If you happen into a British IKEA, you might stumble upon this in the food section amongst the lingonberries….
Yup, ÖL LJUS LAGER can be purchased for 1.75 in English pounds. At 4.7%, it probably won’t help alleviate the pain or frustration of some Ikea building projects.
Let the Voting Begin…
I love these beer vs. wine competitions. Not because craft beer usually wins, though that is nice but because it gives both sides a chance to enjoy the other side of life and gain converts. Here is your chance to appreciate some wine and see the effects of wine on a great beer too.
But first the backstory and the scoop on what is going down in Agoura Hills, “It all started when someone suggested putting Ladyface beer in Malibu Family Wines’ barrels…
Ladyface triumphed in the 2011 Battle of the Barrel, but Malibu Family Wines was determined to win the war. The local estate winery presented their 2009 Semler Merlot for the challenge. Ladyface responded by creating Beffroi, aging their Picture City Porter in those same Semler Merlot barrels.
With neither side conceding, the final verdict is again being left up to retail consumers. From July 14th to July 24th, guests at both establishments will be able to purchase sample tasters of Malibu Family Wines’ Semler Estate Grown 2009 Merlot and Ladyface Ale Companie’s Merlot barrel-aged Beffroi and cast their votes.
The winner will be announced at the Battle of the Barrel Finale on Tuesday, July 24th from 5:00-7:00pm at Ladyface Alehouse & Brasserie. You must be 21 or over to cast a ballot. There’ll be music, voting and, no doubt, a lot of last-minute campaigning by both sides. Reserve now; ONLY 150 tickets available for the party!
Samples of both the wine and beer as well as ballots* will be available July 14-24th during normal business hours at both locations. “Vote early and vote often!”
*Ballots at the Finale Party will be $15 and includes entry to the party, one ballot, a sample of each beverage, plus one full pour of your choice. Ballots all other days will be $5 (sample tastes only).”
Craft Beer and Fast Cars
Cars and beer do not mix. Unless you are just watching the cars from the comfort of a bar stool or inside a beer tent. And if you missed your chance to try local craft beer producers at Rock and Brews last month then here is another chance…..
“BEER FESTIVAL in a HUGE TENT ON THE STREET in front of The Factory Gastrobar at 4020 Atlantic Avenue at Carson Blvd. in Bixby Knolls
24+ LOCAL MICROBREWERIES:
Monkish Brewing
Bear Republic Brewery
Iron Fist Brewing
Strand Brewing
Lagunitas Brewing
Anaheim Brewing
Ballast Point Brewery
Cismontane Brewing
Eagle Rock Brewery
Bootlegger’s Brewery
Drake’s
Hangar 24 … plus many more!!!!
PURCHASE TICKETS AT THE BEER FESTIVAL … DAY OF THE EVENT. Credit cards accepted / Cash preferred
BEER FEST TICKETS: $15 Per Person which includes Tasting Glass and Four 5oz tasters
Additional tasters available for purchase.
The Factory Gastrobar will be OPEN from 1pm – Midnight for regular business, both inside and on the patio. We will be serving-up an awesome menu + 9 craft beers inside … NO COVER, festival beer tickets not accepted inside the restaurant
BIXBY KNOLLS DRAGSTER EXPO & CAR SHOW is FREE … check out over 250 cars, BMX demonstrations and more!!!
FoodGPS teaser – New Bruery Tap Room
Tomorrow over on FoodGPS, I will give you the full info on the brand spanking new Bruery taproom. All I will say here, 40 TAPS!
To tide you over here are a few photos….
–the silo against a bright July sun–
–1/2 of the taps (and some bottles) all bright and shiny–
–Big glass windows to see the brewing operations (and me too)–
–You will be filling this familiar glass often at the new taproom.–
Pretty Things Magnifico!
Pretty Things Magnifico! Seems like a new direction in names and label style for this fantastic brewery. And it is good to see another addition to the hoppy world that isn’t big ABV.
I still have to taste Lovely St. Winifrede’s from them and now I have another to add to the ever lengthening beers I haven’t had list.
Review – Pretty Things February 22nd Mild
I admit it. The main reason that I wanted this beer is because that is my birthday. Not the year part, but the day.
Here is the review…..
…and here is what Pretty Things says about Once Upon a Time….
