For those who are tuned in to the craft beer scene here in Los Angeles, one brewery seems to be dominating taps around town. Great Divide Brewing Company from Denver, Colorado, has already visited Blue Palms in Hollywood and 38 Degrees in Alhambra and even has bottles at Whole Foods.

For those new to this brewery, what are they about and what do they brew?

Great Divide was started way back in 1994 in Denver by Brian Dunn. Between then and now they have become a beer destination in beer mad Colorado and have won 16 Great American Beer Festival medals and 5 World Beer Cup awards. According to their website, “Great Divide has become synonymous with progressive, balanced, assertive hand-crafted ales.”

They are most famous for their Yeti beers. Dark and flavorful monsters of Imperial Stout goodness. There is the regular Yeti, Oak Aged Yeti, Espresso Oak Aged Yeti and Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti. With my favorites being the last two. The Chocolate has cocoa nibs and cayenne with toned down hops while the Espresso has coffee added to the oak chips to create a whole new beast of a beer.

Staying in the dark realm, they have a really BBQ’y Smoked Baltic Porter that grows on you after that initial burst of smokiness on the palate. Also, my new favorite is their Hibernation Ale. An English Strong Ale that is deceptively tasty and easy to drink for a beer of 8.7% strength. IPA fans have not been left wanting either. Their regular IPA (Titan) is, to me, a double IPA at least which makes their Double (Hercules) at 10.0% abv an Imperial Double in my book.

For those who prefer something a little lighter they do a pair of wonderful summer-esque brews. Colette is a great and spicy saison and Samurai is a beer predominately made with rice. Both are flavorful in keeping with the rest of the line-up.

As I mentioned, you can pick up some at Whole Foods (as it lasts) or you could put them into your LA Beer Week schedule on the 10th at the new Congregation Ale House in Long Beach between 2-6. Taps and bottles will be available. On the 13th, you can catch them at The Factory Gastropub, also in Long Beach. And finally at Naja’s Place in Redondo Beach on Saturday the 16th.

And if you still have not gotten your fill of Rocky Mountain beer then there are still two more events to attend. On Friday the 8th, Avery Brewing will be featured at Blue Palms Brewhouse. Starting at 6pm, Adam Avery will be on hand with his beery creations. On the 12th, the Venice Ale House will be featuring the beers of Oskar Blues from Longmont, Colorado. You can taste their excellent Gubna IPA and get an Oskar Blues pint glass!.

Your homework is to go to what I think will be the best seminar on craft beer in Los Angeles. “So you want to open an LA Brewery” is moderated by Tomm Carroll of The Celebrator Beer News in Eagle Rock Brewery’s Tasting Room, It will be all about “experiences and knowledge in opening and operating a brewery in our burgeoning local community.” Breweries in attendance are: Eagle Rock Brewery, Nibble Bit Tabby Brewery, Strand Brewing, Brouwerij West and Ladyface Ale Companie, plus coming soon Beachwood Brewing and Ohana Brewing.

You not only get to be in the same room with the full roster of LA breweries you also get to “…have one of their beers to share with the audience.”

According to the LA Beer Week website, “This panel is geared towards homebrewers, aspiring pro-brewers, and brewery fans. Tomm has been writing about, brewing, judging, and enjoying beer locally and internationally for many years, and envisions an evening of education, sampling, and interaction. Admission is free. Start time 7pm”

We head back to California for the beer of the week and to the lovely fall seasonal Autumn Maple. The beer with yams and this year the mad scientists at The Bruery have concocted a version with pine cones. You read correctly, pine cones. If you are in Orange County, stop by and see if they have it and their other brewery only beer, Loakal Red.

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