Follow Sean Inman to the best in craft beer
how to discover new beer to try
Highpoint Brew Co. out San Dimas way has made it to the 7th Anniversary plateau and will be having a “most excellent party” on Saturday, November 15th with “live music all day, killer food vendors, cold craft beer, exclusive swag, and all the good vibes.”
There is stout and there are stout variants and The Bruery are releasing Got Stout? a golden stout with three important additives – milk sugar, cacao nibs, and vanilla and will be 9.1% abv in cans.
OK – yes it is brewed by Brouwerij Van Steenberge in Belgium FOR Trader Joe’s but the makers of Piraat and Gulden Draak have conjured up a 2025 Vintage Ale that opened with a pop. Don’t often have to be on cork duty so it is a bit of fun. Pours a super dark brown color with a lovely layer of tan foam on top. And it does not taste 9%. Luxurious but not spicy. More yeast driven but still quite subtle. And as it warms up, I start getting a pronounced raisin bread note.
I eagerly await each and every Short-Lived IPA collaboration from MadeWest Brewing in Ventura and I am super hyped that the next one is with Beachwood Brewing. Thankfully, my local Trader Joe’s has been a hook-up for me.
Check out this cool little Instagram reel, right HERE…
Isn’t that cool? Each town should have a mobile Irish Pub and plentiful taco trucks.
Who says beer scrolling isn’t fun.
In a welcome and surprising move, Cerveceria del Pueblo Brewing which is tucked into a tiny side street near Old Town Pasadena will be opening up a satellite location where Eagle Rock Brewery had a satellite spot on North San Fernando Boulevard in Burbank near the Empire Center. Hopefully, they can make a go at it. See the image below for the soft open and address.
Expect a 1st Visit report shortly.
The former Ladyface Ale Companie space in Agoura Hills is slowly, slowly being turned over to Malibu Brewing Co. It’s been a bit of time but now it looks like early 2026 will be the date.
Benny Boy Brewing is starting up a Cask Night. With former MacLeod’s brewer Stephen Reeves now on board they are setting up a proper beer engine for their first cask a Scottish Ale, named after the brewer.
So, if you are one of the dwindling number of American cask ale fans then head to Benny Boy on November 7th for a sessionable 4% ale. If the cask kicks quick, there could be more nights.
It’s back and it is literally bigger than ever before, here is the news from the press release:
“Samuel Adams, one of the pioneers of craft beer, today unveiled Samuel Adams Utopias 2025, the 14th release of the highly anticipated, barrel-aged extreme beer. Defying convention with a 30% ABV, Utopias 2025 is one of the strongest beers ever brewed, and as a result, is illegal in 15 states. This limited-edition beer is bottled in individually numbered ceramic vessels at a cost of $240 SRP, reflecting the rarity, complexity, and unparalleled craftsmanship of the liquid.”
And as a refresher for both me and you, here is the current summarized version of how it is made: “Utopias 2025 reflects decades of innovation and the collaborative spirit of The Boston Beer Company. The journey first begins at the Samuel Adams Cincinnati Brewery, where the beer is brewed and fermented. Next, it moves to the Utopias Vault at the Pennsylvania Brewery in a towering 6,000-square-foot, climate-controlled space for barrel aging. After achieving the desired age, brewers blend it with previous vintage Utopias at the Boston Bier Keller, and the beer is finally bottled at Dogfish Head Brewery in Delaware.”
This is for sure a bucket list beer for the ages.
It does, eventually, turn to fall here in Los Angeles and when it does Griffith Weekend at Highland Park Brewery returns on November 21st.
There will be a new batch of Griffith Imperial Stout plus fun variants with Sad Girl Creamery and Trystero Coffee.