L.A. Beer Blast B22

Craft Beer Maine

Allagash brews beers that are Black, White and many other colors on the spectrum.

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.

Belgium native Peter Bouckaert was working at Rodenbach, with plans to open a brewpub. However, a chance encounter at the Craft Brewers Conference in Boston led to him landing the brewmaster’s job at New Belgium Brewing Co.. I recently caught up with Bouckaert by phone, where we discussed his background and approach. CLICK HERE TO READ THE Q&A.

On June 26, Chris Quiroga and David Watrous are co-hosting “Woodshop 5.1 Ultimate Brown Bag Tasting and Brunch” at Blue Palms Brewhouse, featuring 24 tap handles served blind. The theme is a play on Brian Lenzo’s monthly “Brown Bag Night” at Blue Palms. Tickets to Woodshop 5.1 cost $40. Tack on $15 in exchange for access to a VIP brunch.

Back in March, The Bruery owner Patrick Rue discussed plans to open a craft beer café in Placentia’s Old Town. Now comes word that the two-year-old Belgian-style brewery will reroute to Old Town Orange, where they’ll debut The Bruery Provisions at 143 North Glassell Street this summer. The location will house a bottle shop and a small tasting bar with beer and wine, charcuterie and cheese. Expect several hundred bottles and a number of The Bruery’s own experimental and seasonal craft beers. Certified cicerones will direct tastings and samplings. “We originally thought about opening a craft beer bar, “ says Rue, “but decided we really wanted the opportunity to talk with all of our customers, not just serve them. We want people to come in for a taste and go home with knowledge and respect for the beer that they can now share with their friends at home.” The brewery’s on-site tasting room will remain open on Fridays and Saturdays.

Last Saturday, Brew & You columnist Sean Inman was at Vendome Toluca Lake for their “Wicked Weird Beer” tasting. “Because of the holiday weekend, some people may have been out of town and could not partake,” writes Inman. “But don’t cry over missed beer. Vendome holds tastings every Saturday between 2 PM – 5 PM, featuring beers they stock on store shelves. They usually have around 15 beers to sample for the low, low price of $10.” Before you head to the June 5 tasting of Saisons, Ciders and Meads, Inman provides “three helpful hints” and runs down his Top 3 and Bottom 3 “weird” beers. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE.

BEACHWOOD BBQ

Beachwood chef-owner Gabe Gordon currently features beers like Lagunitas Undercover Shutdown Ale, Belhaven Twisted Thistle IPA, Craftsman Point Five, Uncommon Brewers Baltic Porter and Bootlegger’s Knuckle Sandwich. Track changes to Beachwood BBQ’s 24-tap menu via HOP CAM

BLUE PALMS BREWHOUSE

Proprietor Brian Lenzo’s tap list at Blue Palms Brewhouse currently features beers like TAPS California Gold, an American IPA; Sierra Nevada Kellerweis, Victory Prima Pils, Hangar 24 Orange Wheat and Stone Levitation.

BOHO

According to Verdugo Bar and Surly Goat co-owner Ryan Sweeney, who curates BoHo’s beer program, beers that are currently on tap or on deck include Dogfish Head Festina Peche, Mikkeller Warrior single-hop IPA, Avery Maharaja and Port IPA.

BONEYARD BISTRO

According to bar manager Rory Snipes, “We are currently closed and will be re-opening in mid-June with double the space and all 42 taps.”

THE BOTTLE ROOM

According to last night’s update from chef-owner Tony Alcazar, the Whittier upstart features BrewDog Tokyo, The Bruery Coton, Rubicon Monkey Knife Fight, Mikkeller Beer Geek Brunch Weasel, Bear Republic Heritage, Pliny the Elder, Lost Abbey’s Bourbon barrel aged Angels Share and Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye. According to Alcazar, “Mikkeller Brunch Weasel is the only one in the bottle. We have an additional 40 bottles in the bottles list. 24 on tap, no macro breweries.”

THE DAILY PINT

Phil McGovern’s Santa Monica bar now features Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA, Green Flash West Coast IPA, Ballast Point Yellowtail Pale Ale, Bootlegger Black Phoenix, Port Anniversary Imperial IPA, Speakeasy Kahlua Blonde, and on cask, Ballast Point Sculpin IPA.

FIFTH AMENDMENT ALEHOUSE

According to co-owner Eden Noe, “Dan and I put on Paulaner, Sierra Summerfest, Double Daddy IPA, Fifth Amendment Hefeweizen, Allagash Black, Bruery Cotton, Stella.”

