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 in Brew & You: A tribute to Lucky Baldwin’s, some “Pretty Things” and a new homework assignment to complete in a post titled Raise a Glass to Lucky Baldwin’s and Dave Farnsworth.
Hiring Practices from Southern California Brewmasters
At the L.A. Beer Week fest on October 23, we asked six of the best Southern California brewmasters pointed questions, including “What do you look for when you’re hiring somebody to work in the brewhouse?” Click Here to Read Their Responses
Q&A with brewmaster Jon Carpenter (Golden Road Brewing)
Even though Jon Carpenter grew up in San Diego, it was hardly a given that he’d end up brewing for a living. It wasn’t until he enrolled at UC Davis and met passionate practitioners like professor Charlie Bamforth and brewer Scott Vaccaro that he caught the craft beer bug. He worked at Anheuser-Busch’s Research Pilot Brewery in St. Louis for five years and spent a year at Dogfish Head before becoming brewmaster for Golden Road Brewing, which Tony Yanow and Meg Gill founded in L.A. earlier this year. Click Here to Learn More
From Echo Park bar owner Elizabeth Fischbach: “Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye, Stone Double Bastard, Sudwerk PIlsner and Black Market Anglo-American Brown. Also, featuring a tamale happy hour on Thursdays. 6-8pm. ”
Beachwood chef-owner Gabe Gordon currently features Ommegang Zuur, Smog City Saison, Hangar 24 Pumpkin Porter, Corsendonk Pater Dubbel and Moylan’s Wet Hop Hopsickle in Seal Beach. Track changes to Beachwood BBQ’s 24-tap menu via Hop Cam.
The Long Beach location of Beachwood features Rieder Helles lager, Rodenbach Grand Cru, Ballast Point Oktoberfest, Port High Tide Fresh Hop IPA and Firestone-Walker Velvet Merlin. Track changes to Beachwood BBQ’s 24-tap menu via Hop Cam.
Beer Belly
On tap at Jimmy and Yume Han’s Koreatown establishment: “Stone – Double Dry Hopped Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale, The Bruery Humulus Lager, Craftsman Edgar’s Ale, Craftsman/Eagle Rock Unity, Bruery/Elysian/Stone La Citrueille Celeste de Citracado, Craftsman Angelino-Weisse, Craftsman Harvest Saison, Strand Atticus IPA, Unibroue Ephemere, Telegraph Rye IPA, Cismontane The Citizen and Craftsman Heavenly Hef.
On Deck: Ladyface Palo Comado XPA, Cismontane Brut du Sauvin, Stone Double Dry Hopped Ruination, Golden Road Burning Bush IPA, Craftsman Ruddy Bloke, El Segundo Blue House Pale, El Segundo Blue House Picket Fence, Ventura’s Surf Brewery Country Line Rye, Ventura’s Surf Brewery XPA and Ventura’s Surf Brewery Cream Ale.”
Blue Palms taps are pouring Kern River Class V Stout, Bruery Humulus lager, Pizza Port Cow Stout, Stillwater Stateside saison and Stone Russian Imperial Stout 2009 among many others. Track changes to Blue Palms Brewhouse’s 24-tap menu Here .
From bar manager Rory Snipes: “New beers this week include Moylan’s Wet Hopped Hopsickle, Port Mongo, Golden Road Hefeweizen, Avery Kaiser, Lagunitas Fusion VII, Anderson Valley Mendo Mellow Wet Hop Pale, North Coast Unfiltered Red Seal, and Monk’s Café Flemish Red.”
