Need I say more? Just follow Olivia from DTLA to Hollywood.(via Metro rail if you so desire)
And, yes, this is the first of many L.A. Beer Week posts that you are going to see. Also probably not the last Firestone Walker post either.
4 for Firestone
April is the 4th month and in a bit of coincidence, there are 4 Firestone-Walker events this month as well.
Thursday, April 11th @7pm
City Tavern Culver City
Come drink FW beers and meet David Walker.
Friday, April 12th @7pm
The Federal Bar in NoHo
Come drink FW beers and meet David Walker
Thursday, April 18th @6pm (Q&A starts at 7pm)
Chloe’s inside the Pub at Golden Road
Meet Jeffers Richardson the Barrelmeister from Firestone
Wednesday, April 24th
Far Bar
A 4 course dinner pairing.
If you are a F-W fan (like I am) then these will be events to mark on your calendar
Enjoying Beer and Food at City Tavern
City Tavern will be hosting a “Beer Enjoyment Dinner with Monkish Brewing Co.” event on Sunday, February 10 (6 PM pre-meal drinks/6:30 PM dinner). Our family-style menu is carefully planned out by chef Wesley Pumphrey to compliment Monkish Brewing Co’s Belgian-styles. The event will feature four-courses plus five delicious brews. In attendance will be owner/brewer Henry Nguyen, he’ll be introducing and talking to patrons about his beers.
Menu:
Course One blanquette de veau aux chicons
» veal cheek, belgian endive, celery root paired with rosa’s hips » belgian-style brown ale spiced with rose hips 7.3% abv
Course Two bagna cauda
» warm baguette, winter crudité paired with red table » belgianized red/amber ale spiced with pink peppercorns 5.6% abv
Course Three braised lamb shoulder
» root vegetables and braising jus paired with anomaly » belgian-style strong ale 8.5% abv
Sides
baked mushrooms &roasted beets with smoked cheddar paired with crux
» belgian-style single ale spiced with elderflowers 5.4% abv
Course Four
beignets,
» chocolate hazelnut fondue, warm caramel paired with magnificat » belgian-style christmas ale with spices 10.1% abv
Tickets are $48 per person (tax and gratuity not included). Call 310-838-9739 to reserve your seats.
Ohana Pint Night
City Tavern in Culver City has a great line-up of beer nights and Thursday’s Ohana Brewing night was epic.
You see correctly, that is 9 big tasters of the full Ohana range (minus the sours, which I will talk about later). It looks even prettier with the glasses full.
Of this group, my top three would be the Accomplice Belgian Style Golden which had a really soft edge to it and a lovely vanilla spice note at the end, followed by the Grateful Hophead which had a wonderful aroma and nice kick of bitterness and then in third place the Noir with Coffee. Third because the coffee taste was fabulous but ran roughshod over the IPA part of the bill.
It is good to see that the Ohana taphandles are getting space. They are distinctive. You can’t miss that tiki vibe but also it means that all the hard work that Andrew and Chris have put in is paying off with great beer.
I also got to sample three of their sour beers. Blueberry, wine grape and cherry. The wine grape offering was the least sour and the one with more toasted grain notes and I really liked it but the cherry had a tart hit to it plus had the aroma of a cherry pie out of the oven.
Thanks to Ohana and City Tavern for a grand introduction to Ohana’s full set of beers.
Editor’s note : the two better photos are from Rich Rosen
City Tavern Pint Nights
Tonight starts the first of an impressive roster of pint nights being held at City Tavern in Culver City. Kicking it off with Noble Ale Works is a strong start but I am marking the calendar for the Ohana Brewing night. And if past beer dinners are any indication, the Monkish Beer Dinner should be amazing.
If you haven’t had a pint at City Tavern, any of these nights would be a great way to introduce yourself.
City Tavern + Beachwood Brewing =
City Tavern’s Beachwood Brewing & BBQ food & beer pairings – Friday, July 20th, 4:30pm-close
Here is the menu for tommorow night’s event:
Ahi and plum salad with Persian cucumber and lemon mustard vinaigrette ($13)
o Suggested pairing with Mandarin Dream
Potted Duck Confit with crisps ($9)
o Suggested pairing with Knucklehead Red
Light Sabers (Corn Dogs) with Hop Vader Pub Cheese ($10)
o Suggested pairing with Hop Vader Black IPA
System of a Stout Milkshakes with Udder Love backs ($9)
· Foam Top Popsicles ($3)
I would go just for the desserts. I have made my own popsicles but the award winning Foam Top is a great choice to make a frosty treat with. This is the 2nd to last Beachwood 1st year event so if you have been procrastinating despite the fact that I have warned you with many posts about it then get moving to City Tavern or Beer Belly on Sunday!
Prices per beverage vary, and more than 10 flavors from Beachwood will be available.
substitute L.A. Beer Blast
The L.A. Beer Blast that pops into your inbox on Thursday nights courtesy of yours truly and FoodGPS is on hiatus for a couple weeks as the delivery system and other behind the curtain changes are made.
