Tag: Long Beach

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Shelton Festival 2014 at Crafted

Beer Festivals are hard to do right.  There are some that occupy rarefied air like the Firestone Walker Invitational and others that are well organized with well curated beer lists while others simply bring a shrug of indifference.  And then there are some that are intriguing such as this November Festival staged by Shelton Brothers in Long Beach at Crafted….

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The brewery list is foreign focused which is a rarity but the smaller California list is amazing and I would go just for those 7.  Below is the full list with my highlights, highlighted

International Breweries:

Baird (Japan) ▪ Be.Er Brewery (Belgium) ▪ Birra Toccalmatto (Italy) ▪ Blaugies (Belgium) ▪ Brekeriet (Sweden) ▪ Brewfist (Italy) ▪ Ca L’Arenys/Guineu (Spain) ▪ Cantillon (Belgium) ▪ CCM (Catalonia, Spain)  ▪ De La Senne (Belgium) ▪ De Ranke (Belgium) ▪ Dieu du Ciel! (Quebec, Canada) ▪ Drie Fonteinen (Belgium) ▪ Het Nest (Belgium) ▪ Jandrain-Jandrenouille (Belgium) ▪ Le Cheval Blanc (Quebec, Canada) ▪ Le Trou du Diable (Quebec, Canada) ▪ Magic Rock (UK) ▪ Mahr’s (Germany) ▪ Mikkeller (Denmark) ▪ Oersoep (Netherlands) ▪ Oliver’s Cider and Perry (UK) ▪ Page 24 (France) ▪ Pays du Flamand (France) ▪ Rappi Bier Factory (Switzerland) ▪ Renaissance (New Zealand) ▪ Ribela (Spain) ▪ Siren (UK) ▪ Struise (Belgium) ▪ Thiriez (France) ▪ To Øl (Denmark) ▪ Trois Dames (Switzerland)

U.S. Breweries: 

AEppelTreow Winery (Wisconsin) ▪ Allagash (Maine) ▪ Arizona Wilderness (Arizona) ▪ Artisan Beverage Coop (Massachusetts) ▪ Cambridge (Massachusetts) ▪ Crooked Stave (USA) ▪ Hill Farmstead (Vermont) ▪ Jester King (Texas) ▪ Jolly Pumpkin (Michigan) ▪ Oxbow Brewing (Maine) ▪ Prairie Artisan Ales (Oklahoma) ▪ Pretty Things (Massachusetts) ▪ Saint Somewhere (Florida) ▪ Shmaltz (New York) ▪ Upright (Oregon)

Local Breweries:

Bagby Beer ▪ Beachwood BBQ (CA) ▪ Brouwerij West (CA) ▪ Cellarmaker (CA) ▪ Faction (CA) ▪ Rare Barrel (CA) ▪ Tahoe Mountain (CA)

The only odd, off item is the pricing structure.  You pay $40-$45 plus fees just to get in with an empty glass.  Then you pay as you go.  And I know that imported beer is going to cost more.  I get it.  But to charge $45 entry seems steep even though the 2oz tasters are a buck a pop which is fair to low. 

Now I prefer the pay as you go compared to unlimited tasters because it does cut down on over imbibing and forces fest goers to make wise choices.  The only issue is now you have created another line or two inside the fest.  It can be done but I think most beer folk are more used to the common, pay once up front and get your fill. 

I also am concerned how they are going to work crowd management for multiple sessions over multiple days.  Will people be ushered out in time for the next batch to show up? Again, it can be done but it is extra work for a large festival.

I will be very interested to see the reaction and recaps in the days after.

 

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A Later Black Friday

the-factory-logo

There is no surfeit of craft beer events.  I try to keep up but it seems many slip through my grasp.  If you need a post Thanksgiving Pick-Me-Up the folks at the Factory Gastrobar can help because this Friday, November 29 is…
BLACK FRIDAY!!

“One of the greatest traditions in craft beer continues as black brews pour on every tap!!

But this year Black Friday is bigger and better–The Factory opens at noon!

So get your shopping in early and watch Facebook for the final legendary beer list!  We have already secured the services of Sierra Nevada Narwhal Imperial Stout, Almanac Smoked Chipotle Stout, Ohana Saison Noir and Beer Valley Black Madness!  The rest of the beer list is TBA–To Be Awesome!!!”

