It is sometimes hard for a now SoCal valley boy to make it out to the craft beer hot spots at the beach. Sometimes I just need a little extra something to get me out to the Pacific.
That something was the release of a new house beer for the Venice Ale House which has been on the scene only since last August. It is called Hi Hop XPA. And it would make an excellent choice for sitting right there on the northern end of the infamous Venice boardwalk. It had a bright citrus aroma and a long and lingering bitter hit. I would call it closer to IPA or pale despite the light yellow color but whatever style it fits, it is a good brew and one that I hope may be followed by more.
It is currently being contract brewed with the hope that one day it can be done in a brewery in Venice. But until that day, one will have to make do with a great beer list that is heavy on locals (Cismontane, Eagle Rock, Strand) on rotation as well as a steady list of other fine brews.
The food is quite good too and is organic and locally sourced. I recommend the salmon sandwich with the Hi Hop particularly. This is food that is miles above the usual grub found on the boardwalk and you get the same great view.
The only downside that I saw with one visit now under my belt is that it will get crowded in the summer or on any other beautiful weekend.
First Look – Little Bear LA
When you bring together the talent behind the Oinkster and Maximillianos with the beer savvy behind The Verdugo and the Surly Goat, what do you get?
Little Bear in downtown-ish Los Angeles. Here are some photos and my reaction on my first visit.
You drive by darkened warehouses on the eastern edge of downtown Los Angeles. Very noir. Then on Industrial Street there is an oasis and life going on. Strollers out and about. Dogs being walked and two restaurants across a skinny street from each other and one is the new (since Friday) Little Bear.
I scan the beer list and pick # 1 on the list, Duvel Single. Solid list with a good variety of choices. The industrial space is bright and warm. Nice mix of tables and a bar to choose from too. I really like the artwork including the Little Bear badge outside and the iconic Belgian beer logos on one wall.
My beer arrives as does my grilled cheese (which could use a lighter hand on the onion marmalade) and then my second beer (Ommegang Three Philosophers) which goes amazingly well with the Chocolate and Cheese plate provided by Ryan Sweeney.
It is an value for the price. You have to try the cheese and chocolate together. I was wary at first but it works quite well. Especially the stilton with a bit of dark chocolate.
SF Beer Week
Less than a month away now from the big SF Beer Week and it looks like I will miss it yet again! This time I will be in Portland for the first days of the fest that runs from the 10th to the 19th of February. And during the last half, I will be catching up at work.
But there are some cool looking events (and an app too). Magnolia is pulling some rare stuff out of their vaults. Social Kitchen and Brewery is hosting a beer breakfast and many many more.
Review – More Brown than Black
Since I am Los Angeles based, I decided to review Southern California beers to start off 2012. I probably will review many more before the year is out. So, without further ado, here are my video thoughts on More Brown than Black a collaboration between Stone Brewing, The Alchemist and Ninkasi Brewing…..
And here are some thoughts from Stone Brewmaster Mitch Steele,
“Appearance: Deep brown, a bit hazy, with tan foam.
Aroma: Whoa! This beer is all about, resiny, piney, dank and citrusy hops! The first shot is intense blend of pine and orange rind, and then as your sense of smell just starts to recover, the dankness and resiny herbaceousness come through with hints of grapefruit. This is a powerful hop blend!
Taste: The hops also dominate the flavor of this beer. Orange and grapefruit rind take center stage in the flavor, followed by, you guessed it: piney / resiny notes. The beer has a modest body…not sweet at all…and has a lingering bitter, drying end. Beyond the bitter end there are light hints of roasted malt and chocolate in the finish.
Overall: The hop character in this beer is unique and very pronounced. Galaxy is a newer hop variety from Australia that we think has strong tropical fruit and stone fruit characteristics. Citra and Delta are newer American hop varieties — Citra possesses strong citrus and dank flavors, while Delta has a milder profile with melon and berry notes. And of course Nelson Sauvin from New Zealand has its intense namesake’s white wine notes along with—surprise!—more dank notes. They all blended together well in this beer, a tribute to one of our favorite styles.”
Blue Palms Situation has Me Blue
The craft beer scene in Los Angeles had an eventful weekend. First, the news that Angel City was now owned by Alchemy and Science and then following that the distressing news that Blue Palms Brewhouse might be forced out of their location through no fault of theirs.
