2010 L.A. Beer Week Blast

Beer Festival Los Angeles

Every ticket to the LA Beer Week festival comes with a commemorative tasting glass.

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. This week’s blast is all about L.A. Beer Week, which runs from October 7-17. 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.

BREW & YOU

This week, Brew & You columnist Sean Inman delves into the Denver brewery that’s been “dominating taps around town,” Great Divide. Inman explains what they’re about, what they brew and where to find the beer during L.A. Beer Week in a post titled Attack from a Colorado Yeti.

L.A. BEER WEEK FESTIVAL

Before we dive face first into the fest, let’s look ahead to the pile of gold at the end of the hop rainbow, the blowout beer festival at Union Station on October 17. From 12 PM – 4 PM, more than 70 breweries, many local, will fill the outdoor patio and the indoor Fred Harvey Restaurant. $40 gets you unlimited four-ounce pours. Click Here For Tickets.

BEACHWOOD BBQ

On October 11, Beachwood chef-owner Gabe Gordon is teaming with The Bruery with a pair of molecular beer dinners. Unfortunately, the the combination proved irresistible, since they sold out of seats. Let the disappointment sink in.

Blue Palms Brewhouse

According to proprietor Brian Lenzo, on October 8, Blue Palms is experiencing a “Tap take over by Avery,” including IPA, White Rascal, Ellie’s Brown, Stout, Reverend, Salvation, Hog Heaven, Dugana, Maharaja, Joe’s, Out of Sight, IPLager, Dry Hopped IPA, Missionary Man, Whiskey Trog, Fumator, Old Jube, Kaiser, Rumpkin.”

On October 9, the Ballast Point crew is headed up from San Diego for an event Lenzo’s titled “Hook Line & Sinker,” featuring Sculpin IPA, Sculpin IPA on NITRO, Dorado DIPA, 2009 Sea Monster Imperial Stout, Sour Wench, Oktoberfest, Longfin Lager, Even Keel, Ginger Big Eye, Yellowtail, Calico, Big Eye and a cask of Black Marlin Porter with Organic Cocoa nibs from Madagascar.
Blue Palms is also offering fresh catches of Sculpin Fish Tacos, Fresh Dorado, Yellowtail & Big Eye. Don’t miss the Boat. Cheers!!!”

October 13 is Kern River Night, October 14 is all about Lagunitas and Lenzo predicts “another surprise event.”

BONEYARD BISTRO

According to Boneyard Bistro bar manager Rory Snipes, “For beer week we have a Strand Brewer’s night on the 12th, they’re bringing up a cask of dry-hopped 24th St. Pale to pour.

On the 14th we have a five-course beer dinner with Ladyface, it’s a $65 Prix-Fixe available throughout the night, and barring any last minute tweaks, includes: Trois Filles Tripel paired with a Frisee and Endive Salad with St. Agur Blue cheese, Tripel poached pears and a Tripel vinaigrette/ Blind Ambition Amber paired with Foie Gras Rumaki with grilled pineapple and dates/ Weizenbock paired with housemade sausage, beer braised onions and sauerkraut/ IPA paired with chipotle glazed Tri-Tip and southwest corn salsa/ Picture City Porter paired with a caramel and chocolate bread pudding.”

BOTTLEROCK

On October 11 from 7 PM – 9 PM, in Celebration of LA Beer Week, BottleRock Culver City is hosting their Port Brewing & The Lost Abbey Beer Tasting, featuring pours of six beers for $16.

THE BOTTLE ROOM

According to chef-owner Tony Alcazar, “Oct 12, Green Flash Keep the glass night as well as a Green Flash beer Flight. Oct 14, Bosteels meet the brewer night. A casual 3 course dinner. Deus with Strawberry and Brie Tart. Tripel Karmeliet with Moules Frites, and Kwak with Valrhona Chocolate Cake and Salted Caramel Ice Cream. $30/per person includes a Tripel Karmeliet glass.”

