Category: LA Craft Beer Events

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Shelton Festival 2014 at Crafted

Beer Festivals are hard to do right.  There are some that occupy rarefied air like the Firestone Walker Invitational and others that are well organized with well curated beer lists while others simply bring a shrug of indifference.  And then there are some that are intriguing such as this November Festival staged by Shelton Brothers in Long Beach at Crafted….

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The brewery list is foreign focused which is a rarity but the smaller California list is amazing and I would go just for those 7.  Below is the full list with my highlights, highlighted

International Breweries:

Baird (Japan) ▪ Be.Er Brewery (Belgium) ▪ Birra Toccalmatto (Italy) ▪ Blaugies (Belgium) ▪ Brekeriet (Sweden) ▪ Brewfist (Italy) ▪ Ca L’Arenys/Guineu (Spain) ▪ Cantillon (Belgium) ▪ CCM (Catalonia, Spain)  ▪ De La Senne (Belgium) ▪ De Ranke (Belgium) ▪ Dieu du Ciel! (Quebec, Canada) ▪ Drie Fonteinen (Belgium) ▪ Het Nest (Belgium) ▪ Jandrain-Jandrenouille (Belgium) ▪ Le Cheval Blanc (Quebec, Canada) ▪ Le Trou du Diable (Quebec, Canada) ▪ Magic Rock (UK) ▪ Mahr’s (Germany) ▪ Mikkeller (Denmark) ▪ Oersoep (Netherlands) ▪ Oliver’s Cider and Perry (UK) ▪ Page 24 (France) ▪ Pays du Flamand (France) ▪ Rappi Bier Factory (Switzerland) ▪ Renaissance (New Zealand) ▪ Ribela (Spain) ▪ Siren (UK) ▪ Struise (Belgium) ▪ Thiriez (France) ▪ To Øl (Denmark) ▪ Trois Dames (Switzerland)

U.S. Breweries: 

AEppelTreow Winery (Wisconsin) ▪ Allagash (Maine) ▪ Arizona Wilderness (Arizona) ▪ Artisan Beverage Coop (Massachusetts) ▪ Cambridge (Massachusetts) ▪ Crooked Stave (USA) ▪ Hill Farmstead (Vermont) ▪ Jester King (Texas) ▪ Jolly Pumpkin (Michigan) ▪ Oxbow Brewing (Maine) ▪ Prairie Artisan Ales (Oklahoma) ▪ Pretty Things (Massachusetts) ▪ Saint Somewhere (Florida) ▪ Shmaltz (New York) ▪ Upright (Oregon)

Local Breweries:

Bagby Beer ▪ Beachwood BBQ (CA) ▪ Brouwerij West (CA) ▪ Cellarmaker (CA) ▪ Faction (CA) ▪ Rare Barrel (CA) ▪ Tahoe Mountain (CA)

The only odd, off item is the pricing structure.  You pay $40-$45 plus fees just to get in with an empty glass.  Then you pay as you go.  And I know that imported beer is going to cost more.  I get it.  But to charge $45 entry seems steep even though the 2oz tasters are a buck a pop which is fair to low. 

Now I prefer the pay as you go compared to unlimited tasters because it does cut down on over imbibing and forces fest goers to make wise choices.  The only issue is now you have created another line or two inside the fest.  It can be done but I think most beer folk are more used to the common, pay once up front and get your fill. 

I also am concerned how they are going to work crowd management for multiple sessions over multiple days.  Will people be ushered out in time for the next batch to show up? Again, it can be done but it is extra work for a large festival.

I will be very interested to see the reaction and recaps in the days after.

 

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Real Ale + Figueroa Mountain

In two weeks,Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company will unleash the full potential of the cask program that is under the stewardship of Head Brewer of Santa Barbara, Kevin C. Ashford.  Currently all of the Fig Mtn. taprooms have a ““Firkin Friday” featuring many of their standard ales.”

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Now they are going bigger…..

“Wanting to bring more exposure for cask beer to the Central Coast, Ashford and the events team at Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company will be hosting a Real Ale Invitational on Saturday, October 25, 2014 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. Over a dozen breweries will be showcasing their own styles of real ale at Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company’s flagship brewery and taproom in Buellton, California. Admission is $40 and includes a souvenir glass, unlimited tastings and live music. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Los Padres Forest Watch.

For those beer lovers that want a more intimate experience paired with food, a limited number of tickets will be sold for a Real Ale Lunch prior to the Invitational at 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM. Meet the cask masters who have perfected the skill of brewing real ale while enjoying a 4-course meal prepared by Beto Huizar, Executive Chef of Beto’s Place, a new restaurant slated to open in Fig Mtn Brew’s Buellton taproom later this year. Tickets to the lunch cost $75 and include admission to the Invitational.”

Tickets will go on sale starting August 1st, 2014.

