Bottled in El Segundo

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Here is the information from El Segundo Brewing:
“El Segundo Brewing Company sent its first production beers out to initial accounts in May 2011. In 2012 we brewed over 1,000 barrels (1 barrel = 31 gallons) and now have over 150 accounts between Santa Barbara and San Diego, and as far East as Redlands. We doubled our original 60 barrel fermentation capacity in June last year, and will be doubling up yet again in March.

We take the next big step, on February 1st. We will be releasing our first bottles ever, White Dog IPA and Standard Crude American Imperial Stout, in 22oz bottles at the brewery.

At 5pm.. The bottles will start selling. We will be tapping a cask of Rum-soaked and Oaked Hyperion’s Double Stout we have been sitting on for the occasion. We will have savory pies (meat and veggie) from El Segundo Catering.

We will be here, drinking and celebrating. Join us! And buy some of our first run of bottles!

White Dog IPA has been our best selling hoppy beer of the past year, and has garnered acclaim across Los Angeles. We use 50% wheat in the malt bill, and the Nelson Sauvin hop from New Zealand which give it a very unique character that our customers have come to love.

Standard Crude is an American Imperial Stout.. since, why should the Russians get all the recognition! All malted barley with just a sprinkling of oats for texture. This beer is roasty throughout with many deep undertones of blackberry, cassis, tobacco and leather. The layers of malt reveal themselves one by one as the beer changes in the glass. Take your time with this one. Enjoy now, or lay it down in your cellar for a few years! This is a once a year release, and the first from our brewery..”
White Dog Bottle

Ohana Pint Night

City Tavern in Culver City has a great line-up of beer nights and Thursday’s Ohana Brewing night was epic.
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You see correctly, that is 9 big tasters of the full Ohana range (minus the sours, which I will talk about later). It looks even prettier with the glasses full.
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Of this group, my top three would be the Accomplice Belgian Style Golden which had a really soft edge to it and a lovely vanilla spice note at the end, followed by the Grateful Hophead which had a wonderful aroma and nice kick of bitterness and then in third place the Noir with Coffee. Third because the coffee taste was fabulous but ran roughshod over the IPA part of the bill.
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It is good to see that the Ohana taphandles are getting space. They are distinctive. You can’t miss that tiki vibe but also it means that all the hard work that Andrew and Chris have put in is paying off with great beer.
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I also got to sample three of their sour beers. Blueberry, wine grape and cherry. The wine grape offering was the least sour and the one with more toasted grain notes and I really liked it but the cherry had a tart hit to it plus had the aroma of a cherry pie out of the oven.

Thanks to Ohana and City Tavern for a grand introduction to Ohana’s full set of beers.

Editor’s note : the two better photos are from Rich Rosen

Firestone-Walker Invitational

Last year’s Invitational from Firestone-Walker was a rousing success from all accounts. (I did not make it, can’t make every event) and the tickets will be going on sale in a week for the 2013 version.
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Firestone-Walker Invitational Beer Festival
40+ breweries 20+ restaurants
Ticket price: $75 (plus fees) includes:

An afternoon of tasting amazing domestic and international craft beers with the brewers themselves, as well as delectible bites from the best restaurants on the Central Coast. The event will run from 1:00pm to 6:00pm, however, food and beer service will end at 5:00pm.

There will be live bands playing throughout the day on the Frontier Town stage, with the headliner band taking the stage around 5:00pm.

“Behind the Beer Sessions” will occur each hour and feature beer tastings and Q & A sessions with the brewmasters themselves.

A commemorative tasting glass

A Beer out on the Patio

Two weeks ago, I gave you the details on the expanded and improved Beer Belly One Night Stands for 2013.

Now more news from the Koreatown craft beer haven:
“We want to provide a venue for our community to enjoy craft beer and food in the type of weather that can only be found in Southern California. Uses for the patio are endless… summer events, weekend brunches, and warm summer dinners! Our business has grown, and the extra space is what we need to be able to comfortably accommodate as many people as possible.”

All you have to do is follow this LINK, and help grow our beer community in Los Angeles one patio larger than it is now.

