Tag: Mohawk Bend

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Gigantic Mohawk

Mohawk Bend has a guest tap each and every month and this month I was totally geeked out by the choice of Gigantic Brewing of Portland. So of course, I had to be there when brewer Ben Love was in town and to see what goodies were to be tapped for his visit.

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I ordered up the flightso that I could check out a couple beers that I had not sampled from their line-up including the Kiwi-Collaboration PDXNZESB and then just sorta hung out with brewer Ben Love at the bar and chatted. Primarily about his very recent trip to New Zealand as part of Beervana collaboration with 8 Wired brewery and then about his short time in LA as well as some talk about hop contracts.

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Of the five beers that I sampled, the one that I came back for a full pour was the Pipewrench Gin Barrel IPA. It was so fragrant and the gin added a dimension to the hops that really worked. It was more gin than IPA but very distinctive. The IPL and the ESB tied for 2nd in my mind. They also have keg versions of their core IPA and their Volta Saison. It would be well worth the trip tom Mohawk to sample some great Portland beer.

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Savoring Life

On Tuesday, January 14from 5-10pm Mohawk Bend will have a special menu based on an 11 year-old cookbook author!  And that is not the end of the story, that author, Tyler Cordova was battling non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

So “Executive Chef Erick Simmons will be taking some of Tyler’s recipes from his cookbook “Savoring Life,” and creating a three-course meal as we celebrate Tyler’s journey and the book that exposes his relentless heart and soul. Proceeds from book sales and a portion of proceeds from the dinner will raise money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society – Greater Los Angeles Chapter. For more about Tyler’s story head HERE!” according to the beery folks at Mohawk.

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N to the YE

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Now, readers of this blog will know that I do not prefer (to put it mildly) to go out on New Year’s Eve.  Much like I avoid going out on St. Patricks or Cinco de Mayo or the other “party” holidays.  But far be it for me to dissuade those who DO enjoy it.  If you count yourself as one of these “wrong” people then you have three solid options from the Golden Road group/collective:

For the foodie, beer enthusiast and neighborhood bar goer

OPTION # 1

Mohawk Bend: Best of Mohawk Bend, NYE for the foodie

When: Dec. 31, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Dinner: Most popular items of 2013, served family-style for each table

  • Buffalo Cauliflower (V)

  • Mohawk Burger Sliders (NV)

  • Bacon-wrapped Dates (NV)

  • Veggie Sliders (V)

  • Peel & Eat Shrimp (NV)

  • Soba Noodle Salad (V)

  • Chopped Salad (V)

  • Breaded Zucchini Spears (V)

  • Sweet Potato & French Fries (V)

  • Assorted Pizzas (V & NV)

Dessert: Dessert platter for each table with house-made sweets like brownies, cakes and cookies

Toast: Beer by Golden Road

Price: $40 per person includes food, beer toast and NYE party favors

Reservations: reservations@mohawk.la or online at Mohawk.la and list Best of Mohawk in comments

Walk-ins welcome to enjoy a la carte menu items in bar area at regular price, not including toast

OPTION # 2

Tony’s Darts Away: NYE for Neighborhood Pub Goer

Dinner: Reliable Tony’s Darts Away favorites + specials (served in app size)

  • Pyntch’s Mad Sweet-Potato Fries tossed in maple-chipotle glaze 
and crushed almonds

  • Becky’s bad ass potatoes: russet wedges tossed in buffalo sauce, “blue cheese”, celery & carrots

  • Golden state salad: field greens, beets, sprouts, avocado, almonds, Point reyes blue cheese (optional), house vinaigrette

  • Fried brussel sprouts, caramelized onions, apples

  • Vegan meatloaf sliders, ketchup, tomato, lettuce & onions

  • Vegan & non vegan sausage platters: a selection of our best sausages served with mustard, grilled onions & pepper and French bread

  • and more

Toast: Beer by Golden Road

Price: $75 for food, unlimited beer, custom beer glass and raffle tickets until Dec. 20, $85 thereafter

Reservations: buy in-person, call 818.253.1710 or email reservations@tonys.la

OPTION # 3
Pub @ Golden Road: For the Beer Enthusiast

Celebrate NYE at your favorite pub with beer pairing tasting menu + local live music

