It might be a little past Oktoberfest season but we can easily look past that minor faux pas as ever creative Long Beach Beer Lab is combining the fest atmosphere with their 7th anniversary, making October 20th a two-fer.
Seven & Fest
Sith
Star Wars geeks know the importance of Kyber Crystal and what happens if the crystal is red. It means a hoppy red ale from Long Beach Beer Lab that even a Sith Lord could love. Masters and apprentices alike.
1st Visit – Long Beach Beer Lab Zaferia
It was an eventful first visit to the second Long Beach Beer Lab location in the Zaferia District of Long Beach. I had taken a couple sips of Brut IPA (you remember that sub-style right?) when that too familiar crunch sound made me swivel on mybar stool.
There was one car flipped over and one car with all air bags deployed. The fire and police departments were soon on the scene and attention could be turned back to the space and the beer and the pizza.
I have to say that the Wrigley location is more my speed but the more I thought, if this was in my neighborhood, I would be glad it was there. Yes, too many TVs but thankfully, most were about the brewery and bakery. And the cooler with mix and match and 4-packs is great.
And I did love the Brut (Brewte IPA) which was super dry but sweet with a pear note. So, thumbs up even for someone not from the neighborhood.
Zaferia
Long Beach Beer Lab opened their second location earlier this month. On Anaheim Street in the Zaferia District, the second Lab location will be open Wednesday through Sunday.
Lab Envy
It is not often that a seemingly normal tap takeover becomes the launch party for a brewery taking over a bar. But Long Beach Beer Lab will be taking over the operation of Bar Envie which will become a new Long Beach Beer Lab tasting room and kitchen.
No timetable yet for the turnaround to LBB but good to see the growth for the brewery.
So Calamansi
When our climate changed sun returns to SoCal, lighter beers will need to be added to the ‘fridge. One will be the Long Beach Beer Labs Rad Dad Calamansi Radler.
A half and half beer and juice popular amongst those who choose to exercise, or those who prefer to watch on TV.
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
Legend
Some beers just have more meaning behind them, such is the case of The Legend from Long Beach Beer Lab.
“In memory of my Mom we are going to be brewing a special Beer, aptly named The Legend of Mrs Fried.
The LEGEND, perfectly classed, is a west coast double IPA, with copius amounts of cryo citra and simcoe, her favorite.
100% of the proceeds will go to charity to benefit Angiosarcoma Awareness and a community garden space.
In the spirit of giving we are accepting donations to charity to commemorate her life.”
Petri Dish
Science. A large part of beer making. Which is why the name and label of this new Long Beach Beer Lab beer is so great. King of the Petri Dish is a West Coast IPA collaboration with King Harbor Brewing using Citra incognito, cryo and mosaic Hops.
Here is the beer description, “This experiment is super fresh with aromatics of grapefruit, wine must, and diesel dankness. On the palate flavors of white bread, grapefruit, orange, smooth bitterness, crisp carbonation and a clean dry finish.”
Long Beach Lagers
Long Beach Beer Lab is celebrating both their 5th Year Anniversary and ultimate Oktober Lager Festival that will conclude on October 23rd but before then are some festive beers to try.
August
– Oktoberfest Marzen
– West Coast Lager with Casa Agria
September
– Oktoberfriends Festbier Vol. 1 The Long Beach Beer Lab version
– Oktoberfriends Festbier Vol. 2 The HopSaint version
– Crispy Pair of Levi’s Rice and Beans Pils with Untitled Art