Tag: beer events

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In the Tap Lines for March 2024

Springtime in SoCal as we move into what I jokingly call “early summer”. Hoping to find some bock beers, either strong or dopple would be nice plus the following features this month….

~ e-visits to (3) breweries from the newer cities in the NWSL

~ special featured reviews of a potpourri of beers

~Heads-Up on Los Angeles Beer Events

~ Three suggested beers to buy this month. One light, one medium and one dark

~ A Book & A Beer reads The Trees by Percival Everett

~ A Podcast & A Beer listens to Heritage Mezcal

~ Sports & A Beer returns with Thoughts on March Madness

~ New Beer Releases and Best Beers of the Month

~ I will tap the Firkin and give my no holds barred opinion on the craft beer world.

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In the Tap Lines for July 2022

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Even though I have lived in Los Angeles for quite some time, I never like the sweaty season.  July is the start of the heat that beats me down.  But I will be escaping to Portland this month and will relay any NW beer news I find. But before that, a quick interview with brewer Brian Waters from Figueroa Mountain about him and the big L.A. news.

~ e-visits to (3) breweries from the Pacific Northwest
~ special featured review of Morning Phase Sour from Eagle Rock Brewery
~Heads-Up on Los Angeles Beer Events
~ Three suggested beers to buy this month. One light, one medium and one dark
~ A Book & A Beer reads Tracy Flick Can’t Win
~ A Podcast & A Beer listens to Betwixt the Sheets
~ Great Beer names and Best Beers of the Month
~ I will tap the Firkin and give my no holds barred opinion on the craft beer world.

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In the Tap Lines for August 2021

header_attractionsWelcome to the second half of 2021!  Sad to say that hopes that the world would be back to normal by now have yet to come true thanks to the  unvaccinated but there is plenty of good beer news to talk about, like…

~ e-visits to (3) breweries in Anaheim
~ special featured reviews of beers from breweries in the El Segundo area.
~Heads-Up on Los Angeles Beer Events
~ Three suggested beers to buy this month. One light, one medium and one dark
~ A Book & A Beer reads a Rachel Cusk trilogy
~ A Podcast & A Beer listens to Dolly Parton’s America
~ Great Beer names and Best Beers of the Month
~ I will tap the Firkin and give my no holds barred opinion on the craft beer world.

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2021

As much as it pains me to write these words, I do not see myself attending a beer event until at least March of next year. It also pains me to think that 2020 might not be the only year called a dumpster fire either.

The reason I say this is because, as I work the timeline backwards from February would require a workable vaccine to be found about, oh, now. Why? Because to ramp up vaccine production and get it distributed and then get the remaining Americans to get the shot is going to take time, three months or so is my eyeball reckoning. If we can get the anti-vaxxers and anti-maskers to participate.

Then breweries who have not already pushed their events will need to quick time hustle to safely hold a festival and have all the special beer glass made, tickets sold, beers brewed with a diminished post office and airline and hotel industry. Oh and no one wanting to Lyft in or out.

And if all the timing breaks right, you now have to convince fans to come out to what will be a smaller festival because there will be some breweries who will be reluctant to attend.

I don’t see it.

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In the Tap Lines for July 2017

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This month will be a recovery of sorts from Firestone Walker and L.A. Beer Week. But that doesn’t mean the posts will be any less fun. For July Roadhouse Brewing sent me a “care package” introduction to their beers that will be talked about all month.

~ e-visits to three breweries from Wyoming
~ special featured reviews of Jackson, Wyoming’s Roadhouse
~ Heads-Up on Los Angeles Beer Events
~ Three suggested beers to buy this month. One light, one medium and one dark
~ A Book & A Beer reads I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara
~ I will tap the Firkin and give my no holds barred opinion on the craft beer world.

Here are two events to get your July started in the Los Angeles craft beer world:
1) July 11 – Summer Fermantality Dinner at Beachwood Blendery
2) July 22 – DTLA United Festival 4.0

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In the Tap Lines for November 2012

November is usually filled with the early releases of holiday ales that I generally love but can be hard to swallow when the weather is SoCal hot. But that is a small quibble for a month filled with an exciting array of beer choices.

~ e-visits to three breweries from Fort Collins, Colorado
~ video reviews tackles two really huge, GIGANTIC beers
~ Three suggested beers to buy this month
~ I will tap the Firkin and give my opinion on the craft beer world
~ … and Session # 69 will converge bloggers onto a single topic
~ plus many more posts about new beers, beer products and breweries

Here are two events to get your November started in the Los Angeles craft beer world:
1) November 10th – Oktoberfest @ The Verdugo
2) November 15th – A Night with the Zymatore Project @ Beachwood BBQ & Brewing

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Woody

Taking the Hopworks bike one step further is the WOODY!

photo from Deschutes Brewery

Here is what the Deschutes people have to say about this new toy…“Who is this guy? Woody, the good-times-on-wheels mobile bar, is a giant wooden beer barrel featuring multiple delicious Deschutes Brewery beers, a stereo, and a disco ball. He is a natural gathering spot at any event for all thirsty individuals (and any misplaced members of your party). Woody’s lounge atmosphere, complete with bar tables, is as inviting as an undiscovered oasis in the California desert. So stop by for a tasty beer and create your own public house.”

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Oregon Craft Beer Month

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Last month I yawped about some southwest breweries, but since July is Oregon’s time in the sun (literally), I will post about Oregon beers. And I will try my best to focus on non-Portland based brewers.

First though, here is a sampling of beer events that I believe are the highlights of the month.

CRAFT BEER MONTH KICK-OFF – McMenamin’s Hillsdale 7/1

PUCKERFEST – Sour beers at Belmont Station 7/9-7/15

INTERNATIONAL BEER – Portland International Beerfest 7/16-7/18

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The Firkin for June 2010

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I am not talking about the wait staff at your local. Nope, today I want to vent about people who don’t appreciate the beer bounty in front of them.

Now I can spend all day nitpicking the nitpickers who complain about every last little detail. Life is not perfect. Not all beer festivals are great. Not all are run like clockwork. That may be a rant for another day.

What I am talking about is “appreciation”. When you go to a festival or event and a special beer is poured, I implore you to re-trace how that beer got to the glass in front of you.

The organizer had to call the brewery and schedule and then figure out how to get that beer to the location. Then all of that had to ACTUALLY happen. People get up early and lose sleep to deliver beer, set-up kegs and taps. Put up tents and tables. Secure and pay for a location. Find and train volunteers.

I haven’t even scratched the surface of what goes on BEFORE that beer gets handed to you.

What I want all of you beer geeks out there to do is simple. Say thanks to everyone who helps at the next event you attend. And if you know the organizer? Go up to them and say thanks for doing what you do. They are not well paid for this. They are doing it for the love of beer and because they want other people to love beer too.