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.
BREW & YOU
This week, Brew & You columnist Sean Inman declares, “Thanks to the Super Bowl, Olympics and Firestone Walker, Roman numerals are not forgotten. Also unforgettable is the clamor to get each year’s Firestone Walker Anniversary Ale. Each version is a crazy experiment of mixing the stable of beers into a memorable and sought after craft beer.” He reports about his most recent anniversary encounter in a post titled X through XIV with Firestone Walker.
Q&A WITH LEAD BREWER KUSHAL HALL (SPEAKEASY ALES & LAGERS)
Three years ago, Kushal Hall utilized Craigslist to catch on at Speakeasy Ales & Lagers, a San Francisco brewery that’s been “legit since 1997.” Since then, he’s risen to the rank of lead brewer. Before Hall led a recent brewery tour, he shared more insights about his brewing background and approach. Click Here to Learn More.
Beachwood chef-owner Gabe Gordon currently features draught beers like AleSmith Xtra Pale, The Bruery Three French Hens, North Coast Brother Thelonious Abbey Stle, Port Brewing Santa’s Little Helper, Porterhouse Oyster Stout, Russian River IPA, and on cask, Stone Arrogant Bastard with Chinook hops. Track changes to Beachwood BBQ’s 24-tap menu via HOP CAM.
Yesterday, Blue Palms proprietor Brian Lenzo added kegs of Stone Lucky Bastard, Oaked Arrogant Bastard and Arrogant Bastard, and a cask of Double Dry Hopped Arrogant Bastard. Today, he’s also pouring Big Sky Trout Slayer American pale ale, Brouwerij Bosteels Tripel Karmeliet Belgian tripel, Moylan’s Ryan Sullivan’s Russian Imperial STout and Coney Island Freaktoberfest American amber red ale. Track changes to Blue Palms Brewhouse’s 24-tap menu via HERE
According to bar manager Rory Snipes “New beers this week include Hangar 24 Orange Wheat, Coronado Nutter Brown, Dogfish Head 90 minute, and Nibble Bit Tabby E.S.B.”
BOTTLEROCK
New kegs at the Culver City location include New Belgium 2 Below and Lagunitas Brown Shugga’.
THE BOTTLE ROOM
According to yesterday’s update from chef-owner Tony Alcazar, “At the moment we are pouring Arrogant bastard, Double Bastard, Oaked Bastard and Lucky Bastard. We are also offering a Stone Bastard Flight of all four. De Proef Terrapin Collaboration Monster Rouge, N’Ice Chouffe, and Great Divide Fresh Hopped Ale are among our 24 handles. Proud to announce we have a confirmed date for the Bear Republic Beer Dinner. On Tuesday, December 7th, we will pair 5 courses to 5 of their beautiful ales. Bourbon Barrel Aged Golden Grizzle and Racer 10 have made the list thus far. The Bruery has also confirmed a Winter Warmer Christmas Brunch on Sunday December 19th.”
According to beverage director Eli Wilson, “”Halloween-esque beers still abound here at Congregation, highlights include Santa Cruz Dark Night Oatmeal Stout, Hobgoblin Bitter, Gulden Draak, and De Molen Hell & Damnation Imperial Stout. Reserve bottles include Mephistopheles 2010, Devil’s Brewery Godless Stout, and Mikkeller Beer Geek Bacon.
Tonight’s special event is the launch of Lagunitas’ Brown Shugga Strong Ale, which we are pairing with Caramel Apple Strudel and a Lagunitas Mason Jar giveaway. Coming up next Tuesday is our English Pub Night (20oz beers and fresh-fried Fish N Chips), followed by a December 5th “Anniversary x 2” Event, celebrating our Three-Month Anniversary with a keg of Firestone 14th Anniversary and other goodies. It’s never been a better time to come enjoy gourmet beer in Long Beach!”
Since last Thursday, Phil McGovern’s Santa Monica bar has added draught beers like Allagash Interlude, Speakeasy Big Daddy IPA, Deschutes Inversion IPA, Stone oaked Arrogant Bastard, Lucky Bastard and Double Bastard, plus Lagunitas Brown Shugga, and on cask, Stone Smoked Porter with vanilla bean.
