In my years of doing the L.A. Beer Blast for Food GPS, I have attempted to stay current with all the beer-y spots on the list. I have failed miserably. Which means there is plenty of good beer out there. But last week I made it out to Larry’s Venice on a sweltering day to have a cool beer.
You know you are there when you see the lamp posts with multicolored tiles. They have an elliptical stone bar, a covered patio area and another smaller seating area with sun overhead. They have 26 tap offerings (including some locals which I like to see). I started with Das Tart from Ohana Brewing which pours orange and not raspberry red. But the raspberry taste is there and it has a slight tartness to it
There is a quirky hat display above the bar and despite being mere steps from the beach is not a typical beach place like others. Has a more upscale and classy feel to it. Very easy to make yourself at home at the bar so I ordered up a Sam Adams Rebel IPA which had a bit of a caramel aroma and a bitter taste of grapefruit and herbs that has to be searched for a bit to locate. A little to blah for my taste.
They have a wild looking menu that looks pretty good. The only downside being the prices are very typical for a beach. A little on the high side. But it does look like quality. Beer wise the 26 selections were strong and I liked that there were a smattering of German and English beers as well. We can get so caught up in American beers that we forget some of the classics. If I had more time, I would have tried the Crazy Ivan Belgian IPA from Bear Republic.
Now I have to see what other Beer Blast spots that I have been remiss in visiting.