From Tony Alcazar in Whittier: “Today is International Stout Day! We will be tapping some very special kegs of Oskar Blues Ten FIDY (Imperial Stout @ 10.5%), The Lost Abbey Angel’s Share (Barrel Aged Stout @ 12.5%) and Firestone Parabola (Barrel Aged Russian Imperial Stout @ 13%). Join us for the ALL-DAY celebration! Happy Hour prices on stouts all night!!!” Beers updated daily on Facebook
The latest from Wen Yeh at BruHaus: “New Happy Hour is from 3pm-7pm M-F with $2 off ALL beers on draft such as: Magic Hat #9, Cismontane Citizen, Piraat, Dogfish Head Punkin Ale , Saphir Bock, Weihenstephan Kristalweiss, Blanche de Bruxelles, Lagunitas IPA, Hofbrau Original, Pranqster, Malheur 12, Duvel Single, Reissdorf Kolsch, Paulaner Pils, Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock, Schneider Edelweiss, Spaten Marzen, Paulaner Marzen, Shipyard XXXX IPA, Schneider Edelweiss (Organic), Weihenstephan Vitus and Delirium.
Coming Soon: Gnomegang and Aphrodite from Ommegang and Cismontane Coulter IPA.”
City Sip
Here is the latest from Echo Park: “Currently Featuring: Mama’s Little Yella Pils, Ommegang Hennepin Belgian Style Ale, Ommegang Abbey Ale, Jamaica Red Ale, Eel River Organic Porter and Great Divide Seasonal Rumble IPA
Happy Hour Beer special $4.00 Drafts from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday -Friday. City Sip also had $6 Wine and $6 Appetizer Happy Hour Specials.”
Yesterday’s tap of the day was Stone Brewing’s Double Bastard. Also, “Tonight at City Tavern is Cismontane Pint Night from 6pm-closing, featuring 5 specialty brews from Cismontane: Brut Du Sauvin- 10.5% ABV, Chardonnay Barrel Aged CismonTAPS – 7.4% ABV, Smokin’ Santiago Scotch Ale – 6.1% ABV, Double Rainbow All The Way IPA -8.7 % ABV and Antigua Caturra Infused Citizen -6.0% ABV.”
Since last Thursday, Phil McGovern’s iconic Santa Monica bar has added Bear Republic Apex IPA and Ommegang Gnomegang to its taps.
On tap beer wise are Dortmunder Export, Populist IPA, Revolution XPA, Manifesto wit, Solidarity and Vanilla Bean Nitro Solidarity.
The Factory
The latest info according to Eric Gutenkauf: “Currently on tap, we have: Sudwerk Fest Marzen, Port Shark Attack, Cismontane Double Rainbow 2xIPA, Sierra Nevada Estate Wet Hop IPA, Bear Republic Double Aught Pils, Bootleggers Olallieberry Lambic, Iron Fist Marshal Law Dark Belgian Strong Ale, Strand Beach House Amber, and SoCal Black Bear Porter.
There are more incredible brews on the waiting list: Stone/Elysian/The Bruery Pumpkin Collaberation, New Belgium Clutch Dark Sour, High Water Retribution Double IPA, Grand Teton Idaho Pale Ale (wet hop version), Avery Kaiser Imperial Oktoberfest, Bootleggers Bourbon Barrel Aged Black Phoenix and Sudwerk Imperial Pilsner.
Get ready for Friday, 11/11/11! We will be pouring Stone’s new Vertical Epic release with glassware, along with a variety of awesome Stone releases including Double Bastard, Oaked Arrogant Bastard and Double Dry Hopped Ruination! Prost!”
From Jimmy Smith at the Little Tokyo bar: “On tap: Stone 14th Anniversary, Double-Dry Hopped 15th Anniversary, Kern Just Outstanding, Kern Class V Stout, Abyss ’08, Deschutes/Boulevard, Stone/Bruery Elysian Pumpkin Colab, Eagle Rock/Craftsman Unity, Bootlegger’s Olallieberry Tart and Bourbon Black Phoenix, Drake’s Alpha Session, Ballast Point Schooner, Stone Double Bastard ’10 Conflux #2, High Water Retribution.
The month of November is Firestone Walker Month at Far Bar. 5 taps all month long including three GABF Medal Winners.
Monday, Nov 21st- Firestone 1th celebration with Firestone 15 on tap as well as some other barrel-aged goodies. David Walker and Steve Almarez will be present to speak on the art of barrel aging beer.”
