Follow Sean Inman to the best in craft beer
Time to head back to colder climes and a traditional Old Winter Ale from Fuller’s…
“As the days become shorter and the temperature drops, this beer is a perfect accompaniment with its malt, cookie and liquorice aroma and nutty, biscuity flavours.”
Located in the University District of Seattle, Ladd & Lass Brewing was founded by wife and husband team of Jessie Quan and Nick Ladd ( hence the spelling in the name).
They were mentioned in the magazine for their Zoospaloos, a Czech- style dark lager.
Thankful for UDFB – West Coast IPA – “Brimming with some of our favorite New Zealand hops, Thankful for UDFB is a hearty celebration of the University District Food Bank and all they do for our community. Featuring Cryo Nelson Sauvin and Freestyle Peacharine, this IPA is a veritable cornucopia of ripe stone fruit, white wine grapes, and a beguiling piney note—all complemented by a pleasing bitterness and lightly bready maltiness.”
Olympic Peaks – NW IPA – “Our winter IPA is a garnet-hued celebration of the NW IPAs of yore. Expect a balanced beer showcasing hop aromas of grapefruit and piney resin set against a toasty malt backbone and crisp bitterness.”
A Minor Award – Winter Warmer – “At L&L, we have a nostalgic soft spot for the malty, heavily-hopped winter warmers of the early aughts. Harkening back to the seasonal warm fuzzies, A Minor Award is a holiday carol of nutty bread, deep caramel, and luscious toffee paired with a pleasing bitterness and citrus and pine aromatics.”
Deprived of Light – Imperial Stout – “This gnarly imperial stout may be deprived of light, but it still radiates with intense flavors of cacao, coconut, and vanilla. We took our decadent imperial stout and confectionized™ it—blasting your palate with a depth of flavor that saturates your taste buds while still managing to finish short of typical pastry stout cloyingness.”
It would be gross negligence to not include The Bruery in a holiday beer round-up. So let’s get out the brandy barrels for some frost…
The last of the pioneering Los Angeles breweries and the second this year has called it quits. Ladyface Ale Companie which changed over to Tavern Tomoko + Ladyface Brewery will be closing just before Christmas on 12/22.
Ladyface Ale Companie & Brasserie was established in late 2009 by Cyrena Nouzile. That year brought us Strand Brewing and Eagle Rock Brewery as well. Brewmaster Dave Griffiths was at the controls of award-winning Belgian, French and American style ales. La Blonde, La Grisette, Blind Ambition Abbey Ale, Trois Filles Tripel, and seasonal ales such as La Trappistine Belgian Dark Strong Ale, Blue-Belly Barleywine and Dérailleur Bière-de-Garde which was a favorite of mine.
Nouzile and Ladyface Ale Companie were proudly independently owned and operated and an active member of the Brewers Association, California Craft Brewers Association and especially the Los Angeles County Brewers Guild.
Pete Lee, turned from a Ladyface customer to owner when he bought the brewery and restaurant from Nouzile and channged the Brasserie to Tavern Tomoko while still keeping the beers under the Ladyface banner which I thought was a confusing choice.
Later beers such as Animé, a Japanese pale ale brewed with jasmine rice and Sorachi hops and Atlas Shrugged, a barrel-aged dark strong anniversary ale did not get wide distribution and much like the other ’09ers, they could not re-create the buzz they had in early years.
Back in my holiday neck of the woods at Glendale’s Paperback Brewing for a bitter Winter IPA.
A Citra, Mosaic and El Dorado hopped ale.
We have quite the special brew to talk about today. Three Trappist breweries ( La Trappe, Tynt Meadow, and Zundert ) have banded together on a new beer: Three Rules of Authentic Trappist.
“The Three Rules of Authentic Trappist is a full-bodied, perfectly balanced Dubbel. The beer is characterised by a full, layered taste of sweet caramel, toasted malt, and a hint of peat, combined with subtle spicy and hoppy notes. This leads to an unparalleled taste experience with every sip.”
Part of the proceeds of the new beer will benefit Trees for All.
Our beer advent stop today is at Empyrean Brewing for some knowledge.
“Crafted for those who love a smooth, nutty brew—Winter Wisdom Hazelnut Brown Ale combines toasted hazelnuts and rich malt with just the right touch of sweetness. A perfect winter sipper.”
The Ringer likes to hide mini podcast series inside an established one. And so you might have missed Shift Meal hosted by Danny Chau.
Over four episodes, Chau talks BBQ in Los Angeles with the best the City of Angels has to offer (which is a lot, this city has lots of good ‘cue). It will make you desperately hungry so prepare accordingly. And it makes me hope that Chau will cover pizza and burgers at some point.
For beer, I suggest that you find yourself some good winter bocks or dopplebocks. Something suitably big and malty that will not be cowed into submission by burnt ends or dinosaur ribs. Maybe Figueroa Mountain’s 14th Anniversary rum barrel-aged helles bock.
Time to hunker down with a cozy stout named Wintering from Kings & Daughters Brewery in Portland, Oregon.
“Unique and special enough for a holiday evening, classic enough for an every-night at home, this smooth stout hints at coffee and chocolate, with a touch of vanilla.”
Each year, the North American Guild of Beer Writers works with craftbeer.com
to publish beer stories through the Guild’s Diversity in Beer Writing Grant The first of the year seven stories is from Christine Ma-Kellems and explores fermented beverages and Korean musical phenomenon BTS.
The Diversity Grant is supported by craftbeer.com, the Brewers Association, and Allagash Brewing. Thanks to all three.