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 strongest beer on the planet comes courtesy of Scottish renegades Martin Dickie and James Watt, of BrewDog. Tactical Nuclear Penguin is 32% ABV, a truly hardcore brew from the hop mad showmen. Watt – The Emperor Penguin – recently e-mailed to weigh in on TNP and the future of extreme brewing at BrewDog. CLICK HERE TO READ THE Q&A You can also read my account of a Tactical Nuclear Penguin tasting, titled ”Tactical Nuclear Penguin Blitzes L.A.”.

If New England ever hosts a brewing Olympics, there’s little doubt that Allagash Brewing Company would medal multiple times. The brewery is firmly rooted in Belgian brewing traditions, and longtime brewmaster Jason Perkins is helping to lead the brewery’s brigade in its 16th year. He recently discussed his background and approach. CLICK HERE TO READ THE Q&A

“If you have lived in Los Angeles for awhile, you start to know the local institutions. The best mom-and-pop establishments. The stores, shops and restaurants that are not in the travel guides. Galco’s in Highland Park is one of those places.” So says Brew & You columnist Sean Inman, who wrote about Galco’s in a post titled “In Your Neighborhood: Galco’s.”

THE SURLY GOAT
7929 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, 323 650 4628

Ryan Sweeney, Brandon Bradford, Alen Aivazian and Adolfo Suaya launch The Surly Goat on Monday, February 8 @ 6 PM. The bar will be open nightly from 6 PM – 2 AM. Sweeney just received powerhouse kegs like Ballast Point Sculpin IPA, Stone Old Guardian ’08 (aged in red wine barrels). Kern River Class V Stout and Kern River Just Outstanding IPA, so he’s still tweaking the opening draught list.

You’re likely to find beers like Deschutes The Abyss, Hair of the Dog Fred, Lagunitas Brown Shugga, Bear Republic Heritage Ale, Celebrator Doppelbock, The Bruery Sour on Rye, Firestone Walker Velvet Merkin, New Belgium Tart Lychee, New Belgium La Folie, Victory Kolsch and Craftsman Cabernale. Two breweries have even stepped up to make beers specifically for The Surly Goat, including Eaglegoat Bock from Eagle Rock Brewery and Speakeasy Public Enemy Pils, a pre-Prohibition Pilsner.

Ballast Point is supplying the opening cask. It will either be Sea Monster Stout aged in rum barrels or barrel-aged Victory at Sea.

BEACHWOOD BBQ
131 Main Street, Seal Beach, 562 493 4500

New draught options at Gabriel Gordon’s noted Seal Beach beer bar include Sudwerks Lager, Sierra Nevada Glissade Golden Bock, Speakeasy Double Daddy double IPA, Ballast Point Sea Monster Imperial Stout, BrewDog Zeitgeist, Nautical Nut Brown Ale, Allagash Double, North Coast Old Stock Ale 2009 and Port Ruination with Simcoe hops on cask. Track changes to Gordon’s 24-tap blackboard menu via HOP CAM.

BLUE PALMS BREWHOUSE
6124 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, 323 464 2337

According to Blue Palms proprietor Brian Lenzo, “We will be celebrating San Francisco Beer Week @ Blue Palms (beginning tomorrow). Here are some beers we will start with:

“Imperial Common” Collaboration Beer – This is a beer the SF Brewers Guild brewed at Speakeasy. It’s a collaborative beer for SF Beer Week – tiny, tiny batch not for bars. Its a scotch barrel aged Imperial Common. Oxymoronical in name and even more so b/c it’s in local scotch maker’s barrels. Further, when reefers did not exist, people were amazed with the “steam” at the top of the keg of this style, thus the nickname “Steam beer.” Nothing to do with the water or the process as you may know :). Steam beer, which we can no longer use.”

Brown Bag Night Feb 10, Cupid’s Arrow

“For the 8th time, Blue Palms Brewhouse is organizing a loosely structured double-blind tasting of beers within a set theme– this time, “Cupid’s Arrow: The Beer That Got You Hooked.” The idea is that this is a way to strip away any pretensions and preconceptions about specific beers you are drinking, and to challenge and educate your palate about the flavors and aromas you experience.”

BONEYARD BISTRO

13539 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, 818 906 7427

According to chef-owner Aaron Robins, new beers include “Brewdog/Stone Bashah, Bruery Mischief, Moosbacher Schwarze Weisse, and coming on tap Avery Dugana this weekend.”

THE DAILY PINT
2310 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica, 310 450 7631

The tap selection at Phil McGovern’s Santa Monica bar now includes Russian River Damnation, The Bruery Mischief, a Belgian style golden ale, Alaskan White Wheat and Moylan’s Hopsickle, an Imperial IPA. Now on cask: Stone Arrogant Bastard with Chinook Hops and Stone Levitation Amber with Centennial hops.

THE FIFTH AMENDMENT ALEHOUSE
129 Broadway, Santa Monica, 310 386 1428

According to resident beer expert Dave Watrous, “Here’s what’s new @ the Fifth on Draft: Lost Abbey Serpent’s Stout ’09, Maredsous 8 Belgian Abbey Double, Allagash Curieux, Eagle Rock Brewing Manifesto Wit, Alesmith X (extra pale ale), Stone Brewing Cali Belgique and Duvel Green. New in Bottles: Russian River Consecration, Russian River Supplication, Jolly Pumpkin Le Roja and Lost Abbey Carnivale ’09.