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Beer Camp at a Beer Bar

What do Lucky Baldwin’s Trappiste Cafe, Library Alehouse and Select Beer Store all have in common?

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All three will be having Sierra Nevada Beer Camp tap take-overs!  If you can’t find one of the variety boxes in stores, or you prefer tap to bottle (and cans) then check out the following three events….

Wednesday, July 16 at 6PM. Sierra Nevada Brew Camp Across America lands at Library Alehouse

Sierra Nevada got together with 12 of its brewery brothers from around America and made 12 unique collaborative beers.
In order to ensure maximum distribution and enjoyment of each of these beers, they will be available EXCLUSIVELY in the following FLIGHTS at $13 per flight, WITHOUT EXCEPTION on the night of the event.

Full pours of any beers left from the event will be available when the Alehouse opens on 7/17.

 

Thursday, 7/17 – Sierra Nevada Brewing Company’s “Beer Camp Across America” is stopping in at Lucky Baldwins Trappiste, 6PM
Here’s one of your only chances at trying these Extremely RARE Sierra Nevada collaboration ales on draft before the big festival down in San Diego. They have joined forces with some of the elite brewers of the United States  to make 12 different beers, collaborated with 12 different brewers such as: Ballast Point, Bell’s, Firestone Walker, Ninkasi, Cigar City and Russian River. And we’ve got all 12! Come find out which is your favorite. It’s one night only, and only while supplies lasts. Don’t miss out!

Friday, 7/18 – Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Total Tap Takeover at Select Beer

Oh and here are the beers in pack….
– Russian River Yvan the Great Belgian Blonde
– Oskar Blues CANfusion Rye Bock
– Bell’s Maillard’s Odyssey Imperial Dark Ale
– 3 Floyds Chico King Pale Ale
– Cigar City Yonder Bock Tropical Maibock
– Asheville Brewers Tater Ridge Scottish Ale
– Ballast Point Electric Ray IPL
– Victory Alt Route Altbier
– New Glarus There and Back English Bitter
– Ninkasi Double Latte Coffee Stout
– Firestone Torpedo Pilsner
– Allagash Myron’s Walk Belgian Pale

 

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Lou

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Eagle Rock Brewery will be unveiling a new beer LOU (the beer, not the ballplayer) as part of the Ales for ALS series.  It will kick-off tomorrow night at the ERB taproom.

Here is the info about the beer and the charity that it will benefit: “As our contribution to the Ales for ALS charity this year, we’re excited to introduce “LOU.” Lou’s a hop forward American Brown Ale with hints of chocolate, caramel and roasted malt flavor. The beer features the proprietary blend of hops created by Loftus Ranches and Hopunion (heavy on the Citra and Mosaic notes) for the Ales for ALS charity. We’ll be releasing LOU here on Thursday, July 10, and $1 of every pint we sell for the duration of LOU (not just the one day) goes towards the ALS Therapy Development Institute. We’ll also be participating in the larger Ales for ALS event up in Alameda at Faction Brewing (July 26 INFO). We’re very proud to be able to do our part for such a great cause.”

Helping out while getting a great beer is an easy way to make the world a better place.  So do it.

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LABG Running LABW

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This is big news for Los Angeles, so I will reprint the complete press release:

(I will add my two-cents worth of commentary on Thursday with my Brew& You post over on Food GPS.)

The Los Angeles County Brewers Guild (LABG) has taken the reins of organizing Los Angeles Beer Week to bring you the first-ever LABW hosted by breweries, for beer people. The change comes after LABW’s original committee chairs decided to pass the torch to the fast-growing Guild’s welcoming arms. LABG couldn’t be more thrilled to curate the 10-day event which will launch with a newly revitalized LA Brewers Beer Week Kick-off festival at a new location in Downtown LA on September 20th featuring an invitational-style roster of California breweries and the largest-ever showing of LA beer represented.

“The founders of LABW did a great job creating a structure around which the culture of craft beer was able to grow and flourish over the past five years,” LABG President Jeremy Raub said. “The LA Brewers Guild aims to continue building on that strong foundation, adding more interactive and educational components that will engage and energize the LA beer community.”

The LABG consists of over 20 LA breweries that are committed to craft, community, and culture. LA Beer Week will be entering its sixth year and will feature over 100 events around the greater Los Angeles area. This year’s event will be produced by the Guild’s Events Committee spearheaded by El Segundo Brewing’s Tom Kelley.

“The group of passionate advocates that have held the reins all these years has now entrusted them to the Guild, and we couldn’t be more excited,” said Kelley. “It’s a natural progression for LA Brewers to take over, and we are certainly up to the task of showcasing all the great beer being made in LA County.”

Further details regarding LA Beer Week’s main event and other LABG official events to follow.