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Amalgamated hops

One of my favorite purveyors of bitter IPA’s, Beachwood Brewing has been releasing bottles of selected beers from their line-up and they go fast!  And probably none will go faster than Amalgamator.  One of my favorite IPA’s from Julian Shrago.

Beachwood-Amalgamator-IPA-label

Oh and three other Beachwood notes:

1. SourFest is underway at both locations.  If you like tart, head there pronto

2. Drake’s Brewing Company and Beachwood Brewing have come together to brew a collaboration IPA,  Mind Melder IPA.  From the press release, “for his part, Julian offered up his thoughts on the most reasonable brewing methods for bringing the beer to their mutual standards on his system, and John brought in sexy hops, El Dorado and Nelson, to intensify the fresh lemon and tropical fruit aromas to their utmost potential.”

3. Another Beachwood favorite is in the bottling pipeline!

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They are certainly busy, industrious folks at Beachwood.

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Taste of Long Beach

Long Beach will play host to the 3rd iteration of the Taste of Brews later this month on the 24th.

logoIt will again be held at the Lighthouse Park and benefit the Long Beach Marine Institute.  Skip past the  Journey tribute band “The Journey Experience” and 80s cover band “The Pac Men” and head to the taps manned by Golden Road, Karl Strauss, Sam Adams and Firestone as well as Rock Bottom, Beachwood, Belmont, El Segundo, San Pedro and Strand Brewing Co.  Plus several breweries from the Inland Empire like Hangar 24, Wiens, Inland Empire, Craft Brewing and Packinghouse will also be on hand.

Now I have not been to this event so I cannot vouch for it.  But if you are averse to driving to the IE to try their beers.  This might make a perfect opportunity to try them at the beach.  Plus Beachwood is never a bad sign.

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Melrose IPA – NOW in bottles!

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Beachwood has been pumping out the bottles this year and one of their stalwart IPA’s is making its debut on July 16.  Hey, that’s today!

Here is the info on the beer: “Melrose is brewed with American 2-row malt and a touch of Canadian honey malt to accentuate the tropical and citrus hop. It’s generously dry hopped with Simcoe and Amarilllo for an over-the-top aromatic experience. As Brewmaster and co-owner Julian Shrago explains, “Melrose is a true West Coast India Pale Ale that I’ve been brewing for many years.” A throwback from his days as a homebrewer, Melrose IPA is already a favorite among Beachwood Brewing fans. “After many humbling requests, it’s finally here!” “Melrose is a great beer and we are excited to finally see it bottled for the first time,” echoes co-owner Gabriel Gordon. “There’s no doubt that those who tried Thrillseeker IPA will be pleased to have another great go-to Beachwood IPA.” Melrose IPA will be sold in 22 oz. bottles at finer craft beer retailers across Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties. The IPA will also be available on draft at both Beachwood BBQ locations.”

Their IPA’s are fantastic and they sell fast so get a bottle quick and drink it fresh.

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Two Full Malted Jackets

Screen Shot 2013-02-19 at 9.44.19 AMHere is the story of the two version (in limited bottle release): “Straight off the heels of Beachwood Brewing’s first two bottled beers — Tovarish Imperial Stout and Beachwood Six Smoked Saison — arises two new Scottish-style Beachwood ales from Brewmaster Julian Shrago: Barrel Aged Full Malted Jacket Scottish-Style Ale & Full Malted Jacket Scottish-Style Ale (non-Barrel aged).

Batch 1 of Full Malted Jacket spent one year maturing in sturdy American bourbon barrels. Barrel Aged Full Malted Jacket is a Scottish-style “wee heavy” ale. The beer is rich, malty, and brewed with heirloom Scottish barley containing hints of vanilla and toasted oak that meld seamlessly with notes of toffee and caramel. “Full Malted Jacket marks our first barrel aged, bottled brew,” explains Shrago. “The fact that we are barrel aging at Beachwood is an exciting achievement; seeing the potential, we’ll definitely be experimenting further with barrel aged beers in the near future.”

Recognizing a unique opportunity to release two versions of the same beer, Beachwood Brewing is releasing classic-style Full Malted Jacket as well. This beer brewed with heirloom Scottish barley similar to its barrel aged counterpart. This complex beer endured a 3-hour boil, leading to a decadently rich malt profile with toffee and caramel accents.”

