Follow Sean Inman to the best in craft beer
It is a fair question, which would you choose…
I would take option three, a West Coast IPA please, the latest release from Paperback Brewing.
Side note, there is a resident pop-up Bun & Blanket now for your smash burger cravings.
I missed the seventh anniversary party for Brewyard Beer Company but I made a point of grabbing a 4-pack of their Bourbon Barrel-Aged Belgian Quad, Cat’z Pajamas.
The feline Quad pours with a slight reddish tint to it. Sharp and bubbly on the palate. The bourbon notes are present but not overwhelming. The barrel provides a nice sweet, almost maple note to the beer. For a double digit ABV, it only gives a little jolt when drinking in keeping with the balanced nature.
Glendale’s Brewyard Beer has a great early Christmas present for beer fans…
That is a nice representation of L.A. breweries all in one place and a barrel-aged quad is another incentive too.
Glendale’s Brewyard Beer Co. has been putting out some interesting lagers of late with Asian ingredients, add to that list a black lager with Matcha.
I do not know how that potent green tea flavor will pair with a dark malt profile but I am down to try a pint. Plus the brooding label is cool.
Label design is tough and I can be a harsh judge. Paperback Brewing has a bold dime store novel cover with super bright colors look that I don’t vibe with but they have a winner with their Surrealist beer…
…and it doesn’t hurt that the style of beer is one that I, personally, would like to see more of, the Belgian Blonde ale.
Looks like a Total Wine & More will be coming to my adopted town of Glendale. And within a five minute walk to me.
I really like that they do single can sales but they do not refrigerate the majority of their beers. I am tempted to mark some cans with dates to see how long some beers, especially IPAs, last on the shelf.
Unless their inventory process changes, you will need to be super careful as to what you buy here. Keep it to stouts and spirits.
I took a walk through Glendale over to Brand Boulevard to the recently added Glenwood Smokehouse yesterday to eat some BBQ and check out their curated craft beer list.
1st off the BBQ aromas are great when you walk in and even better when the food hits the table. This is really good brisket, pork ribs as well as chicken (roasted or fried or winged). The sides and appetizers are elevated and tasty. The fried pickles were great and that is not something that I usually would order.
Now that the quality of the food is settled, let’s dig into the beer list. 24 taps on the wall leading to a cooler with the tell-tale red tubing that means that care and expense were taken to have the beer at proper temperature.
There were five Beachwood taps, three Radiant Beer Co. taps and a pair for Riip Beer as well. Right there is a big time savings for me. No need to travel to Orange County. I can walk.
The style mix is good and there is a good balance of rotating taps to fixed beers including three house beers. With nods to seltzer, cider and kombucha too. There is a cocktail program as well.
Plus, if you sit out front, you get a view of the people streaming in and out of the Americana Mall.
Brewyard Beer Co. in my ‘hood of Glendale has a new Belgian treat that would unwise to pass up…
Lookee here, a beer event, on this blog. These have been few and far between haven’t they?
Anyway, Paperback Brewing in Glendale will use three days to celebrate what has been a year for sure. So pick your day and check out their beers and their space if you are like me and haven’t actually been inside.
I think the boomlet of Cold IPA may melt away but here is another take on the sub-style from Glendale’s Brewyard Beer Co. Pro Tip – Find the Wayfinder originator of the style and try side by side.