Save the Dates:

September 20-28: LA Beer Week

September 20: LA Brewers Beer Week Kick-Off event

September 25: Meeting of the Guilds (LA/SF/SD) at Mohawk Bend

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And Mark the Calendar again…

There ain’t no party, well like a Blue Palms Anniversary Party.  And you only have a week or so to get in on the $55 price before it kicks up a notch.

But for those on the fence, 20 pours which is a fair number (especially for a hot August day) and the 90+ kegs brought in special for the event and the rarities that Brian Lenzo keeps unearthing.  There was beer from as far away as Brooklyn and Cincinnati last year.  Plus there will be some “core” beers which will flow that don’t require tickets.  But I bet the 20 will keep you plenty busy.

 

6th-Anniversary-Flyer

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Beachwood at 3 + many, many beers

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All Beachwood All Day.

That could be a motto for pretty much any day of the week but once you gaze upon the massive list of beers there are celebrating with, you will see why this particular day is special.

Oh and they will be debuting a new beer….

“It wouldn’t be an anniversary party without an anniversary beer. On July 5th, Beachwood Brewing will release its newest bottled brew—Greenshift Double IPA—a gargantuan double India pale ale with a wide spectrum of hops. Citra, Amarillo, El Dorado, Nelson Sauvin, Galaxy, and Warrior varieties in the kettle create a planetary array of flavors and an infinite wavelength of aromas from the supernova-sized charged hops. Greenshift will be available in bottles and on draft at Beachwood BBQ & Brewing.”

What About The Beer List:

Beachwood Brewing Tap List

3rd Dimension – Belgian-Style Tripel

Alpha Supreme – American Pale Ale

Alpha Waves – Session IPA

Annihilator – American Barleywine

Beyond a Reasonable Stout – Imperial Oatmeal Stout

Breaker – Hoppy Pale Ale

Bulldog – Dry Irish Stout

Chainsaaz Massacre – Imperial Pilsner

Control Malt Delete – Dark Mild

Dubbel In Paradise – Belgian-Style Dubbel

El Verano – Belgian-Style Saison

Foam Top – Cream Ale

Glenlongbeach – Scottish-Style “80 Schilling”

Greenshift – Double IPA

Hop Jitsu – West Coast India Pale Ale

Hoppa Smurf – Belgian-Style IPA

Hops of Brixton – Extra Special Bitter

James – American Brown Ale

Knucklehead Red -American Red Ale

Kilgore – American Stout

Loma Prieta – German-Style Pilsner

Melrose – West Coast India Pale Ale

Mocha Machine – Imperial Chocolate Coffee Porter

Onyx – Imperial Stout

Rose Royce – Belgian-Style Saison

Ryeco Suave – Belgian-Style Saison

Still Life – Smoked Double Oat Stout

Table Saaz – Belgian-Style Bière de Table

Tart Simpson – German-Style Berliner Weisse

Udder Love – Milk Stout

Wholly Smoke – Smoked Porter

Zwick In a Box – German-Style Zwickelbier

 

Beachwood Brewing Special Casks

Beyond a Reasonable Stout with Cacao, Coconut, and Vanilla Bean on cask

Full Malted Jacket with Scotch Oak on cask – Scotch Ale

Melrose IPA with Amarillo and Simcoe on cask

Melrose IPA with Citra on cask

Melrose IPA with Mosaic on cask

 

Beachwood Brewing Rare Beers

8 Buffalo – Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout

Barrel-Aged Jean-Quan Van Damme – Belgian-Style Quadrupel

System of a Stout – Armenian Imperial Coffee Stout

Tovarish – Imperial Coffee Stout

 

Beachwood Brewing Collaborations

Ghost of Jacob Barley – Strong Ale Aged on Coffee w/ Spices: Noble Ale Works Collaboration

Mrs. Stoutfire – Imperial Stout Smoked and Oaked: The Bruery Collaboration

Spicy Chocolate Alliance – Imperial Porter with Chili and Chocolate: Drake’s Brewing Collaboration

Unapologetic – Double India Pale Ale: Stone Brewing & Heretic Brewing Collaboration

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World Cup and German Beer

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Brazil is the host of the World Cup which runs from June 12 through July 13.  And since Brazilian Craft beer isn’t super available here in LA.  You may have to choose a Group of Death themed viewing party at the German restaurant and beer garden, Wirtshaus.

As they declare in a recent press release, “In support of Wirtshaus’ owners’ now-dual heritage, Wirtshaus will be airing all U.S. and Germany matches in the group stage of the World Cup, and all games after, in the elimination rounds.

Their will be plenty of TV screens to watch the games and they will open early on game-days.  Plus they will offer “a soccer skills contest – known in Germany as the goal-scoring game, “Torwand”. Contestants who make six of six consecutive shots, will win a free boot of Erdinger beer.” Erdinger being the sponsor of the festivities.

Since I am a World Cup fan, I will be posting more viewing and craft beer locations as they become available.