Category: LA Craft Beer Events

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PtY 2021

I usually don’t post about the Pliny the Younger madness that grips the souls of beer lovers each February. The beer doesn’t need me to talk about it to sell out. What got my attention this year, other than the bottling of it, which is huge in and of itself is that, (3) batches were brewed at the newer Windsor facility and (1) batch was brewed on the OG gear in Santa Rosa.

Now I do not know if this is the same as last year but if I were a betting man, I think there are people out there in beer snob world that will trade, barter or steal for both and will deem one inferior.

It is an excellent beer if you can gain access. The sale starts on January 28th and will make refresh buttons tremble.

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A Powerful 2021

Usually the Power Plant rolls in in keg form and you get a fancy glass and a half pour of this truly big TIPA. Things haven’t been usual so instead we get it in 16oz cans from El Segundo this year. It will be worth it but make sure to take your time enjoying it.

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Wishes Delayed

One of the fun points in the LA beer calendar is being delayed a bit for safety reasons which I applaud. Here’s are the details on the coming Infinite Wishes release from Smog City.

“One of the best parts about Wishes Day is getting to try all the variants, talk about your favorite variant (or the OG) with you, which one you’re most surprised by, and which one you’re going to buy a whole case of. Since we can’t share that experience with you if we can’t serve beer onsite, we’ve decided that delaying the release was the best thing to do right now. Also, Wishes day always draws a huge crowd (yay!) and we all know that now is not the time for crowds, even if it’s for an amazing beer. 

What we can tell you is that we are concocting 4 delicious variants in addition to the straight IW release and no matter what, the day is going to look different than it has in the past. Rest assured, we are working on creative ways to encapsulate the excitement and thrills of Wishes Day while still keeping our community safe!”

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SF Now CA for 2021

About this time the e-mails from SF Beer Week start arriving like a Christmas gift, but this year that ends with news of no Firestone Walker Invitational in 2021 also gets a jolt of good news as SF Beer Week will be California Beer Week in February.

Sign up for e-mail alerts to purchase beers for virtual tastings.

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Going Once

Auctions are usually stuffy events or filled with fast talking auctioneers. But this year you can bid on fun LA beer stuff. Visit a hop farm, buy special beers or get your face on a can. You have until December 23rd so start your bidding right HERE.

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FW 24

Last night, Firestone Walker went on YouTube to discuss their 2020 anniversary blend and here are the tidbits that I learned….

  • The first barrel-aged beer that FW did was Ruby a TIPA / barleywine
  • The cardboard crown for the winning winemaker was referred to as the Stanley Cup of Paso Robles
  • The winning blend used the max amount of Merkin it could
  • Campfire and S’mores was the best beer descriptor that I heard
  • Out of left field pairing idea, spicy teriyaki and blue cheese
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CCBA @ Home

Since my social media-ing takes a back seat to life and my blog, I miss out on blink or you’ll miss it deals. But, for once, I did not and was one of a mere 500 to purchase the California Craft Brewers Association “at home” beer box which is the stand in for the annual conference.

No matter the beers inside, this was an excellent overall shopping experience. Easy to navigate. Informative emails. The CCBA laid out what was going to happen, and then did it. One package held the goodies above and then came the beer..

…8 total. The three above being my most looked forward to. It came in a HUGE box. I thought to myself, packaging overkill and groaned. But inside was a nice surprise. The beers were inside a compostable cooler from Vericool. Instead of bubble wrap, there was an environmentally friendly, not styrofoam padding that apparently dissolves in water and the rest of the box is recyclable.

Very impressive.

The last piece of the puzzle are a series of videos about the beers. I am looking forward to watching those as I drink the beers.

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Comfortable in LA

In the photo above are Creature Comforts Brewing founder David, Chris, and Adam who are bringing a bit of Georgia to Los Angeles with a new brewery and taproom next summer!

The answer as to why a a Georgia brewery would open in the gritty part of DTLA can be found in an Avengers movie. Thor was seen drinking a Creature Comforts canned beer in Endgame. Joe Russo half of the Russo Brothers directing team is a fan of the beer from filming Marvel spectaculars in the state. He has also has been in the foodie scene in LA. in the nearby Arts District.

Add it all up and it means that means we lucky LA beer fans will get some of their excellent beers fresh.

Once that blush of excitement wears off, there will be some questions. Can Creature Comforts re-create the same magic away from the home base of operations? Will L.A. breweries weakened by Covid19 be battered further by a Hollywood backed outsider?

I know that I want some Tropicalia for sure.