Talking about the California drought and the seeming non-stop heat is getting old but it does play into beer festivals because most are held out of doors and it can dampen the fun like sweat on a shirt.
The 2015 version of the LA Craft Beer Crawl had the blazing sun to contend with more than most because it’s strongest and best attribute (other than the beer, of course) is the walking the streets of Downtown LA. Seeing new condos and new business but also seeing the old side of the city from street level and not just the 110 freeway.
The check-in process this year was notably smoother (and on time) and in a new spot near Cole’s and Las Perlas. From there me and beer buddy Rich headed to the Golden Gopher to have Return of Sassy and then Even Sassier. Starting the day off with a rye bang. Then through the heat to Seven Grand to partake of two new Highland Park beers, Hammered Satin an Oatmeal Stout and then Dank You Very Much which was my pick for beer of the day. A lovely IPA that I could have had all day long.
From there we snuck into The Varnish with our press passes to try another HPB beer, Uncultured. A wine barrel aged bottle offering that then faded into having Mattina Rossa from Allagash. In between we chatted with Bob from HPB, Omar from Three Weavers, Jon Carpenter from Angel City and David Munro from Bell’s.
Our stamina fading we went back across 6th Street to Casey’s and grabbed a Phantom Carriage saison before calling it a day.
As usual, this is one of the better fests for beers. A wide swath of breweries are involved. Locals and non-locals are welcomed. It is a great activity for newbies to beer because you have choices that aren’t whale driven. Yes, there are rarities but anyone can get get a taste of a special beer like Golden Brett from Allagash next to a lager from Ninkasi.
As I mentioned, I loved the aspect of walking because it cuts down on the bro’ness that other festivals have to deal with. The annoying aspects are contained in just one space. This year the signage at each entrance was great. But inside each space, especially Casey’s, finding the brewery you wanted was made more difficult because the signs inside were in matte black with dark grey writing and even the most eagle eyed could barely make out the words. (My press pass was inches from my face before I could read the word “Press”) This was in stark contrast to the blinding yellow volunteer shirts that were in abundance. It would also have been better to have the check-in not so near to two of the stops. It made those two hard to get into and out of. I liked that no beer was being served at the check-in but it would be great to have it in a central spot in the city to subtly force people to scatter in all directions.
Those are little tweaks to make an already great LA institution better. Kudos to Christina / Hallie and the 213 group for another job well done.