Norm!

Collaborations that I would not have predicted.  Norm’s Restaurants, an L.A. landmark (at least sign wise, never been to one) has teamed with Common Space Brewery for a house IPA.

 22 locations and counting mostly in Los Angeles and Orange County.  But their menu shows no signs of alcohol at all, plus diner food and IPA doesn’t immediately scream a great pairing.

LA Beer Week 2023 Picks

Time to make my humble suggestions as to which L.A. Beer Week events merit your attention this year.  Here are my top 5 picks…

June 11th – Drag Brunch at Frogtown Brewery

“Join Frogtown Brewing  for their first ever Drag Brunch! We will have 4 performers, a booth with raffle from Nova Community Arts, a limited edition Beer Slushee and some brunch items from Heritage Kitchen LA! This event is free and open to the public.”

June 14th – Beer Side Talks

“Ambitious Ales joins Beachwood Brewing for an educational panel speaking event to discuss the impact of breweries collaborating, how it brings together community, learning experiences, and more. Coinciding with the event, the two breweries are both releasing a West Coast IPA, Neighborhood Pals. The event ticket includes a 10 oz pour of each of the collaboration beers. Help us celebrate LA Beer Week and independently-owned craft breweries strengthening the craft beer industry.”

June 16th – Hawthorne Block Party

“BBQ, Beer Releases, Bands/DJ’s, Games and Food. 2pm-12am at both L.A. Ale Works and Common Space Brewing.”

June 17th – Clean and Crispy

At Long Beach Beer Lab, “Over 20 curated breweries! Exclusive taster glass + unlimited samples. Marketplace, food vendors and more.”

June 18th – King of the Kolsch

Arts District Brewing hosts your favorite beer style from Cologne, Germany with many different Kolsch variations from LA breweries.

You can see the full event guide HERE

Review – Ice Cream Sandwich Dessert Beer from Common Space + Coolhaus

This is certainly a unique beer from Common Space in conjunction with ice creamery, Coolhaus. Right off the bat, the aroma is hard to pin down. I end up thinking cotton candy. I think it comes down to the style having a sharp edge to it that dulls the sweetness but also takes away that creamy lactose mouthfeel. Without a corresponding “cookie” aspect, it is one dimensional. Albeit a weird dimension.