Nick of Time

It is not too often that I can celebrate both a label design and a saison but Brouwerij West can make both happen.

Here are the details… “Time Scoop is a classic non-sour saison, brewed with malted barley, raw spelt, Pacifica and Wai-iti hops from New Zealand. It is full of tropical fruit aroma, fresh sea air and a dry finish that will leave you wanting another of these can conditioned gems.”

Re-Open

What with LA’s changing attitude on breweries, you know, selling what they brew. It has been hard to keep track. But Brouwerij West is letting people know, they are open. If you are crazy for Citra hops and are enamored with Enigma hops, then this new hazy is for you.

Review – Crowlers from Brouwerij West

I made a drive while the roads were still clear by LA standards to pick-up some crowlers from Brouwerij West. I went overboard on the beers chosen. Going for a certain theme.

Little Baby Satan – You can smell the citrus right away. Very Orange Julius. Pours a super hazy light orange/yellow. Thick tasting.  Getting a creamy note followed by a pillowy bitterness. This hits all the hazy hallmarks.

Stigmata – Orange pekoe tea smell.  Nice bitterness level.  Floral notes here as well. Getting some grape flavor as well Really diggin the experimental hops used here, quite a complex profile. . Bright and clear in color.

Juice on the Bay

If you do not look at the above list (get past the mustard colored background) and want to head to San Pedro, well then you truly have worse festival fatigue than me.

Brouwerij West has gathered quite the assortment including two breweries with creature in the name. They will also be releasing a brand new beer the day of for fest goers. The location is fantastic and you can get your tickets right HERE.

Featured Review – Saison Extra from Brouwerij West

So with a recent tasting of Saison Dupont still on my mind, I picked up a local version from Brouwerij West, Saison Extra to compare and contrast.

This is farmhouse for sure. Filled with hints. Tiny touch of Brett character here.  Tiny bit of Hefeweizen character over here.  Surprisingly this is a really wet beer. Mineral notes fill the end notes. The Saison pours a slightly hazy yellow color.

Compared to the Dupont, this is more restrained in many respects and touches on some of the strong suits of the Belgian beer but that wetness makes it it’s own creation.

Not the Bees Knees

Admit it, you saw the Brouwerij West name and thought IPA. But this new beer, Bears Ears, is a Märzen lager bier. Per the brewery, “German malts are the driving force behind this wonderfully delicious seasonal offering, with a slight sweetness quickly giving way to rich, toasty-bread crust qualities.”

Last Lodging

Brouwerij West has been quietly notching some impressive collaboration partners like Great Notion most recently and now a new (closer) brewery in Pizza Port. Hotel Zebra is filled with Idaho 7, Comet, Simcoe and Citra to meld that dank San Diego Pizza Port profile to the softer and hazier Brouwerij West.

Fridge Magnets

I have been wondering when Brouwerij West was going to take their inventive can label art and push it one step further to interactive….

…get your Scrabble skills ready and a 4-pack of a perfect for summer, super light Rice Lager.