Draught beers on Fairfax include Craftsman 1903, Black Market Hefeweizen, Port Mongo, Bear Republic Racer X, Bruery Humulus, El Segundo Blue House Wheat IPA, Great Divide Old Ruffian and Drake’s Denoggnizer.
“Monday, November 7th: Follow the Golden Rule
From 7-11pm on November 7th, the Golden Road Brews (Point the Way IPA and Golden Road Hefeweizen) will be served on tap at Golden State. The first 24 people to order the IPA or Hefe will have the option to purchase a commemorative glass for $8 (including the pint – the first chance anyone has had to get the official glassware), and pints will be $6 after that. The limited edition Burning Bush IPA will also be available, as well as food from Let’s Be Frank.”
According to Ladyface rep Robyn Britton, “Our Cask of the Week, Mighty Oak, features Ladyface IPA with American Oak chips. Joining the Ladyface ales on tap are Port High Tide, Sierra Nevada Estate Organic, Green Flash Double Stout, North Coast Pranqster, Lost Abbey Ten Commandments, and Stone IPA. The last four comprise our Flight of the Week, though that will change for one day only on Thursday.
[Tonight] is International Stout Day and Ladyface will have our own Russian Lullaby RIS, North Coast Old Rasputin Imperial Stout, Port Santa’s Little Helper and Green Flash Double Stout, on tap all day and available as a flight. Cheers!”
According to Assistant General Manager Zach Estomo, “Since last Thursday I have put Eaglerocks Solidarity on a CO2 line. Tomorrow I will have cans of Anderson brewerys Winter Solstice. I also have the Bruerys Mischief on deck. Today we are doing happy hour from 4-6 pm with late night happy hour from 10-close.”
Here is the latest from Alex P. Davis at the Library Alehouse, “Our Wet Hop Mini-Fest just started last night and we’ve got some great beers on right now. The current list include Pizza Port Solana Low Tide, Sierra Nevada Estate, Moylan’s Wet Hopsickle, Grand Teton Wet Hop IPA and Bruery Humulus Wet. Laying in wait are Ladyface Hutash, Port High Tide, Sierra Nevada Northern Hemisphere, Deschutes Fresh Hop Mirror Pond, Deschutes Hop Trip, Great Divide Fresh Hop and Lagunitas Wet Maximus.
As for the rest of the list, we have New Belgium Kick, Great Divide Hibernation, Lagunitas DoppelWeizen, Ballast Point Calico, Russian River Blind Pig and Heretic Evil Twin. On deck are Ballast Point Sculpin, Sierra Nevada Celebration, Stone / Elysian / The Bruery La Citrueille Celeste de Citracado, La Chouffe Biere de Soleil and Avery Dugana.” Check the Library Alehouse Facebook page for updates.
Lucky Devils
This Friday, “Lucky Devils is celebrating fall with Weihenstaphaner Oktoberfest, Craftsman Marzen Oktoberfest and Sam Adams Double Pumpkin, plus we’ve got some great menus items to pair including Pumpkin & Sonoma Goat Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Jalapeno Peppers with Bacon and Sonoma Goat Cheese and Roasted Kobocha Squash Soup – amazing! Also on tap Craftsman Triple White Sage, Sierra Nevada Kellerweis, Craftsman 1903, Racer 5, Firestone Double Barrel Ale, Chouffe Biere du Soleil, Duvel Single, SoCal Red Carpet Ale, Houblon Chouffe and Ommegang BPA.”
