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.
Most people look at the desert and see cacti, craggy rock formations and swirling sand. In 1996, the Four Peaks Brewing Co. founders had visions of beer. Brewmaster Andy Ingram currently owns Four Peaks with Jim Scussel and Randy Schultz, their Tempe brewery named for the quartet of 7500-foot mountains located 35 miles northeast of Phoenix. I recently caught up with Ingram, who shared more insight into his background and approach. CLICK HERE TO READ THE Q&A
Last Saturday, neither skyrocketing temperatures, long distances nor traffic as far as the eye can see could keep Brew & You columnist Sean Inman from Escondido, where he helped to celebrate 14 Glorious Years of Stone.
Beachwood chef-owner Gabe Gordon currently features draught beers like Pizza Port (San Clemente) Warrior Black IPA, AleSmith IPA, Avery The Kaiser, Rubicon Goldfinger English Bitter on nitro, Oskar Blues Ten Fidy, Delirium Nocturnum, Ballast Point/Kelsey McNair/Stone/SD County Session Ale. Track changes to Beachwood BBQ’s 24-tap menu via HOP CAM
Blue Palms proprietor Brian Lenzo is currently pouring beers like SDBC Belgo West Coast IPA, Drake’s Hopocalypse double IPA, Avery Anniversary 17 (dry hopped), Speakeasy IBA, Ladyface Red Eye, Rubicon Maggie Brown, Birrificio Le Baladin Al0Iksir, Telegraphy Dry-Hopped XX and Deschutes Twilight Ale.
According to bar manager Rory Snipes, “New draft includes: the Green Flash/St. Feullien collaboration Biere de L’Amitie, Scaldis Peche-Mel, The Bruery’s Humulus Lager, Weihenstephan Hefe, Grand Teton Au Naturale Blonde, Konigshoeven Quad, and Urthel Hop It. We also got a small number of Port Brewing Santa’s Little Helper Bourbon Barrel aged stout in bottles, which is pretty amazing with our Jack ‘n Coke chocolate decadence cake. More big stouts coming on draft – if the weather cools down just a bit. Cheers!”
THE BOTTLE ROOM
According to yesterday’s update from chef-owner Tony Alcazar, new beers include a St. Feuillien/Green Flash Collaboration called Biere de l’Amite, Beer Geek Breakfast and Allagash White. “Next week, August 31st, is our Port Brewing Dinner with Tomme Arthur. 5 courses 5 Beers $55.”
According to General Manager & Wine Director Matthew Kaner, “3 new ‘coming soon’ beers: Fuller’s London Porter, Anderson Valley Summer Solstice Cerveza Crema, and Stone/Ballast Point/SD County Session Ale (like a lager in color and alcohol – 4.2% – but hopped like a triple IPA.”
Phil McGovern’s Santa Monica bar recently added draught beers like Duvel Green, Affligem Blonde, Sierra Nevada Tumbler brown ale and Deschutes Twilight ale, and on cask, Stone Arrogant Bastard with Chinook hops and Deans Brothers ESB.
According to co-owner Jason Bernstein, new beers include North Coast Old Rasputin, Craftsman 1903, Port Mongo Double IPA, Bruery’s Autumn Maple, Drake’s Bass Ackwards, Bear Republic Racer 5, Craftsman Firecracker Saison and New Belgium Imperial Berlinerweisse.
According to Ladyface rep Robyn Britton, “Ladyface’s Cask of the Week is “Fire & Brimstone”, a 50/50 blend of our Chesebro DIPA and Ladyface Red Rye, a seasonal ale and no longer on tap. The Ladyface lineup includes Blind Ambition Amber, La Blanche Wit, La Blonde, Chesebro DIPA and Ladyface IPA. Trois Filles Tripel should be back next week. In addition to growlers, we just got our first Ladyface logo pint glasses. Check the website www.ladyfaceale.com or Facebook for pictures.
Guest ales include Avery Reverend and IPA, Drake’s Hopocalypse and 1500, Corsendonk Abbey Ale, Val Dieu Grand Cru, Port Old Viscosity, and Russian River Damnation. La Chouffe Houblon and Anderson Valley Poleeko Gold will be done soon, to be replaced by Port Monga IPA and Oskar Blues Mama’s Lil Pils.
According to Library Alehouse general manager Tom Kelley, “For the weekend we are running out some of our summer beers. Last licks on Lagunitas Pilsner and Dogfish Head Festina Peche. We have a whole bunch of goodies that should go on sometime this weekend, or early next week including Dogfish Head Theobroma, Jolly Pumpkin Oro del Calabaza, Port 4th Anniversary and more!
Next Tuesday, August 31st is our What a Pair event, raising money for Breast Cancer. Hallie Beaune and Christina Perozzi, better known as The Beer Chicks, will be leading us through a Beer Pairing 101 dinner.
Belgian Beer Fest is still going strong at Lucky Baldwin’s eastern outpost. Look for about 30 different Belgian beers, including Cuvée des Trolls, Biere de Miel, Tripel Karmeliet, Saison Dupont, Duvel Green, Leffe Blonde, St. Feuillien Tripel, Petrus Brown and Malheur 12. If you’re so inclined, pay $22 and get a beer, Saison Dupont glass and Cuvée des Trolls T-shirt.
Tonight at 8 PM, Naja’s Place is hosting their FUNK ‘N SOUR (MINI) FESTIVAL. According to assistant manager Martin Svab, this is “a tribute to all beers funky and sour. We will feature over 15 palate-twisting Flemish Sours, Gueuzes, Barrel-Aged and Farm House ales on draught. An additional 8+ will be available by the bottle. These beers will be available by the glass only. No entrance fee. Just pay as you go. Some of the beers that will be featured include: Russian River Consecration, Russian River Supplication, Jacobins Cuvee Rouge, Monstre Rouge (Red Monster).”
According to Simmzy’s manager Peter Shuey, “Coming up at Simmzy’s: Bootlegger’s “Black Phoenix” chipotle/coffee stout, Houblon LaChouffe, Shipyard Smashed Pumpkin (tastes just like pumpkin pie), Avery IPA, Lagunitas Undercover Investigation & we were lucky enough to get a new collaboration from Stone with Ballast Point and Kelsey McNair a San Diego homebrewer called San Diego session ale. It’s a super hoppy all-day brew. Surely to delight all the hop-heads alike!”
You’ll currently find beers on tap like Grand Teton Bitch Creek ESB, Drake’s Denogginizer, Eagle Rock Populist, Deschutes Hop in the Dark, Coronado Summer Ale, TAPS Cream Ale and Marin Brewing Company Point Reyes Porter.
According to 38 Degrees co-owner Clay Harding, “New on Tap! The Ballast Point / Kelsey Mc Nair / Stone collaboration, a hopped up bitter called San Diego County Session Ale weighing in at a smooth 4.2% ABV. Also featuring Uncommon Brewers Rubidus Red, an Amber ale brewed with organic maple syrup candied mushroom caps. An interesting tartness with a sweet finish and great with our bold burgers. Fresh kegs also include Eagle Rock Populist IPA, Craftsman Humulus Lager, Avery Maharaja, The Bruery Humulus Lager and Russian River IPA. Fresh B.P/Stone Collab bottles are ready for pick up as well as Sculpin bombers. Get them while they last.”
According to yesterday’s update from manager Paige Reilly, “We just had a Cismontane Brewery Night last night that went SOOOOOO WELL! We still have their Coulter IPA, Blacks Dawn Coffee Stout and Coconut Small Beer on tap. Also, we just tapped AleSmith Old Numbskull Barleywine and Horny Devil Belgian Style Strong.”
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