THE GOLDEN STATE

According to co-owner Jason Bernstein, The Golden State has a number of new kegs this week, including Deschutes Hop Henge, Firestone Walker Velvet Merkin, The Bruery Humulus Gold (tomorrow) and New Belgium Eric’s Ale. The Bruery Coton is on deck. On June 10, New Belgium brewer Eric Salazar will be hanging out at The Golden State from 4 PM – 6 PM, if you want to drink his beer and say hello.

LADYFACE ALEHOUSE & BRASSERIE

According to Ladyface rep Robyn Britton, “Our Ladyface Quarterly Brewmaster’s Dinner is coming Tuesday, June 29th, 6:00pm. Four courses, each matched with a Ladyface ale, will be presented by Chef Ray and Brewer Dave. Only 20 seats available. Go to http://www.ladyfaceale.com/events.html for details.

Cask of the Week is “Off The Rails”, Brewer Dave’s Derailleur biere-de-garde with full leaf Summit hops. The new Ladyface IPA will be on by Friday. On tap now – Ladyface Trois Filles Tripel, Picture City Porter, La Blonde, Derailleur and La Blanche Wit, Port Wipeout IPA, Drake’s Denogginizer, Oskar Blue’s Gordon and Mama’s Little Yella Pils, North Coast La Merle Saison, Ommegang Hennepin Saison, Sierra Nevada Southern Hemisphere and Lost Abbey’s Judgement Day. North Coast Old Rasputin is back but there’s not much left. Marin’s San Quentin Breakout Stout will replace it.”

LIBRARY ALEHOUSE

According to sustainability manager Tom Kelley, “On the taps we have Dogfish Head’s Festina Peche, Avery’s 17 (dry-hopped black lager), Saison du BUFF (Stone’s collaboration with Dogfish Head and Victory.. brewed with rosemary, thyme, sage, and parsley), as well as last licks on Palm, and Duchess de Bourgogne. Burton Baton and Deschutes Jubel 2010 will be run out over the weekend as well. In bottle we now have Mikkeller 1000 IBU, Deus, and Alesmith’s Speedway Stout.”

June 8 at 6 PM, Library Alehouse is hosting a Sierra Nevada Meet the Brewer Dinner with Steve Grossman brewery ambassador, and brother to Ken Grossman, owner/ founder of Sierra Nevada. The dinner costs $35 per person and features the following menu:

Sierra Nevada Summerfest
(palate wetter)

Course 1
Fried Calamari
Nautilus Pilsner

Course 2
Jerk Chicken
Southern Hemisphere Hop Harvest

Course 3
Mocha Torte
Ken and Fritz 30th Anniversary Ale

According to Kelley, “For the Sierra event we will launch Nautilus, our beer camp beer, a dry-hopped and torpedoed Bohemian pilsner. In addition we will have Southern Hemisphere Harvest, Summerfest, and the second beer of the 30th anniversary series, Ken, Charlie and Fred’s Imperial Helles Bock.”

“On Friday June 11th we will be hosting Eric Salazar and his New Belgium crew from 3:30 to 5:30, and pouring Eric’s Ale as well as New Belgium Blond.”

LUCKY BALDWIN’S DELIRIUM CAFE

According to staffer Jamie, new beers at Lucky Baldwin’s eastern outpost consist of Firestone Solace and Rogue Brutal Bitter. They’re gearing up for the IPA Festival, which starts on June 12 in both locations.

SIMMZY’S

According to manager Pete Shuey, “Right now at Simmzy’s we’ve got a very limited release from Firestone Walker called “Parabola.” This is an unbelievable stout type brew aged in wooden bourbon barrels with tastes like oak, tobacco and rich chocolate hitting you all at once. It’s almost a meal in itself and you have to watch out because the 13.2% ABV will sneak up on you.

We’ve also just hooked up Victory’s Hop Devil IPA for our “IPA alliance” fans and coming soon we’ve got Mission Shipwrecked 2x’s IPA and Marin Brewing’s IPA which scored 100pts from the BevMo people!”

STUFFED SANDWICH

According to co-owner Marlene Samaniego:

“This is the first time we have had a full line-up of Barrel Aged Beers!!! And, when a few of these kegs dry up we have a few more surprise barrel aged kegs waiting to go on! Most of these beers are over 9% alcohol so go easy or bring a designated driver with you. Here’s this month’s Barrel Aged line-up:

