Category: About the Search Party

General information about the blog.

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The BSP Yearly Disclaimer

Each year, I start the blogging calendar with a disclaimer. #Disclaimer will never catch on, I know, but I feel it is important to take the tiny amount of time each year to set the ground rules.

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Every beer, brewery, event, restaurant reviewed on this site whether paid for or complimentary will get the same treatment when reviewed. If I don’t like the beer, it will be described as a beer that I did not like, even if it was handed to me by the brewer and I like the brewer. If I forget (which probably will happen) to mention how I got a beer or a pass to an event, then go back and read that first tortured sentence.

I clearly want the Los Angeles Craft Beer Scene to flourish and I want craft beer in general to flourish. So my reviews will also take that into consideration. Some points in time require cheerleading and others require harsh sentences. It shouldn’t take a reader too long to see where I stand.

I will be as impartial as I can be and I hope to not lead anyone astray in 2015.

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In the Tap Lines for January 2015

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A new year of new beer possibilities lies in front of us. What beer will wow us? What beers will disgust us? I literally had not heard of the beers that made my personal Top 10 at this time last year. Will that happen again? The slate is clean and ready for the adventure ahead.

~ e-visits to three breweries from The Land of Enchantment, New Mexico.
~ special reviews of FIVE home brewed beers that I received for Christmas
~ Heads-Up on Los Angeles Beer Events
~ Three suggested beers to buy this month. One light, one medium and one dark
~ Beer-centric podcast reviews
~ I will tap the Firkin and give my no holds barred opinion on the craft beer world
~ … and Session # 95 will converge bloggers onto a single topic, this month it is What Beer Book Still Needs to be Written?

Here are two events to get your January started in the Los Angeles craft beer world:
1) January 16th Brew Wings at King Harbor Brewing
2) January 25th Eagle Rock Brewing 5th Anniversary

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Favorite Photos of 2014

Let’s start this review with this image…..
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a bit out of focus, you can see my iPad and fingers but this is one of my favorite shots of my Dad
a bit out of focus, you can see my iPad and fingers but this is one of my favorite shots of my Dad
my wife took this pic at Ecliptic during an epic taster session, i love the colors
my wife took this pic at Ecliptic during an epic taster session, i love the colors
i love empty glasses and glasses with a slight foam ring on them
i love empty glasses and glasses with a slight foam ring on them
the lace is like sedimentary rock plus you can see the whorl of my fingerprint
the lace is like sedimentary rock plus you can see the whorl of my fingerprint
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In the Tap Lines for December 2014

header_attractionsWhat was started after Thanksgiving continues as the Holiday Ale Daily Advent Calendar (HADAC) highlights Winter Warmers from all over the globe.  Including the infamous Anchor Holiday Ale which I will review many years of.  There will also be many Portland beers to review from my recent trip but don’t fret, there will be plenty of LA Beer news to convey.

~ E-visits to three breweries from the Dallas Design District such as Texas Ale Project, Noble Rey and Peticolas
~ Reviews of various years of the Anchor Holiday Ale including the new 2014 version
~ Heads-Up on festive Los Angeles Beer Events throughout the month
~ Three suggested beers to buy this month. One light, one medium and one dark
~ I will tap the Firkin and give my no holds barred opinion on the craft beer world
~ … and Session # 94 will converge bloggers onto a single topic, this month it is Your Role in the Beer Scene

Here are two events to get your December started in the Los Angeles craft beer world:
1) December 5th New Belgium Sour Seminar at Library Alehouse
2) December 18th Beachwood 8 Double IPA Release

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In the Tap Lines for November 2014

header_attractionsLast November this blog went dark as I focused on my first attempt at NaNoWriMo. AKA, National Novel Writing Month.  I will be running that word gauntlet again this year so there will be less posting than usual but enough to keep you informed about great new beers and events in the Los Angeles area.  Plus I will again start my annual Christmas Beer Blog Advent Post Calendar.  AKA, an assortment of Holiday ales from around the country and the world.  But only AFTER Thanksgiving (which is later this year).