Thankfully, the beer community has rallied to the aid of one of our favorite beer spots and the new landlord has given a three day extension to work things out after seeing the outpouring of support. The hope is that they won’t have to close down and find a new location after building such a loyal clientele in the Hollywood community.
I was there last night because, if it was the last day, I wanted to occupy Blue Palms one more time. I ordered up a Sierra Nevada Beer Camp beer called The Dude. A cherry accented brown ale. Quite nice and fitting since the first Beer Camp beer that I ever had was at this spot. It was good to see a large crowd there including the Steeler fans who were not having a good day.
To stay in a celebratory mood, I cracked open an expensive wish list beer. Almanac 2011 Plum Ale. It was good and lived up to the price and my high expectations. I have now added their Blackberry beer to my wants/needs list.
If you haven’t paid your respects, I strongly suggest heading over on one of these three nights to show the powers that be that a new agreement would be beneficial to everyone.
Golden Road – pub update
Other people have posted the news, but in case anyone in Los Angeles has not heard, here is the latest news from Golden Road Brewing…
After opening the brewery doors in October and introducing their first two signature beers, Point the Way IPA and Golden Road Hefeweizen, the Golden Road team immediately focused their energy on three things: brewing as much quality beer as possible, getting a can line up and running (look for Golden Road cans in stores early 2012!), and putting the finishing touches on the pub space. Explains co-founder Meg Gill, “From the start, we’ve wanted to make the brewery a destination and really invite people into our process. People can come and see where the beer is made and then immediately taste it, which really lets you appreciate the craft and care that we put into it.”
When searching for a chef for this extension of the brewery, co-founders Tony Yanow and Meg Gill looked high and low for someone who would be able to create a menu that would complement and showcase the Golden Road beers. As a passionate home-brewer, Chef Adam Levoe possesses an impressive mix of beer and food creativity, which made him the best candidate for the job and a wonderful addition to the Golden Road team. After graduating from the California School of Culinary Arts in 2001, Levoe worked throughout Southern California at a wide range of casual and fine-dining establishments, from Roxanne’s Raw Vegan Cuisine to Medeline’s Wine Bar and Bistro in Pasadena, and, most recently, Quadruple Brasserie in Pasadena. For The Pub at Golden Road he has crafted a menu with plentiful vegan and non-vegan options, each designed to pair beautifully with a cold brew.
After opening with limited hours and an abbreviated menu in mid-December, the pub is finally ready to open its’ doors wide. With an expanded menu that now features a full array of
bar-friendly items, salads, sandwiches and entrées, and new daily hours from 11 AM – 11 PM, the brewery will have something to satisfy any craving at any time of day. Customers can come for a beer and a steak, or a quick lunch to go and a growler for the road. The pub also has signature Golden Road gear available for purchase, including glassware, recyclable bags, t-shirts, hats, sweatshirts and, starting mid-January, cans of the Golden Road beers as well.
The spacious, newly renovated warehouse features a take-away deli case for quick lunch pick-ups, where adventurous salads like the vegan Coconut ‘Noodle’ (shredded young thai coconut with julienned vegetables, spicy cashews and an almond chili sauce), and ‘Miso Crabby’ (blue crab meat with shaved cucumber, bell peppers and cherry tomatoes with miso vinaigrette) will be available along with sandwiches, including the Roast Beef (roasted in house with caramelized onions and peppers and blue cheese mousse) and vegan Bahn Mi (pickled carrots, jalapeño, cucumber, bell peppers, fresh herbs and tofu with Sriracha mayo).
Comfort foods such as meatballs (served with spicy vegan cornbread), twice-baked potatoes and an assortment of fritters (all available in vegan and non-vegan iterations) are all offered on the bar menu. For heartier entrées, the main menu features a Braised Pork Shank (braised in whatever extra beer specials the pub available week to week), a Sloppy Joseph (with Porter braised beef short-ribs and house made BBQ sauce) and a vegan Crispy Sundried Tomato Polenta, among other items.
With high ceilings and an industrial grey interior, small touches like the chalkboard menu behind the 30 foot bar announcing new brews on tap in bright colors, the vintage beer logo lights and the dark wood tables really bring the room to life, making the spacious warehouse feel comfortable and warm. An automated jukebox allows the space to transform with the clientele, with music ranging from Johnny Cash to The Grateful Dead at any given time.
