Follow Sean Inman to the best in craft beer
bottle shops, pubs and breweries
I do not like doing these types of posts but they are part of business and also a reminder to visit those taprooms that you want to stay around.
Pacific Plate Brewing in Monrovia will be closing up shop on May 31st. The large whole that Covid dug for small business operations was just too large to fill back in.
The old King Harbor space on 182nd Avenue did not stay quiet for long as it was quickly taken by Trusted Gut Beverages. A Long Beach company that does not only beer but seltzer and kombucha too. It has taken me too long to visit but I finally made it.
And though the space can louden up real quick and the food truck outside was generating a generator racket, the beer list was a happy surprise. Saison, Kolsch, Amber Ale and a Schwarzbier among many styles to pick from. I went Kristalweizen and followed with a Scottish Ale because, don’t know when I will see either on draft in the near future.
Both were solid examples of their styles with the K-weizen being my favorite. I did not the either of the two kombuchas or the POG seltzer but I would come back when next in the Lawndale / Redondo borderlands to hit up some of the other lesser seen beers.
2024 seems to be the country year, Cowboy Carter and now Trademark Brewing in Long Beach is breaking out the mechanical bull and line dancing for their fifth anniversary in Long Beach.
I will take my chances with the bull as my dancing could cause way more harm.
Santa Monica Brew Works always has a big weekend crowd on their large patio. People dart in to order and then return to the sun and their parties.
New to me was the traffic flow changes as the brewery and Emmy Squared Pizza expanded. Now there are two bars to order from, more interior seating and the noise level has been spread out.
Just the slight amount of extra space makes all the difference. And I really prefer the electronic signage of the beer list than the one that is used on the first bar. It allows for a bit mor creativity as well as just being cleaner and more clear to read.
And I also quite liked the Posh London Lager. Super low ABV at 4.1% but it was not a water bomb at all. There was a lovely malt note that filled you up while not filling you up.
If I had to pick a state that The Bruery would add a location to, Idaho would not have made the list. But apparently, this summer (or thereabouts) there will be a Bruery in Boise.
I would have thought that anywhere in California might be easier, or Las Vegas but Idaho it apparently is.
June 15th is the date for Orange County to shine with their cleverly named Guilded Together Beer Festival, hosted by the Orange County Brewers Guild and held at the Heritage Museum of OC.
The first and fourth bullet points are what caught my eye from their press release:
Tony’s Darts Away in Burbank has reached year 14 which means another version of the Darts Away IPA is drawing closer. And a whole weekend of fun on May 25th and 26th.
For 2024, TDA has enlisted four breweries to collaborate with. Beachwood Brewing, Highland Park Brewery, MadeWest Brewing and Stalking Horse.
There will be food specials and even more special beer tappings throughout the weekend.
In a little over two weeks, El Segundo Brewing will unleash their 13th anniversary upon Los Angeles craft beer fans so get that calendar updated either paper or digital or both.
Beer, check. Pizza, check. Sandwich, check and then beer again, check. Sounds like the only passport one needs and a great weekend idea in Long Beach. It’s the Downtown Long Beach Craft Passport which also has a sake coupon too.
You have a Common Space Brewery Anniversary…
Way Out West is the theme for their 6th but I will need an explainer on Chainstitching.