on the beer list. CLICK HERE TO SEE PEHRSON’S SUGGESTED PAIRINGS

AKASHA Chef Akasha Richmond is hosting a five-course Unibroue dinner on July 28. She’ll pair the Quebec brewery’s beer with each dish and explain the motivation behind each pairing. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION, AND TO SEE THE MENU

BEACHWOOD BBQ
131 Main Street, Seal Beach, 562 493 4500

Beachwood BBQ owner Gabriel Gordon streams his 24-tap blackboard menu via HOP CAM. Some of Gordon’s latest brews include Moylan’s Kilt Lifter, Bear Republic Red Rocket, Deschutes Black Butte XXI, Ballast Point Even Keel Session Ale, Craftsman Biere de Blanco and Grotton Brown.

BoHo
6372 West Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, 323 465 8500

Verdugo Bar co-owner Ryan Sweeney consults on BoHo’s beer list. Here are some of his latest picks:

NEW ON DRAUGHT

ON DECK

NEW BOTTLES

AleSmith Yulesmith

BottleRock LA is about to get Divine Rebel, a collaborative black lager from Stone and Mikkeller aged in Speyside barrels. Macy also scored “a strong barleywine aged in Bourbon barrels.”

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

Here’s last night’s update from lead Beer Geek David Stickel:

“On cask right now is Vanilla Bean Porter and Sublimely Self-Righteous, both are about to kick. We’ve got Ruination on deck.”

“Just put on some Blind Pig, Ballast Point Yellowtail Pale Ale, and when our Hop 15 kicks, we’ll be replacing it with some Anchor Steam Summer Beer.”

“Next week we should be getting some Ballast Point Sculpin IPA on cask!”

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

Co-owner Jason Bernstein has armed 4 of their 8 taps with beer above 9% ABV. Right now, they have Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale, a black IPA with “coffee and grapefruit” notes. You’ll also find Stone 13th Anniversary Ale, an Imperial Red. They’re pouring AleSmith Grand Cru, which “tastes like golden raisins.” If you want a limited-edition beer float, pair the Grand Cru with caramel marsala ice cream. Finally, they have Allagash Fluxus coming up soon.

LUCKY BALDWIN’S
17 South Raymond Avenue, Pasadena, 626 795 0652

Lauren’s recent favorites include St. Feuillien Saison, North Coast Old Rasputin, Wyders Pear Cider, Paulaner Hefeweizen, Paulaner Salvator, Hacker-Pschorr Munich Lager, St. Feuillien La Blanche and Stone Cali-Belgique (“Stone’s IPA brewed Belgian style”).

LUCKY BALDWIN’S DELIRIUM CAFE
21 Kersting Court, Sierra Madre, 626 355 1140

Lucky Baldwin’s eastern outpost still has most Christmas Belgians and Imperial Stouts from Xmas in July, which started July 11. They also added New Belgium Mighty Arrow and La Chouffe Golden Ale.

SIMMZY’S
229 Manhattan Beach Boulevard, Manhattan Beach, 310 546 1201

Here’s an update from Simmzy’s Manager Chris Garza:

“We just put on the Avery white rascal and its going quick. Coming on in the next couple days, will be the Wipeout IPA from Port Brewing. Today for our Brewery Thursday, we will be featuring the Angel City Vitzen and brewmaster Michael Bowe will be here at 3pm to chat with guests. Look for more Angel City brews to be coming on soon. Also, we got the last 2 kegs of Sublimely Self Righteous by Stone left in SoCal. That will be coming on in the next five days, behind the 13th anniversary.”

VERDUGO BAR
3408 Verdugo Road, Glassell Park, 323 257 3408

Here’s today’s update from co-owner Ryan Sweeney:

NEW ON DRAUGHT

The Bruery Hottenroth Berliner Weisse.

Coming on soon: AleSmith Yulesmith.

“We just got a keg of Mad Belgium from Mad River, their limited release Belgian style ale.”

NEW BOTTLES

The Research and Development Arm of the Beer World
by Sean Inman

Where would you find the creative center of the beer world? If you answered at a home brew club, then give yourself a pat on the back. These clubs are the research and development arm of the beer world and without them there would be no Angel City, Skyscraper or Eagle Rock breweries. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE