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 meet industry leaders. The L.A. BEER BLAST normally arrives 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.

BREW & YOU

This week, Brew & You columnist Sean Inman recommends “eight less weird Holiday seasonals that should be under the tree and in your ‘fridge” in his third holiday post, titled, ’Tis The Season (Part Three).

BEACHWOOD BBQ

Beachwood chef-owner Gabe Gordon currently features draught beers like Newport Beach Brewing Co.’s Holiday Spiced ESB, Tustin Brewing Co. Jackson’s DIPA, Left Coast The Wedge Black IPA, TAPS Doppelbock, Port Brewing Road to Helles Lager, Secret Squirrel Cuvee de Melange, The Bruery Loakal Red, Ommegang Adoration (2009) and Bootlegger’s Chocolate Mint Porter. Track changes to Beachwood BBQ’s 24-tap menu via HOP CAM.

On December 23, Gordon is hosting a Triple Rock/Drake’s night. He recently brewed up in Berkeley and that beer will be on tap. Gordon said they were shooting for a particular style, and depending on how it turns out, it will have one of two names. Beachwood is also getting 24 kegs of Triple Rock and Drake’s beer.

BLUE PALMS BREWHOUSE

Blue Palms proprietor Brian Lenzo is currently pouring beers like Kern River Citra double IPA, Bahl Hornin Black IPA, Black Market Brown, Eagle Rock Jubilee, Mikkeller/BrewDog I Hardcore U, Green Flash Hop Head Red, Anchor Christmas and Deschutes Jubelale. Track changes to Blue Palms Brewhouse’s 24-tap menu via HERE

BOHO

According to Christopher Sobolewski, who oversees BoHo’s beer program, “New beers this week: Alesmith Grand Cru, N’Ice Chouffe, Bear Republic Peter Brown Tribute and Alaskan Smoked Porter (bottle).

And! On Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve we will be having a $40 three course beer pairing dinner (from 4pm). Menu still TBD. The dinners (Christmas and NYE) will be different from each other and will be paired with the best beers we have. It’s not supposed to be super serious or beer geeky, (we’re offering a wine pairing with the dinners as well) we just want to have a little fun with the holidays. Some good food and some good drinks to go with them. We may have some surprises in store for our guests. 😉

We’re excited about the holidays around here. Our Holiday Draft Flight has been selling well and we’re changing our draft list almost daily. Who knows what might arrive next week.”

BONEYARD BISTRO

According to Boneyard bar manager Rory Snipes, “New beers this week include: Kern River Holiday (Rye IPA), Scaldis Noel, St. Bernardus Christmas, Bootlegger’s Knuckle Sandwich DIPA, Stone Lucky Bastard, and Strand’s new IPA, Atticus. This Saturday the 18th, for the first time ever we have live music at Boneyard! The Brian Hogan Band will be playing Rockabilly starting at 10pm, with $3 pints of Strand Amber and $5 shots of Buffalo Trace as long as they play.”

BOTTLEROCK

The Culver City branch just added Vrienden from Allagash and New Belgium – a collaboration brewed with endive and hibiscus, and downtown, they just tapped a keg of Anderson Valley Brewing Company Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout. The DTLA branch is now pouring Dogfish Head Chicory Stout, and they’ve also got bottles of St. Bernardus Christmas Ale.

THE BOTTLE ROOM

According to yesterday’s update from chef-owner Tony Alcazar, “This Sunday is the Bruery Christmas Brunch. Patrick and Jonas will be present and are bringing some goodies. We will offer two flights featuring Bruery beers. The first will include Workman’s Friend, Rugbrod, Mischief and Trade Winds Tripel. The Second will include 3 French Hens, 2 Turtle Doves, Barrel Aged 2 Turtle Doves and A Partridge in a Pear Tree. We are very excited for this event!!!” With the beers, Alcazar plans to offer a “small but unique brunch menu.” THE SWEET side includes brioche french toast with cranberry & pear chutney; and egg nog bread pudding with butter maple syrup. THE SAVORY options include “my big fat Mexican omelet” with chorizo, salsa verde y queso fresco; a crab-cake “Benedict” with poached eggs and jalapeño hollandaise; and the McBottle Room, with a sausage patty & scrambled eggs on an English muffin.

BROADWAY ALEHOUSE

According to co-owner Eden Noe, “I have for new beers: Delirium Noel, Delirium Tremens, Stone IPA, Old Rasputin, Blanche de Chambly, Allagash Curieux, Allagash White, Fat Fire, Einhorn Pilsner, Mad River Sunset IPA, Stone Lucky Bastard, Youngs Double Chocolate Stout, Alesmith Speedway Stout, Lost Abbey Judgment Day, Stone Vertical Epic 10-10-10, Lagunitas Brown Sugar, and Stella Artois.

For new years, pre-pay $15 ticket includes appetizers and one glass champagne toast. At the door it’s $25.”

COVELL

According to General Manager Matthew Kaner, Covell is now featuring Jolly Pumpkin La Parcela Pumpkin Ale, Eel River Climax Noel and Port Brewing Mongo IPA.

THE DAILY PINT

Since last Thursday, Phil McGovern’s Santa Monica bar has added draught beers like Port Mongo double IPA, Lucifer Blonde, Ballast Point Sculpin IPA, Ballast Point Yellowtail Pale Ale, Stone Cali-Belgique, Rogue Hazelnut Brown and Firestone 14th Anniversary.

THE FACTORY

According to Eric Gutenkauf, “Currently on tap! Port Santa’s Lil’ Helper Imperial Stout, Stone Double Bastard, Kern River Holiday Rye IPA–currently the star of the show–Anderson Valley Nettie Madge Black IPA, Beer Valley’s Black Madness, Bootlegger Breing Mint Chocolate Porter, Ballast Point Calico Amber Ale and Lagunitas Pils. A couple of these will definitely blow on $3 Thursday Pint Night.

In addition to Green Flash West Coast IPA, we have a couple of beers that are new to the So Cal market this week. First, Beer Valley’s Ho! Ho! Ho! Strong Ale–reportedly north of 100 IBUs! Next, Triple Rock’s Titanium Pale Ale–another big pale ale from brewer Roger Lind.

On Tuesday, December 28, The Factory Gastrobar continues our series of BYOB dinners with a night devoted to holiday ales. Owner and Executive Chef Natalie Gutenkauf presents a 4-course menu for $25 per person and patrons supply their own beer to fit the theme. Seating is communal and bottles are passed so everyone gets to try a variety of brews. Reservations required. Guaranteed to sell out!”

THE GOLDEN STATE

According to The Golden State co-owner Jason Bernstein, they’re currently pouring Ballast Point Sculpin IPA, Russian River IPA, AleSmith Lil’ Devil and Stone Double Bastard.

LADYFACE ALE COMPANIE

According to Ladyface rep Robyn Britton, “The holiday season is in full swing at Ladyface! The cellar is stocked with Winter Solstice and Christmas cheer from Dubuisson Noel to lots of bottles of bubbly. We’re debuting a new ale this week – Midnight Special. A Strong Scottish Ale with subtle smoke and oak barrel tones, a nitrogen push makes it smooth and creamy. Cask of the Week is “For The Whos Down In Hopville”, our Ladyface IPA infused with whole leaf Summit hops. On tap right now – La Blanche Wit, La Blonde, Ladyface IPA, Picture City Porter and Trois Filles Tripel as well as Marin’s 09 Old Dipsea Barleywine, Avery Old Jubilation, Sierra Nevada Celebration, Port Santa’s Little Helper, Bear Republic Red Rocket, Port Hop 15, Oskar Blue’s Mama’s Lil Yellow Pils, St. Louis Gueuze, Val-Dieu Grand Cru, and Petrus Oud Bruin. On deck – Moylan’s White Christmas, St. Feullien Noel, Coronado Idiot IPA and Bootlegger’s Knuckle Sandwich.