BREWCO

On October 16-17, BREWCO is celebrating Sierra Nevada Brewing Company by pouring every 30th Anniversary release, plus “aged Bigfoot and brews that can only be found up in Chico.” Buy a pint, keep the glass.

CONGREGATION ALE HOUSE

According to beverage director Eli Wilson, “As for LA Beer Week Festivities, there is much brewing (haha)…Oct. 10th, Sunday: “Great Divide Launch Party at Congregation” starts at 2pm, SEVEN beers on tap from Great Divide, considered one of the best breweries on the planet, including rarities such as Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti!! We are honored to be one of the first bars to welcome this brewery to Los Angeles.

Oct. 12th, Tuesday: “American Craft Beer Extravaganza: A Night with Lagunitas, Dogfish, and Sierra Nevada”, 6pm-on. Meet representatives from each of these three highly respected breweries. Each will have multiple, limited-edition and one-off beers featured on draft!

Oct. 14th, Thursday: “Sublimely Self-Righteous: Stone Rare and Vintage Beer Tasting” 6pm-on. I have upgraded this event to TEN unique Stone beers on tap from Stone!! Look for vintage Imperial Russian Stout, Double Bastard, Chipotle Smoked Porter and Double Dry-Hopped Ruination IPA, all on TAP!”

THE DAILY PINT

Phil McGovern’s Santa Monica bar is rolling out different beers almost every day of L.A. Beer Week.

On October 8, they’re tapping Ballast Point
Yellowtail Pale Ale,
Longfin Lager,
Big Eye IPA,
Sculpin IPA,
Dorado Dbl IPA,
Victory at Sea (Vanilla Coffee Imperial Porter), Oktoberfest,
Schooner Wet Hopped Pale Ale,
Sculpin (on cask)
and Calico Amber Ale (on cask).

October 9 focuses on Green Flash, including
West Coast IPA,
Imperial IPA,
Hophead Red,
Double Stout
and Le Freak (Belgian style IPA).

October 11 centers on German Oktoberfest, with Hacker-Pschorr, 
Haufbrau,
Kostpritzer, 
Spaten, 
Wiehenstephan Original Lager,
 Wiehenstephan Hefe, 
Wiehenstephan Hefeweiss Dunkel,
 Wiehenstephan Kristalweiss,
 Wiehenstephan Vitus Weizenbock and
 Wiehenstephan Korbinian Doppelbock representing.

October 12 marks the IPA invasion, with beers like
 Great Divide Hercules Double IPA,
 Great Divide Titan IPA,
Stone Ruination Dbl IPA,
 Bear Republic Racer 5 and
 Victory Hop Devil.

October 13 spotlights Firestone
 Walker, with taps devoted to Union Jack IPA (on cask), 
Unfiltered Double Barrel Ale (on cask),
 Double Jack IPA
, 13th Anniversary Ale, 
Oktoberfeast, 
Velvet Merlin,
 Double Barrel Ale,
 Union Jack IPA, 
Pale 31
 and Solace Wheat Beer.

October 14 reveals Russian River
 Consecration,
 Damnation, 
Pliny the Elder
 and Redemption.

October 15 brings the taps back to Stone for 
Sublimely Self-Righteous Blk IPA, 
14th Anniversary Ale, Dbl Dry Hopped
 Chipotle porter, 
Vertical Epic 10/10/10 
and Arrogant Bastard.

October 16 concludes The Pint’s new Beer Week beers with Port Brewing 
Panzer Pilsner,
 Wipeout IPA,
 High Tide IPA
 and Shark Attack
Summer Ale.

EAGLE ROCK BREWERY

Here are just some of the great beer-related events that the Eagle Rock Brew Team is involved in during L.A. Beer Week, featuring brewery descriptions:

“Tuesday 10/12/10 – Come join us for a panel of brewers/brewery owners in a discussion of starting a brewery in L.A. Entrance is free!