Food: Below a la carte served as tasting menu with beer flights ($30) or a la carte…

  • A la carte options include

    • Fuyu Persimmon Salad

    • Truffled Potato and Leek Puree

    • Braised Short Ribs

  • Vegan a la carte:

    • Fuyu Persimmon Salad

    • Truffled Potato and Leek Puree

    • Sundried Tomato Polenta

*regular menu also available

no reservations required

Music: Skin & Bones, LA-based duo performing blues/folk

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LA IPA Fest

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I sauntered over to Mohawk Bend on Day 2 of the inaugural LA IPA Festival and was glad to see that all the beers sans the winner of the judging competition from Noble Ale Works was STILL on tap.  So many choices, here are my tasting notes from what I tasted along with my Yea or Nay vote….

Merry Taj from Lost Abbey
Strong bitterness. Hazy amber. Kind of muddy tasting. Some fruit punch straining in the back. Expecting more from this brewery. Nay.

The Pupil from Societe
Looks like lemonade. Wonderful aroma. Grapefruit pith. Super light. Big Time Yeah.  Love the lightness of this beer.

Fall IPA from Faction
Aroma is minimal. A bit harsh tasting. Earthy. Thumbs down. Not a good introduction to a new brewery. So, nay.

Flying Ace from Automatic
Smoked IPA?  Light in color. Some citrus in the nose.  Not very bitter. Another beer that I was expecting more from, nay.

Illusion from Refuge
Pours clear orange. Clove nose to it. Banana notes to it. Hops in the background.  Tastes better as it warms and is nicely balanced.  Yea to this and I hope to see more beers from Refuge in LA.

Sticky Fingers from The Brewery at Abigailes
Orange yellow in color. Foamy head. Great pepper melon aroma. Tinge of cat pee. Honeydew melon primarily. Treading a fine line but it works for me.  It doesn’t show from those notes but it was my favorite in a close tie with The Pupil.

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In the Tap Lines for December 2012

Every December here on this very blog, I highlight a holiday/Christmas/winter warmer every day up until Christmas. Some of these beers aren’t available here in Los Angeles but your holiday travel plans may take you near one of them that you can taste.

~ e-visits to three breweries from the Austin, Texas area
~ video reviews tackles two new beers from The Bruery
~ Three suggested beers to buy this month
~ I will tap the Firkin and give my opinion on the craft beer world
~ … and Session # 70 will converge bloggers onto a single topic
~ plus many more posts about new beers, beer products and breweries

Here are two events to get your November started in the Los Angeles craft beer world:
1) December 1st – Mohawk Bend features Oregon’s Ninkasi Brewing all month
2) December 6th – Beachwood BBQ in Seal Beach will be hosting a Firestone-Walker 16th Anniversary event

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A Tony Beer Hop

Some great news for people who want to get driven to three of L.A.’s better craft beer spots….

LA Beer Hop has partnered with Mohawk Bend, Tony’s Darts Away and The Pub at Golden Road Brewing to launch a new shuttle route, ferrying hop-heads to some of LA’s best beer bars.

Every Wednesday in November, from 7pm to midnight hitch a ride for $5. Hop on and off as you please and enjoy perks like select beers for $4, complimentary snacks, and even some surprise swag! The first shuttle will depart from Mohawk Bend at 7pm.

Wednesday, November 7th is the inaugural hop, just RSVP for that run by calling Mohawk Bend at 213.483.2337 or at dana@mohawk.la by Wednesday, 10/31.

If you want to reserve seats for any of the Wednesday hops after that then RSVPs go to contact@labeerhop.com, or interested parties can reserve by calling Hal at LA Beer Hop: 323.928.2113.

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Back to School


Readers of this humble blog will know that I am a champion of Craft Beer Education. I always learn from these events. And I think they are vital to getting more and more people into our little world of craft beer. And here is another opportunity to take notes….
“Leave the Cliff’s Notes at home: Beer Champion Paige Reilly (Zagat’s 30 under 30), the mastermind behind the taps at Tony’s Darts Away and Mohawk, will be eschewing September’s usual textbooks and tests for pint glasses and hops at Mohawk Bend’s “Back to School” Beer Class Series. The hour-long classes will be held on Monday, September 10th and 17th, and will conclude with a “graduation” dinner on September 24th.”