Christmas Eve, we’ll be preparing a special Herb-Crusted Lamb Chops with White Truffle Rissotto and on New Year’s Eve, in addition to our regular menu, we’re doing a prix fixe dinner – Seasonal Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette, Filet Oscar and Lemon Curd Napoleon. No Hassle New Year’s Eve at Ladyface features no cover charge, no minimums, lots of music and merriment, silly hats and bubbly at midnight. Start here, stay here or end here. It should be fun!”

LIBRARY ALEHOUSE

According to General Manager Tom Kelley, a certified cicerone, “We are currently pouring Kern River’s Holiday Rye IPA, Jolly Pumpkin Oro de Calabaza, Firestone Double Jack, and Stone’s Lukcy Basartd.

On Saturday we are hosting the New Brew Thursday gang and doing some filming, and for the occasion we will be tapping Gentlemen Scholar’s Espresso Stout with vanilla bean, as well as Kern River’s Citra DIPA. Festivities start at 11:30 AM.

Monday December 20th starts our Holiday Fest. $10 gets you unlimited $2.50 – $5 taster pours of any of the Holiday and Strong ales through January 1. Starting lineup is : Nøgne Ø / Jolly Pumpkin / Stone Special Holiday Ale, Jolly Pumpkin Noel de Calabaza, N’ice Chouffe, Dogfish Head Chateau Jiahu, Dogfish Head Chicory Stout, Sierra Nevada Celebration, Anchor Brewing’s Merry Christmas Happy New Year Ale, Anderson Valley’s Winter Solstice, Delirium Noel, and Gouden Carolus Noel.

Please note we are closed on December 24, 25, and close at 6 PM on December 31.”

LUCKY BALDWIN’S DELIRIUM CAFE

Lucky Baldwin’s eastern outpost is featuring a Christmas Festival through the end of December. New beers include St. Feuillien Cuvee de Noel, Lost Coast Winter Braun, Delirium Nocturnum and Avec Les Bons Voeux. Buy a T-shirt and glass for $22 and get a free beer. Then fill your commemorative glass at either a $1 or $2 discount, depending on the pour.

THE OINKSTER

According to yesterday’s update from assistant manager Josh Salinas, “We are rocking some Beers for the Holidays this week. We have Craftsman Holiday Ale, brewed with spruce, and Bootleggers Chocolate Mint Porter. We also have a nice variety with the rest of our line-up which include, Hanger 24 Helles Lager, Big Daddy IPA from Speakeasy, Taps Cali Gold XPA and a very limited amount of Eagle Rock Stimulus. Stimulus is an awesome Belgian Amber ale brewed with Intelligentsia coffee. On deck we will have Eagle Rock Manifesto Wit.”

ROCK & BREWS

According to yesterday’s update from Brandon Halvorson, who runs the beer program at Dave Furano and Michael Zislis’ El Segundo biergarten, “Under our heated patio tent we’re serving 32 taps including Stone Smoked Porter w/ Vanilla Bean, Port’s Santas Little Helper, Paulander Salvator, Alesmith IPA, Ommegangs BPA and Pranqster. In the bottle we have Duvel, Delirium Tremens, and Aventinus, along with Maui’s Coconut Porter in a can. We’ll be closed Xmas eve, Xmas Day, New Years Eve, and New Years Day. Hope everyone has an excellent holiday and a happy new year. We’ll be in full action after the first of the year with new beers and our first Rock’N’Hop IPA festival Jan 11-17.”

SIDEBAR

According to yesterday’s update from Jace Milstead, a certified cicerone who’s consulting on the beer list, “This week, we’re still rocking the $3 draft beer special. Every night, all night, all December long. We open at 8, Tuesday- Sunday. We’ve got some great stuff coming up. Yeti and Knuckle Sandwich are on deck, as well as Class V Stout on nitro. In the meantime, we still have a little Bootlegger’s Mint Chocolate Porter and Kern River Holiday Ale. As I proclaimed last week, we have the best beer list in Glendale.”

