This last weekend was all about El Segundo, first up on Saturday was a sneak peek at the soon to open tasting room for the Blue House Ales of El Segundo Brewing.
The space is cozy with a view through the big window into the brewery.
Taps three and four were my favorites. Both had huge aromas. The Nelson has such a gentle hop kick and a grape flavor and the Sand Dune had two distinct spices, one from the herb and one from the hop. I highly recommend both.
When the tasting room opens, El Segundo will have three great beer destinations along with the across the street Rock & Brews and the Whole Foods nearby.
If you haven’t tried any of the Blue House beers, do yourself a favor and order a pint the next time you see it.
Far Bar
Recently, I made my first visit to Far Bar in the Little Tokyo section of downtown Los Angeles.
I like the chill outdoor vibe with the view of the sky above hemmed in by buildings. You feel hidden and out of the way, until you see the beer list and realize the most of the good breweries must know about this place too.
I had chicken satay and ended the evening with Mach 10 Double IPA from Bear Republic but first I had to try the Pumpkin,sour,cranberry “Kick” from New Belgium. It was slightly sour and the cranberry was there all right. But no pumpkin or earthy squash notes came through. A fine beer but I was expecting more I guess.
My beer buddy Richard had the Stone 15th concoction and this uniquely served Belgian strong ale from Kwak.
If you haven’t been to Far Bar then add it your beer itinerary.
The Big Board
One of my must stops during the trip to Portland for the Beer Bloggers Conference was Bailey’s Taproom.
Not necessarily for the beer or ambience (which it has both of!) but for this……
….an up to the minute beer list!
As someone who helps put together a weekly tap list of what’s pouring in Los Angeles (see FoodGPS if you are not already signed up). This is a godsend. Easy to read. It has all the pertinent information, from price to style to glassware and most importantly, the keg level!
To make life even easier, near the cashier is a computerized list of nearby bus lines with the times.
I am no technology apologist but this is something that I wish every bar had on the wall.
Point the Way
The brewery that I can walk to in 20 minutes, Golden Road, has been making fast progress.
A name and a keg collar ready and soon the first beer will be too.
And speaking of ahead of schedule, what I consider the “backlash” articles are showing up. Just one now, and it is fairly tame but I do not like even an inkling of this sort of thing in an industry that I believe to be super collaborative.
Personally, I don’t care how or when you got involved in craft beer or how big or small your participation level is. All are welcome in my book.
Wirtshaus
I was checking out Daniel Drennon’s latest beer escapade and came across Wirtshaus in another section of the LA Weekly.
So LA is getting a German themed restaurant to compete with the Red Lion. I noticed that Gaffel was on the list of their beers as well. You might just see a review of this place in the coming months.
Beer in the LBC
First excursion to Long Beach in a long while but when you have Beachwood and Congregation within spittin’ distance of each other than it is easier to make the trek from valley to sand. Especially when a designated driver is involved. (Thanks Jennie!)
First stop was Beachwood BBQ…..
…for house beers to go with brisket and blue cheese grits….
…my first Beachwood beer was Reckless Session ale….
…but before that was a trio of Evil Twin beers Ryan the Beaster Bunny saison, Before, During and After Christmas DIPA and my favorite, Biscotti Break….
Then it was a stone’s throw (literally you could throw a stone from one to the other) to Congregation Alehouse….
…to gaze upon the multitude of taps…
… I settled on a Blue House IPA from El Segundo. Second time tasting in two days. A new favorite is found!
15 Years of Lompoc
If I could be in two places at once, I would be at the Beer Bloggers Conference and here at the Lompoc too.
“The New Old Lompoc brewery will celebrate its 15 anniversary later this summer in a big way: 15 Beers for 15 Years! A Northwest institution, the New Old Lompoc will host a one party on August 20, the first official day of Portland Beer Week, serving 15 unique and specialty Lompoc beers in addition to its mainstay lineup. Organizers anticipate nearly 30 different beers will pour throughout the day.
The party will start at 11 am in the parking lot of the New Old Lompoc at 1616 NW 23 Ave. The event will also feature a toast to the memory of Don Younger, who was part owner of the brewery since 2000.
Some of the specialty beers scheduled to be on tap include Saazall Pilsner, Pale Ryeder, two vintages of Old Tavern Rat, Vintage Batch 69, 2009 Pre-Dawn Imperial Stout, a few barrel aged beers, additional vintages, at least one firkin, and many more offerings.”
Beer Table Pantry
I am not quite sold on the name but I am sold on what they doing in Grand Central Station according to the DNA Info website, “The popular bar’s new Beer Table Pantry, which is set to open July 29, will be a retail version of the store’s successful Brooklyn location, with a wide selection of local and international brews that mark a major departure from the generic Budweiser, Miller and Coors options now available in the station.
The 300-square-foot shop will feature six rotating draft beers for growlers that focus on regional breweries. The half-gallon jugs will be available for a $5 deposit, and fill-ups will hover in the $10 to $15 dollar range.”
I would take mass transit every day if there was a growler stop along the way!
Dublin Pubs
I am absolutely hooked on the Netflix streaming. To the point where I have watched a couple of atrocious movies just because I could. But this service isn’t just for kicking back and enjoying a flick. You can also get some beer learning in.
One of the travel documentaries from PBS that I have watched and can recommend is The Historic Pubs of Dublin.
Hosted by Frank McCourt of Angela’s Ashes fame, it is a fairly typical travelogue of pubs in Dublin with a smattering of history sprinkled in. Now you do not watch this for craft beer information. In fact you will be appalled to notice Bud tap handles next to Guinness ones. What you watch this for is to get a mini-history of pubs that you should at the very least walk through when you visit Dublin. And visit Dublin you should. My particular favorite is the pub next to the graveyard. I can so see myself walking into that on a cold and dark Irish night. And clocking in at one hour it is much better than Skyline or Prince of Persia.
If you out there in craft beer land have found any streaming worthy beer movies to watch, let me know and the world know through the lovely comments section.
Canfest 2011
Last year, I came close in my bid to win a trip to Reno and Canfest 2010. A celebration of craft brews in a can.
I have not given up! Somehow, I will find my way to Reno. I just know I can….
If I start here…..
…and then continue past the 1/2 way point….
…I could find myself at Canfest 2011!
How do I travel from Glendale to Reno? I could go by car or plane or in a few years high speed train but the best way is by the power of the craft beer community. Because the most fuel efficient and green energy source is the passion that drives brewers, beer drinkers and beer bloggers.
I also would not be able to do it without the folks behind this contest so thanks to Buckbean beer for their generosity in creating and running this fun contest!