Choco-Orange

Athletic Brewing gets a lot of business press for their rise into N/A stardom but they should also get some kudos for their increasingly clever and exotic flavors like their new Citrus Cacao Hazy IPA.

“This brew beautifully blends tart citrus flavor with a mellow sweetness of cacao fruit juice. This isn’t the dark chocolate brew you might be expecting – cacao juice is derived from the sticky pulp surrounding the cacao seeds of the plant that provides a subtle sweetness similar to coconut water, but more tropical. Aromas of grapefruit and lemon make an appearance, adding a sunkissed vibe.”

I suggest checking their beer selection at regular intervals.

10 Cellars Made

Cellarmaker Brewing Co. has some cool 10th Anniversary beers with SoCal connections….

Czech GPT, now that is a cheeky use of the versatile Czech as pun generator.  Plus a darn good trio of breweries for a pale lager.  

Then Blaze Runner with Alvarado Street and Green Cheek.  That is four killer collaborators.

Simply LA via GA

In honor of the finally realized Los Angeles outpost of Creature Comforts Brewing, there is a barrel-aged stout simply named LA.

It is a blend of whiskey barrel-aged beer with an average age of 30 months.  Studded with pistachios, almond and vanilla beans.

Might make a good Turkey Day special or Christmas gift.

Dipped

Los Angeles has a special connection to French Dip sandwiches.  And now there is a special beer to pair with it, Red Car Blonde brewed for Cole’s by nearby Arts District Brewing.  Described as “A crispy 4.5% blonde ale to pair perfectly with our classic beef dip”.

You might need to try the dip solo, then get a second to properly test.

Barrels upon Barrels

The Bruery has a trifecta of bigggg beers coming out.  Let’s go low (but still high) to really high.

14.7% – Fireproof will be an imperial stout (Bayonet) aged in Port barrels that previously held Balcones Distilling Hechicheros single malt Whiskey barrels.

17.7% – Demon Water will be an imperial stout aged in Newport Craft Distilling Thomas Tew Rum barrels.

19.7% – The Malt Mill will be an imperial stout (Black Tuesday) aged in Westward Whiskey barrels.