There are different perks for different dollar amounts but the bargain is for a $60 investment, you can be one of a very small group that gets an epic beer night at Beer Belly. And you know that Jimmy will have beers that match the word EPIC

FoodGPS Teaser – Eagle Rock turns 3

Eagle Rock has made it to the ripe old age of three and they are going to celebrate with a killer beer list. Read on……
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And as usual we are celebrating in style with a big bang. The great folks over at Verdugo Bar will be hosting our party again this year on January 26th from 12-4pm. The cost will be $15/person which includes 2 drinks and a commemorative glass to take home. More drink tickets will be available for purchase. Mandoline Grill and more will be there to feed you and with a total tap takeover we will be serving 22 of our beers to celebrate this third year; including our newest member “Threes”— a Rye American Strong Ale brewed specially for the occasion.

Are you excited yet? We are. How about a peek at the tap-list for the day?
Solidarity
Vanilla NITRO Solidarity
Manifesto
Revolution
Unionist
Populist
NITRO Populist
Libertine
Deuce
Ginger Saison
Eradicator Jr.
Stimulus
Tarte Noir
2011 Jubilee
2012 Jubilee
Barrel-aged Jubilee
Red Velvet
Threes

And a few other surprises. You’ll definitely want to be there so be sure to put this one on your calendar now! And add a reminder alert. Because you are not going to want to forget. The beer gods will not be pleased.”

Ladyface turns 3

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Lot’s of anniversary action this month! Good to see the milestones being both reached and eclipsed. On to Agoura Hills for this post….

“To celebrate their 3rd Anniversary Week, January 21st through 27th, Ladyface Alehouse & Brasserie is planning a full week of events highlighting their award-winning ales. Monday, all taps begin pouring Ladyface creations and, over the course of the week, guests will be able to enjoy special releases, archived vintages, barrel aged brews, collaborations, brewer’s one-off creations, casks, and more.

Monday also sees the release of Ladyface’s 3rd Anniversary Ale, a Belgian Dark Strong Ale with a deep garnet hue and a dense white foam head. Aromas of soft caramel and toffee are layered between earthy spice and fruit. Hops are faint but enough presence to balance. Flavors of rum-raisin and fresh baked bread are followed quickly by warming alcohol. A strong Belgian yeast character is present and exotic Asian teas add subtle layers of vanilla and dark chocolate truffle. Limited edition 3rd Anniversary glassware, with a year-long discount program, also goes on sale.

Tuesday, January 22nd sees Ales From The Vault, on Wednesday Chef Adrian Gioia and Brewmaster David Griffiths present a reservation-only Brewmaster’s Dinner, then Thursday is Barrel-Aged Beer Night. Event details, including is music and prize drawings, can be found on the Ladyface Alehouse & Brasserie Facebook page and at their website.

Beachwood + Pliny (yes, the Younger)

Readers of this blog know that I firmly, staunchly and unabashedly cannot stand the hype around Pliny the Younger. Granted, it is a really good beer. But I can usually find Blind Pig or the Elder and I don’t have to fight a frenzied crowd and I can get a full pour.

That is why I love the way Beachwood handles it. Raffle the tickets off. Donate to charity and people who win can get a peaceful experience of the beer when they want to. This is the way to do it.
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Angel City coming SOON

Ever since Angel City Brewery re-started back in 2012, they probably have kept getting asked the same brewery question. When are you going to be open? As beer geeks know, that always takes too long and usually not because the brewery doesn’t want to be open.

Well, we are closer to the start for Angel City. They had a sneak peek on the 4th and they will be open soon. With hours from Tuesday through Sunday. That was good news to hear but even better was that there was a new beer flowing! Vanilla Porter. And though a skosh cold for me it had a pleasant vanilla taste that was strong but not sweet and a good base porter as well.
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The bar area is looking good…
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.. and the rest of the massive building is slowly coming into focus.
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When I see this space, so many possibilities swirl through my head. Though I will not try the slide.
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New for the Beer Belly 1 Night Stands

As if the One Night Stands (and the videos that come with them) were not enough. Now Beer Belly is adding a little extra something to sweeten the deal…
“A Gift: We want to thank those of you who make it out to our One Night Stands. Like, REALLY thank you. Those of you who make it to 10 of the 12 events next year will receive a special thank you package. We don’t want to reveal the contents, or overhype what it is….but we think you’ll be pretty surprised.

How to Qualify: Come out to 10 out of 12 One Night Stands next year. We’ll set up a spot at the bar to take a picture to show that you were here. Go ahead and upload that picture to our Facebook album or email it to us at drink@beerbellyla.com”
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