Of course, the heart of the brewpub will be the twenty bar taps, which will house all of the Golden Road brews (five to start, but more as they produce new varietals), and up to fifteen guest taps, reserved for breweries that the Golden Road team holds in high regard. Says Brewmaster Jon Carpenter, “Our beers will not just be from California, but will primarily stay in the USA. All beers will come from friends of ours, as we want to support people that we respect and admire such as Dogfish Head, Oskar Blues, Firestone Walker, Avery, Stone and Hangar 24.” The goal for the pub is to provide a space for patrons to experience the best that craft beer has to offer, locally and nationally, with great food and a great vibe to match.
The new pub will seat approximately 80 people, with space for an additional 72 on the patio. The Pub at Golden Road is located at 5410 W. San Fernando Road, Los Angeles, CA 90039, there is an ample parking lot adjacent to the building, and street parking available.”
I have eaten and (had beer) there a few times now and I really like the space (especially the patio) and the club sandwich that I have ordered twice now is quite good. It doesn’t hurt that it is a 25 minute walk from my apartment either.
You can’t download these beers
From a recent Lost Abbey press release, “Get ready to crank the stereo up to 12. In January 2012, The Lost Abbey will begin a year-long series of special edition beer releases inspired by classic rock anthems invoking Heaven and Hell. Each month the brewery will release one new beer, culminating in December with a complete boxed gift set of all twelve. Each “track” released will be limited to a total of 450 bottles and available exclusively in the brewery’s tasting room.”
Sounds like a great idea. Blast the tune while mashing and hopping. Fits with the sinners and saints thing they have going.
“The Box Set releases are divided into three collections of four titles each:
Re-Masters – Barrel-aged spins of The Lost Abbey mainstays
Re-Mixes – New blends created from The Lost Abbey archives
Fresh Tracks – All new beers brewed specifically for Box Set”
Very High Fidelity but a good way to keep the creative juices flowing.
“Each release will be offered in a 375ml corked, hood-and-wire format and include its own original art. Beers will represent the full gamut of The Lost Abbey’s signature stylings, including fruit and spiced beers, wood-aged brews, sours, wild, and spontaneously-fermented ales.”
This is a great part. No need to go the monster size bottle route here.
“Because of the extremely limited nature of these beers, there will be no general distribution of Box Set releases. Individual tracks, priced at $15 each, will be available exclusively in the brewery tasting room on a first come, first serve basis and will be required to be opened and consumed on premises to prevent unauthorized re-distribution. Empty bottles may be taken off premises but will include measures to prevent counterfeit re-packaging.”
OK. Seems a bit extreme. But what “measures” are they going to do to the bottles? Why bottle it at all? Just keg it and give people a label sticker and let them collect them like baseball cards. Saves you TTB trouble too and anyone who buys a bottle with that sticker on it will eventually find out they have been suckered.
“The first track, an ode to Van Halen’s 1978 anthem, “Runnin’ With The Devil”, is scheduled for release January 21, 2012. Details will be available on The Lost Abbey website in mid-January. Subsequent tracks will be released the third Saturday of each month throughout the year, culminating in the release of the full 12-bottle packaged gift set in early December.”
Do you have to drink the gift set in one sitting in the tasting room? Good choice of starting song though.
Sunset Beer Company
Have you ever wanted to join a beer of the month club but the shipping costs were too much. Well, if you are lucky enough to be in Los Angeles, you can join the Sunset Beer Company club and get expert beer choices. Here are the details:
“There have been many requests, and we’ve finally worked through the logistics and are starting our beer of the month club!
The membership will get you a monthly selection of beer with accompanying literature to memorize and one-up your beer nerd friends at beer nerd parties (we wouldn’t mind an invite, either…thanks).
There are two levels to the club $30/month and $60/month, where the higher level gets twice the beer! . . . well, that and one free pour at the bar each month. Perhaps you’d like to drink a beer when you come to pick up your club selections? Beer club members will also be on a special email list to get first dibs on special releases!
But wait, there’s more!
If you commit to six months of the club, you’ll get an uber-rare, special edition, limited run, official Sunset Beer Company hat! (we’re in a giving mood)
To join, come to the shop and complete the form, or send an email to: info@sunsetbeerco.com”
Cardinal Sin
Laurelwood is going to be bottling a quad style beer that they have aged in barrels with the name of Cardinal Sin.
Looks like something I will have to look for when I get up to Portland in February.
8 Bit
My favorite beer from last year’s Canfest was Velvet Rooster from Tallgrass out of Kansas. Now there is a new canned addition by the name of 8 Bit.
And much like the Hopworks Galactic Red, the design is the old school computer look.