The L.A. BEER BLAST is a weekly newsletter 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. Bars and restaurants are only listed if their selection has changed in the past week. Scroll down, subscribe to Food GPS and you’ll receive the L.A. BEER BLAST by e-mail.

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

NEW ON TAP

Hair of the Dog Fred – Portland, OR

Hair of the Dog Tasting Notes: “Fred was created to honor beer writer and historian Fred Eckhardt. This golden strong ale incorporates ten hop varieties from five different countries. Through the use of aromatic and rye malt, the beer achieves a unique balance of flavor. We hope that Fred will inspire you to share your knowledge with others as Fred has with us. Fred is 10% alcohol by volume.

Karl Strauss Brewing Company  Porter – San Diego, CA

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

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

NEW ON TAP

Mission IPA – Chula Vista, CA
Mission Tasting Notes: “6.8% ABV, 66 IBU
. Our India Pale Ale exhibits a complex hop aroma, largely due to the generous usage of Cascade and Centennial hops, as 
well as a subtle malt character from the various malts used to achieve the wonderful balance exhibited in a world-class IPA. 
San Diego has become world renown for the wonderful and flavorful beers produced here – and India Pale Ales are no 
exception. Our national award winning interpretation of the style reflects both the history of IPA and the American variation 
of this distinct beverage. We hope you enjoy it!”

Tomorrow, expect Russian River Brewing Company’s Consecration (an ale aged in oak barrels for 9 months) and AleSmith My Bloody Valentine.

JOHNNY’S BAR
5006 York Boulevard, Highland Park, 323 551 6959

Co-owner Zac Crandell hopes AleSmith My Bloody Valentine ($6/pint) will last through Valentine’s Day. He said, “It’s an amber ale, medium bodied, malty, with a little hops at the finish. It pours black-red for Valentine’s Day.”

Wyder’s Pear Cider just replaced Wyder’s Raspberry Cider. Only 4.5% alcohol, which Crandell considers “light for a cider.” Johnny’s cider rotates seasonally.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Weihenstefan – Freising, Germany

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

NEW ON TAP

The Old Town Pasadena pub is prepping for their Belgian Beer Fest, which starts Saturday and runs through the end of the month. In all, Lucky Baldwin’s will have 51 taps of Belgian beers over the two-week span. Expect several beers from the Dupont brewery, Kwaka and St. Bernardus ABT 12, to name just three. St. Feuillien is the sponsor. If you buy a glass and T-shirt special, which will cost either $22 or $24, bring the glass back during Belgian Beer Fest and receive a $1-2 discount on pints. It may be Belgian Beer Fest, but you’ll still find staples on tap like Guinness, Fuller’s London Pride, and Boddington’s.

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

NEW ON TAP

Belgian Beer Fest starts on Saturday and runs until the end of the month. A good percentage of their 44 taps will host Belgian beers, which will change throughout the festival.

PURE LUCK
707 North Heliotrope Drive, Los Angeles, 323 660 5993

NEW ON TAP

Telegraph Brewing Co. Robust Ale – Santa Barbara, CA ($5/pint)
Owner Ben Ling’s Tasting Notes: “A bigger, bolder and stronger version of Telegraph’s signature California Ale, that wears it’s Belgian influences (yeast) on its sleeve (nose). Gentle aromas of banana and pear, smooth caramelly body and just a hint of hops for balance.”

AleSmith My Bloody Valentine – San Diego, CA ($6/pint)
Ling: “Brewed every year in time for Valentine’s Day. This deep red ale has a pleasant hops spiciness, with just a hint of sweetness that evokes strawberries and blueberries, and a clean finish.”

Russian River Brewing Blind Pig IPA – Santa Rosa, CA ($6/pint)

Ling: “Russian River’s signature IPA is flavorful and generously hopped. Big notes of lemon rind, fresh cut grass and herbs.”

NEW IN BOTTLES

Brewery St. Feuillien Cuvée de Noel – Le Roeulx, Belgium ($20/750 ml)
Ling: “St. Feuillien’s winter seasonal is currently our favorite Belgian Abbey Ale. The flavor is rich, with toffee and hints of sour cherry and cinnamon. A long bottle conditioning gives it a light, clean finish and an easy drinkability you wouldn’t expect from a 9% abv Abbey Ale.”

Brouwerij Lindemans Cuvée René – Vlezenbeek, Belgium ($30/750 ml)

Ling: “A flawless example of a Gueuze Lambic – fermented with wild yeast, barrel-aged and bottle-conditioned. The distinctive flavor is fresh, crisp and very tart, with strong notes of green apple, lemonade and a dry, bubbly finish reminiscent of champagne.”

THE YORK
5018 York Boulevard, Highland Park, 323 255 9675  

NEW ON TAP

They’ll tap into Craftsman Honesty Ale as soon as the Oskar’s Blues Gordon finishes up.