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.

Eagle Rock Brewery gets the bulk of L.A.’s beer press, but there’s another new brewery in L.A. County: Strand Brewing Co. They brewed their first batch of beer in a Torrance industrial park on September 2, 2009. Before long, their first keg of Genesis was online at nearby Naja’s Place. Click here to learn more about Strand Brewing Co.

“Our beer radar these days seems to be set for extreme beers or special releases. The thrill of the chase (and the first sip) of these exotic beers can lead you to brewers from around the country and spanning the globe. But before you try to get that rare bottle of Westvleteren 12, let’s take a look into two breweries that are a bit closer to you that you might be overlooking.” Brew & You columnist Sean Inman discusses two SoCal breweries in a post titled: “Breweries in Our Own Backyard.”

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

New draught options at Gabriel Gordon’s noted Seal Beach beer bar include Bear Republic Big Bear Black Stout, Brasserie Dupont Avec Les Vons Voeux, Deschutes Hop Henge double IPA, Port Brewing Wipeout IPA, Moylan’s Chelsea Porter, St. Louis Gueuze Fond Tradition, Strand Brewing 24th Street Pale Ale, and on cask, AleSmith My Bloody Valentine. Track changes to Gordon’s 24-tap blackboard menu via HOP CAM.

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

According to Blue Palms proprietor Brian Lenzo, the tap list now includes Valley Brew London Tavern (English mild ale), Sprechers Black Bavarian (Kulmbacher style lager), Valley Brew Decadents Evil (Belgian style golden ale), Eagle Rock Equinox (young sour ale), Port Brewing Hot Rocks (Euro dark lager), Big Sky Powder Hound (American amber/red ale) and Speakeasy White Lightning (American pale wheat ale). He also scored a fresh cask of Saison de Lente from The Bruery, made with 100% Brettanomyces, which “really makes the beer dry.”

BoHo
6372 West Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, 323 465 8500

Verdugo Bar co-owner Ryan Sweeney handles the beer list at BoHo. The Hollywood restaurant and bar closed down for a couple days to accommodate a film shoot. When they reopen, they’ll carry Kern River Just Outstanding IPA and Kern River Class V stout on draught.

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

Phil McGovern’s Santa Monica bar now features Victory Hop Wallop, Port Brewing Hop 15 and Harp on draught.

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

According to The Golden State co-owner Jason Bernstein, the latest offerings consist of Sierra Nevada Glissade, New Belgium La Folie and Fall Wild Ale, Firestone Lil Opal and Firestone Union Jack. Bottles of Firestone El Camino (Un)Real.

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

According to Ladyface rep Robyn Britton, “We are thrilled to have on tap the only kegs currently available in southern California of Fritz & Ken’s Ale, an Imperial Stout and the 1st of Sierra Nevada’s 30 series. Lost Abbey Devotion and Delirium Tremens join us for a full 16 taps. Cascade Brewing Sang Rouge, a Sour Red, is new to our cellar. As always, Ladyface growlers and cellar beers are available to go.

Cask of the Week, always hand-pumped, is our Oak-Aged Tripel. Did you know that every Wednesday Ladyface shoots out a secret word-of-the-day via Facebook and Twitter? The first 10 fans to whisper it to their server get a Ladyface ale for only a dollar!”

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

According to sustainability manager Tom Kelley, “April is Earth month here at Library Alehouse, which means we are going to be highlighting local and sustainable breweries all month.”

April 14 – Telegraph Night
“Telegraph Brewing Founder Brian Thompson will be in house to answer all and any questions about this up and coming Santa Barbara brewery. We will have their California Ale and English Brown ale on draft.. and more!”

April 20 – New Belgium
“New Belgium Brewery has been dedicated to sustainability from square one, and our local Beer Ranger will be on hand to show you what they have been up to. On tap we will have Eric’s Ale, New Belgium Belgian Blonde, and more!”

April 27 – Sustainable Works Fundraiser and Sierra Nevada
15% of daily sales are donated to Sustainable Works, the non-profit organization working out of Santa Monica College in conjunction with the city to certify businesses GREEN. Draft options will include Sierra Nevada 30th Anniversary, plus the release of Nautilus Pilsner, brewed by Library Alehouse.

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

Lucky Baldwin’s eastern outpost is now pouring Biere du Bucanier Dark, New Belgium Mighty Arrow, Pink Killer and Belhaven Scottish Ale, instead of the stout.