But that doesn’t mean craft beer stops in L.A. Far from it! Here is a totally unalphabetical, non-geographic look at what is on tap and in store for the craft beer lover this weekend and into next week.
1. At the Azusa chapter of Congregation Alehouse – Uinta Brewing Company Event with owner Steve Kuftinec, Thursday March 29th
Stone Tap Takeover Weekend with brewer Kris Ketcham Fri March 30- Sun, Apr 1.
2. The Factory Gastrobar in Long Beach is leading the way again this week by being the first taphouse to pour Triple Voodoo Brewing in Southern California. Their aptly-named first brew, Inception, is a great meld of belgian strong ale (8%) and a hoppy dry pale ale–unique and refreshing, but it also packs a punch. Also pouring right now are Hangar 24’s Small Stout and Double IPA, El Segundo White Dog IPA, Chelsea Moylan’s Porter, Sudwerk Helles Lager, Anaheim 1888 California Steam Beer, Green Flash Barleywine, and Eagle Rock Revolution Pale Ale. The cooler is chock full of awesomeness with the likes of: Avery Maharaja, Hangar 24 Columbus IPA, New Belgium La Folie, Heretic Evil Cousin, Knee Deep Resurrection Red and Grand Teton Lost Continent! Don’t forget that The Factory has $4 pours on Thursday, and 50% of food after 8PM on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
3. From the Golden Gopher – Here’s our info: Currently on draught at this DTLA luxe lounge are Craftsman 1903, Brouwerij West 5 Blond, Oskar Blues Mama’s Little Yella Pils, Cismontane Citizen Common, Cismontane Black’s Dawn, El Segundo Blue House Pale Ale, El Segundo Citra, El Segundo White Dog, Golden Road Hefeweizen, Hangar 24 Orange Wheat, Allagash White, Allagash Black, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Ballast Point Big Eye IPA, New Belgium Belgo IPA, Bootlegger’s Knuckle Sandwich, Bootlegger’s Black Phoenix, Bootlegger’s Rustic Rye IPA, TAPS Irish Red, TAPS Cream Ale, The Strand Atticus IPA, Anchor Brewing Porter and Lindeman’s Peche Lambic.
Craft beer “to go” also available at the Beer Chicks 8th Street Bottle Shop inside the bar.
4. Tuesday, April 3rd is the City Tavern 1 Year anniversary in downtown Culver City.
5. Also on April 3rd at the Blu Jam Cafe, Hosted by chef & owner Kamil Majer, along with beer expert Larry James, the evening will feature a five-course tasting menu to complement the five delicious brews. With an emphasis on Belgian beers (Larry James is a Knight of the Belgian Brewer’s Guild in Brussels) and global cuisine, this is an event not to be missed by any beer enthusiasts.
6. At Ladyface in Agoura Hills, Hopping your way April 1-7 is Hella’ Hop Week, a head-spinning, tongue buckling, palate wrecking collection of hop-centric, hop-forward, hopilicious brews. Brewer Dave has created something we’re calling Batch 200 to celebrate our 200th batch of beer. It’s a special version of Chesebro IPA, made with extra barley and 10 pounds of 10 different kinds of hops. At 10.5% abv, it’s also a full percent bigger than our regular Chesebro. Cheers!
7. Wades Wines in Agoura Hills, Firestone Walker Brewing Flight Night Thursday, March 29th from 4:30pm to 7:00pm
Firestone Walker Brewing Company is one of the most awarded, and creative breweries in the craft world. Beer enthusiasts specially seek out Firestone Walker’s yearly release of their Anniversary Ale. Each year Firestone Walker selects a panel of wine and beer makers to create this blend of mostly barrel aged beers. As well as this year’s 15th Anniversary Ale, we will have two of its individual components (Double Jack Double IPA, and Parabola Barrel Aged Russian Imperial Stout). To round out the tasting, we will pour Black Xantus, a popular beer from past anniversary blends. We will have Firestone reps on hand to answer any questions about the beers, or anything to do with the brewery.
Firestone Walker – Double Jack Double IPA 9.5%, Nectar Ale – Black Xantus Java Stout 11%, Firestone Walker – 2011 Parabola Barrel Aged Russian Imperial Stout 13% and Firestone Walker – 15th Anniversary Barrel Aged Blend 12.5%
Come in for a special $20 taster flight…stay to enjoy the 40 unique beers on taps!!!
We have a limited amount of each library beer available…first come…first served!!!
8. Sunset Beer Company in Echo Park has a Uinta Night with the Grill ’em All truck in attendance on Friday the 30th.
9. At the Oinkster in Eagle Rock, This week we are pouring Cismontane Coulter IPA, Anchor Liberty, Craftsman Monkey See Monkey Do DIPA, AleSmith Nautical Nut Brown, Telegraph Los Padres, and Smog City Penumbra Stout. On deck we have Surfers Point Black IPA, Uinta Monkshine, Uinta Wyld Organic Extra Pale Ale, Telegraph Stock Porter, and Eagle Rock Manifesto.
