The L.A. BEER BLAST is designed to let Food GPS readers know about what’s new at select L.A. bars and restaurants with great beer selections. You’ll also discover great beer-related events in the area and learn about industry leaders. 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.

Earlier this month, I visited three different Sonoma County breweries in a single day, beginning with Lagunitas in Petaluma. Stone proved with their World Bistro & Gardens in Escondido that good beer experiences are possible in industrial parks. Lagunitas doesn’t have the same scope or sheen as Stone, but their month-old taproom features a great tasting opportunity in a Spartan setting at ridiculously low prices. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

In the West Coast hop wars, Bear Republic Brewing Company is known for packing some serious artillery. We drove north from Lagunitas to taste some of the Bear’s bolder beers, some hoppy, and they all delivered. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

If beer geeks ever decide to chisel a Mt. Rushmore of California brewmasters, there’s a good chance that Vinnie Cilurzo will make the cut. He started in San Diego at Blind Pig, where many people believe he invented the double IPA, then he took his aggressive brewing methods north. We recently tried 16 different beers at his Santa Rosa brewpub, and every beer was good to great. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Brew & You columnist Sean Inman is convinced “13 is Now a Lucky Number” thanks to Stone’s 13th Anniversary Celebration at Cal State-San Marcos. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT INMAN’S FAVORITE BEERS FROM THE CELEBRATION.

BEACHWOOD BBQ
131 Main Street, Seal Beach, 562 493 4500

The Beachwood BBQ Sour Beer Festival runs through August 30 at Gabriel Gordon’s noted Seal Beach beer bar. The week-long festival features 16-18 sours on tap at any given time. Gordon streams his 24-tap blackboard menu via HOP CAM. Today’s menu includes La Folie, Le Terroir, Love Barrel #13, Eric’s Ale Vintage ’08, Tart Lychee and Transatlantique Kriek, all from New Belgium Brewing Co. You’ll also find Sour in the Rye and Melange #4 from The Bruery, Ommegang Rouge Grand Cru Batch #1 and #2, Allagash Confluence, Rodenbach Grand Cru, St. Louis Gueuze Fond Tradition, Bootlegger’s Brewery Kentucky Wild and Ichtegem’s Grand Cru from Brouwerij Strubbe.

BLUE PALMS BREWHOUSE

6124 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, 323 464 2337

As of August 22, Blue Palms proprietor Brian Lenzo’s roster included Firestone Walker Porter on cask, along with kegs of Avery 14’er, a 5.1% Extra Special Bitter; Moylan’s Kilt Lifter, an 8% Scotch Ale; Avery Maharaja, a 10.5% double IPA; Rubicon Itchy Kilt, a Scottish Ale; and Marin Brewing Raspberry Trail.

BOTTLEROCK LA

1050 South Flower Street, Downtown, 213 747 1100

Here’s today’s update from Alex Macy, BottleRock LA’s resident beer expert:

NEW ON DRAUGHT

Allagash White

NEW BOTTLES

Cantillon Classic Gueuze
Cantillon Iris 2007
Cantillon Cuvee des Champions

Last week, Macy wrote, “Anytime that Jared and I have enough time to breathe, we’ll accommodate someone who wants to do a tasting menu with beer pairings (Mondays are encouraged). The number of courses and the price will change based upon what you’re in the mood for.” Caroline on Crack followed through on their offer. Check out her great report.

THE DAILY PINT
2310 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica, 310 450 7631

Here’s last night’s update from lead Beer Geek David Stickel:

”Blind Pig, the last keg of Black Butte XXI, New Belgium La Folie (!!), Lagunitas Correction, Midas Touch. Coming soon, we’ve got Panzer Pils, Kiltlifter, Calico, Zeitgeist Scottish Dark Lager and on cask for Friday: Stone IRS & Sublimely Self-Righteous.”

THE GOLDEN STATE
426 North Fairfax Avenue, Fairfax, 323 782 8331

The Golden State now has 11 taps instead of 8. Co-owner Jason Bernstein considers the current line-up their strongest yet. “We put on New Belgium’s La Folie, which is unbelievably great. It has the richness of Ommegang Rouge and the cherry balsamic vinegar qualities that beer has.” Bernstein just tapped a rare keg of Firestone Lil’ Opal, an oak-aged Saison.

LUCKY BALDWIN’S
17 South Raymond Avenue, Pasadena, 626 795 0652

2009 Belgian Beer Festival (Part 2) is still raging in Old Town, featuring 60 different Belgians on tap, including Kwak, St. Feuillien, Goudon Carolus, Saison Dupont, Chimay, St. Bernardus Abt 12, Witkap Pater Tripel, Maredsous 8, Affligem, St. Louis Gueuze and Urthel. Pay $20 for a T-shirt, commemorative glass and a draught beer of your choice. If you don’t want the T-shirt, it costs $10 for a glass and beer. If you’ve purchased a glass, refills cost $6.

Lucky Baldwin’s
21 Kersting Court, Sierra Madre, 626 355 1140

Lucky Baldwin’s eastern outpost is also hosting the 2009 Belgian Beer Festival (Part 2), featuring 25 Belgians on draught., including 5 different kegs from St. Feuillien, Witkap Pater Tripel, Tripel Karmeliet, Maredsous 10, Klokke Roeland and Kwak. Grotten Brown and Corsendonk Abbey Pale Ale are both new on draught this week. Grimbergen is gone, along with Gulden Draak. Pay $20 for a T-shirt, commemorative glass and a draught beer of your choice. If you don’t want the T-shirt, it costs $10 for a glass and beer. If you’ve purchased a glass, refills cost $6. I was told there’s no limit on the number of $6 refills “as long as you can stand up.”

SIMMZY’S
229 Manhattan Beach Boulevard, Manhattan Beach, 310 546 1201

Here’s today’s update from Simmzy’s Manager Chris Garza:

“Hoptober is in! Its unveiling has brought nothing but positive feedback about its drinkability, while being quite flavorful. We have added a Blonde to our Belgian lineup, Leffe. A traditional, Abby style Blonde that has a silky mouthfeel and finishes with a bit of sweetness. Some may detect notes of banana and spice, as is common in traditional Belgians. Also, the Sierra Nevada Anniversary Ale has arrived and is pouring now. It’s a traditional American IPA, using mainly Cascade hops, as they do in most of their beers. Enjoy and Cheers!”

38 Degrees
100 West Main Street, Alhambra, 626 282 2038

According to 38 Degrees co-owner Clay Harding, who oversees the beer program:

“Only adding one beer, Paulaner Marzen this week as I move towards a German dominating line up for fall. Octoberfest events will be announced soon.”