1st Visit – Tortugo Brewing


Just off Florence and over the coming Metro tracks is the hard-to-miss building that houses Tortugo Brewing. One of the newest additions to the L.A. brewery tally.

The build-out has given the space a chill, beach cabana feel. There is an even divide of shaded seating and in the sun seating arranged around the L shaped bar. This is a great game hangout or lazy Sunday stop too. When the new stadium comes online, this may well become a tailgator stop for crowlers.

There were five beers (plus michelada) on tap from brewer/delivery driver/tortoise wrangler Joe Kovach. My favorite of the group was the Cristobal Lager that was simple, clear and crisp. On the other end of the spectrum, the Porter could have used a bit of burly-ness or chocolate malt to add to it. The pale and IPA were both solid starts with my nod going to the Pale. The Witbier was nice in the summer heat as well.

They have tanks set up to do more wild things though a hefe will be brewed up before then but the large space looks to have the room to add both tanks and barrels whichever styles get pursued. And though the bright orange and blue was a bit strong on the eyes, Kovach has certainly created an un-missable spot.