The hops are loose in the sixth installment of Burning Daylight’s anniversary IPA which is the centerpiece of their celebrations today.

Follow Sean Inman to the best in craft beer
how to discover new beer to try
The hops are loose in the sixth installment of Burning Daylight’s anniversary IPA which is the centerpiece of their celebrations today.
I had an interesting month of drinking and not just to forget the downward spiral of America. Firstly, my Trader Joe’s has been pretty regular with La Fin du Monde from Unibroue and that is just such a darn good tripel that it could win many a week. I also had a really interesting sour from Alvarado Street in Double Howzit Punch which was just a fruit bomb. I also really liked the cross the pond collaboration from Thornbridge in Britain and Sacramento’s Urban Roots. Under the Trees IPA was quite tasty with a soft citrus bitterness.
But the winner was North Park Brewing who I have yet to find a bad IPA from. Their charity driven Higher Calling IPA was another super balanced beer. The hops and malt are just in total sync.
El Segundo Brewing had their Power Plant weekend recently but tucked in amongst those real, real big IPAs were two other beers you might want to add to your beer shopping list.
First up is Spark Plug, described as “just a little 4-percenter”. A Light IPA hopped with Amarillo, Simcoe and Centennial.
Second is the first (surprisingly) Slice & Pint beer, Perfect Companion IPA. It is “an IPA made to be enjoyed while eating pizza.” Hopped with Simcoe, Citra Dynaboost and Amarillo.
I have a laundry list of styles that I wish I saw more of in production or even just special release, on that list is the imperial pilsner. Thankfully, Dogfish Head has one out now that I will certainly be on the lookout for…
Super Doppio a “leveled-up Italian-style Imperial pilsner.”
SoCal has had a tiny not cold spell which has allowed me to thoroughly enjoy darker, heartier beers like Lifeblurred, an imperial brown ale from Stone Brewing.
Per Stone, this is a biggie. 11% to be exact and though at first it doesn’t seem alcohol heavy, by sip three, you feel it. I would describe this as British ale seen through a Black IPA glass, then bulked up. Very woodsy and oaky with an ever so slight citrus hop note. It is a russet and brown colored ale with a hint of a dark caramel taste to it.
Ventura’s MadeWest Brewing Company has reached their so set sail on February 8th.
AleSmith Brewing is bringing back their Coffee & Beer Festival for a second year and holding it on February 22nd.
Expect to taste the combined talent of brewers and roasters when this event caffeines into gear.
If you are a Mai Tai fan, Paperback Brewing right here in Glendale has a new sour ale out for you, Tiki Tini.
You will get sweet lime, pineapple and cherry notes. If you are like me, you like that fruit salad mix and we all need to get our sour ale drinking done.
A 25th Anniversary is a mighty big deal especially when you are 21st Amendment Brewing and you are now four years past your own name. Gonna add this to my 2025 craft beer shopping list.
Ambitious Ales and Far Field Brewing has put a spin on the traditional collaboration with their new West Coast IPA, Gold Brothers. It is the “Same recipe. 24 hours. Two different brew systems.” And two different labels for the brew hopped with Citra, Nelson, and Citra Dynaboost.