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.

On May 22-23, The Bruery is hosting a two-day anniversary party. The $40 price of admission includes at least 17 of their full-tilt Belgian style beers on tap, smoked meats and fried pickles from Beachwood BBQ, Belgian waffles, artisan cheese, cured olives and 10 beer tasting tickets. Sessions run May 22 from 12 PM – 3 PM, May 22 from 4 PM – 7 PM, May 23 from 12 PM – 3 PM or May 23 from 4 PM – 7 PM.

The Bruery isn’t hosting the only anniversary party this weekend. On May 23 from 7 PM – 11 PM, MUTINEER magazine is hosting their beer, spirit and wine fueled blowout at Falcon Hollywood. Mutineer Editor-in-Chief Alan Kropf and Actor/Comedian Ben Morrison are hosting the event, which will feature over 40 beverage companies, including Bluecoat Gin, Chinaco Tequila, Obsello Absinthe, J Vineyards, Murphy-Goode Winery, Ballast Point Brewery, Chimay, Deschutes, Firestone Walker, Kwak and Tripel Karmeliet. The party benefits A Child’s Right, a charitable organization that “believes that all children should have access to clean and safe water and improved sanitation in their living environments.”

CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT MUTINEER’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY PARTY.

It wasn’t long before John Bexon’s passion for beer led from a play tent to the local brewery, Bass, where he worked for 24 years. Bexon currently serves at brewmaster of Greene King, a 210-year-old family of pubs and breweries. Bexon was recently in the U.S. for a promotional tour and we met at 1739 Public House in Los Feliz, where he discussed Greene King’s traditional English ales, his background and approach. CLICK HERE TO READ THE Q&A.

This week, for the second installment of his “The Person Behind the Taps” series, Brew & You columnist Sean Inman heads to Alhambra and 38 Degrees. He spoke with Clay Harding about the bounty of beers available to Angelenos, IPA’s and beer flights. CLICK HERE TO READ THE PROFILE.

BEACHWOOD BBQ

Gabe Gordon only has four beers left from the Seal Beach bar’s Italian Beer Fest, so get them while you can. New beers include Goose Island Matilda, Stone/Victory/Dogfish Head Saison du BUFF, Hopsickle Wet Hopped Barrel Aged ’09, Beer Valley Black Madness, Flying Dog Double Dog Imperial Pale and Moylan’s Barrel Aged Kiltlifter with Brett. Track changes to Beachwood BBQ’s 24-tap menu via HOP CAM.

BLUE PALMS BREWHOUSE

According to Blue Palms proprietor Brian Lenzo, “Tonight Ballast Point Night with Sculpin on Cask and Draft, Sea Monster, Three Sheets Barley Wine, Ginger Big eye. Saturday Alpine Beer will be tapped included Bad Boy. Plus there will be some great Pizza port Beers as well.”

THE DAILY PINT

Phil McGovern’s Santa Monica bar now features Dogfish Chicory Stout, New Belgium Mighty Arrow Pale Ale, Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA, Sierra Nevada Summerfest lager, and on cask, Stone Levitation with Simcoe hops.

FIFTH AMENDMENT ALEHOUSE

According to co-owners Eden Noe and Dan Petrovich, new beers include Delirium tremens, Blanche de Bruxelles, Hemp Ale, Eagle Rock Manifesto, Stone Imperial Russian Stout, Woodchuck Green Apple Cider, Port Hot Rocks Lager and Lost Abbey Carnival.

THE GOLDEN STATE

According to co-owner Jason Bernstein, The Golden State has a number of new beers this week, including New Belgium Eric’s Ale, Bootlegger’s Knuckle Sandwich Double IPA, Firestone Velvet Merkin, Firestone Union Jack, Avery Maharaja, Schneider-Brooklyn Brewing Hopfenweisse, Sierra Nevada Summerfest and Flying Dog Raging Bitch.

LADYFACE ALEHOUSE & BRASSERIE

According to Ladyface rep Robyn Britton, “This Sunday, May 23rd, the final stage of the Tour of California loops past Ladyface’s patio four times as the world’s greatest cyclists race for the finish line. Brewer Dave has created a special bière-de-garde for the occasion. Named after a bicycle’s gear-changing mechanism, “Derailleur” is malty smooth with a subtle apple finish that comes from aging in French Sauvignon Blanc barrels. Come try it at the 7pm Saturday May 22nd Release Party featuring live music and lots of great beer.

