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.
Two months ago, Elizabeth “Liz” Fischbach opened a bar called 1642 at 1642 Temple Street in Historic Filipino Town. She worked in the arts for years before transforming a rough neighborhood bar called Lupita’s. If you frequented Lupita’s (and you probably didn’t), Fischbach stripped away the black-lit fluorescent stars from the ceiling, tore down the jury-rigged “loft” and exposed the brick wall. Twin blackboard menus list the current beer and wine roster. She currently features four beers on draft, but plans to expand to 8 or 12 shortly. Look for beers on tap like Eagle Rock Red Velvet, Sudwerk Lager, Drake’s 1500 Pale Ale and AleSmith Nautical Nut Brown Ale, nothing over $6. You’ll also find bottles like Moylan’s Stout and cans like Maui Brewing Coconut Porter. Food is limited to complimentary peanuts. She’s got an L-shaped bar, banquette seating in back and artful black-and-white photos. Fischbach is also a proponent of local musicians. On Friday nights, look for live music. Tomorrow night, the Derby Dolls will be tending bar (on skates) for a fundraiser.
This week, Brew & You columnist Sean Inman points Food GPS readers toward “a few places that you should visit for great beer selections around the Los Angeles area.” His post is titled “Let’s Go Shopping!”
Gabe Gordon is hosting an Italian Beer Fest tonight through May 9 at his notable Seal Beach beer emporium. Beachwood is featuring 18 Italian beers on draft and a dozen more bottles, including Pausa, which is brewed at the ‘Lorusso e Cotugno’ penitentiary in Turin. Other beers include Super Baladin from Birrificio Le Baladin; Chimer from Del Ducato; Chiostro from Piccolo Birrificio; and My Antonia, a collaboration between Birra Del Borgo and Dogfish Head.
As always, you’re able to see Beachwood BBQ’s current 24-tap menu via HOP CAM.
According to Blue Palms proprietor Brian Lenzo, “For American Craft Beer Week [May 17-23], we will have a Firestone World Beer Cup Night with All Medal winners and Parabola also a Ballast Point Night night with Sculpin on the Cask, Sculpin on the Tap and Sculpin on the Randall. We will also have Sea Monster and a few others. Cheers!” The tap list currently features options like Craftsman Honesty Ale, New Belgium Ranger IPA, Cuvee Des Trolls, Sudwerk 20th Anniversary, Moylan’s Hopsickle, Green Flash Hophead Red, Lagunitas WTF and Strand Amber.
According to bar manager Rory Snipes, “We have Strand Pale on tap, and plan to keep it on pretty permanently as it is delicious, we also added Barbar Honey Ale in bottles this week.”
On Monday, while walking the streets of Manhattan Beach, I finally visited Brewco. The establishment has been a beachside staple for 18 years, but it’s only in the last nine months that manager Jake Whitman has helped to take the concept to new heights. The bar previously brewed beer, and now they’re focusing on 48 guest taps. 36 taps are static, but a blackboard menu lists 12 Brewmaster’s Selections that rotate every week or two. During my visit, the board touted Sierra Nevada Glissade, Dogfish Head Aprihop, Karl Strauss Red Trolley, Hemp Ale, Strand 24th Street Pale Ale, New Belgium “Lips of Faith” Heather Saison, Goose Island Matilda, Grimbergen, Primo, Firestone Solace, Stone IRS, Lost Abbey Angel’s Share and Hobgoblin.
Phil McGovern’s Santa Monica bar now features Russian River Consecration, Moylan’s Imperial Stout, Port Brewing Midnight Sessions, New Belgium 2° Below and, on cask, Stone Smoked Porter with vanilla bean.
THE FIFTH AMENDMENT ALEHOUSE
According to co-owner Eden Noe, “New beers for us are: Allagash Curieux and Allagash White are back on. Port brewing Hot Rocks lager, Ranger IPA, Speakeasy Payback Porter, Sierra Nevada Glissade Golden Boch. We just tapped out of Duvel Green and we put on Goose Island Matilda. It’s the first time we had that so it is exciting. We also have Sculpin IPA bottles.”
According to co-owner Jason Bernstein, “Here are the latest and greatest from over here: Sierra Summerfest, Deschutes Jubel 2010, Deschutes Hop Henge, Avery Maharaja, Allagash Curieux, New Belgium La Folie, Russian River Supplication and Craftsman 1903. We just got in some bottles of Angel’s Share too.”
According to Ladyface rep Robyn Britton, “The Cask of the Week is traveling north this week, so if you’re at the Legendary Booneville Beer Festival, be sure and drop by the Ladyface booth. No Guts, No Glory, our chili-infused wonder, will remain on tap here at the mothership. In fact, moms can enjoy $3.00 Ladyface IPA, La Blonde, La Blanche Wit, Blind Ambition Amber and Picture City Porter all Mother’s Day, this Sunday May 9th.