SIMMZY’S

According to manager Peter Shuey, “right now I’ve got Anderson valley Black IPA, St Bernardus Christmas Ale, Lagunitas Brown Shugga, Strand Atticus IPA, Anchor Christmas, Ballast Point Even Keel Session Ale, The Velvet Merlin, Oskar Blue’s Tin Fidy and Great Divide Oak Aged Yeti. Coming up next week we’ve got Mikkeller Warrior IPA, Hitachino Nest White Ale, Craftsman Holiday, Unibroue Maudite, Bootleggers Mint Chocolate Porter and Requiem Gentleman Scholar Espresso Stout w/ Vanilla Beans! Monday we’ll be featuring Dogfish Head’s Chateau Jiahu in 750mL bottles! On deck: Jolly Pumpkin Noel de Calabaza and Ommegang Three Philosophers. We will be open on Christmas Eve but closed on Christmas Day. Track changes to Simmzy’s tap list HERE.

STUFFED SANDWICH

According to co-owner Marlene Samaniego, “The Holiday beer has been very warmly received. We have gone through the first line-up. We thought you would like to know about all the new holidays beers that we have put on draft. Some of these will go fast too and we are ready to put even more great beers on for this month! Our 2nd round of Holiday beers for this year are:

Great Divide Hibernation, an English style old ale; Port Brewing/Lost Abbey Gift of the Magi (2009), a Belgian style holiday ale; Jolly Pumpkin Noel de Calabaza, a special Xmas ale aged in oak barrels; Brasserie D’Achouffe N’Ice Chouffe (2009), a holiday ale brewed with spices; Brasserie Dupont Avec Les Bon Vouex (2009), a seasonal holiday ale; Anchor Merry Christmas/Happy New Year Ale; Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale; The Bruery Two Turtle Doves (2009), a Belgian style dark ale brewed with cocoa nibs and toasted pecans; and Scaldis Noel (2009), a special holiday ale.

THE SURLY GOAT

According to Andrew Kelley, “Here are some current draft highlights: The Don – Speakeasy (Triple IPA), The Dissident – Deschutes (Sour Brown Ale w/ Cherries) and Scaldis de Noel (Belgian Dark Strong Ale). On deck: Harvest IPA – Sierra Nevada, Delirium Noel – Huyghe (Belgian Dark Strong Ale) and Hoppy Holidaze – Marin (Winter Warmer).

38 DEGREES

According to 38 Degrees co-owner Clay Harding, “We will be open all night Christmas Eve night with plenty of beautiful holiday cheer on draught! On tap now, Strand 24th Street Pale, Moylan’s Ryan Sullivan’s Port wine barrel aged stout with Raspberry & Chocolate, Kern River Citra DIPA, Mikkeller Beer Geek Bacon, St. Bernardus Christmas, St. Feuillien Cuvee De Noel, Port Santa’s Little Helper, Ballast Point Sour Wench, Stone Chipotle Porter & Double Dry Hopped IPA among other Super IPA’s. On draught by Friday will be 2009 North Coast Old Stock, I Hardcore You IPA, Port Mongo DIPA, Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye, The Bruery 3 French Hens & Russian River Consecration and I’ll throw in some dope Barrel aged beer on Xmas eve as a bonus!! All Holiday bottles are in and ready for take out including Alpine Ichabod Pumpkin spiced Sour ale & Barrel Aged Santas Little Helper.

Remember we have 38 of the best beers in the world on draught every day with over 140 bottles to enjoy. Happy Holidays to all.”

TONY’S DARTS AWAY

According to Tuesday night’s update from general manager Paige Reilly, “Currently serving Apple Brandy Barrel Aged Kilt Lifter, Stone Lukcy Basartd, North Coast Pranqster and Eagle Rock Solidarity on nitro! We have two events coming up: 1. Our first Wall of Fame induction for Mr. John Drane on Thursday evening. 2. A Winter Warming party on the first day of Winter; Tuesday, December 21st. Come taste some of CA’s best Winter brews in this 75 degree weather. :)”

THE CRAFT BEER CHRONICLES

This week, Brand X contributor Steven Armstrong shared his seventh installment of The Craft Beer Chronicles, titled Randy Clemens tackles Stone and Sriracha.

This is the final L.A. Beer Blast for 2010. See you next year. Until then, happy drinking!