McG’s PUB & GRILL
21356 Devonshire Street, Chatsworth, 818 734 7056

According to resident “Beer Geek” David Stickel, new beers include The Bruery Mischief, Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous, Eagle Rock Red Velvet (going on tonight) and Allagash Curieux. Coming Soon: Eagle Rock Equinox and Stone Ruination.

STUFFED SANDWICH
1145 East Las Tunas Drive, San Gabriel, 626 285 9161

Here’s the update from co-owner Marlene Samaniego:

“The theme for this month is Anniversary Ales. We are so fortunate to have so many breweries/beers available for us to choose from. Here is the list of the nine (with a few back-ups ready to go on) that we have chosen for you to enjoy:”

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

According to co-owner Ryan Sweeney, The Surly Goat now has kegs of Lost Abbey bourbon barrel aged Angel’s Share, Kern River Citra and Rogue John John Dead Guy Ale – Dead Guy aged in Dead Guy whiskey barrels. He’s also featuring the Mikkeller single-hop series, including a keg of Cascade and bottles of Nelson, Simcoe and Warrior. Soon, Pliny the Elder is going back on draught.

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

According to co-owner Clay Harding, “38 Degrees will host Urthel founders Hildgard and Bas van Ostaden of West Flanders Belgium Friday April 9th, 2010 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. The duo will be excited to meet any beer enthusiast and discuss the wonderful fairytale world of Urthel beer as we drink Hop-it on tap and introduce Urthel’s latest Draft beer Saisonaire, a world class farmhouse ale brand new to the U.S. Also sample the rest of the Urthel Bottle line up.

On April 14, 38 Degrees is hosting ‘Ballast Point Brews, Burgers & Beats.” Ballast Point rep Matt Wilson is bringing kegs of Black Marlin (organic cocoa nib porter), Calico Amber Ale (English bitter), Ginger Big Eye (IPA), Piper Down (Scottish ale), Sculpin IPA, Tongue Buckler (Imperial red ale), Victor at Sea (coffee vanilla Imperial porter) and Yellowtail Pale Ale (Kolsch). Ballast Point beers are available as a flight of tasters or a pint. Keep the glass. 38 Degrees is also offering signature burgers and Old Grove, Ballast Point’s signature gin. DJ Arias will perform live from 9 PM – 1:30 AM.

TONY’S DARTS AWAY
1710 West Magnolia Boulevard, Burbank, 818 253 1710

Tony Yanow hopes to debut the new and improved Burbank bar on April 14, featuring California craft beer, sausages and eco-friendly business practices. He’ll keep 30-36 beers on tap at any given time, with half of the beers static and the rest in rotation. Beers cost $3-$6, depending on the beer and pour. Most beers are available by the pint and glass. The opening list is divided into IPA’s and Not IPA’s..

In the IPA category, you’ll find Bear Republic Racer 5, Hangar 24 IPA, Speakeasy Big Daddy, Green Flash West Coast IPA, Firestone Union Jack, Kern River Just Outstanding IPA, Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye, Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous, Green Flash Le Freak, Mission Shipwrecked, Moylan’s Hopsickle, Mad River Steelhead and Port Mongo.

In the Not IPA’s category, expect Lagunitas Pils, Ballast Point Yellow Tail, Sierra Nevada Glissade, Craftsman Heavenly Hef, Bruery Orchard White, Hangar 24 Orange Wheat, Lost Abbey Red Barn, Eel River Organic Amber, Anchor Steam, AleSmith Anvil, Strand 24th Street Pale, Bear Republic Peter Brown Tribute Ale, Eagle Rock Solidarity, Firestone Velvet Merkin, North Coast Old Rasputin, Stone Oaked Arrogant Bastard, Uncommon Brewers Siamese Twin, Speakeasy Old Godfather and Eagle Rock Equinox.

For more info about Tony’s Darts Away, CLICK HERE

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

According to co-owner Ryan Sweeney, new kegs include Lost Abbey bourbon barrel aged Angel’s Share. He’s also featuring the Mikkeller single-hop series, including bottles of Nelson, Warrior and Cascade, plus a keg of Simcoe. A new version of Ommegang Hennepin is on deck.

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

According to The York manager Mary Drenthe, “This weekend we’re adding Eagle Rock Brewery Red Velvet, which is their Imperial Red with Rye that comes in at a strong but balanced 10.87%ABV. We’re also eager to tap into Lagunitas Wilco Tango Foxtrot (7.83%ABV), an Imperial Brown Ale that’s rich, intense, and smooth. And on cask, we’re pouring Craftsman Beer Mountain (8%), a delicious American Strong Ale.”