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.

The backbone of a city’s beer scene is undoubtedly the people behind it. L.A. has a coterie of passionate bar owners, home brewers (and finally) professional brewers who have mobilized consumers (and me) to want to learn more about what’s in each glass and who brewed it. CLICK HERE FOR MY OVERVIEW OF THE L.A. BEER SCENE

This week, Brew & You columnist Sean Inman lays it down in a post titled Anti-Beer, writing, “I hereby challenge any NIMBY loving community advocate to visit a classy beer bar with me so that they can see that us beer folk are not that outdated picture of drunken excess. But that offer is only open to people with open minds.”

BEACHWOOD BBQ

Beachwood chef-owner Gabe Gordon currently features draught beers like Kern River Just Outstanding IPA, TAPS Imperial Stout, Napa Smith Amber, Russian River Blind Pig, Lagunitas Little Sumpin, Lost Abbey Devotion, BrewDog Paradox Isle of Arran, Craftsman Summer Ale, Haandbryggeriet Norse Porter and Monstre Rouge from De Proef + Terrapin. Track changes to Beachwood BBQ’s 24-tap menu via HOP CAM

BLUE PALMS BREWHOUSE

According to last night’s update from proprietor Brian Lenzo, new beers include Wintercoat Double hop, Monstre Rouge, Craftsman smoked black lager, Sierra Nevada Jack & Ken Barley Wine and Pizza Port Feeding Frenzy.

BONEYARD BISTRO

According to bar manager Rory Snipes, “New beers on tap this week include: Avery IPA, BrewDog Tokyo, The Bruery Seven Grain Saison, DeProef/Terrapin collaboration Monster Rouge, Nibble Bit Tabby E.S.B. (really good), Scaldis Triple, St. Louis Gueuze Fond Tradition, St. Louis Framboise, and Uncommon Brewers Siamese Twin. Fresh kegs from Eagle Rock and Ladyface should be going on in the next couple days.”

THE DAILY PINT

Phil McGovern’s Santa Monica bar recently added draught beers like Rogue Dead Guy Ale, Port Mongo IPA, Bear Republic Racer 5 and Deschutes Twilight Summer Ale.

THE GOLDEN STATE

According to yesterday’s update from co-owner Jason Bernstein, the current beers include Craftsman 1903, Craftsman Fireworks Saison, Port Serpent’s Stout, Bear Republic Racer 5, Bruery’s Mischief, Bruery’s Autumn Maple, Port Devotion, Firestone Union Jack, North Coast Old Rasputin and Flying Dog Raging Bitch.

LIBRARY ALEHOUSE

According to Library Alehouse general manager Tom Kelley, “Right now we have the dregs of Stone’s Sublimely Self Righteous and Sierra’s fall seasonal Tumbler. In bottle we have Rodenbach, and Alpine Duet and Pure Hoppiness.

This weekend we should see the Bruery’s Autumn Maple, Dogfish Head’s Theobroma, Stone’s newest collaboration Session Ale a 4.7% hop bomb, and a Belgian blond from a new LA brewery called Browerij West.. excited to see how their beers translate to draft.”

LUBKCY BALDWIN’S DELIRIUM CAFE

According to staffer Jamie, Lucky Baldwin’s eastern outpost will continue to feature Belgian Beer Fest for one more week. Look for new Belgian additions like Val-Dieu Tripel, St. Bernardus Abt 12, Gouden Carolus Cuvee Van De Keizer and Malheur 12. A trio of new American beers include Craftsman Summer Ale, Anchor Porter and New Belgium Ranger IPA.

NAJA’S PLACE

According to assistant manager Martin Svab, “Tonight… Join us from 6:30pm till 8:00pm for some Crispin Hard Cider. We will feature the Artisanal Reserve Honey Crisp (hard apple cider with organic honey) and The Saint (hard apple cider with Belgian Trappist yeast & organic maple syrup) (both in 22oz bottles.)

Same night, from 8pm till 10pm we will feature an evening with Sam Adams. This will be a Customer’s Choice event were Sam Adams fans will sample a couple of new beers that are not available in the market on vote on their favorite. We will also feature S.A. Boston Lager and OktoberFest.
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New Beers on draught: Black Diamond Jagged Edge IPA, Moylan’s IPA and Lost Coast Downtown Brown.

As we officially wrap up the Funk ‘n Sour (mini) Festival, a handful to tasty beers remain (and are running on fumes): New Belgium Lips of Faith: La Folie Sour Brown (2009), New Belgium Lips of Faith: Imperial Berliner Weiss, Professor Fritz Briem 1809 Berliner Weisse, Cuvee Des Jacobins Rouge, Rodenbach Grand Cru (2009), Petrus Our Bruin Ale, Bacchus, Monstre Rouge and St. Louis Gueuze Fond Tradition.”

SIMMZY’S

According to Simmzy’s manager Peter Shuey, “We’ve got Shipyard XXXX IPA, New Belgium Hoptober & Ranger IPA, Bootlegger’s Hefeweizen, Victory Hop Devil & Stone’s collaboration with Ballast & Kelsey McNair, Session Ale. A super flavorful session at only 4.5 %! Coming up we’ve got Lil’ sumpin sumpin from Lagunitas, Bruerey’s Autumn Brown and a super IPA from Black Diamond.”

STUFFED SANDWICH

According to co-owner Marlene Samaniego, “It’s that time of year again…STONE BREWING DAYS!!! Happy 14th Anniversary to Steve, Greg and all the Stone Brewing Staff! We have Stone Brewing’s 14th Anniversary Emperial India Pale Ale, T-shirts, 22oz bottles, specialty glassware and pint glasses in stock. Here’s this year’s special line-up:

October 2010: German Beers on Draft!
November 2010: Strong Ales on Draft!!
December 2010: Holiday Ales on Draft!!!

THE SURLY GOAT

According to Andrew Kelley, The Surly Goat now has a cask of Eagle Rock Brewery Populist IPA and bottles of Russian River Temptation. Coming soon, a keg of Russian River Supplication. They’re also getting Firestone Walker Velvet Merkin and Port 4th Anniversary on draught.

TONY’S DARTS AWAY

According to manager Paige Reilly, “We have got Blind Pig by Russian River, The Bruery’s lovely Trade Winds Tripel, and Huge’r Boont IPA from AVBC all on draft right now with Eagle Rock’s new IPA, Populist, on it’s way in soon!”

VENDOME TOLUCA LAKE

Beer & Spirits Specialist Mike Hayhurst has assembled East Coast beers for Saturday afternoon’s tasting. From 2 PM -5 PM, staffers will be pouring 15 tasters for $10. Hayhurst said, “With last week’s tasting showcasing the flavor profile of the West Coast, it seems only fitting that we balance it out this week with the East! Sadly, while many East Coast breweries don’t distribute their beers this far West, the ones that do make it across the country are fantastic.” This week’s lineup includes Dogfish Head Festina Peche, Ommegang Zuur, Victory Moonglow Weizenbock, Samuel Adams Imperial White and Flying Dog Raging Bitch IPA.

VERDUGO BAR

According to Andrew Kelley, new beers on draught at Verdugo Bar include Sierra Nevada Ken & Jack black barleywine, which in part of their 30th anniversary series. In bottles and on draught, you’ll find Russian River Temptation. The bar’s also getting Port Panzer Imperial Pilsner, and in bottles, Dogfish Head Theobroma and Dogfish Head (Miles Davis) Bitches Brew.