Our Own Toronado: Tony’s Darts Away

Craft Beer Burbank

Freshness, community, and the environment drive Tony's Darts Away's focus on California beer.

Everything is going according to plan just as I have foreseen. And, by that I mean, each geographic area in our grand metropolis of Los Angeles is getting a great local beer bar. In Hollywood? Then Blue Palms Brewhouse is the place. Up in Chatsworth? Then McG’s Irish Pub & Grill is nearby. Now another piece in the puzzle is being added, Burbank.

Tony’s Darts Away is spearheaded by Tony Yanow and will open in April. There will be 36 taps paying homage to the great beers made here in the Golden State. The motto of Tony’s is, according to Yanow, “Bringing the fine beers of California to the fine people of Los Angeles.” And with a newly installed integrated beer tap system that includes two cask taps and two nitro taps, you will be able to sample from Chico to San Diego from the 1/2 of the beer menu that is fixed or the 1/2 that are seasonal or special offerings.

Yanow has three arguments to make for serving only California beer, “First, the quality and freshness of local beer can’t be beat. By offering only California beer, we’re able to serve beer the way the brewer wants it served – not something that was shipped across the country and passed through many hands. Second, I think it’s important for California businesses to support each other; we’re all in this economy together and it’s never been more important to support the small guy and buy local to help employ people in our community. Finally, the environmental impact – or carbon footprint – of shipping beer, nationally and internationally. I’m working hard to keep our ‘beer miles’ as low as can be.”

One of the things that struck me from talking with Yanow recently was his genuine passion for beer. That coupled with an extensive knowledge of the statewide beer scene and home brewing makes him a true beer geek. Another positive, that is near and dear to my heart is his idea for a “beer library” featuring books on the subject from Yanow’s own collection to help his customers learn more about beer. And it doesn’t stop there, he has given his employees weekly beer reading assignments, conducted tastings with them and will even have them learn the brewing process to help them find the right beer for you.

The food side of the Tony’s Darts Away ledger involves locally sourced artisan sausages made with California meats plus four vegan sausages and a variety of toppings. A California cheese selection will be available along with a range of salads or you can go with fried foods to snack on.

Your Beer of the Week is Ballast Point’s Yellowtail ale. I know that Sculpin or Victory at Sea are the “hot” Daily Candy beers in the Ballast Point line-up. But I recently had a pint of the Yellowtail and I was amazed at how easy to drink it was. It had loads of cereal and grain notes. Plus there is a little bit of sugar in there that really hits my sweet tooth in the right spot. The best part? It is widely available. You don’t have to chase after it like their extreme beers.

Find more of Sean Inman’s writing on his blog, Beer Search Party.

Address: 1710 West Magnolia Boulevard, Burbank, CA 91506
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Sean Inman

Find more of Sean Inman's writing on his blog, Beer Search Party.

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