THE FACTORY
According to yesterday’s update from owner Natalie Gutenkauf, “Our current list: Great Beer Company Hollywood blonde, Karl Strauss Catacombs Black Lager, Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye, Drakes Denognizer Double IPA, Black Diamond Jagged Edge IPA, Bootleggers Lambic Sour #2, Ballast Point Calico plus the new Oregon beers listed below.
We ended up canceling our BYOBeer Dinner last month since it was so close to Black Tuesday then Halloween. On Tuesday, November 23 at 7 p.m. we will give Oregon another chance with our largest BYOBeer to date! We’ve partnered up with The American Institute of Wine and Food (AIWF) and will be drinking beer for a good cause! In addition to “Bringing Your Own (Oregon) Beer”, we are asking guests to also bring a non-perishable good to help feed the less privileged in our community. There will be live music and a four-course dinner for only $25. The Factory will also have on-tap 3 Oregon beers: Deschutes Inversion IPA, Rogue St. Rogue Red and one other surprise Oregon tap. RSVP no later than Monday.”
According to The Golden State co-owner Jason Bernstein, they’re currently pouring Port High Tides IPA, Craftsman Monkey See Monkey Do (Mark’s version of a crazy SoCal double IPA), Craftsman Edgar’s Ale, Old Blarney aged in Heaven Hill Barrels (This one is not on the menu – you have to ask specifically for it), Kern River Just Outstanding IPA, Craftsman 1903, Stone Double Bastard, Stone Vertical Epic 10-10-10, New Belgium Sahti, North Coast Old Rasputin and Lost Abbey Devotion.On Deck: The Bruery’s Three French Hens.
According to Ladyface rep Robyn Britton, “The weather’s cooling down as the tap list heats up. Ladyface is pouring Blind Ambition Amber, Trois Filles Tripel, La Trappistine Dubbel and Picture City Porter. La Blanche Wit will be back for the weekend with Ladyface IPA and La Blonde to follow early next week. Our gravity-drawn Cask of the Week is “The Bee’s Knees”, our Tripel infused with Honeybush Vanilla Tea. A beast of a brew, Great Divide Oaked Yeti, joins Rubicon Hot Sauce, Grand Teton’s Sweetgrass APA, Brasserie de Silly’s Noel, Moylan’s Old Blarney, Avery Old Jubilation, Green Flash Hophead Red, Russian River Blind Pig, Val-Dieu Grand Cru, Malheur 12, St Louis Gueuze and Mama’s Lil Yellow Pils. On deck – Pliny The Elder, Petrus Oud Bruin, Popperings’ Hommel Ale and Moylan’s Moylander DIPA!”
According to General Manager Tom Kelley, a certified cicerone, “[Tonight] we are releasing Lagunitas seasonal Brown Shugga. Come by for a glass of this Imperial Brown ale, brewed with brown sugar.
On the taps we have MORE BLIND PIG! In addition we are still running I Hardcore You (Mikkeller / BrewDog collaboration imperial IPA), Strand 24th St. Pale, Sierra Northern Hop Harvest, The Bruery Mischief, New Belgium Sahti, and Dogfish Head 90 Minute.
Coming up, Tuesday November 30th we will have Ballast Point and Matt Wilson in the house. This is part of our Non-profit of the Month program, and 15% of sales will be donated to the Alliance for Children’s Rights. On tap we will have Sculpin IPA, and Dorado IPA, plus a couple more surprises. In addition Calico Amber will be $5 after 6:00 and we will have free Ballast Point pint glasses while supplies last.”
Since last Thursday, new beers at Lucky Baldwin’s eastern outpost include Rogue Younger’s Special Bitter, Widmer Oktoberfest and Stone Russian Imperial Stout.
According to assistant manager Martin Svab, “Tonight at 4 minutes & 20 seconds past 6pm, we tap a keg of Lagunitas Brown Shugga’.
This Sunday, join us for a screening of Discovery Channels’s Brew Masters hosted by Dogfish Head founder Sam Calagione. Event starts at 7pm till 10 p.m. We will have seven Dogfish Head beers on tap including 60 Minute IPA, 90 Minute IPA, Palo Santo, Burton Barton, and a few more. A limited amount of glassware will be available. We will screen the show at 8pm on our big screen (2 hours ahead of its 10 p.m. premiere).”
