Tag: Eagle Rock Brewery

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To the City of Los Angeles – Zoning Administration

On Saturday Night Live, there was a recurring segment called “Really?”. Whenever the writers hear of an issue that strikes them as outrageous or dumbfounding, they use this segment to give it the satirical roasting it deserves.

I wish I could hire the writers of that show to give me better words for this occasion, but I will have to settle for “Really?”

What is this occasion? Eagle Rock has to go in front of the Zoning Administration to defend itself as part of the Conditional User Permit it was granted. And if they pass this test, they get to do it again in 3 1/2 years. Before Eagle Rock is questioned tomorrow, here are my questions for the City of Los Angeles….

You are actually thinking about stopping a growing business that has actually hired people in this economy and possibly force them to move. Really?

You would rather a building sit empty than have people inside buying products that are taxed knowing that those dollars then go to the City of Los Angeles? Really?

You want to make the City of the Angels MORE unapealing to entrepreneurs who would like to be opening breweries? Do you know something that Portland, Oregon, Asheville, North Carolina, San Diego, California, Seattle, Washington and New York City, NY don’t know? Really?

You desire to antagonize the small but tight knit craft beer community? A community that has propelled economic growth in a down economy? Really?

Eagle Rock Brewing is an asset not only inside city limits but across the country because they not only employ and serve our local citizens, but also represent Los Angeles at national events – like when they brought home a gold medal from the Great American Beer Festival in Denver.

This is a law abiding, tax paying, community building small business who needs your support. Really.

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Session Fest

11 beers. All under 4.5 in alcohol. What does that equal?

A packed crowd at Eagle Rock Brewery.

the first flight

I was lucky enough to snag a stool at the crowded bar thanks to my buddy Johnny who got their before me. The first flight had my two favorites of the day. A Kolsch that was simply amazing and my gold medal winner and the Tarte Noir which was their Solidarity beer aged in wine barrels and soured with lacto. But there was a nice range of styles from a best bitter to saison to light red’s. Plus these were all homebrew, special 5 barrel recipes.

I am hoping that they continue doing these and that some of these end up on the regular menu.

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Beer is not just for the men

Barley’s Angels just started. The Pink Boots are going strong. Heck, I’ve even donated via Kickstarter to a documentary about women and the craft beer movement.

So it comes as no surprise that L.A. and my more specifically, my local brewery, Eagle Rock is tapping into the trend (that I hope continues) with…..

Women’s Specific Beer Forum: Fru-Fru

Time: March 16, 2011 from 7:30pm to 9:30pm
Location: Eagle Rock Brewery

“Are you tired of getting pigeon-holed into drinking the worst-tasting, syrupy-sweet, weak drinks that inevitably leave you wondering what people see in beer? Undoubtedly, at least some of you must be… I come across many ladies in the taproom that claim to dislike beer and are looking for something better to drink. In general, I’m not entirely convinced that “beer” has been given a fair shake, and I’m willing to bet that of the hundreds… no, thousands of beers out there, that there’s something that will appeal to your palate. But how do we start to narrow it all down and taste our way through the quagmire of flavors and styles? Well, I’ve got a solution!

I’m starting a monthly women’s specific beer forum at Eagle Rock Brewery! Whether you’re new to the world of craft beer, an old pro in the realm of fermented beverages, or merely beer-curious, you should come check this out.

At each monthly forum, I’ll present a flight of 4 beers and host an open discussion about the characteristics, styles, and background of each of the beers. The cost will be $10 to cover the flight of beer, a flight summary, and some QT with other beer-loving ladies – which is the point of all of this. It’s a great way to sample new beers that you may not have tried before, and to explore the multitude of styles and flavors that are out there. It’s also a place that we can all learn more about beer from each other and meet some new friends to drink with.

We’ll ease into this first session with “Fru-Fru” beers. Ha ha ha! Don’t get me wrong, I’m not inviting you out to drink some sickly-sweet fruit syrup… These are great beers that happen to have some fruit in them to compliment the flavors of the base beer.

We’ll be meeting in the grain room at the brewery (to keep the boys out – tee hee) every third Wednesday of the month from 7:30p to 9 or 9:30p. It’s a casual forum so come ready to mingle and taste and talk beer.”

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The results post

Everytime I hear about the Great American Beer Festival gold, silver and bronze winners, I think of all the categories that there are now. 79 plus the pro-am winner. That is a wonderful testament to the resurgence of craft beer in this country. I don’t care that 90+ percent of the country drink the industrial water lager because there is a bounty of great beer everywhere you go. And just like people now require better coffee and people refuse to eat individually sliced “American” cheese, soon craft beer will be the default.