~ e-visits to three breweries from cities that may challenge for the NBA crown this year
~ video reviews of two gluten-free beers from the Canadian brewer, Glutenberg
~ two more beers will come up from the BSP cellar to be reviewed.
~ Heads-Up on Los Angeles Beer Events
~ Three suggested beers to buy this month. One light, one medium and one dark
~ I will tap the Firkin and give my no holds barred opinion on the craft beer world
~ … and Session # 93 will converge bloggers onto a single topic, this month it is beer travel

Here are two events to get your November started in the Los Angeles craft beer world:
1) November 8th Alosta Brewing 1 Year Anniversary
2) November 11th Friends of Local Beer photography exhibit at Mohawk Bend

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In the Tap Lines for October 2014

header_attractionsOktober is a busy beer month nationally and internationally and though you will not see me in Denver for the Great American Beer Festival or in Munich for their small festival, I will still be on the lookout for great events in L.A. and beyond as well as reviewing the crop of autumn beers.  Plus I have updated the beer book tab & the L.A. Beer resource tab with expanded information.

~ e-visits to three breweries from GABF home, Denver starting with Former Future Brewing, TRVE and Our Mutual Friend
~ video reviews from two pumpkin beers.  Now that it is Oktober, I can officially drink them.
~ two more beers will come up from the BSP cellar to be reviewed.
~ Heads-Up on Los Angeles Beer Events
~ Three suggested beers to buy this month. One light, one medium and one dark
~ I will tap the Firkin and give my no holds barred opinion on the craft beer world
~ … and Session # 92 will converge bloggers onto a single topic, Home Brewing

Here are two events to get your October started in the Los Angeles craft beer world:
1) October 2nd – Game of Thrones Valar Morghulis release at Plan Check
2) October 18th – Opening Day for Three Weavers Brewing
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In the Tap Lines for September 2014

header_attractionsSeptember means L.A. Beer Week.  Last month was inundated with all things Sierra Nevada and this month will be filled with info on happenings during our SoCal salute to local craft beer.

~ e-visits to three breweries from the BC (British Columbia) Bad Tattoo, Four Mile and Deep Cove
~ video reviews (returns) with two beers picked up in San Diego at this year’s Beer Blogger Conference
~ two more beers will come up from the BSP cellar to be reviewed. This month there will be no theme.  I will sort of randomly select two.
~ Heads-Up on Los Angeles Beer Events (like a little thing called L.A. Beer Week)
~ Three suggested beers to buy this month. One light, one medium and one dark
~ I will tap the Firkin and give my no holds barred opinion on the craft beer world
~ … and Session # 91 will converge bloggers onto a single topic, this month My First Belgian

Here are two events to get your September started in the Los Angeles craft beer world:
1) Friday, 9/5 – Shmaltz Brewing Reunion Ale Charity at Surly Goat
2) Sunday, 9/14 – Rock & Brews (El Segundo) 4th Annual Local Craft Beer Fest, 12-5pm

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#BPLA @Music & Books

So this month, I have two fun pieces in Beer Paper LA.  Fun because it combined my love of reading and my old high school music memories.  So, if you haven’t picked up the latest issue of BPLA, DO IT!  And read my stuff first…..

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…and this on the page before….

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In the Tap Lines for August 2014

header_attractionsSO this month is going to be real heavy on Sierra Nevada.  Why?  Their Beer Camp Tour Across America is well under way and there are 12 collaboration beers (+1)  made in honor of their second home in North Carolina.  SO there will be reviews and more reviews of Chico brews.  And also coming this month…..

~ e-visits to three breweries from the Netherlands!  Brouwerij Maximus , Rooie Dop and Duits & Lauret
~ video reviews of two beers from Sierra Nevada Beer Camp.  But which 2?
~ two more beers will come up from the BSP cellar to be reviewed. This month two Sierra Nevada beers from their XXX Anniversary
~ Heads-Up on Los Angeles Beer Events
~ Three suggested beers to buy this month. One light, one medium and one dark
~ I will tap the Firkin and give my no holds barred opinion on the craft beer world
~ … and Session # 90 will converge bloggers onto a single topic, this month Beer Fight Club

Here are two events to get your August started in the Los Angeles craft beer world:
1) Saturday, August 9th – Downtown LA Beer Crawl hosted by the Beer Chicks
2) Sunday, August 10th – Blue Palms 6th Anniversary Celebration