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Bottle that Beachwood

Count me as a Beachwood fan. It seems like everything that Julian brews has such a lovely balance without sacrificing huge flavors and now you can grab some Tovarish to go because Beachwood is bottling!

The 1ST BOTTLED BEER:
TOVARISH RUSSIAN IMPERIAL ESPRESSO STOUT

Here is the news straight outta Long Beach, “Well craft beer fans, you asked for it and it’s finally here—Beachwood Brewing’s first bottled brew, Tovarish Russian Imperial Espresso Stout will be released on December 14, 2012 at Beachwood BBQ & Brewing in Long Beach, CA.

For the first time Beachwood Brewing fans will be able to sip this limited edition stout, available in 22oz bottles. “We are so excited to start bottling Beachwood’s beers for customers to take home, enjoy, and share with their friends,” explains Beachwood’s co-owner, Gabriel Gordon. “This is just the first of many more to come.”

Tovarish was carefully crafted by Beachwood Brewing’s brewmaster and co-owner, Julian Shrago. Brewed on Beachwood’s 10-barrel system, Tovarish is a highly coveted beer! Tovarish is a bold Russian imperial stout brewed with a base of British Maris Otter barley, heaping amounts of roasted barley, and specialty malts. It is finished with a touch of blackstrap molasses along with a custom roasted coffee blend by Portola Coffee Lab in Costa Mesa, CA. “Tovarish is a very special brew to the Beachwood family and we’re looking forward to sharing the love,” concludes Shrago.

This remarkably rich and complex beer is not to be missed! Savor the layers of roast, coffee, and dark fruits with every sip!

Tovarish bottles will also be available at various local Los Angeles and CA retailers.”

Count me as happy too!

Tovarish Russian Imperial Espresso Stout
Brewed & bottled by Beachwood Brewing, Long Beach, CA
11.2% ABV
Retail Price: $20/22 oz. bottle
www.beachwoodbbq.com

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Long Beach, Azusa & Pasadena and David Walker


Not only did Firestone-Walker put on a great show (from all eyewitness accounts) at their 1st beerfest. Not only are they expanding tanks but they are on the road and bringing their beer to L.A. Last week I mentioned an event at the Federal Bar in North Hollywood and now more traffic to wend their way through….

“Sir David Walker starring in The TRILOGY

Join us Thursday, June 28th at All Congregation Alehouse Chapters as we celebrate the latest release of Firestone Walker Parabola.

Sir David Walker will be the first to host a Chapter neer event at all 3 Chapters in one evening.
Join us at 6PM in Azusa, 8PM in Pasadena and 10PM in Long Beach!”

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Ode to Lambic


Beachwood BBQ’s Ode to Lambic at the Downtown Long Beach location will be presenting an Ode to Lambic today! Here is the scoop and more importantly the beer list…..

“Spontaneous fermentation, local microbial micro flora, 100 year old oak barrels, Wild yeast, brewing traditions that have been preserved since the middle ages….”a taste of history” according to the late, great beer writer Michael Jackson. Lambic is truly a window into the past, a craft that is still subject to the forces of nature and perhaps the best example of terrior that the beer world has to offer. It is a unique representation of a brewery’s environment, an intricate expression of the brewers craft and still to this day, one of the most mesmerizing categories of beer being produced. Come join us for a celebration of lambic and the amazing beers that they have continued to inspire, unique food pairings and guest speakers. For those of you that have been squirreling away your favorite lambic beers, in hopes of sharing them with like minds, this may be your opportunity. We’d like to extend the celebration with a bottle share of your favorites.”

Draft List:
Cantillon Kriek
Tilquin Gueuze
St. Louis Gueuze
Bockor Oude Lambic
Boon Framboise
The Bruery Sans Pagaie Kriek
Jolly Pumpkin Bambic

Bottle List:
3 Fonteinen Oude Kriek
3 Fonteinen Oude Gueuze
3 Fonteinen Schaerbeekse Kriek

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California Heights Market

The Bixby Knolls section of Long Beach has not only The Factory for craft beer but now I have learned there is a bottle shop in those whereabouts as well. California Heights Market can be the place to check out their beer collection.

You can never have a big enough arsenal of beer stores (especially in the vast and quite often traffic ridden expanses of the LA area) so I am happy there is another location that offers up the good stuff.