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 and learn about industry leaders. 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.

This week, Brew & You columnist Sean Inman judges Los Angeles beer culture against Portland and San Diego, accounting for breweries, beer festivals and beer bars. CLICK HERE TO READ INMAN’S IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS.

BrewDog Managing Director James Watt grew up in the tiny Scottish fishing village of Gardenstown. He attended attended The University of Edinburgh with longtime best friend Martin Dickie, studying law and economics. Two years after finishing their studies, the friends were disillusioned with U.K. beers and decided to start brewing themselves, launching BrewDog in Fraserburgh in April 2007. Watt recently discussed his background and approach. CLICK HERE TO READ THE Q&A.

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

New draught options at Gabriel Gordon’s noted Seal Beach beer bar include Allagash Fluxus, Lagunitas A Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’, Bear Republic Double Aught Lager, Victory Golden Monkey and Black Phoenix Coffee Chipotle Stout. Track changes to Gordon’s 24-tap blackboard menu via HOP CAM.

BLUE DOG BEER TAVERN
4524 Saugus Avenue, Sherman Oaks, 818 990 2583

Paul Scrivano opened Blue Dog Beer Tavern on September 8, naming the former dentist’s office for his blue Great Dane, Olive. Blue Dog features 8 taps and 12 bottles. The opening draught list consists of Scrimshaw Pilsner, Erdinger Weissbier, Unibroue Blanche de Chambly, Chimay White, Red Seal Ale, Green Flash West Coast IPA, Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout and Woodchuck Draft Cider. Glasses are priced at $5-9. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO.

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

Since last Thursday, Blue Palms proprietor Brian Lenzo added kegs of Tripel Karmeliet, an 8.4% ABV Belgian Tripel; Port Brewing Shark Attack, a 9% ABV American Amber ~ Red Ale; Lost Abbey Red Barn, a 6.7% ABV Saison ~ farmhouse ale; Port Brewing Panzer, a 9.5% ABV American double ~ Imperial Pilsner; Duchesse de Bourgogne, a 6.2% ABV Flanders red ale; and on cask, Stone Ruination with Centennial hops.

BEERS ON DECK

• Ballast Point Big Eye IPA Cask
• Ballast Point Sea Monster barrel Aged
• Stone 09 09 09
• Big Sky Slow Elk
• Pizza Port Carlsbad Night Rider Stout
• Lagunitas Little Sumpin Extra

BONEYARD BISTRO
15359 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, 818 906 7427

Here’s today’s update from Boneyard Bistro chef-owner Aaron Robins:

“Nostradamus is on Delirium by this weekend…Oktoberfest is almost here. Bratwursts and Bierwursts are good to go. Wild Boar coming in soon for Schnitzel and Boar sausage.”

BOTTLEROCK LA
1050 South Flower Street, Downtown, 213 747 1100

Here’s last night’s update from Alex Macy, BottleRock LA’s resident beer expert:

“As far as new stuff goes, we just got a keg of Gouden Carolus Cuvee Van de Keizer and a keg of AleSmith Horny Devil. We also have some of Stone’s Vertical Epic 09.09.09 in the bottle.”

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

Here’s today’s update from owner Phil McGovern:

New on tap: Firestone Walker Double Jack, New Belgium La Folie, Black Butte XXI, Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale and Port Brewing Panzer Pils. New on cask: Stone Vanilla Bean Porter.

THE FIFTH AMENDMENT ALEHOUSE
<129 Broadway, Santa Monica, 310 386 1428

Here’s last night’s update from co-owner Dan Petrovich:

“We tapped “The Bruery Orchard Black” this evening and will tap ” Stone Damnation” on Thursday. Coming soon is Orchard White, “Allagash White,” “Big Eye” from Ballast Point, and a German Heff. “Schneider Weisse.” All are exciting beers. “Thirteenth Anniversary” Stone is on tap as well. Almost out forever.”

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

The Golden State co-owner Jason Bernstein just tapped Allagash Fluxus, New Belgium La Folie, Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale and Craftsman 1903.

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

Lucky Baldwin’s eastern outpost now features Fuller’s London Porter on draught, along with Samuel Adams Octoberfest and Craftsman .5 IPA, which packs half the alcohol (3.5% ABV) of a standard IPA. Oktoberfest starts October 3 and involves a lot of German and October-style beers on draught. Lucky Baldwin’s Delirium Café doesn’t normally pour any German beers.

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

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

“Pouring now, we have the Morimoto Soba from Rogue. It’s an excellent light ale made with Soba, or buckwheat, which gives it a pleasant nutty finish. We also have the Oaktoberfest from Firestone in and ready to tap. A marzen style beer with excellent malt/hop balance for high drinkability. A great way to kick off the fall beer drinking season. As well, the Craftsman Oktoberfest is in. Made with authentic Munich malt, this is one of the best American Fest beers.”

38 DEGREES
100 West Main Street, Alhambra, 626 282 2038

Here’s today’s update from 38 Degrees co-owner Clay Harding, who oversees the beer program:

“New on Tap this week at 38 is Moylan’s Hopsickle Imperial Ale, Magic Hat #9 and Aventinus Wheat Dopplebock.”