Category: LA Craft Beer Events

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Tioga Sequoia at Beer Belly

I haven’t talked much about the Beer Belly One Night Stands because I missed a few too many last year and also because there were usual suspects on tap. No less great beers pouring but nothing “newsworthy”, until the February ONS with Tioga-Sequoia who brought some stouts with them.

I started off with the Morning Rush, their base Milk Stout that lends a beer name theme to many of their other beers. It had a nice smoke edge to it that really balanced out the sweetness.

Then I followed that with Cake Rush which adds coconut to the mix. Our waitress suggested it so I followed her lead. Coconut has gotten a bad rap from me in the past because the sweetness is usually too much. But I have had some good ones recently and this one is included. The balance from that first beer was still evident in the second which had enough sweet to work with the malt.

Follow Beer Belly on social media to see who will be featured in Koreatown on the third Wednesday of each month and in Long Beach every fourth Wednesday.

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State Brewing Grand Opening

In between a belated Valentine’s Day brunch and an early birthday pie celbration, I moseyed down to Gardena for the “official” grand opening of State Brewing.

Here are some photos and beer notes:

One of the tanks inside the brewery.

The brewery is growing their Gardena footprint but are also very cognizant of regulating the growth and also maximizing how they use the R&D – Pilot System they have. Some wild beers are in the plans for the future as well to add to the multiple hop offerings and stout Project lines.
The Opening menu.

I tasted the Can’t Flocc, Won’t Flocc which was solid as well as the Family Julius which was very much a creamsicle beer. That silken orange flavor. My favorite was the Raindrop Pils that had Huell Melon hops. Really crisp with a hint of the bitter to it. And I had to try a Project beer, so I had a taster of the S’mores.
Dark Side – Light Side

Cheers to more State beers!

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Only Stout


If you are a fan of malt then Andy Black and Yorkshire Square Brewery have the event for you! The N’Owt but Stout Festival features dark beer on cask and kegs on March 17th.

Three bars will be serving starting at Noon on St. Patrick’s Day and at 2pm there will be a panel extolling dark beers and malt.

This is a ticketed event and it said ticket will get you…
– Snazzy commemorative glass
– Infinite pours of all beer from 12-5pm
– Access to the Brewer Panel

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Has Been Open, Now Grand


State Brewing’s Gardena tap room has been open for a bit of time now but that won’t stop them from throwing an “official” Grand Opening party.

18+ beers will be on offer (which includes some specialties) on Saturday, February 17th from Noon to Midnight.

Then, the next week starts with the new hours starting on Tuesday, February 20th.
Tues-Thurs: 4-10
Fri: 3-11
Sat: 12-11
Sun: 12-6

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Lagerville in Buellton


If you are nearing lupulin overdose, hold on. There is a festival coming in May that can help.

Figueroa Mountain will be hosting their 1st Lagerville event at their Buellton based brewery on May 19th. L.A. locals like Eagle Rock, Enegren and King Harbor will be in attendance along with TAPS, Chapman Crafted , Brewery Rex and other known names.

A portion of the receipts will benefit the Los Padres Forest Watch, a charity that FigMtn has been working with for years.

Keep up to date with new over on Instahoot @lagerville.

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IPA18


Empty out your weekend plans when it comes to March 3rd and 4th. The fifth annual Los Angeles IPA Festival returns to blister the palates of all with truckloads of hops.

Mohawk Bend, will host the beer competition of the best India Pale Ales from all across California. Below are the details…

“Starting at 9:30am on Saturday morning, attendees will be able to stop by the Echo Park spot to sample over 60 craft beers from 60 competing breweries and enjoy a limited menu, pizza slices, and $5 keepsake glasses.

Two time champion brewer, Bob Kunz, from Highland Park Brewery will return as a judge/competitor along with Jeremy Raub from Eagle Rock Brewery and many more. For $5 per 8 oz. pour, you can enjoy a variety of unique brews and even vote for your favorite—both the People’s Choice and Judge’s choice winners will be crowned at 4pm.

On Sunday at 9:30am, continue the beer-filled festivities with build-your-own flights of 4 for $15 of the remaining beers.”

I have found that 11am on Sunday will give you actual elbow room and while the winners and a good share of the haze and milkshakes will be kicked, there will be plenty of beers to choose from. I still had 30+ beers to choose from. But for those that like the crowds and the energy, make sure you get there early.

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FW Invitational Tix


I am going to be up front about this. Getting tickets to the Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Festival is hard. But you should do your best to get them. It is the best.

Tickets for the 2018 version go on sale in two days! This Wednesday, February 7th at 7am.

General Admission: $85 (well worth it)
Early Admission: $200
Two ticket max purchase per person!

If you are lucky enough to snare tickets the 2018 FWIBF will be held Saturday, June 2nd and you should start looking for lodging immediately!

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Boom Goes the Anniversary


Yes, there is a “big sportsball game” this weekend. Though that seems less fun when we ponder that the New England Trumpriots will probably win and SABInBev will try to seem cool and relevant with a thirty-second commercial.

Better, perhaps to head to DTLA for the Boomtown Brewing official anniversary party on Saturday, February 3rd. Where they will be better beer talked about and everyone having fun, not just one team’s fans.

The brewery has gone from their temporary cavernous room (now event space) to one of the coolest taprooms with a great mural outside and have recently added canning as well. Most importantly to me, Mic Czech. My personal favorite.

The brewery on the northern margins of the Arts District celebrates their paper anniversary with special beer releases, guest DJ’s, food vendors, burlesque dancers after 10:30 and a raffle for prizes.

See you there!

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Too Firk Too Furious


Firkfest 5 is coming! And the Tiki theme will be back as well. So if you are a fan of pineapple, mango, guava and coconut and you prefer only well-run events with a curated list of breweries then go get your tickets.

This is a great event and one of the very few that I have traveled out of Los Angeles for.