But if it wasn’t for your father, would your mother be your mother, so remember Dad on Mother’s Day. They’ll both love Stone’s new collaboration with DFH and Victory – Saison de Buff – or an Ommegang Hennepin Farmhouse Saison, now on tap with Moylan’s Hopsickle, Speedway Imperial Stout, Port Shark Attack, Monk’s Cafe Flemish Red, Avery Revered, and St Bernardus ABT. Finish Drake’s Stygian Witches, people, and Dave can put on Sierra Nevada’s Hoptimum! And when La Chouffe blows, The Bruery’s Mischief takes its place, maybe by the weekend.”
According to sustainability manager Tom Kelley, “For the weekend.. we have our last keg of Dogfish Head Apricot for the season, Union Jack IPA, Lagunitas IPA, Kern River Just Outstanding IPA, Huge’r Boont from Anderson Valley, Sierra Nevada Bigfoot, and Deschutes Jubel 2010.”
From May 11-25, Library Alehouse is hosting their Belgian Beer Festival, featuring beers like Blanche de Bruxelles, Malhuer 12, Duchess de Bourgogne, Gouden Carolus Hopsinjoor, Goose Island Matilda, Russian River Consecration and Allagash Four. Guests can purchase a logo Chimay glass for $15 and refill it with one of the 8 rotating Belgian handles for only $5 during the entire two weeks of the festival.
The Kickoff Event is May 11, where Christina Roberts from Duvel-Moortgat USA will highlight Houblon Chouffe Belgian IPA, Ommegang Hennepin, and Maredsous 8 on draft as well as some specialties such as the Blond d’Ardenne, and Duvel in bottle. Ga’Chouffe, Library Alehouses very own Chouffe will be behind the bar.
Library Alehouse is featuring a Belgian Beer Dinner on May 18 at 6 PM, hosted by Wine Warehouse import specialist Larry James. The $50 dinner consists includes 5 courses with beer pairings, a logo Chimay glass and “other goodies.”
The only new beer at Lucky Baldwin’s eastern outpost since last Thursday is Belhaven Scottish Ale.
Here’s the update from co-owner Marlene Samaniego: “Last month we celebrated Anniversary Ales from different breweries. This month we are celebrating our 34th Anniversary of the opening of the Stuffed Sandwich!!! We opened in May of 1976 and could not have done it without you. We wish to thank all of you who have made this possible. Thank you for your continued friendship and support, love of great Food and Beer and wonderful, fun conversations! To honor this special occasion we are putting on a variety of Belgian Beers of draft!!!
Here’s this month’s line-up:
**These kegs are only 20 and/or 30Lt so they will go fast. We have more in stock to put on as these dry up.**
COMING NEXT
June: Barrel Aged Beers on Draft!
July: Another Surprise Brewery on Draft!!
August: Single Hopped Beers on Draft!!!
Earlier today, The Surly Goat’s tap list included Russian River IPA, Sierra Nevada Bigfoot, New Belgium Eric’s Ale, Rogue Double Mocha Porter, Russian River Consecration and Port Shark Bite Red.
According to manager Paige Reilly, “BEER BEER BEER!!! North Coast Old No. 38, Black Diamond Imperial Porter, Stone Collaboration Saison du BUFF, Alesmith IPA, AVBC Huge’r Boont IPA.”
The grand opening is scheduled for May 10, beginning at 7 PM. In addition to showcasing draft beer and wine, the event is designed to raise money and awareness for the Family Service Agency of Burbank. $1 from each beer sold benefits the organization, which has been providing low-cost-no-cost professional clinical and psycho-educational services to the families of Burbank and neighboring communities since 1953.
WESTWOOD BREWING COMPAY
1097 Glendon Avenue, Westwood, 310 824 0820
Longtime employee George Workman took over as manager of Westwood Brewing Company six months ago. His upgraded draft beer menu features changes to 1-2 taps every couple weeks, with larger changes every two months. Here’s the current 24 tap list:
Lots of Hops: Victory Hop Devil, Oskar Blues Gordon, Stone IPA, Bear Republic Racer 5, Eagle Rock Revolution IPA
Lots of Malt: Full Sail Amber, Hangar 24 Alt-Bier, Oskar Blues Old Chub, AleSmith Nautical Nut Brown
Refreshing: Hangar 24 Orange Wheat, Eagle Rock Equinox, Avery White Rascal
Easy Drinking: Hangar 24 Helles Lager, Victory Prima Pils, Full Sail LTD D1, Eagle Rock Solidarity
Well Balanced: Stone Levitation Ale, Hangar 24 Pale Ale, North Coast Red Seal, Full Sail Pale Ale, AleSmith Anvil ESB, Stone Pale Ale
The Dark Stuff: Stone Smoked Porter, Full Sail Imperial Stout
According to The York manager Mary Drenthe, “Our latest additions on draught are Lagunitas Czech Pilsner, Belhaven Scottish Ale, and Green Flash West Coast IPA. We also have Eagle Rock Brewery’s Manifesto on deck, which will join their Red Velvet in the lineup. On cask this week, we’re pouring Craftsman Poppyfields Pale Ale.”
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