Mediterraneo
Adam Aro reports these new brews on tap: “I currently have these up: Pliny the Elder & Blind Pig by Russ Rvr, Craftsman Flanders red, Reissdorf kolsch, Abbot Ale (nitro), Victory Helios, Cismontane Black’s Dawn and Belhaven Scottish ale on nitro, Port Shark Attack red, Weihenstephaner Hef, Smog City saison & XPA, Noble dark sybian IPA, Lindeman’s Framboise, Strand 2nd Anniversary braggot, La Chouffe, New Belgium Abbey Grand Cru & Clutch, Ommegang Witte, Val Dieu tripel, Stone Highway 78 collaboration, Cismontane Oktoberfest & Antigua Caturra, Lost Abbey Angel’s Share(brandy), Bruery Autumn Maple and the 30th anniversary line-up by Sierra Nevada (stout, barleywine, bock, and grand cru). Cask is Cismontane Double Rainbow dry-hopped with nelson sauvin. Coming soon- Indian Wells Red Dawn, Ommegang Gnomegang. Casks coming from Ballast point, and Cismontane.”
On tap in Echo Park are Lost Abbey Ten Commandments, Stone Double Bastard, Port Santa’s Little Helper Stout, Cosmic Hellhound Brown and Eagle Rock Manifesto wit.
“Wednesday, November 9th: Dogfish Head Kick-Off Event
Dogfish Head is the official Out-of-State Brewery being featured at Mohawk Bend in November, and next Wednesday at 6pm they’ll be hosting a kick-off event with special guest Bryant Goulding, the Dogfish Head West Coast Sales Rep. 5 Dogfish Head beers will be on tap all month, starting with 90 Minute IPA , 60 Minute IPA , Bitches Brew and 2 others to TBA begin, plus 4 other different specialty kegs in waiting.”
Naja’s will be celebrating International Stout Day starting at 8pm tonight.
The latest update from assistant manager Josh Salinas: “This week we are pouring Cismontane Coulter IPA, Eagle Rock Solidarity, El Segundo Blue House Pale Ale, Black Market Wind & Sea Wizenbock, Black Market Oktoberfest, and Eel River Organic California Blonde. On deck we have Craftsman Ruddy Bloke, Smog City XPA, and Bootleggers Holiday Mint Choc Porter.”
The latest from general manager Micah Schiesel, “Alrighty, Simmzy’s first keep the pint (or in this case keep the mason jar) night with Lagunitas is all set for November 10 starting at 5pm. We will be pouring a few of their regular brews but also a few very special releases as well (not just the Fusion 7). Lagunitas mason jars will go fast so get here early to make sure you get one.”. Track changes to Simmzy’s tap list Here
For the month of November, Marlene Samaniego and husband Sam will be featuring Stone Brewing and ??? draft!!
From Andrew Kelley here’s this week’s Surly Update:
On Tap: Dark Seas – Mission (Russian Imperial Stout), Sculpin – Ballast Point (American IPA) and Abacus – Firestone Walker (Barrel Aged Barleywine)
On Deck: Double Aught – Bear Republic (Czech Pilsner), The Stoic – Deschutes (Belgian Quad) and Unfiltered DBA – Firestone Walker (English Pale Ale)
The latest from Pete Shuey at Tin Roof Bistro: “Pouring at Tin Roof right now is Mission Hefeweizen, New Belgium Kick, Dogfish Punkin, Ballast Point Reef Rye, Telegraph XPA, Stone Double Bastard, Strand Beach House Amber, Tripel Karmeleit, Sudwerk Pils, Blue House IPA, Brouwerij West Tripel & Firestone Robust Porter.
On deck within the next week is: Lost Abbey Avant Garde, Cismontane “The Citizen,” Blacks Dawn & Brut de Sauvin, Great Divide Claymore Scotch Ale, Telegraph Rhinoceros Barleywine, Lagunitas Pils, Rogue Chocolate Stout & Bootleggers Palomino pale.
As we head in to Holiday season we’ll be tapping Deschutes Jubelale, Anderson Valley Winter Solstice, Great Divide Hibernation, Port Santa’s Lil Helper, The Bruery 4 calling birds & arriving Thursday is Craftsman Edgar’s Ale!We’ve also got a few bottles left of 2010 Old Guardian, Abita 25th annv Vanilla Double Dog, The Bruery Autumn Maple & next week will have a few bottles of “Bitch Please” from Brew Dog & 3 Floyds. Better get ‘em before they’re gone!
Cheers!”
