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. 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.

Some breweries are just more brazen and aggressive, not only in their brewing style, but also in their marketing and sales push. In Southern California, look no further than Stone Brewing Co. founded by Greg Koch and brewmaster Steve Wagner in 1996. Koch and I recently met at Stone and we subsequently discussed the brewery’s background, approach and future. CLICK HERE TO READ THE Q&A

Trappist breweries are traditionally associated with Belgium, but there is an alternative in the Netherlands, Bierbrouwerij de Koningshoeven B.V. The Abbey’s monks started brewing beer in 1884 as a farming alternative, and the venture proved so fruitful that the brewery is currently celebrating its 125th anniversary. Brewmaster Lodewijk “L.J.” Swinkels was recently in Los Angeles to help promote the release of Isid’or, a 7.5% amber ale that honors Isidorus Laaber, La Trappe’s very first brewer. We spoke during his appearance at Library Alehouse, where he shared his background and approach. CLICK HERE TO READ THE Q&A

Neither rain nor sleet nor snow will keep Brew & Youcolumnist Sean Inman from drinking beer. The 101 freeway can postpone it for a week though. This week, Inman discusses his visit to Ladyfade Alehouse in Agoura Hills, in a post titled “A Trip to Bountiful (Beer).”

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

New draught options at Gabriel Gordon’s noted Seal Beach beer bar include St. Louis Gueuze, Rubicon Rose Bud, Mad River Scotch Porter, The Bruery Mischief, Dupont Foret and Port Carlsbad Slap & Tickle with Amarillo hops on cask. Track changes to Gordon’s 24-tap blackboard menu via HOP CAM.

BLUE PALMS BREWHOUSE
6124 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, 323 464 2337

According to Blue Palms proprietor Brian Lenzo, “Lightning Beers on Tap now! First time in LA.” Kegs include Black Lightning Porter and Old Tempest. You’ll also find Ettaler Curator Doppelbock.

BONEYARD BISTRO

13539 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, 818 906 7427

According to chef-owner Aaron Robins, “Brewdog/Stone Bashah, Bruery Mischief, Moosbacher Schwarze Weisse, and coming on tap Avery Dugana this weekend.”

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

The tap selection at Phil McGovern’s Santa Monica bar now includes Avery Dugana double IPA, Belhaven Scottish Ale, Sierra Nevada Glissade Golden Bock, Belhaven Scottish Stout, Harviestoun Old Engine Oil, Russian River Blind Pig IPA, Rogue Dry Hopped Red and Belhaven Twisted Thistle IPA. Now on cask: Stone Smoked Porter with vanilla bean and Stone Levitation with Centennial hops.

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

According to The Golden State co-owner Jason Bernstein, new beers on draught include Russian River IPA, The Bruery Rugbrod, The Bruery Mischief, AleSmith Lil Devil, Deschutes Abyss, Avery Dugana double IPA, New Belgium Fall Wild Ale, Firestone Union Jack and Old Rasputin. They also scored a keg of Older Rasputin – Rasputin XII - for the one-year-anniversary party. You’ll also find bottles of Jolly Pumpkin Maracaibo Especial and Hair of the Dog Adam.

LADYFACE ALEHOUSE & BRASSERIE
29281 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills, 818 477 4566

According to owner Cyrena Nouzille, “This week, Brewer Dave presents our own Blind Ambition Belgian Amber oak-cask aged with an incredible chocolate and spice tea called Aztec Fire. So does that make it Blind Fire or Aztec Ambition? Hmm, you decide, but it’s only one cask so get it while you can.

Ladyface’s own Belgian-style Tripel will be on tap by the weekend. This substantial ale is a marriage of spicy, fruity and alcohol flavors supported by a soft malt character, which pairs nicely with Ray’s Croque Madame/Monsieur sandwiches. It debuts just in time for Groundhog’s Day. So in honor of everyone’s favorite déjà vu movie, enjoy a pint day after day after day after day after day…

Finally, in Ladyface Ale Companie’s fermentation tanks right now are an American barleywine and a coffee infused porter. More on those next Beer Blast!”

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

The only new beer on tap at Lucky Baldwin’s Old Pasadena flagship is Sierra Nevada Glissade Golden Bock. They’re holding tight on the taps until the Belgian Beer Fest starts on February 13.

LUCKY BALDWIN’S DELIRIUM CAFE
21 Kersting Court, Sierra Madre, 626 355 1140

According to Jamie, a staffer at Lucky Baldwin’s eastern outpost, the draught line-up is holding steady until the Belgian Beer Fest starts on February 13. They’ll offer a T-shirt, glass and beer special. Buy a glass, keep the glass and get discounted refills.

VERDUGO BAR
3408 Verdugo Road, Glassell Park, 323 257 3408

According to co-owner Ryan Sweeney, you’ll now find kegs of Ballast Point Sculpin IPA and Eagle Rock Brewery Revolution on draught. Tonight, Verdugo Bar is celebrating Schmaltz and Coney Island with kegs of Human Blockhead, Albino Python and Sword Swallower. Coming up, Sweeney will tap into rare kegs of Mikkeller Beer Geek’s Breakfast and brandy barrel-aged Angel’s Share from The Lost Abbey.

Related Posts

1. L.A. Beer Blast B6: Brew & You, Beachwood BBQ, Blue Palms Brewhouse, Boneyard Bistro, City Sip LA, The Daily Pint, The Golden State, Ladyface Alehouse & Brasserie, Library Alehouse, Lucky Baldwin’s, Lucky Baldwin’s Delirium Café, The Surly Goat, 38 Degrees, Verdugo Bar, The York
2. L.A. Beer Blast B5: Tactical Nuclear Penguin, Allagash brewmaster Jason Perkins, The Surly Goat, Brew & You, Beachwood BBQ, Blue Palms Brewhouse, Boneyard Bistro, The Daily Pint, Fifth Amendment Alehouse, The Golden State, Ladyface Alehouse & Brasserie, Library Alehouse, Lucky Baldwin’s, Lucky Baldwin’s Delirium Café, Lucky Devils, Stuffed Sandwich, 38 Degrees, Verdugo Bar
3. L.A. Beer Blast B7: Brew & You, Beachwood BBQ, Blue Palms Brewhouse, The Daily Pint, Fifth Amendment Alehouse, The Golden State, Johnny’s, Ladyface Alehouse & Brasserie, Library Alehouse, Lucky Baldwin’s, Lucky Baldwin’s Delirium Café, Naja’s Place, The Surly Goat, Verdugo Bar, The York
4. L.A. Beer Blast B2: The Surly Goat Primer, Russian River brewmaster Vinnie Cilurzo, Brew & You, Beachwood BBQ, Blue Palms Brewhouse, The Daily Pint, Fifth Amendment Alehouse, The Golden State, Ladyface Alehouse & Brasserie, Library Alehouse, Lucky Baldwin’s, Lucky Baldwin’s Delirium Café, Lucky Devils, Stout, Verdugo Bar
5. L.A. Beer Blast #46: Firestone Walker Dessert Pairing, Brew & You, Beachwood BBQ, Blue Dog Beer Tavern, Blue Palms Brewhouse, BottleRock LA, The Daily Pint, Fifth Amendment Alehouse, The Golden State, Ladyface Alehouse & Brasserie, Library Alehouse, Lucky Baldwin’s, Lucky Baldwin’s Delirium Café, Lucky Devils, McG’s, Stout, 38 Degrees, Verdugo Bar, The York

This entry is filed under L.A. BEER BLAST.