10. Maximilliano’s in Highland Park – Drop by anytime to enjoy our new draft beer lineup which consists of all Craftsman Brewing Co Beers 1903 Lager, Poppyfields Pale, Heavenly Hefe, El Prieto Sour Black Ale, Acorn Saison, Monkey See Monkey Do Double IPA, & the Brand New Juniper Ale. We also have some fresh Hair of the Dog Blue Dot Bombers!
11. Vendome Toluca Lake will be holding their weekend beer tasting. The theme this weekend is Thirst Quenchers. You will find Jester King, Avery, Epic, Green Flash and Grand Teton on the list along with many others.
12. Haven Gastropub in Pasadena – Beers that should tap this weekend: De Koninck Belgian Amber, Grateful Dog Barleywine, Sea Monster by Ballast Point, Brouwerij West Saison, Art of Darkness by Ommegang and Sculpin on Nitro (hopefully!)
13. The info for Far Bar – Highlights on tap: Green Flash Palate Wrecker, Ballast Point Sculpin, Firestone Walker Pale 31, Bruery Humulus Lager, Firestone Walker Double Jack, Ballast Point Sea Monster, Eagle Rock Manifesto, Eagle Rock Libertine, Lost Abbey Avant Garde, Marin Chocolate Airporter, Dogfish Head Aprihop, Avery Maharaja, Kern River Class V Stout, Taps Schwarzbier, Cismontane Classified Dopplesticke and many othere.
Event This week: Final Four of Pale Ales with El Segundo Brewing Tuesday, April 3rd at 7pm. On tap will be:Four Double-Dry Hopped Blue House Pale will be on draught: Citra, Cascade, Nelson, and Simcoe. Rob Croxall (Owner, Brewer) and Tom Kelley (Sales Manager) will be in the house joining us.
to ring in 2012
If you haven’t settled on a party for New Years Eve, here are two in the Los Angeles area that you can try (if tickets are still available)
1) Tony’s Darts Away will have one 9pm seating featuring an abundance of vegan and non-vegan fare and beers. $95 for you all you can eat AND drink, plus a commemorative glass (tax and gratuity included).
Tony’s will also be raffling prizes throughout the night, including vintage California craft beer; gift certificates for Tony’s Darts Away + Mohawk Bend; Golden Road Brewing swag; and the grand prize: brewing a batch of beer with Golden Road Brewing’s brewmaster, Jon Carpenter. For reservations, email NYE2012@tonys.la
2) City Tavern in Culver City will be hosting a “Brew Years Eve” Beer Garden. From 10pm to 1:30am, $68 will allow patrons to enjoy unlimited beer, wine & champagne, plus a glass an extra special toast at midnight; a reduced $56 price tag will be extended to guests with an accompanying dinner reservation (full kitchen ‘til 10pm).
In addition, City Tavern’s notorious table tap booths can be reserved for $100 per person (each booth seats 6-8, 10 if you’re determined/overly friendly), and includes unlimited table taps, wine & champagne, plus an extra bottle of champagne to toast at midnight.
City Tavern + Cismontane + TAPS
Last Thursday, I had the great pleasure to partake of another great night of beer and food at City Tavern in Culver City. Great vibe and great location in Culver City.
Anyway, here is the menu from the night. Try to guess the theme….
To me, the best pairing of beer and food was course # 2. The spiciness of the pork and the hushpuppies worked really well with the amber maltiness of the steam beer. I mean California common. The Blacks Dawn with the salted Caramel ice cream played well together too but since I am not a big pecan pie fan, it comes in a notch lower.
TAPS and Cismontane give us the rationale behind the pairings. It is essential to have this before beer dinners. Victor from TAPS really explained the choices and even how to eat and drink. A little of each food on the fork to catch all of the flavors.
The TAPS witbier that paired with the first course of ambrosia and cream. And below are the buttermilk fried chicken and the dessert at the end of the night.
The portion size was good for both the beer and the food. But even so. I was stuffed by the end. And a little filled with salt. My only course correction would be to subtract either the pork or shrimp dish for a soup or a salad one to give the breweries a chance to choose a beer that would work with different food and also to lighten the meal.
If you haven’t been to a beer dinner, you certainly should and if you get the chance to try one at City Tavern. Hop on the opportunity.
Taps at the table
City Tavern in Culver City is going the tap within reach route.
They have three tables (that I am sure will be booked solid, so don’t wander in and get upset that you can’t get one) that have taps built in. You pay and off you go.
City Tavern are planning on local brews with a spectrum of choices on the three taps. Let’s hope that they keep that up. I would not want a Bud Light table for sure.
Check out this article in Urban Daddy as well for other information.