Pouring in Burbank are Anchor Liberty, Cismontane Black’s Dawn stout, Golden Road Point the Way IPA, North Coast Old 38 Nitro stout, Surf Brewing Shaka EXPA and Anderson Valley’s Mendo Mello Wet Hop pale.
“Tuesday, November 8th: Bear Republic Flight Night @ Tony’s Darts Away Starting at 6pm, TDA will have numerous Bear Republic Beers available, and patrons can buy a ‘super flight card’ for 8 tastes of ANY BR beers on tap for $20, including, but not limited to the Cuvee de Bubba, Aught Bohemian Pilsner, and the Racer X IPA.”
Vendome Toluca Lake’s weekly Beer Tasting is from 2-5 pm on Saturday and 12-3 pm Sunday. Each week has a theme and this week it is English & Scottish ales. “For this weekend’s tasting I decided to transport you to the land of the bitter (English bitter that is) and showcase two very unique, barrel aged beer flights.
The first flight is the Harviestoun Ola Dubh 12, 16, & 18 year, which are Old Ales aged in Highland Park barrels. The barrel aging infuses the beers with Highland Park’s distinct scotch character.
The second barrel aged flight consists of J.W. Lees Barleywines. More specifically, we will be featuring the 2009 Vintage of the Calvados, Sherry, and Port Cask editions, and the 2010 Lagavulin Cask edition. Finally, just for comparison sake, we will be including the 2010 Vintage Harvest Ale. So if you want to to see how different barreling can affect a beer’s flavor profile, I suggest you stop by this weekend for an educationally delicious tasting.”
From Ryan Sweeney at Verdugo Bar: “Alesmith’s Winter Yulesmith, and Evil Dead Red, Oskar Blues Ten Fidy, Black Xantus, Eagle Rock’s Barrel aged Equinox, Bear Republic Café Racer. On deck are Bear Republic Racer X, Firestone-Walker Abacus, Ballast Point Sculpin, Craftsman Angelino Weiss, Black Market Windansea Weizenbock and Sierra Nevada’s pils.”
Other Beer-y events
Soroptimist International of Manhattan Beach is putting on its 3rd Annual Savor the Flavor, a Beer and Tequila tasting on Saturday, November 5th at 5:30pm. According to a rep, “We are raising money for a fellowship grant for the Turkish Women’s Initiative as well as to build rainwater catchers for villages in Rwanda. Tickets are $30 for the beer package and $40 for beer + tequila. Your tickets include UNLIMITED beer tastings , full dinner, suvenier tasting mug, live music by the Dietz Brothers and non-alcoholic beverage and much more, tequila tickets include everything the beer package has including 3 tastes and 1 shot! The event is located at the Hermosa Beach Kiwanis Club 2515 Valley Drive in Hermosa Beach, we hope to see you on the 5th!”
At the Four Points Sheraton LAX, aka The Beer Hotel, “On Friday November 11 our Monthly Beer Appreciation Night will feature Belgian Holiday Beers hosted by our good friend Larry James of Wine Warehouse. Some of the featured beers include St. Bernardus Christmas Ale, Gouden Carolus Noel, Affligem Noel, and Delerium Noel. As a special treat we will also be trying Barbar Winterbok on draft. As usual Larry will also be surprising us with some other rare beers of the season. For a great pairing and to help you soak up these strong beers Larry will help us serve up plates of Flemish Carbonnade, Belgian Fries with Truffle Salt and a Butter Lettuce Salad.”
At Wades Wines in Agoura Hills, North West Beer Flight on Thursday, November 3rd from 4:30pm to 7:00pm. We are going to travel up the coast to taste some Oregon beers. We have pulled bottles out of our beer library for this tasting! Come and taste some vintage beers from the North West! Rogue – Double Chocolate Stout, Rogue – Double Mocha Porter, Hair Of The Dog – Adam and Hair Of The Dog – Doggie Claws (2010).
L.A. Beer Blast compiled by Food GPS Beer Editor Sean Inman
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