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 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 recommends five different L.A. restaurants when beer geeks and their friends settle the age-old debate: “Beer Dinner or Dinner with Beer?”

The biggest promotional event for the College of the Canyons Culinary Arts Program is taking place on Sunday, March 28. Professor Gev Kazanchyan is organizing an event titled “Men are from Malt, Women are from Vinos” pitting Beer vs. Wine in a six-course meal. With each course, every guest gets a beer and wine pairing along with a vote. Wine ringleader Elizabeth Schweitzer is the only master sommelier in Los Angeles and one of only six female master sommeliers on the planet. She’s currently working to assemble a supporting team of top tasters. Team beer consists of six local experts: Manneken-Brussel Imports & Lost Coast Brewery rep Jay Baum, Beachwood BBQ chef-owner Gabe Gordon, Blue Palms Brewhouse proprietor Brian Lenzo, Stone Brewing Co. sales rep Nate Sellergren, Verdugo Bar/The Surly Goat co-owner Ryan Sweeney and Fifth Amendment Alehouse beer consultant Dave Watrous. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE AND TO RESERVE SEATS.

On March 16 from 7 PM – 10 PM, Eagle Rock Brewery is exploring Trappist ales during their second Beer Education Class. The Raubs will discuss the history and production of these Abbey-style beers, and you’ll taste several examples. Space is limited to 30 participants, the registration fee is $30 and non-refundable. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

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

New draught options at Gabriel Gordon’s noted Seal Beach beer bar include Flying Dog Raging Bitch Belgian IPA, Russian River Pliny the Elder, Rubicon Monkey Knife Fight, Valley Decadent Evil, Stone Old Guardian, Big Sky Robust Porter, The Lost Abbey Serpent Stout and Stone/BrewDog Bashah. In case you didn’t already know, Greg Koch recently revealed that BASHAH is an acronym for Black As Sin Hoppy As Hell. Track changes to Gordon’s 24-tap blackboard menu via HOP CAM.

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

As of last night, Blue Palms proprietor Brian Lenzo’s beer list included Firestone Oaktoberfest, Bear Republic Apex, Craftsman Cabernale, Sprechers Black Bavarian, Moylan’s Black Point Porter and New Belgium “Lips of Faith” Wild Ale.

Also, “For St. Patties day we are opening at noon. We are going to run Guinness through the Randall. Dried cherries, espresso beans and hops. Irish stews, Shepherd’s pie and array of Irish foods. Plus several Irish beers on tap.”

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

The tap selection at Phil McGovern’s Santa Monica bar now includes Gentleman Scholar Requiem Espresso Stout, Lagunitas Brown Shugga, Stone Old Guardian barleywine, Stone Cali-Belgique and Moylan’s Chelsea Porter. Now on cask: Stone IPA with Centennial hops and Stone Arrogant Bastard with American oak.

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

According to resident beer expert Dave “Gueuze Hound” Watrous, new beers include Speakeasy Brewer’s Reserve Old Godfather – 3 year vintage Barrel Aged Barley Wine, Speakeasy Skarface – Limited Edition Stout, Speakeasy White lightning – American Wheat Ale, Speakeasy Payback Porter and Ballast Point Victory at Sea – Coffee Vanilla Bean Porter (most likely early next week). Next Tuesday, you’ll likely find Bear Republic Heritage Ale – Limited Edition Scotch Style Ale, Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout – Limited Edition Stout and Murphy’s Irish Red – Irish Red Ale.

Also, on March 17, Fifth Amendment celebrates St. Patrick’s Day, dubbing the event “Stout of the Union.” Expect Irish Reds and Stouts, plus a live DJ.

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

According to The Golden State co-owner Jason Bernstein, Russian River Bling Pig IPA went online today, along with Sierra Nevada Glissade and Marin White Knuckle triple IPA. North Coast Old Rasputin 12 is available by special request.

LADYFACE ALEHOUSE & BRASSERIE
29281 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills, 818 477 4566

According to Ladyface rep Robyn Britton, “Our Cask of the Week, “TLC”, is a cask-conditioned Tripel, served in traditional European style as the monks intended. La Chouffe Houblon and Alesmith X join Delirium Tremens, St Bernardus ABT 12, Lost Abbey Devotion, Anderson Valley Poleeko Gold, Port Hop 15, Green Flash Imperial IPA, Big Bear Black Stout, and Port Shark Attack on tap. Slainte mhaith! Good health!

And faith and begorrah, ‘tis almost St Paddy’s Day. Our Wit will be green, there’ll be Black and Tans, fine Irish and Scotch whiskeys, and Chef Ray O’Luna will be serving corned beef sliders with red cabbage slaw. The brisket is made with local all natural beef, homemade nitrate-free brine and roasted spices. Erin go bragh!”