So, check out the GABF website to see what beers you should be tracking down. And to get more number crunching check out the excellent Brookston Beer Bulletin.

….and a big congrats to my local, Eagle Rock Brewery for winning the Pro-Am competition with their wonderful Red Velvet.

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Session # 43

The Beer Babe has announced the topic of The Session #43 (Sept. 3) and “Welcoming The New Kids” challenges bloggers “to seek out a new brewery and think about ways in which they could be welcomed into the existing beer community.”

How does their beer compare to the craft beer scene in your area? Are they doing anything in a new/exciting way? What advice, as a beer consumer, would you give to these new breweries?

Take this opportunity to say hello to the new neighbors in your area. Maybe its a nanobrewery that came to a festival for the first time that you vowed to “check out” later. Maybe it’s a new local beer on a shelf on the corner store that you hadn’t seen before. Dig deeper and tell us a story about the “new kids on the block.” I look forward to welcoming them to the neighborhood!

All bloggers are welcome to participate. Just leave a link below The Beer Babe’s announcement.

Being a transplanted Stumptowner living in Tinseltown, I see new breweries opening in Portland with an envious eye and palate. Wishing that the same pace was being kept in the much larger market of Los Angeles.

Alas, I have to make do with two small but exciting breweries. Eagle Rock Brewing (which is 10 minutes away as the traffic flys) and Nibble Bit Tabby (which is downtown and in limited release). I have blogged about both too much as I search the past postings on my blog so I thought I would do a general three rules for the new brewer in the neighborhood.

1. Location aka “Where do I park?”
I have been to two community hearings and it seems that parking is the only thing that really pisses people off. You could sell beer anywhere if you have ample parking that doesn’t impinge on nearby homes and business. Why this is the most important thing to people is still a mystery but wow does lack of parking raise a ruckus.

2. Give me options aka “Please give me a growler”
People love to visit breweries so don’t be locked up all day. People love to buy the local beer at the local bar so be on draft near the brewery. And for homebodies who like to sit and watch TV on the DVR, the growler is a must if canning or bottling is too expensive. You get the point. Don’t restrict people from your beer. Most of the country ain’t gonna get to taste your beer so make sure that your immediate circle is fulfilled.

3. Charity is Cool aka “But don’t give it away”
You don’t have to give beer away to every Tom, Dick and beer blogger but make sure you supply ANY worthy cause in your vicinity. Especially now, no charity is going to turn away money because it is alcohol funded. And most love having adult only functions with a local vibe.

I am sure there are other golden rules not to be violated but from my experience, my three really need to be looked at.

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Eagle Rock Brewing – IPA Class

Hey beer lovers!

I am big on educating yourself in not only different beer styles but also in the building blocks of beer. So each time my local, Eagle Rock Brewery does a new beer education class, I get excited. I have attended these classes so I know they are done well.
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“We are super excited to announce that our next beer class is all about IPAs, the perfect summer beverage. Yes – hopheads unite! The class will take place in the Eagle Rock Brewery taproom on Tuesday 8/24/10 from 7pm to 9pm. As usual, the taproom will be open at 6p for those registered in the class to come in to pickup the course materials and enjoy a pre-class beer. Cost will be $30 per person. Register at our online store.

Class registration is non-refundable so please do not register for the class until you are absolutely certain that you will be able to attend. No exceptions will be made. The registration does not include a guest, so please do not bring guests with you and expect that they will be able to stay. All of our classes have sold out and space and class resources are limited, so as a courtesy to everyone involved, no exceptions please.”

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Open! Open!

goat

Change that “coming soon” to opening Monday, February 8th. The Surly Goat will have the following…
You’re likely to find beers like Deschutes The Abyss, Hair of the Dog Fred, Lagunitas Brown Shugga, Bear Republic Heritage Ale, Celebrator Doppelbock, The Bruery Sour on Rye, Firestone Walker Velvet Merkin, New Belgium Tart Lychee, New Belgium La Folie, Victory Kolsch and Craftsman Cabernale. Two breweries have even stepped up to make beers specifically for The Surly Goat, including Eaglegoat Bock from Eagle Rock Brewery and Speakeasy Public Enemy Pils, a pre-Prohibition Pilsner.

Ballast Point is supplying the opening cask. It will either be Sea Monster Stout aged in rum barrels or barrel-aged Victory at Sea.

They are located at 7929 Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood.
Reach them at 323-650-4628.

erb

If that wasn’t enough, Eagle Rock Brewery has this news…
“For the time being, we’ll be having regular taproom hours on Fridays and Saturdays from 4p-10p and Sundays from 12p-6p”

ERB is at 3056 Roswell Street in Los Angeles. Reach them at 323-257-7866.