Tag: Arts District Brewing

Posted on

News & Notes – DTLA Version

Despite Monday being a beer off-day for me, I headed down to Angel City to hear what some of the DTLA breweries had to say about the area and the growth of LA beer as well as their fledgling DTLA Brewers United group.

I took notes and when I got home, a trend emerged. They were mostly about Mumford Brewing. Not a smack at all against the others on the panel but what was piquing my interest were three things from the Skidrokyo brewery…

1. Cloudy IPA is coming this weekend. Will our West-Coast San Diego culture join this trend?
2. Mumford is looking into canning and getting some core beers onto shelves
3. June 12th is the date for the 1st Mumford anniversary. They will have a Russian Imperial Stout in three different variants.

Other tidbits, Indie Brewing is looking at end of year for their tap room to be open. Arts District Brewing is looking at creating a “Study Room” for the more beer obsessed and geeky. Plus this fall, their just might be a DTLA only brewfest.
dtla

Posted on

2nd Opinion – Arts District Brewing

I have made one visit to the Arts District location of Arts District Brewing but thanks to the ONS – One Night Stand series from Beer Belly, I got a second crack at tasting their beers.

And sorry to report, but I was underwhelmed again. I had a pair of sips of the Quatrillion Kumquat ale and it was thin and way more wheat forward than Belgian blonde and the kumquat flavor was on the low side. I then sipped the Crunch Time Macadamia Nut brown ale and found it to also be low on the nutty factor and a bit on the thin side. Neither was bad but both seemed to lack oomph.

Both though were preferable to the Snapdragon Dubbel which tasted really green. It could have used more time to mature. The Redbird Red Rye IPA was easily the best of the night but even this beer was a little Jekyll and Hyde. It started off mellow and then halfway through became really earthy and bitter with a finish of extreme grapefruit pith.

So far, the hoppier options seem to be on point whilst the others are being dialed in. I appreciate the variety of beers and ABVs but the beer hasn’t quite come into focus yet. But there will be more fermenters and different beers coming in the weeks to come.

Posted on

First Look – Arts District Brewing

The interwebs started leaking out news late Saturday night, and by Sunday morning it was official that Arts District Brewing would be open for business in the now traditional “Soft open” manner.
IMG_5540
With Brian Lenzo and Devon Randall as the beer focused duo of the project, my expectations were high. As I walked in and looked around the space, my first thought was that it looked a bit unfinished. I stopped myself and repeated the mantra that as long as the beer is pouring and good, the warehousechic would just melt away.
IMG_5539
And as long as I hewed to the hoppy, the beers were very good. The Traction IPA had a strong orange juicy taste and the Kablamo Rye IPA which burst with spice were delicious. Spot on and brightly hoppy and distinctive, not a muddle of bitterness that passes as IPA. Unfortunately, the supporting cast of beers did not impress much. The Whammy Wheat hit the wheat note solidly but was too light and a bit spritzy to me. The Mateo Golden Ale was a little potpourri and soapy. Lastly, I tried the Spirited Saison which, in a blind taste test, I would have pegged as a Hefeweizen and not a Belgian style.
IMG_5544
It is cool to walk in and see the brewing tanks below to the right and the finishing tanks in the middle of the rectangle bar. And I really like the outdoor patio which will soon have its own little bar which will have the full range of brews.

I will have to go back for a darker beer tasting to get the oatmeal stout as well as the Porter Rico which I overheard as a favorite on more than one occasion. After Sassy and Return of Sassy brewed in collaboration with Three Weavers and with the Pizza Port pedigree, I expected three pointers and slam dunks not free throws. More reviews to come.