New beer on tap: BrewDog Tokyo, Black Diamond Grand Cru, Drake’s Jolly Rodger, Cismontane IPA, Anderson Valley Winter Solstice, Port High Tide IPA, Rubicon IPA and Eagle Rock Equinox.
According to assistant manager Josh Salinas, who runs the beer program at The Oinkster, “This weekend we have Great Divide’s Hades Gold, Eel River Organic IPA, Scimshaw Pils and Rubicon’s Monkey Knife Fight Pale Ale going on tap. We also have ongoing EagleRock Solidarity and Craftsman Heavenly Hefe.”
According to manager Peter Shuey, “New right now we have Stone Double Bastard, Ballast Point Black Marlin Porter, Great Divide Oak Aged Yeti, Victory Yakima Twilight, AleSmith Nautical Nut Brown, Dogfish Burton Baton & Deschutes Hop Trip. Coming up we have Sierra Celebration, 2 Below, Deschutes Jubelale, Shipyard Imperial Porter & Green Flash West Coast IPA.
Thursday, Nov 18 we’ll be participating in Lagunitas’ Nationwide tapping event of their Seasonal Brown Shugga. At exactly 6:04PM we will officially ring in this years Brown Shugga…always a crowd favorite!
Thursday, Dec 2 we will have our friends from Firestone in house for a 14th anniversary party. This is sure to be a great night with special guests from the brewery, and along with the 14th anniversary we’ll have a couple other special brews from them.
Monday, Dec 6 we’ll have Rich & Joel from Stand brewing for the unveiling of their “Atticus” IPA. Sure to be another great night. Judging by how good their 24th St & Beach House Amber are, I’m sure this will be amazing!”
According to yesterday’s update from general manager Paige Reilly, “We’ve got some great stuff on tap right now. The Bruery’s 3 French Hens, Stone’s Belgo Stout, Drake’s Kewl Hand Luke IPA and Mad River’s Sunset IPA are all on tap and DELICIOUS! Event wise, we have a Tuesdays @ Tony’s: Brewery Night with Jim Kenny and Green Flash Brewery this Tuesday, November 23rd. It will feature some awesome specialty brews like Citra Session Ale, Yellow Fizzy Beer and Fire Roasted Pumpkin!”
Owner Tony Yanow shared two upcoming events: “Tuesday, November 23rd: Tuesday’s @ Tony’s Green Flash Brewery Night! 6-10 pm w/ National Sales Director Jim Kenny. A few things we will have on tap: Green Flash American ESB, Green Flash Barleywine, Green Flash Imperial Red
Wednesday, November 24th: Firestone 14th Anniversary Party starting @ 6pm. Come join TDA on the busiest bar night of the year and drink some FW 14th Ann. Ale.”
According to a Vendome Toluca Lake staffer Harley Rogers, this Saturday, they’re pouring lesser known beer styles, including Rogue Morimoto Soba Ale (Soba), Marin Star Brew (Wheatwine), Troubadour Obscura (Belgian Stout) and Nogne Imperial Dunkelwit (Belgian Strong Ale). They’ve pouring 15 tasters for $10 beginning at 2 PM.
According to The York manager Mary Drenthe, “We’re taking part in the city-wide tapping of Lagunitas Brown Shugga today at precisely 6:04 PM and 20 seconds. I’m eagerly counting down these last few hours. Also, we added Affligem Noel to our lineup this week, a Belgian strong dark ale to warm us as we bring in the holidays.
Also, join us Thursday December 2 to celebrate the 14th anniversary of Firestone Brewery! We’ll be featuring their special 14th Anniversary Ale on draught, as well as favorites like Union Jack IPA, DBA, Pale 31, and, on cask, Walker’s Reserve. Firestone beers will be available all night, except for 14, which we’ll be tapping into at precisely 7 PM.”
THE CRAFT BEER CHRONICLES
This week, Brand X contributor Steven Armstrong shared his third installment of The Craft Beer Chronicles, titled Going local at the Library Alehouse with Alex P. Davis, a UCLA law school grad and beer aficionado who recently signed on at the top-flight Santa Monica alehouse.
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