The now mostly quarterly Beer Paper LA will be holding an 11th Anniversary shindig at ISM Brewing in Long Beach near the end of the month. I will be up north in PDX but this would be a good time to visit ISM, if you haven’t already….
BP11
Featured Review – Lough Gill Barrel-Aged Beer # 1 – Tara
Back to Lough Gill based in Sligo, Ireland and the last of the three real big beers on three different barrel types…
We have reached Tara. This time the oatmeal stout is aged in Pedro Jimenez Sherry barrels so this should be quite distinct from Spear and Trinity. This is much more my speed. There are layers here. A deep wine sweetness is first. Then there is an oaky woody note that pops up. The base is still thinnish but the flavors are adding to it. Has a proper musty sort of grand library with a fire taste.
1st Visit – Campsite Brewing
Usually, visiting a brewery taproom for the first time, you expect it to be, putting it kindly, industrial. Campsite Brewing in Covina is decidedly not that.
It is a little oasis with a camping theme but more glamping since there is draft beer. There is an expansive outdoor area with fire pits, an outdoor balcony area, a hidden inside seating area and then the main indoor spot and bar. Oh and an event venue too. This is a restaurant compound. A smaller version of Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens.
I gad sampled two beers from Campsite two weeks ago at the L.A. Beer Week Festival in Long Beach and was heartened enough to go see it.
The beers were all well done and distinct. I went one light, two IPA and one dark plus a Shandy to gauge where their strength was and found all but the Blonde Ale well good and even the blonde was more m’eh than anything wrong. My favorite was the Cold Front Cold IPA since they are on Front Street. It was bright, real bright with a great combo of citrus and dank to it. The S’mores Sweet Stout was also good and sweet in a good way with getting too deep into marshmallow.
Next time I find myself in that neck of the L.A. County woods, I will drop in again.
Sean Suggests for July 2024
This month we are staying in California for our beer shopping list but we will travel far when it comes to different styles so buckle up.
Enegren 13th Anniversary Czech-Style Amber Lager – 4.8% – This lager features a perfect blend of malt sweetness and mild bitterness, offering flavors of caramel, toasted bread, and a hint of spice. Crafted to honor our legacy, it boasts a clean, crisp finish that leaves you wanting more.”
21st Amendment Hell or High Twilight – 5.6% – “a citrus wheat ale brewed with sweet orange peel and natural flavor.” The latest in the Hell or series.
Ambitious Ales / Riip Beer All in the HIIPS – West Coast IPA – 7.2% – “Making a WCIPA that was truly a balance of both our house brewing styles. Starting with a super pale malt base to showcase the massive punch of Mosaic and Riwaka we threw in both the kettle and dry hop, then just a kiss of Hop Kief to round it out! Booming with big notes of dankness, pink grapefruit, melon, and fruit from the tropics!”
A Fourth Paperback
Paperback Brewing has reached the four-year mark and on July 20th the San Fernando Road brewery will be “releasing a special beer, unveiling a delicious food menu, and offering limited edition anniversary t-shirts!”
For an Altadena Summer
One of my happy places is Altadena Beverage. They have a curated selection of beers, spirits and snacks and will often carry a beer that I cannot find anywhere else.
And now they have their own branded pilsner made by the Fine Folks at Radiant Beer Co.
Park Your Lager in the Yahd
Loston Bahger new from Ambitious Ales is a bit of a tongue twister and spell checker but is also a nice homage to the OG amber lager from a certain East Coast brewery. Might be a good choice for those that want a summer beer but with a little more heft to it.
Watch Me and Hopefully More
Opening July 26th is Watch Me on East PCH in Long Beach. Great news to see another women’s sports bar open in the L.A. area, now I just need one to move into Glendale.
Featured Review – Lough Gill Barrel-Aged Beer # 1 – Trinity
Back to Lough Gill based in Sligo, Ireland and the second of three big beers on three different barrel types…
On to Trinity! The Bourbon barrel-aged oatmeal stout. The bourbon comes through in the aroma and it was a particularly heady latte head on this variant. As with Spear, the biggest flavor component is a maple syrup note. Here though is a balancing caramel note. Trinity finishes a bit thin and very sweet. I am hoping that the last beer will cut down on that.
Wish I Could Taste – Bush de Charmes from Dubuisson
Dubuisson has a few special big bottles and one that is on my wish list is their Bush Triple aged in oak barrels. Those barrels previously housed white Burgundy wine, the famous Charmes Meursault.
I think barrel aging and Tripels sounds great.