For L.A. Beer Week, Johnny’s Bar in Highland Park hosted Punish The Palate, which wasn’t as devastating as it sounds. Zac Crandell lined up a nice selection of sours, IPAs and double IPAs, many from California, including more than one sour fruit beer from Almanac Farmer’s Reserve, and my favorite beer of the night, Tahoe Mountain Brewing Co. Coco Tart.

Tahoe Mountain Brewing Co. has been operating right along Lake Tahoe since 2012. Year-round beers include Ranch Dog Red Ale and Sugar Pine Porter. What I find more interesting is their Récolte Du Bois (Harvest Of The Wood) series of oak-aged saisons and sours. Johnny’s was pouring their Coco Tart, a 6.4% ABV beer that was dark and toasty, lightly sour, with pronounced coconut flavor and a savory finish. Tahoe Mountain isn’t exactly in heavy rotation in L.A., but after trying this beer, I hope that distribution expands in my favor.