If I could decorate a wall with Brouwerij West cans, I would. And here is the latest iteration of 8 1/2….
This is part of their Single Hop IPA Series and this seasonal is all Citra. The label stickering is the art of Matt mills with design by Varnish.
Brut Magic, Brut Science
The Brouwerij West label design team gets another five-star rating from me. Pairing up with artist BEGZ and the designers at Varnish, the Science Magic Brut IPA is sure to make Jim Gaffigan’s head spin. I bet there is someone out in beer land that has collected all the cans so far from BW. That would be quite the art exhibit.
Look at the Bottom
I confess that I am one of those single can/bottle buyers. As with books, I don’t have time in this lifetime to buy a case and then drink it within the best by time frame. But, Brouwerij West may convince me to do otherwise. Not only are their cans a fabulous palette for design, the bottom of the case trays are too!
Now you can drink one of their hazy IPA’s or a Popfuji and then send a postcard once the can is empty.
Another Artful Can
I am going to have to find a creative way to display the creative labels on the Brouwerij West cans. The latest for FA Really IPA is another stunner.
And the beers have been as good as the art work too.
Upcoming Anniversaries
There are 60+ breweries in the L.A. County Brewers Guild, which means that there could conceivably be an anniversary each and every weekend of the year with more to spare.
So, here is a quick Anniversary rundown for the next month+…(including some Orange County friends too!)
March 3rd – Noble Ale Works – 7
March 3rd – Brouwerij West – 2
March 3rd – Pacific Plate (Glendale) 1
March 10th – Monkish – 6
March 17th – Phantom Carriage – 3
March 24th – Sanctum – 4
April 25th – Smog City – 5
A Book & A Beer – Safe by Ryan Gattis
This month I tackled my second L.A. crime novel. Following Split Second, I read Safe from Ryan Gattis. Both travel extensively around the Southland with the hardboiled criminals and cops.
I preferred Safe due to the more downbeat ending. Plus I liked the dual format where Ghost (are titular hero) and Glasses (the adversary) alternate chapters. It makes for a consistent story with more information being provided than you get in a normal mystery or crime thriller. And not to spoil things, but Safe also was the more downbeat and I like that noir thing paired with the City of Angels.
When you have the book in your hands, I suggest grabbing beers at Mumford in the Skidrokyo section of DTLA with the Speakers and Sneakers IPA or the In Other News Belgian Single. Then to pay homage to the end of the book, head to San Pedro and Brouwerij West for Switcheroo Pale Ale or the even more L.A. appropriate Ask the Dust IPA. A nod to Fante.
Review – Earth That Was from Brouwerij West
Making the most of a simple circular label on a silver can, Brouwerij West has been canning a few of their beers. This “skeletal” IPA is the first that I have tasted from the San Pedro brewery.
This canned Belgian IPA or NE IPA pours a slightly hazed straw yellow color. Woodsy and earthy spring to mind when drinking this beer. Has that NE habit of green hop taste that gritty sticks to the roof of the mouth. The bitterness does linger. Some lemon notes at the back. Super cool label. Love the name too. This beer warms my cheeks quick for some reason despite only rolling in at 6% abv.
Mix that Fermentation
Brouwerij West is calling it a year with a breakfrunch. Plus you get High Fives.
Here is the initial beer list:
•Our 1st Anniversary Beer: Barrel-Aged Tripel (NEW!)
A Belgian Golden Strong Ale aged for 3 months in red wine puncheons
•Animal Farm – mixed-fermentation beer aged on peaches (NEW!)
•Chinatown – barrel-aged mixed-fermentation beer (NEW!)
•Spelt Saison (Out-of-the-Cellar First-Year Favorite!)
•Buckwheat Sour (Out-of-the-Cellar First-Year Favorite!)
•Get Back (Out-of-the-Cellar First-Year Favorite!)
•+ surprise variations on some of our classics & more
B. West Cans
Brouwerij West of San Pedro will be releasing their first canned beers next week. 16oz Can-conditioned versions of 2 of our favorites: Dog Ate My Homework – blackberry saison and Mor Mor Belgian-style Quadrupel will be sold in limited run can-conditioned 16oz cans.
They go on sale Saturday January 7th when the coastal taproom opens at Noon and will be available as singles & in 4-packs.
with Thanksgiving review # 1
Brouwerij West
This is no baby tripel. 9% big ABV’s here. I am getting a lot of citrus and spice. Almost to orange pekoe tea status minus the tannin. The taste sticks to the tongue for awhile. Image wise, the beer pours a hazy orange color especially with the yeast sediment at the bottom of the bottle. Extra spice notes in a Hefeweizen sort of way are here too.
When it comes to the Thanksgiving feast this Tripel will add that orange note to the turkey and stuffing quite nicely and it also should play off the cranberry as well. Might be less effective with gravy or heavier or sweeter foods. Might be less effective with relatives who vote Trump as well.