LIBRARY ALEHOUSE
2911 Main Street, Santa Monica, 310 314 4855

According to sustainability manager Tom Kelley, “We now have on Bootlegger’s Black Phoenix, and Palomino Pale, Flying Dog’s Raging Bitch, North Coast Brother Thelonious, and New Belgium’s Dark Heather Saison.

David, Elaina, and I are headed to Sierra Nevada Beer Camp today. Follow our travels on Facebook or Twitter. @libraryalehouse.”

Library Alehouse also has a number of events planned. On March 16, it’s Dogfish Head Brewery Night. West Coast rep Bryant Gouldings will debut Aprihop on draft, as well as bottles of Burton Baton, and Red and White. Finally, on March 21, beginning at 11 AM, it’s a Beer Geek Breakfast, with a keg of Mikkeller Beer Geek Breakfast, Brioche French toast (made with the beer) and maple smoked bacon for $15. To reserve a spot, call Tom Kelley at 310-314-4855, or e-mail [email protected].

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

Just when you thought it was over, Lucky Baldwin’s is tapping Pliny the Younger on Saturday, March 13 at 2 PM. They’ll also have several other Russian River beers that weekend: Pliny the Elder, Supplication, Blind Pig IPA, Damnation and IPA.

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

Lucky Baldwin’s eastern outpost is now pouring Grimbergen Dubbel, Anchor Porter, Friuli strawberry beer and Avril table beer.

LUCKY DEVILS
6613 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, 323 465 8259

According to Lucky Devils rep Stacy Failing, “Lucky Devils just tapped Oskar Blues Old Chub and O’Hara’s Irish Stout. Also on tap, Ballast Point Yellowtail, Pilsner Urquell, Blanche de Bruxelles, Craftsman 1903, Stone Pale Ale, Affligem Blond, Paulaner, Racer 5, Chimay Tripel, Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA and Old Rasputin. Special this week Delirium Tremens on draft $7. New bottles include North Coast Brewing PranQster, Stone Arrogant Bastard and 3 Monts from France.

NAJA’S PLACE
154 International Boardwalk, Redondo Beach, 310 376 9951

According to Assistant GM Martin Svab, The Army of Darkness arrives on March 18 at 8 PM. “This night will be dedicated to rare and decadent stouts. The diabolical beer line up is as follows:

1. Deschutes The Abyss (2009)
2. North Coast Old Rasputin 12th Anniversary (bourbon barrel)
3. Sierra Nevada Empire Strikes Black!
4. Nectar Ale Black Xantus
5. **special surprise brew **

All five of these ABV-incinerating monsters will be available by the flight or by the glass.”

Other than Ballast Point, Naja’s new beers on draft are Abita Jockimo IPA, Lagunitas Old Gnarley Wine (2010), Big Sky Moose Drool and Klokke Roeland.

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: “St. Bernardus abt 12, La Trappe Quadrupel, Old Viscosity, O’Haras Celtic Stout, Smithwicks Ale, Moylan’s Dragoon Irish Stout, Oaked Arrogant Bastard, Coronado Idiot IPA, Blind Pig IPA and Avery Majaraja Imperial IPA. Don’t forget to come early on ST. Patty’s Day as we will pack the house and seating will be limited. All 38 Craft draughts will be $2 off from 3-7 pm that day as usual. You gonna pass up $5 Majaraja’s and Pliny’s on a drinking holiday? I think not.”

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

According to co-owner Ryan Sweeney, new kegs include Deschutes Jubelale, Rubicon Wheat Wine, TAPS Biere de Garde and Dogfish Head Chicory Stout. Going online soon: Avery Maharaja and Kern River Just Outstanding IPA. You’ll also find bottles of The Lost Abbey Red Poppy, Cascade Apricot and Sang Rouge.

THE SURLY GOAT
7929 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, 323 650 4628

According to last night’s talk with co-owner Ryan Sweeney, The Surly Goat’s tap list now includes Kern River Class V Stout, Eagle Rock Libetine, TAPS Barleywine and Deschutes Jubelale. Coming up, expect New Belgium Dark Heather Saison and Hofstettner Granite Bock, a German made with white hot rocks thrown into the tank, which caramels the sugars, producing a “smoky, caramel taste.” Sweeney is also loading up on bottles for the cellar, including The Lost Abbey Red Poppy, Cascade Apricot and Sang Rouge and Gouden Carolus.

On St. Patrick’s Day, The Surly Goat will have O’Hara’s Irish Stout and Red on draft. Also, on March 20 from 6 PM – 9ish, The Surly Goat is hosting BrewDog managing director James Watt, who’s bringing a keg of Tokyo and bottles of Tactical Nuclear Penguin.