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Previously on the Los Angeles IPA Festival, these were the 2020 winners…
1st place – Sorta Mostly Dead from North Park Beer Co.
2nd place – Heal the Bay IPA from Golden Road
3rd place – Boss of the Plains from Fieldwork Brewing
This year, after a pandemic break, the IPA’s hopped from Mohawk Bend to Brennans and the winners for 2022 were…
1st place – Dankster Squad from Riip Beer Co.
2nd place – Ain’t Getting Any Deader from Green Cheek
3rd place – Disciples of Dankness from Beachwood Brewing
After a hiatus, the L.A. IPA festival returns next month on the 21st of May.
Here are more details about the event that will move from Mohawk Bend in Echo Park to Brennan’s in Marina Del Rey.
“The event will carry forward many of its traditions from prior years. A panel of industry- leading brewers will be sequestered to judge the entries to determine the one most representative of the ideals of a West Coast IPA. Guests will get the opportunity to taste any of the beers and submit their pick for People’s Choice. And a VIP experience will be available for guests that want to rub shoulders with the best in the business.
Over 60 beers will be available as part of the competition, from some of the best breweries within California. North Park Beer Company, which won the 2020 competition with their “Sorta Mostly Dead” IPA, will be present, along with Tarantula Hill Brewing, 2020 winners of the People’s Choice. Also present will be crowd favorites such as Russian River, Highland Park Beer, Green Cheek Beer, and many, many more.
General Admission to the festival includes a commemorative IPA glass and five beer tokens for $38. However, a special Early Bird price is available until April 30th for only $29. A limited amount of “Shadow Judge” VIP tickets will also be made available, which offer the opportunity to enjoy a “brewers’ brunch” with the judges at 10am and view the first round of judging at 11am. This package also includes 5 beer tokens and the commemorative glass, and runs for $125.”
Circumstances (aka Life) got in the way of me attending the Leap Day celebration of IPA at Mohawk Bend, but I did sneak over on March 1st to sample some leftovers.
Tarantula Hills Thousand Oaks IPA
People’s Choice Winner. Good solid bitterness. Nothing jumps out as to why this would make a mark. Pours a solid yellow color. Tea and spice here.
Harland Brewing Leap Year
First beer from Harland. Had the beer a day late. Light yellow. Coconut but light. Strong amount of bitterness. Some earthy pine as well.
Gunwhale Ales California Scenario IPA
My fav of the three. Light. Good amount of bitterness. More earthy but bubbly.
This year’s winners did not include Green Cheek or Highland Park and cover a wide swath of California too. North Park took Gold with Sorta Mostly Dead, Silver to Heal the Bay from ABInBev subsidiary Golden Road and Bronze to Fieldwork for Boss of the Plains.
Empty out your weekend plans when it comes to March 3rd and 4th. The fifth annual Los Angeles IPA Festival returns to blister the palates of all with truckloads of hops.
Mohawk Bend, will host the beer competition of the best India Pale Ales from all across California. Below are the details…
“Starting at 9:30am on Saturday morning, attendees will be able to stop by the Echo Park spot to sample over 60 craft beers from 60 competing breweries and enjoy a limited menu, pizza slices, and $5 keepsake glasses.
Two time champion brewer, Bob Kunz, from Highland Park Brewery will return as a judge/competitor along with Jeremy Raub from Eagle Rock Brewery and many more. For $5 per 8 oz. pour, you can enjoy a variety of unique brews and even vote for your favorite—both the People’s Choice and Judge’s choice winners will be crowned at 4pm.
On Sunday at 9:30am, continue the beer-filled festivities with build-your-own flights of 4 for $15 of the remaining beers.”
I have found that 11am on Sunday will give you actual elbow room and while the winners and a good share of the haze and milkshakes will be kicked, there will be plenty of beers to choose from. I still had 30+ beers to choose from. But for those that like the crowds and the energy, make sure you get there early.