“X Ales: 1838 & 1945
Two versions of the same X (Mild) Ale brewed by the same London brewery 107 years apart.
Our new releases in March 2012! Two X Ales from the same London brewery, 107 years apart: these beers were brewed and sold as the “same beer”. But they weren’t the same beer at all! This side-by-side release allows you to taste history in a very direct, beat-you-about-the-head kind of way. The beers are whoppingly, fantastically different. There’s no way you would think they are connected by the same brewery, brand name and style. Isn’t history wonderful? Ron Pattinson once again provided recipes and brewday documents for these beers. The 1838 Mild (X Ale) is 7.4%, golden and very hoppy: if you tried our 1832 XXXX Mild ale, you could certainly see this as it’s little brother. The 1945 Mild (X Ale) is 2.8% and more of a mild-as-we-know-it. Dark, weak, grainy. It’s a fantastic way to get yourself into a World War II rationing frame of mind (Note; we recommend drinking this a bit warmer than the fridge). All in all, these beers drunk either alone or side by side demonstrate brewing history in action, and even more wonderfully, they reflect the massive changes that occurred in London between 1838 and 1945, the intimate relationship between working people and their beers, and the passion and creativity that brewers throughout the ages have applied to their craft. We are honored to re-brew these beers, and we give Ron our heartfelt thanks once again for making it possible. Prepare for some time traveling from the comfort of your pint-glass-accompanied armchair! Cheers!”
Brew at the Zoo
Brew at the Zoo is back at the Los Angeles Zoo on August 10 from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
I had a great time at last year’s version. Most beer events don’t particularly care about the surroundings. But it is amazing how more relaxed and enjoyable an event can be when the backdrop is nature. And they had good beer too. And beer from places like I&I which is out in the Inland Empire and Noble Aleworks from Anaheim plus they had El Segundo and Strand and Eagle Rock too.
“California craft breweries offer samples during this unique 4-hour beer tasting experience. Upon arrival, “Brew at the Zoo” guests will receive a collectible sampler glass and the opportunity to enjoy many of the great things guests love about their daytime Zoo visits, but with an added twist of 21+ fun.
Aside from the array of craft brands at hand, tantalizing foods will be available to fill guests’ cravings. “Brew at the Zoo” also wouldn’t be complete without the sounds of toe-tapping live music to fill the air. Finally, complete the night with laughter provided by live comedians from the Laugh Factory.
While your taste buds are enjoying the hops-therapy and intimate setting, gaze your sights on animals including the Zoo’s newest exhibit – the LAIR (Living Amphibians, Invertebrates, and Reptiles).
Tickets are expected to sell out to this event and should be purchased ahead of time. Member Tickets are $30. General Public Presale Tickets are $40. Designated Driver Tickets are $20 (does not include a tasting glass or alcohol consumption). All guests must be 21 years of age or older to enter the event.
Stay tuned to find more information about participating breweries, bands and other details HERE. It’s going to be a wild time!”
more Beachwood celebrations!
Beachwood BBQ and Brewing is being very helpful to those with aversions to sitting in traffic. Now anywhere you are, they will be too! So help Gabe and Julian celebrate 1 year of brewing at these fine establishments…
July 10 @ Blue Palms
July 11 @ Library Alehouse
July 12 @ Toronado SD
July 14 @ 38 Degrees
July 15 @ Barbara’s at the Brewery
July 17 @ Playground
July 18 @ The Bruery Provisions
July 20 @ City Tavern
July 22 @ Beer Belly
the Return of the Buff
It appears that Saison du Buff is not just a one off collaboration. All the better because this is a strange beer that really forces a craft beer lover to pay attention and speaking of paying attention, here is a video about the 2012 version…
Row 2, Hill 56
It might be two late for this batch. But keep in mind when more is bottled at Russian River.
“Row 2, Hill 56 is our nod to the 3 Simcoe growing families in Yakima and a reference to the exact location in the experimental hop yard where it was first developed! 100% Simcoe hop pale ale, 5.8% alcohol, and being bottled for the very first time today! Will be released at the pub about 1m this afternoon. Sending a small amount out for local distribution and some to So. Cal, but that’s all we have for now! We only brewed one batch, so it will not be regularly bottled.”