Here are the details:
Registration is open now through August 31st, with a 30-student cap on each class. Please see below for additional information, and let me know if you have any questions.

September 10, 2012 – 7pm
Lesson 1: Beer Fundamentals & Process
Introduction to ingredients, what makes beer taste different, and how it is made. Approx. 8 beers tasted during the class to help explain.
$20 per person

September 17, 2012– 7pm
Lesson 2: California Beers, Styles & Breweries
The class will focus on what makes California beers so great and some of the leading craft breweries in Southern California. There will be 6-8 beers tasted during this class as well.
$20 per person

September 24, 2012– 7pm
Graduation Dinner
Chef Mike will be pairing a three course meal with five beers that Paige has selected from a So Cal Brewery with the guest brewer in attendance (TBD) for the graduation dinner.
$30 per person

All three classes can be purchased together for $60 total or individually as listed above. Please call Mohawk Bend at 213.483.2337 to grab a spot!

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The return of the Winter colLAboration!


Here is the full info on the re-scheduled Winter colLAboration event.

“Winter ColLAboration is back on! The mobile craft beer garden (from the brains behind Tony’s Darts Away/Mohawk Bend/Golden Road Brewing, Verdugo Bar/Surly Goat, Blue Palms and 38 Degrees) will be revived in the form of a weather-proof, indoor late-winter wonderland on Sunday, February 26th at the Belasco Theater in Downtown L.A. – located conveniently near the Metro Blue Line. 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

As previously planned, the garden will feature a selection of winter brews and favorites from: Anchor Steam, Avery, Bootleggers, Bruery, Beachwood, Cismontane, Dogfish Head , Eagle Rock Brewery, Eel River, Firestone Walker, Hangar 24, Golden Road Brewing, Lost Abbey, New Belgium, Oskar Blues, Russian River, Sierra Nevada, Smog City, Stone, TAPS and many more.

Food will be available onsite.

Limited-edition Winter Fest Steins are $15 while supplies last. Any 2011 ColLAb glasses can be used for admission; most beers will be $5 to $6.”

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Mohawk Bend preview

Speculation has been rife on the interwebs about the exact opening date for Tony Yanow’s Mohawk Bend in Echo Park. The time is almost upon us. In less vague terms, Sunday the 24th of July. CORRECTION-THAT DATE IS INCORRECT. I WILL UPDATE WITH OPENING DATE WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE>

I along with a few others got to test drive Mohawk Bend on Tuesday night and here is what you need to be excited about….

Tony and Paige introduce the crowd to Mohawk Bend...

…and there is a lot to acquaint yourself with. This is a large space. With an outdoor seating area. A large communal table in the middle. A vegan and non-vegan kitchen that you can watch in action while you eat. Or you can gaze upon the craft beer on the other side of the room. Or pick a booth in the front. You can try a different spot each time you visit.
The many, many choices on the beer list...

…which includes 72 taps of beer. Two of which are cask. Primarily California brewed but each month a new “guest” brewery will be featured that may or may not be from the Golden State. If you like the beer list at Tony’s Darts Away, you will be quite happy here.
Cherries and goblets

The crafted in California extends to the spirits and cocktails, Keith Taylor is bringing in a mother lode of artisinal spirits. Obviously, I gravitate towards beer but the bottles Taylor has procured are the equivalent of the great beer list. And though the Mildred Pierce cocktail was quite tasty, I would suggest trying these gems straight-up first.
The fireplace in the Ramona room...

….named for the movie house that was on this spot 26 years ago. It is a sunlit room with that great big fireplace and two large indoor trees where you can sit and enjoy the great food like the dungeness crab and roast corn rolls or maybe a little casserole with your craft beer. Oh and pizza too. Who could resist a pie named Pig Newton?

For all of you who patiently waited, your reward awaits you.

Check out these other rave reviews:
Drink Eat Travel
Quarry Girl