1st Visit – Campsite Brewing

Usually, visiting a brewery taproom for the first time, you expect it to be, putting it kindly, industrial. Campsite Brewing in Covina is decidedly not that.

It is a little oasis with a camping theme but more glamping since there is draft beer. There is an expansive outdoor area with fire pits, an outdoor balcony area, a hidden inside seating area and then the main indoor spot and bar. Oh and an event venue too. This is a restaurant compound. A smaller version of Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens.

I gad sampled two beers from Campsite two weeks ago at the L.A. Beer Week Festival in Long Beach and was heartened enough to go see it.

The beers were all well done and distinct. I went one light, two IPA and one dark plus a Shandy to gauge where their strength was and found all but the Blonde Ale well good and even the blonde was more m’eh than anything wrong. My favorite was the Cold Front Cold IPA since they are on Front Street. It was bright, real bright with a great combo of citrus and dank to it. The S’mores Sweet Stout was also good and sweet in a good way with getting too deep into marshmallow.

Next time I find myself in that neck of the L.A. County woods, I will drop in again.

Add to the Visit List – Campsite Brewing

If I ever camp again, it will be too soon.  Some folks have the “roughin’ it” genome and others have the hotel with hot tub one.  I am the latter.  So seeing a brewery named Campsite conjures up smoke in your eyes and uncomfortable sleep.

But Campsite Brewing in Covina seems more on the luxe side with a long list of beers covering a range of current must have styles as well as food. I first caught wind of them this time last year but they opened without hitting my radar.

Look for a 1st visit report next time I head out Covina way.

Pomona Now, Covina Later

Old time L.A. beer fans might remember Sanctum Brewing in Pomona, well that space is now the home of Neon Bear Brewery.  The owner/brewmaster is Ryan Walton, who last worked at Last Name Brewing Co.  They are now open and showing off neon signage because, for some strange reason, the City of Glendale’s Museum of Neon Art, has a storage facility not in Glendale.  I digress, the brewery is now open and is on my to-visit list.

Coming later is Campsite Brewing settling in Covina and a planned opening date later this year.  More info to come as they get closer to opening the taps on what should include a rauchbier or s’mores stout.