Follow Sean Inman to the best in craft beer
All Season Brewing has collaborated with the now defunct Eagle Rock Brewery to bring back the L.A. flagship beer, Solidarity Dark Mild back, at least for a limited time.
So, if you want a hit of nostalgia in these turbulent times, then head to south of Wilshire to have a pint or two. It will be available later this month.
Jeff Alworth always posts interesting and thought provoking beer content at Beervana Blog and this piece HERE, is no exception. Using the premise of what other breweries could use a Chobani like savior to bring them back to life.
His picks are more centered in Europe and are much deeper cuts so I propose three additional choices….
One – Bert Grants – this was a Spokane, Washington based pioneer in the early craft beer movement. With the titular Scotsman as the branding lead. They made quite a few Americanized British Ales and were decidedly on the malty side of the spectrum.
Two – Thirsty Bear Brewing – this San Francisco based brewery and restaurant was on the organic bandwagon and Spanish tapas too. Maybe too niche to last too long but I would love to see a beer and serious food pairing space.
Three – Eagle Rock Brewery – this recently closed Los Angeles brewery led the way in L.A. but despite heroic efforts, could not find a winning combination of beers. Bigger bucks could bring back the opening year line-up and maybe find a better location as well.
When a brewery in Los Angeles calls it a day, it is sad. But when a real path breaker does it, it is doubly sad. If not quadruply sad with it happening smack in the middle of L.A. Beer Week. Such is the case though as Eagle Rock Brewery has decided to end its run at the end of June.
Founded back in 2009 by two really great people, Ting and Jeremy. They have run government gauntlets, brewed many a Unity beer, were there at every early beer festival and so much more.
Who knew that a tiny little brewery in a weird corner side street off a freeway exit with a mild ale as a torch bearer would have such an outsized impact on the direction of craft beer in Los Angeles.
Now only Ladyface Ale Companie stands from the trio of early L.A. breweries. How this will affect The Landing in Burbank or Party Beer Co. who was using the facilities is unknown at this point but this is a real dent and one that I will be processing for a while.
Eagle Rock Brewery is turning 14 in 2024 and, of course, there will be a big anniversary party and their new roommate Party Beer Co. will be attending this joint Pajama Party there on Saturday, Feb. 17th from noon – 6pm.
Per anniversary tradition there will be special beer offerings plus karaoke, Mario Cart and food trucks.
Did I mention a pinata?
Eagle Rock Brewery has beer in quite a few fine bottle shops as well as the Disney Concert Hall, where you will find their L.A. Phil Pilsner, so you can support the arts and drink good too. So grab tickets to a concert of your choice in the remaining 23-24 season.
Taking the beer Tardis back to 2018 for Eagle Rock Brewery’s 7th Anniversary beer, La Suerte. “Imperial Mexican Stout, brewed with Flaked Maize, Chocolate, Vanilla, Chile, and Cinnamon.”
For being 5+ years old and in a can, La Suerte has held up quite well. The chile is still there, prickling the tongue and lips with a touch of heat. There is a slight wine sour note and a bit of thinness in the mouthfeel but the flavors promised on the can – chocolate, vanilla and cinnamon are there if in smaller intensity than the chile. It is a 14% beer but the chile heat covers any of that burn.
RIP to the Empire Tavern, gone too soon, a victim of the Covid scourge. But now the space in Burbank has been reborn as The Landing.
It is a cross of a specialty market, bottle shop and Eagle Rock Brewery. Multiple taps of Eagle Rock beer with a couple guests as well as wine.
The space is warm and bright with bright colors on the wall. And it has the same welcoming vibe as the OG Eagle Rock taproom.
When you are done shopping at Ikea or you find yourself in upper Burbank, you should drop in.
LA Beer Week is going full blast, so it is time to review the Unity beer for 2023. Labeled as “a community-made hoppy Helles Lager”.
It pours a dark orange color. Lemon and tea notes on the nose. Dare I say, it tastes more like Session IPA or a Cold Pale Ale? Don’t get me wrong, it tastes great. The base for this beer is very light but the hops are well in proportion so everything stays bright.
Eagle Rock Brewery class is in session with their Beer 101 Nights every month in their taproom.
And the price is really right. Only $11, and you get “one flight of 4 beers, a specially selected taster, and an educational discussion about the style, tasting notes, and more.” And believe me when I say, you should never stop learning.
Fun L.A Beer Week fact is that each year Guild members choose a brewery to host the annual LA Brewers Guild Unity Brew. This year, the chosen brewery is Eagle Rock.
Second deeper dive fun fact is that Eagle Rock did the first five Unity beers before the role started to rotate around. More details on the beer style, as well as where and when you can drink it coming.
And remember that LA Beer Week is June 10th-June 18th this year.