Follow Sean Inman to the best in craft beer
Arts District spot in massive Aliso complex that had a Mumford sign for a hot minute might instead get Arrow Lodge Brewing. I say might because too many times, I have seen a liquor application sign posted and nothing happening.
So file this under, hopeful waiting because having Arrow Lodge closer than Covina would be good. Though it is a tough call as to what is worse finding parking in the Arts District or driving the parking lot that is the 210 freeway.
I forget when I posted with happiness a sign in a retail space at the ground level of the Legendary apartments/condos in Glendale that had the Mumford Brewing name on it. It was a while back. Sigh, the sign is there and nothing else.
And alas, their across Alameda location in the Arts District is much further along…
Those are much better signs to see. When they will open is unclear but I would guess 2020.
For those youngsters in the room Father’s Office was one of the OG LA beer bars. It also happened to have an impressive and unchangeable burger. Now for a 3rd act, Arts District will get an outpost. (they are slowly moving closer to me). 2020 is your chance to re-acquaint yourself with their excellent beer selection.
Autumn with a little snap in the air is a great time to check out the DTLA United Fest that pops up next week. Here are the details….
$45 includes unlimited tastings and a commemorative glass.
Featuring limited edition “Legends of the Fall” beers from DTLA Breweries and other local libations. 100% of the proceeds will benefit CF Foundation.
From 1-4 PM, Sunday, October 13th – space is limited so get your tickets now!
Benefiting: CF Foundation
Breweries: Mumford, Arts District, Boomtown, Indie, Dry River, Highland Park, Angel City, 101 Cider House & Imperial Western
Food: Yes! We will have food on site provided by A’s BBQ!.
Los Angeles kind of demands outdoor patios but liquor laws tend to push beer inside. So many signs say “No beer past this point”. Now Angel City is finally constructing an outdoor drinking space to augment their Public House in the Arts District.
All of the paperwork took a year to get to this point so the outdoor space will open in January (it will probably be sunny). There will be “picnic tables, green space, more room for art, and a brand new fire pit created by Arts District-based sculptor David Hollen.”
And since they were in build mode anyway, Angel City decided to add a brand new grain silo. With a 200,000 pounds of grain capacity.
You can have a beer and see the construction phase, then return next year for the unveiling.
I made a late decision to attend the DTLA United event last Sunday and I am glad I did because my two favorite beers were from a DTLA brewery that has been hit or miss in the past,
that brewery being Boomtown. But their brand new Ignorant NE DIPA has excellent label art and is really good (though I am still partial to Mic Czech). I also tried their Little Shady Dark Lager and it was top notch too. The malt really got to shine.
Sour wise both the Mumford Something Borrowed Sour IPA and the Dry River F1 were excellent. My second and third favorites whose beers I now expect to be good or the very least unique.
The only down beer of the few I tasted was from Arts District, my now perennial back of the pack of the DTLA group. I had Nigel, which the placard said was hazy but Untappd claims is a Mild. The beer I had was neither. Maybe by that point the heat had gotten to me. Despite the rain earlier in the week, this event seems to always be bathed in penetrating sun. The good idea to have special barleywine tappings is great on paper but I could not bring myself to taste even one over 10% bruiser.
The event has expanded it’s footprint to include the mini Street between the Triangle and Angel City which allowed for elbow room and a bit more seating but misting stations or pop-up tents were sorely in need to keep the sun at bay. I certainly would have stayed longer with a tent to shade me.
The format of this event works for me though I think it might also work to sell flights in a separate area. One from each brewery and the barleywine for say $15 because with each brewery bringing only two beers, it is a quick festival with only 7 breweries pouring, that is 14 beers in small doses minus any you may have already imbibed before.
Light and dark from Oregon way with the middle being the can release from Arts District Brewing. Always make sure that you are drinking more than just IPA’s.
~LIGHT
Upright Brewing/ Saison Vert6.5% ABV
“Saison Vert is an open fermented wheat based brew made with black limes, giving the otherwise bright beer a darker flavor profile. Layered with spice, citrus, earth, and even walnut notes, Saison Vert goes down easily with tremendous nuance. Several kegs will see out of state distribution, so look for both locally and across the country.”
~MEDIUM
Arts District Brewing/ Traction IPA7.8% ABV
“A vibrant and luscious IPA layered with ripe papaya, mango, citrus, and fresh cut grass. Finishes clean and dry. Hop forward to a spotlight on the Mosaic varietal.”
~DARK
Deschutes Brewery/ Black Butte Anniversary XXIX12% ABV
“Every year, we celebrate our anniversary with an imperial, barrel-aged version of our flagship Black Butte Porter. This year, to celebrate 29 years, of brewing, we’ve added Chocolate Malt, cocoa and cinnamon for another multi-layered flavor experience.”
All of these beers can be found at Sunset Beer Co. (unless they got bought up real quick)
I fought my way through the Ciclavia to Angel City for the first (of what may become annual) DTLA United Festivals.
Here are a few photos and my quick thoughts on the event…..
DTLA Fest
I knew that this was a small festival but it was literally just the corner lot where the Farmer’s Market normally congregates in the Arts District. There were no lines to get in. Only 150 tickets were sold. Plenty of elbow room and you could talk with the brewers for minutes on end without interruption.
Onto the beers that struck my fancy. Cowboy Curtis from Arts District (the silver medal winner from GABF) was a finely balanced hit of smoke and chocolate. By far the best beer on the day and that I have had from ADBC. Second for me was Llorona from Dry River. Described as a dark sour which it was in flavor if not color. Indie Brewing had a lacto version of the 7th Street Saison that was wonderfully dry and quite earthy.
The two beers from Mumford Brewing, well, I was expecting more. The Pantsuit Saison was a bit rough and abrasive and the DTLA IPA was not to the heights that past hop offerings from them have been.
Not only was their craft beer flowing, there were two emissaries from the land of spirits. Greenbar Distilling and the Spirit Guild were pouring as well. Spirit Guild makes their Vapid Vodka and Astral Pacific Gin from Clementine oranges which added a citric tint to both. Greenbar was pouring their foray into hops with their hop liquer.
Because the fest was so tiny, there wasn’t much to take issue with. There was a good variety of beer, there were special pours throughout the afternoon. Water was readily available, as were restrooms. Everyone was in a great mood and you could almost (if you were ambitious) try everything that was being tapped before hopping onto public transport.