  • Allagash Odyssey ‘2009’ (Dark Wheat Beer Aged in American Oak)
  • Ommegang Grand Cru Rouge ‘2008’ (Flemish Style Red Ale Aged 18 Months in French Oak)
  • Grand Teton Lost Continent Double IPA ‘2009’ (OAKED AGED)
  • Allagash Curieux ‘2009’ (Belgian Style Triple Ale Aged in Bourbon Barrels)
  • BrewDog Paradox Isle of Arron ‘2009’ (Imperial Russian Stout Aged in Single Malt Whiskey Barrels from the Isle of Arran Distillery)
  • Hair of the Dog Fred Flanders From the Wood ‘2008’ (Golden Special Ale Fermented with Yeast & Bacteria ‘Brettanomyces’ Barrel Aged in American Oak – 2 years)
  • Hair of the Dog Adam From the Wood ‘2008’ (Old World Style Ale – Barrel Aged 2 years in Elijah Craig Bourbon Barrels)
  • Firestone Parabola ‘2010’ (Barrel Aged Imperial Russian Stout)
  • Lost Coast Fog Cutter ‘2010’ (Oaked Barrel Aged Barleywine)
  • Coming Next:

    July: Another Surprise Brewery!
    August: Single Hopped Beers on Draft!!
    September: Stone Brewing Days on Draft!!!

    THE SURLY GOAT

    According to co-owner Ryan Sweeney, The Surly Goat currently features a number of new beers on tap or on deck, including Kern River Class V Stout, Flying Dog Wild Dog Imperial Coffee Stout, The Bruery Coton, The Bruery Humulus Rice, Mikkeller Beer Geek Breakfast, Russian River Pliny the Elder, Speakeasy Apple Jack barrel-aged Old Godfather and Sierra Nevada 30th Anniversary Charlie, Fred and Ken’s Lager. New bottles include Mikkeller Beer Geek Brunch Weasel. Tomorrow, they’re tapping a keg of Port Special Pale Ale.

    On June 10, New Belgium brewer Eric Salazar will be in-house with a number of the Colorado brewery’s beers, including La Folie, Eric’s Ale, Dark Heather Saison, Belgium Blonde and Ranger IPA.

    38 DEGREES ALEHOUSE & GRILL

    According to co-owner Clay Harding, 38 Degrees Anniversary Week runs June 12 – 19. “June 12th will be Saturday Night Flight Night with Stone Brewing. It will be an informal tasting night. The Vertical flights will be:

  • Old Guardian 06, 07, 08, 09
  • Vertical Epic 06, 07 ,08, 09
  • Double Bastard 06, 07, 08, 09
  • Plus special Stone beers on tap.”

    Monday June 14th. 38 Degrees Anniversary Beer Dinner with The Bruery featuring 5 Course meal paired with Seven Grain Saison, Orchard White, Saison Rue, Mischief and Oude Tart.

    Special Bruery drafts will also be available. The cost is $55 and seating is limited. Contact Clay Harding at 626 282 2038 for more info on food pairings or to make a reservation.

    TONY’S DARTS AWAY

    According to yesterday’s update from manager Paige Reilly, “We have The Bruery’s Coton on draft along with AleSmith Grand Cru, Hangar 24 Double IPA brewed w/Honey, Port 4th Anniversary Double IPA, and a cask of Levitation with Centennial Hops. Come and get it!”

    VERDUGO BAR

    According to co-owner Ryan Sweeney, Verdugo Bar currently features a number of new beers on tap or on deck, including Sierra Nevada 30th Anniversary Charlie, Fred and Ken’s Lager, Dogfish Head Festina Peche, Port Mongo and Russian River Damnation. Firestone Walker Parabola, The Bruery Coton and Humulus Rice are on deck. New bottles include Parabola and Mikkeller Beer Geek Brunch Weasel.

    On June 5, Verdugo Bar is hosting a Mobile Mash Up from 1 PM – 7 PM, with five food trucks sharing ingredients to produce unique mash up items. Frysmith, Lomo Arigato, Mandoline Grill, Dainty Cakes LA and The Buttermilk Truck are parking in the Verdugo Bar parking lot. This time, they’ll also be cooking with beer from Eagle Rock Brewery.

    THE YORK

    According to manager Mary Drenthe, “This week we tapped into a keg of Sierra Nevada Southern Hemisphere Ale, the first fresh hop ale to be released in the U.S. in spring. It’s New Zealand hops explode on the palate with mouthwatering richness and spice. We also added Victory Prima Pilsner and Alaskan Amber to the lineup. In bottles, we added Schonramer Gold and on cask, Craftsman Point Five.”

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    Joshua Lurie

    Joshua Lurie founded FoodGPS in 2005. Read about him here.

    Blog Comments

    Visited The Golden State is was Awesome. But Boho was bad,Mikkeller Warrior single-hop IPA was very tasty but I was told we have to relinquish our table to any group that wanted to eat because me and my friend were only drink beer and not eating. Oh and this was in the bar.

    Joseph,

    Glad to hear you had a good experience at The Golden State. If you don’t like BoHo, there are other places to find Mikkeller single-hop beers in L.A. Library Alehouse had nine different single-hops for a recent event.

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