Thursday 10/14/10 – Test your beer knowledge in a casual beer trivia night in the taproom moderated by Drew Beechum. It’s bound to be entertaining!

Friday 10/15/10 – Ahn-Joo Korean Pub Grub Truck will be at the brewery, so come and get yer Korean eats on! In honor of LA Beer Week, the beer of the night will be Revolution XPA. Come and get $4 pints of Revolution all evening!

Saturday 10/16/10 – Mandoline Grill is revisiting the brewery and this time we’re countering their food with a very limited release of our Lemongrass Witbier. What?! A new beer? Yes, you read that right…LIMITED RELEASE LEMONGRASS WITBIER. That’ll be our featured beer of the night and we’ll be pouring $4 pints of it all evening!”

THE FACTORY

Here’s The Factory rundown from owner Natalie Gutenkauf: “The Factory kicks-off L.A. Beer Week on Saturday, October 9th with a New Belgium sponsored BEERide!! Come early and fuel-up on Fat Tire before hitting the streets at 9:45am for this fun and casual bike ride. When we return, opening ceremonies will commence for our 13th Annual OKTOBERFEST (this will be the first year at The Factory!) New Belgium Hoptober will have the honors, and the first 50 guests to drink from the ceremonial keg will be able to do so with their very own New Belgium glass to keep! Throughout OKTOBERFEST, all 8 of our tap handles will pour local German style beers: Sudwerk Fest Marzen, Bootleggers Alt, Karl Strauss Oktoberfest, Rock Bottom Oktoberfest, Angel City Dunkel, Ballast Point Oktoberfest and Hollywood Blonde Kolsch and of course, Hoptober! OKTOBERFEST: Saturday, October 9th @ 11 AM – 1 AM & Sunday October 10th @ 10am – 9 PM.

According to Gutenkauf, “Rumor is spreading that the Abominable Snowman has been spotted and appears to be leaving the Colorado Rockies and headed straight for California. This ape-like Yeti will be met by a representative with Great Divide Brewing and is expected to hit The Factory at 7:30pm on Wednesday, October 13th with a flurry of tasty beverages. Put your beer-chains on and brace yourself for a taste-off between the Oak Aged Yeti, Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti and Espresso Oak Aged Yeti. Also showing: Old Ruffian Barley Wine, Hades Belgian, Titan IPA and Hercules Double IPA.”

On October 14 at 7:30 PM, The Factory is hosting Beer Tasting with Bootlegger’s Brewing. Gutenkauf said that head brewer Aaron Barkenhagen has “brewed-up 5 or 6 special batches of SOUR BEERS for this one-of-a-kind beer tasting at The Factory. The Factory will also offer an optional food pairing to complement these tasty beers.

THE FIFTH AMENDMENT ALEHOUSE

According to co-owner Eden Noe, “this Friday we are doing 1 pint of Arrogant bastard and 1 Arrogant Bastard short sleeve men’s T shirt for $15. Next Monday all drafts $5 from 5- 8. We have new beers: Purple Haze, Firestone Solace, Green Flash IPA, Angel City Stitch Stout, Allagash Curieux, Allagash Dubbel, Bootlegger’s Hefeweizen, Sea Dog Blueberry Ale, Dogfish Head Festina Peche, Stella, and Hoegaarden.”

THE FOUNDRY ON MELROSE/DIONICESS VII

On October 10 at 1 PM, Gev Kazanchyan is back with Dionicess VII, the seventh installment of the beer-and-food pairing series from the risk manager, college professor and beer enthusiast. He’s teaming with The Foundry chef-owner Eric Greenspan, cookbook author Randy Clemens and Dogfish Head Craft Brewery on a five-course meal that costs $79 per person, all-inclusive. Click Here For Tickets

LADYFACE ALE COMPANIE

According to Ladyface rep Robyn Britton, “Ladyface is proud to present our second Quarterly Brewmaster’s Dinner next week Wednesday, Oct 13th at 6:00pm. The dinner will include an amuse bouche plus four courses, each paired with a special Ladyface ale and presented by Brewer Dave. There are only 20 seats available and our last dinner sold out very quickly. Call 818-477-4566 to reserve today.