Now both Mon. and Tues. nights from 5:00 – 10:00 P.M., all draft beer is $5. Next Thurs. Feb. 11th starting at 7:00 P.M. the Fifth Amendment welcomes Firestone Walker Brewing. $5 drafts, keep the pint glass. Featured bottles including Firestone Walker 13th Anniversary.

THE GOLDEN STATE
426 North Fairfax Avenue, Fairfax, 323 782 8331

According to The Golden State co-owner Jason Bernstein, “We just got in Sierra Nevada Glissade…We have Strand Brewing’s Pale Ale pouring right now as well.”

LADYFACE ALEHOUSE & BRASSERIE
29281 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills, 818 477 4566

According to owner Cyrena Nouzille, “Yin and yang, light and dark, tranquility and energy. It’s all about contrasts this week at Ladyface Alehouse & Brasserie.

“Tripel Tranquility” is Brewer Dave’s Cask of the Week, featuring Ladyface’s own Trois Filles Tripel, a powerful brew of spicy yeast character, casked with a lovely chamomile/citrus tea. Sit in the sun on our patio, take in the view of Ladyface Mountain and your straw-gold pint, and say “aaah.”

On the other hand, beginning this Saturday, you can kick off the night with “Picture City Porter”, our robust new coffee infused dark ale – chocolatey, roasty and smooth. Not many folks know that our city, Agoura Hills, was once known as Picture City because of all the movies shot in the area.

It’s going to be a busy weekend at Ladyface. We’ll be adding guest beers – Delirium Tremens, Green Flash Imperial IPA and the returning Anderson Valley’s Brother David Dubbel should all be on tap. Saturday, we celebrate our Grand Opening with Happy Hour prices and free frites all day. Then it’s Super Bowl Sunday, with the big game on three hi-def screens, Chef Ray’s all-beef chorizo chili on special, and Happy Hour prices all day.
The Saints versus the Colts – we’ll let you decide who’s the yin and who’s the yang.”

LIBRARY ALEHOUSE
2911 Main Street, Santa Monica, 310 314 4855

According to the update from Library Alehouse Sustainability Manager Thomas Kelley, “We have on Transatlantique Kriek from New Belgium, Ranger IPA, Sierra Glissade, Firestone Double Barrel, and our last keg of Sierra Celebration. Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron should find it’s way to draft this weekend. In addition we are pouring Abita Jockamo IPA in support of the Saints, and will run our infamous Jambalaya for Super Bowl Sunday.

Looking ahead this month, we are hosting an IPA fest on Tuesday, February 23rd to benefit SMC Foundation. More info next week. We will also have a double IPA night on the Tuesday before, February 16th.”

LUCKY BALDWIN’S
17 South Raymond Avenue, Pasadena, 626 795 0652

The latest beers on tap at Lucky Baldwin’s Old Pasadena flagship are Duchesse de Bourgogne, La Rulles Cuvee Meilleurs Voeux, La Rulles Estivale, La Rulles Augustinje Ale, Maredsous 8, Piraat and Koningshoeven Quadrupel. New American beers include Craftsman Cabernale, Craftsman Holiday, Karl Strauss Fullsuit and Pyramid Snow Cap Ale. Belgian Beer Fest runs from February 13-28. Saison Dupont is the sponsor. Expect a glass, T-shirt and beer special, with discounted refills.

LUCKY BALDWIN’S DELIRIUM CAFE
21 Kersting Court, Sierra Madre, 626 355 1140

According to Jamie, a staffer at Lucky Baldwin’s eastern outpost, the draught line-up now includes Saison Dupont and New Belgium Ranger IPA. Belgian Beer Festruns February 13-28. Saison Dupont is the sponsor. Expect a glass, T-shirt and beer special, with discounted refills.

LUCKY DEVILS
6613 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, 323 465 8259

According to Lucky Devils rep Stacy Failing, “Lucky Devils tapped several great brews this week including: Paulaner Hefeweizen, Affligem Blond, Caracole Saxo and Hairy Eyeball. Also on tap are Duvel Green, Craftsman 1903, Blanche de Burxelles, Stone Pale Ale, Bear Republic Racer 5, Chimay Tripel, Lost Coast Downtown Brown and Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout.”

STUFFED SANDWICH
1145 East Las Tunas Drive, San Gabriel, 626 285 9161

Here’s the update from co-owner Marlene Samaniego:

February means Barleywines on Draft! Here’s this year’s lineup:

“Please plan to drink less or bring a designated driver with you as these beers are stronger than most.”

38 DEGREES ALEHOUSE
100 West Main Street, Alhambra, 626 282 2038

Here’s today’s update from 38 Degrees co-owner Clay Harding, who oversees the beer program: “I encourage everyone to try The ElixIr from Le Baladin on draft where ever you can find it. A great Belgian style strong made by Italy’s most exotic Brewer, Teo Musso. He actually played music to the Scotch distillers yeast used in this beers fermentation. I’ve got lots take your time. WE will also be rockin’ Ale Smith Gran Cru, Ballast Point Sea Monster, Point Reyes Porter as well as Dugana and Pliny. Please make sure to pick up a bottle or two of Alpine Exponential Hoppiness too, my favorite bottle I’ve had this year.”

VERDUGO BAR
3408 Verdugo Road, Glassell Park, 323 257 3408

According to co-owner Ryan Sweeney, you’ll now find kegs of Old Rasputin 12 and Mikkeller Beer Geek’s Breakfast. Coming soon, expect a keg of New Belgium La Folie and bottles of Russian River Supplication.