On September 29, Food GPS presented the fourth annual L.A. Beer Float Showdown at Golden Road Brewing as part of LA Beer Week. Five teams of top L.A. chefs and breweries collaborated to create the ultimate beer float, and every attendee got a vote. The result was in question up until the 5 p.m. announcement, when a last second ballot resulted in an unprecedented tie between defending champions Eagle Rock Brewery / Maximiliano / The Oinkster and Strand Brewing Co. / Short Cake / Short Order.
Defending champions Eagle Rock Brewery re-teamed with Andre Guerrero and Jan Purdy of Maximiliano and The Oinkster.
The float from Eagle Rock Brewery and Maximiliano/The Oinkster, Beer-amisu, utilized Stimulus Belgian Amber Ale, espresso Mascarpone ice cream & homemade ladyfingers.
Whist chefs Chris Crary and Tony DiSalvo joined with Beachwood BBQ and Brewing brewmaster Julian Shrago and fiancée Jessica on a float.
The Beachwood and Whist beer float featured Kilgore Stout, LA Creamery Malted Jameson-Toffee-Donut ice cream, cardamom marshmallow, and a cocoa nib & sweet potato topping.
El Segundo Brewing Co. joined with Shiho Yoshikawa and her crew from Sweet Rose Creamery.
The El Segundo and Sweet Rose beer float featured White Dog IPA, Simcoe hop sorbet, passion fruit pearls & dust, a wort tuile and Simcoe sprinkles.
Golden Road Brewing brewmaster Jon Carpenter and Ray’s and Stark Bar pastry chef Josh Graves spearheaded a team.
The Golden Road and Ray’s and Stark Bar beer float was a riff on an Irish Car Bomb, combining Hudson Porter with Irish cream ice cream and Pop Rocks.
We never expected to find an off-menu beer float at L.A. Beer Float Showdown 4, but Golden Road Brewing and Ray’s and Stark Bar combined GRB’s tart Berlinerweisse with blueberry-lemon verbena ice cream.
Strand Brewing Co. teamed with Short Cake executive chef Hourie Sahakian and Short Order chef Christian Page.
The Strand and Short Cake/Short Order beer float consisted of tart Strand Ito-Weisse, refreshing cherry sorbet and speared Luxardo cherry garnish.
Golden Road Pub executive chef Adam Levoe filled bags with popcorn in flavors like bacon ranch.
The Pablove Foundation, a local charity that fights childhood cancer, receives 10% of L.A. Beer Float Showdown 4 proceeds.
Food GPS Beer Editor Sean Inman and All Day Protection had the entrance on lock.
When it came time to name the winner, attendees gathered round the stairs to hear me announce the surprising results. Tie!
The two championship teams joined together for a photo that further demonstrated how close-knit the craft beer and culinary communities have become.
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