Cask of the Week is “Wit-ching Hour”, our Ladyface La Blanche Wit infused with cinnamon and candied ginger. Ladyface IPA and La Blanche Wit are back, joining La Blonde, Palo Comado XPA, Blind Ambition Amber, Picture City Porter and our seasonal ale, Ladyface Weizenbock. We’re also pouring Stone Smoked Porter with Chipotle, Spaten Oktoberfest, Pliny the Elder, St. Louis Gueuze, Drake’s Aroma Prieta, Oskar Blues Gubna, and Ballast Point’s Big Eye IPA, Abandon Ship Smoked Lager and Black Marlin Porter.”

LIBRARY ALEHOUSE

According to General Manager Tom Kelley, a certified cicerone, for Oktoberfest, “$18 buys you a classic, 1 liter Spaten Oktoberfest glass (filled with Spaten Oktoberfest or Bitburger of course). Refillable at $10 a glass throughout LA Beer Week. Just bring the glass back! So get on your Lederhosen and get on down.” Kelley also provided a rundown of all the “rare beer tappings throughout L.A. Beer Week.

October 7: Stone 14th Anniversary Emperial IPA cask
October 8: Karl Strauss Big Barrel DIPA
October 9: Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Tripel
October 10: Lagunitas Maximus, Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA
October 11: Jolly Pumpkin Oro de Calabaza
October 12: Russian River Consecration
October 13: Dogfish Head’s Theobroma
October 14: Sierra Nevada’s Black Barleywine
October 15: Drake’s Denogginizer DIPA
October 16: Bootlegger’s Black Phoenix Chipotle Coffee Porter
October 17: Port Brewing’s Older Viscosity

LUCKY BALDWIN’S

L.A. Beer Week coincides with Lucky Baldwin’s 14th Anniversary party, which lasts from October 7-17 in Pasadena and Sierra Madre, featuring archive Stone beers, glass and T-shirt specials and some “gems” from owner David Farnsworth’s cellar.

NAJA’S PLACE

Naja’s Place is the site of the Official L.A. Beer Week Kick Off. Tonight, from 7 PM – 10 PM, they’ll be pouring 40 Stone beers on tap, “the most Stone beers ever outside the brewery.” Special guests will include Stone CEO Greg Koch President Steve Wagner and Head Brewer Mitch Steele. Commemorative Naja’s Place/L.A. Beer Week T-shirts and glassware will be available all week.

On October 9 from 1 PM – 4 PM, “the madmen behind Sculpin IPA, Victory at Sea, and Sea Monster will make a special appearance,” with the Ballast Point Brewing Co. heads bringing “some über-rare treats.” From 5 PM – 8 PM, Wetten Importers is hosting a Belgian Beer & Artisanal Cheese Pairing. “Special brewery guests will be in the house (all the way from Europe!). Beers include Huyghe Brewery (Delerium) and Brouwerij van de Brugse (Straff Hendrick).

On October 13 from 8 PM – 10 PM, join Lagunitas Brewing Co. founder Tony Magee for beers like Little Sumptin’ Wild and the “ultra-rare Fusion 4.”

October 14 is Local Craft Brewery Appreciation Night at Naja’s Place. According to assistant manager Martin Svab, from 8 PM – 1 PM, “We will feature 10+ local craft breweries including Craftsman, Skyscraper, Bruery, and many, many more! Each one will bring one specialty beer of their choosing. Special guests from featured breweries will be in attendance.”