Sunday, starting at 11:30am, there’s a Beer Garden & Brats Barbecue in our parking lot right on the race course, with special patio tickets (which include commemorative glassware, a first Ladyface pint and other amenities) available for purchase.

Our American Craft Beer Week continues with Ladyface IPA, Chesebro Double IPA, Tripel, La Blonde, Blind Ambition and Porter. Our Wit will be gone any day, to be replaced with Allagash White. And there’s Oskar Blues Gordon and Mama’s Little Yella Pils, Bootlegger’s Knuckle Sandwich, Lost Abbey Judgement Day, Port Shark Attack, Green Flash LeFreak, North Coast Old Rasputin, Sierra Nevada Hoptimum, The Bruery’s Mischief, and Ommegang Hennepin Saison. Ladyface Cask of the Week is “Vanilla Bean Bourbon Porter.”

LIBRARY ALEHOUSE

According to sustainability manager Tom Kelley, “Currently on for Belgian Fest are…Saison Dupont (almost gone), Malheur 12, Blanche de Bruxelles, Chimay Tripel, Abbey des Rocs Triple Imperiale, Cuvee des Trolls, Gouden Carolus Hopsinjoor, and Bacchus Flemish Red.

Coming up over the weekend in no particular order are, Kwak, Barbar Honey, St. Feuillien Saison, Saison Du Buff (Collaboration between Stone/Dogfish Head/Victory, New Belgium Belgian Blond, Palm, and Piraat.

Tuesday is our finale event and we will be running a Pint Night with Palm, $6 gets you your first and take home Palm glass, with $4 refills.”

On May 23 at 5 PM, Library Alehouse is featuring a MIKKELLER’s SINGLE HOP IPA Series TASTING. According to Kelley, the tasting will involve “9 Single-hop IPA’s from the Danish gypsy brewer, Mikkeller, side by side. Apparently, Europeans can make IPA too!” Tickets cost $25, and spaces are limited. Call 310-314-4855 or email [email protected].

LUCKY BALDWIN’S DELIRIUM CAFE

New beers at Lucky Baldwin’s eastern outpost include Firestone Walker Union Jack, Solace and Double Barrel, plus Sam Adams Summer Ale.

McG’s PUB & GRILL

According to resident Beer Geek David Stickel, new beers include Manifesto Wit, Stone Chicory Stout, Ruination, Firestone Solace, Brother Thelonious, Napa Smith Organic IPA and Allagash Black. The cask for Friday: Arrogant Bastard w/ Amarillo.

NAJA’S PLACE

According to assistant manager Martin Svab, new beers on tap include Echt Kriekenbier, Red Hook Ballard IIPA, Jacobins Cuvee Rouge, Anderson Valley Summer Solstice and Alaskan Summer. “And we still have a little left of the following Imperial IPAs: Avery Maharaja 2009, Alesmith Yulesmith 2009 and Mikkeller SIngle Hop (Warrior).”

Tonight, from 8 PM – 10 PM, Naja’s Place is hosting NEW BELGIUM BREWING NIGHT, featuring the Colorado brewery’s Ranger IPA, Fat Tire Amber, Belgian Blonde and Tripel. New Belgium Beer Ranger Dallas will be on hand to talk beer.

THE SURLY GOAT

The Surly Goat’s tap list currently features options like Beer Valley Leafer Madness, Hair of the Dog Fred, Ommegang Three Philosophers, Port Shark Attack Imperial Red, Scaldis Peche Mel Scaldis and Victory Whirlwind Wit.

38 DEGREES

According to 38 Degrees co-owner Clay Harding, “At some time this weekend these beers will appear on draught! Corsendonk Brown Ale, Coronado Idiot IPA, Dogfish Head Festina Peche, The Bruery Humulus Rice, Ballast Point Yellow Tail Pale and Greenflash Imperial IPA.”

“If you haven’t gone to Tony’s Darts Away, then roll out to Burbank. The place rocks with a super knowledgable staff and chill environment featuring all Cali gems. Can’t wait to go party there again soon!”

TONY’S DARTS AWAY

According to last night’s update from manager Paige Reilly, “Ballast Point Victory @ Sea and Sextant Stout on nitro, Hangar 24 Orange Wheat, Eagle Rock Red Velvet, MateVeza Black Lager and Craftsman .5 on CASK. YUMMY!!!”

THE YORK

According to manager Mary Drenthe, “Our latest draught addition is Ballast Point Calico Amber Ale. On deck we have Lost Coast Wicked Wit. And on cask this week is Craftsman Point Five Pale Ale.”