I have intermittently checked in on the draft list at Bottlecraft and their Long Beach location and finally made my way to their Hangar location to have to make the difficult choice of what to drink first.
Here are my initial thoughts…This is a real cool food hall but it is in the middle of nowhere. Unlike Grand Central Market or Steelcraft that is in pedestrian areas, the Hangar is out near the Long Beach Airport. To get to the Bottlecraft bar you enter on the street side of the building. OK, you can enter on the other side and be tempted by Portola Coffee first.
Bottlecraft has a 25+ taps arrayed on their cold box and the variety of beers was good on my visit. And they do half-pours which always makes me happy. I started with Indie Brewing’s Garcon French Pilsner and then did a hazy from RIIP Brewing so you can tell that miles and styles separate those two beers.
I also like that if you want to wander around the food choices, you can get a plastic cup (free souvenir) or if you have already placed your food order, you can get glassware at the bar. The prices were pretty on par but really the location is the issue for me. It is a small hike from even Santa Monica let alone from my normal home base of Glendale. With Steelcraft, you may have less options but you are closer to other breweries if you want to make a day of it. But if you find yourself there, it is great for both food and choices.