October 16 from 1 PM – 4 PM, Naja’s Place is hosting the South Bay Launch Party for Great Divide Brewing Co., the Denver brewery featured in Sean Inman’s column. Expect beers like Yeti, Old Ruffian and Hercules Double IPA.

SCOOPS BEER ICE CREAM

L.A. Beer Week, Scoops owner Tai Kim and Food GPS (wait, that’s me) present an assortment of beer-infused ice creams, which will be available through October 17. Click Here For More Info.

SIMMZY’S

Simmzy’s doesn’t have any special events for L.A. Beer Week, but they are busting out some rare beers, including double dry-hopped Sublimely Self-Righteous, 14th Anniversary and Ruination, all from Stone, plus Lost Abbey Judgment Day, Bootlegger’s Black Phoenix and some other surprises, which are hiding in back.

STUFFED SANDWICH

According to co-owner Marlene Samaniego, “Friday Oct. 8, 2010 is Weihenstephaner Night! We will be having Tim Lynch from Total Beverage Solution walking around pouring samples of beer from the Oldest Brewery in the World!

Thursday Oct. 14, 2010 is Karl Strauss Night! We will be having Steve Goto from Karl Strauss Brewery pouring samples of beer from the oldest brewery in San Diego!”

THE SURLY GOAT

According to Andrew Kelley, “The Surly Goat is stacked with events next week, including a blending event with Firestone Walker on 10/12, a Hot Knives & The Bruery cheese pairing on 10/14, as well as a beer and cheese pairing with Schneider on the 15th, plus some last minute surprises up our sleeves. The Surly Goat also currently has a cask of Ladyface Red Rye on handpump right now, not to be missed.”

38 DEGREES ALEHOUSE

On October 12 from 6 PM – 8 PM, 38 Degrees and The Full Pint ask “What’s in this beer?,” breaking down four beers with four distinguishable ingredients found in nearly ever beer. For $15, taste AleSmith Wee Heavy (malted barley), Aventinus (malted wheat), Avec Les Bons Voeux (yeast) and Firestone Walker Union Jack IPA (hops). RSVP at 626.282.2038.

According to co-owner Clay Harding, “Ultimate Flight Night on October 14 from 7M – 2 AM, featuring a “journey around the world with 15 first class flights of craft beer.” Sample flights include “Barrel Aged Brew,” which involves pours of Paradox Isle of Arran, Older Viscosity, Rasputin XII and 100% BA Coton. “Eagle Has Landed” showcases four Eagle Rock Brewery beers: Solidarity on Nitro, Equinox Sour, Populist IPA and Red Velvet. “West Coast IPA” includes Sculpin on Nitro, Just Outstanding, Alesmith and Double Dry Hopped Stone. “Russian – Tion” features four different Russian River gems: Redemption, Temptation, Supplication and Consecration. And that’s not all. Harding said, “Those are some Draft flight examples plus 6 others including German Styles, RIS and Belgian Sour. Many more as well as Bottle poured flights including Vertical Epic 06, 07, 08, 09, 10 and Allagash Confluence, Tripel, FOUR and Odyssey 09 to name a few.”

TIN ROOF BISTRO

According to Tin Roof Bistro manager Coleen A. Liebzeit, “We’re joining in the fun of LA Beer Week and on Thursday Oct. 14th @ 7:00 PM we are hosting a beer dinner with Allagash owner and brewer Rob Tod. It will include a variety of Allagash beers that Chef Anne has prepared some amazing entrees that we will be pairing them with. Reservations are a must and for questions, cost and seating, folks will need to contact Nancy @ 310-939-0900.”

TONY’S DARTS AWAY

On October 12 at 6 PM, Tony’s Darts Away is hosting a special flight night, titled “California vs. The World,” featuring Larry James, head of Wine Warehouse Distributions. According to the release, James will “lead the group in a special tasting of specific styled beers from their countries of origin next to a similar stylistic beer made in California. The group, with Larry’s guidance, will be able to talk about the differences and similarities, as well as what CA does well and what the other countries excel in.”

October 13 at 7 PM, it’s Archive Beer Night with Stuart Knight and Stone Brewing
. According to the release, “Stuart and Stone are getting together an awesome line-up of cellared beers for Tony’s to feature this night. They will be along side their newer counter parts so that the crowd can compare and contrast how aging has affected the beers over the years.”

UPTOWN WHITTIER PUB CRAWL

On October 13, beginning at 5 PM, Uptown Whittier is celebrating their burgeoning beer scene with a pub crawl featuring 12 establishments: The Bottle Room, Bambooze Sushi & Brewhouse, Vinatero Wine Shop, Spin Lounge, Crepes & Grapes Café, The 6740, Seta, Baciare Ristorante, Phlight, Vintage Café, Red Oak BBQ and Havana House Cigars & Lounge. Each establishment is offering a food and beer pairing for $8 except for Havana House, which is offering a beer and cigar pairing.

VERDUGO BAR

October 9 is Oktoberfest at Verdugo Bar, featuring traditional German breweries like Spaten, Schneider, Weihenstephan and Paulaner, plus local breweries pouring German-style beers, sausages, pretzels and more. According to Andrew Kelley, “We also have some special drafts on right now, including Russian River Consecration and Lost Abbey Deliverance.”

Also, the most important L.A. Beer Week event (to me) is at Verdugo Bar on October 10. L.A. Beer Float Showdown II features four different bars vying for your votes instead of last year’s pair: Boneyard Bistro, Ladyface Alehouse, Simmzy’s and Tony’s Darts Away. 50% of proceeds benefit Share Our Strength, a non-profit organization that works to end childhood hunger, so you’ll be drinking for a great cause. Manila Machine and Mandoline Grill will also be on hand to sell savories. Click Here To Purchase Tickets ahead of time, which will save you $5.

WALLY’S WINE

On October 9 from 1 PM – 4 PM, Wally’s beer buyer Graham Haverfield has put together a special tasting with Lagunitas Director of Marketing Ron Lindenbusch, who’s bringing IPA, Czech Pils, Censored Copper Ale, Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’, Little Sumpin’ Wild, Hop Stoopid, Brown Shugga and some mystery beer(s).

WESTSIDE TAVERN

Westside Tavern is hosting a “Meet The Brewers Reception at 12:30 PM, featuring Craftsman Brewing Company’s Mark Jilg, The Bruery’s Patrick Rue, Eagle Rock Brewery’s Jeremy Raub and Strand Brewing Company’s Joel Elliott, plus Stone CEO Greg Koch.

WURSTKUCHE

On October 16 from 12 PM – 2 PM, Wurstkuche is hosting “Schneider Flights & Frühschopfen.” Susanne Hecht from G. Schneider & Sohn Brewery will share all five Schneider beers, along with a three-year-old Aventinus. You’ll also receive sausage pairings for $35. Tickets are available at the restaurant.

THE YORK

According to manager Mary Drenthe, “On tap this week we added Nibble Bit Tabby Uncle Arnie’s Irish Red, Victory Festbier, and Eagle Rock Revolution XPA. Also, come celebrate LA Beer Week at The York on Thursday October 14th as we honor our German brethren with a night of Beer ‘n Brats! Featuring $4 Schonramer Pilsner, Spaten Lager, and Oktoberfest on tap all night, as well as specials on bottled beers from Hopf, Reutberger, and Schonramer. Plus, buy any German beer and get a bratwurst for $2 (available during dinner hours 3:30-10:30PM). Bar is open 3PM-2AM.”

Of course there are even more great beer-related events for L.A. Beer Week. Find them on the official L.A. Beer Week

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Joshua Lurie

Joshua Lurie founded FoodGPS in 2005. Read about him here.

Blog Comments

Woa, thanks for the excellent rundown of events 😉

Reply

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