If you missed this post on the Instagram, well, you still have a couple days to prep for another new L.A. brewery opening….
All Season Brewing looks to be starting up down on South La Brea. More news and reviews to follow later this month.
All 23rd
Future Out – Past In
Ximix Brewing didn’t last too long in Gardena, State Brewing was humming along until the first wave of pandemic stopped their Gardena brewery. Now a name from California’s history is taking a stab at reviving beer in Gardena, Eureka Brewing Co.
They are going to start going uphill as they open after Thanksgiving, after outdoor seating, during stay-at-home orders. But they do have an ace brewer in Phil McDaniel, formerly of King Harbor Brewing and they are taking over the former Ximix space, so they could hit the ground brewing at least.
Look for a 1st Visit report.
A Red Engine
You nevertheless know what bit of info you can glean from a beer label, I learned about a new brewery coming to Santa Clarita from one….
…Red Engine Brewing Company is slated to open in 2021. Here is the website copy, “Red Engine Brewing Company will be the newest brewery and taproom in Santa Clarita, California – a bedroom suburban community located in north Los Angeles County. We are currently conducting research to identify the best location, likely to be near a newly-developing area of Santa Clarita. We plan to open in the summer or fall of 2021.”
I think it is best to look long and hard when it comes to location and put 2020 way, way in the rear view mirror. Watch this space or their social media for further info.
Featured Review – Fancy Pants Kolsch from Paperback Brewing
Our second beer from Paperback Brewing is Fancy Pants Kolsch.
That is a crazy design for the crowler, though I really do like the sign that doubles as the beer description, that is quite clever. This Germanic beer has a fancy name for a time when most people are wearing shorts. It pours a bright and clear yellow. The taste is crisp with a bit of salty minerality to it. The aroma has a nice corn and grain sweet note to it. Not fizzy but forceful, I just wish it was a little less salty.
Cerveceria del Pueblo – Photos
Pasadena was set to get a new brewery in May, but now Cerveceria del Pueblo is soft opening with to-go sales of their (4) core beers including a variety pack that allows new customers a taster tray of sorts.
I drove the much quieter streets over to their location on Bellevue to pickup some beers but also to take a safe peek into their little but brightly painted space.
The next post will cover capsule reviews of the Kolsch, California Common, Pilsner and Wheat beer but you should check out this L.A. Times piece that talks about the brewery as the opener and closer to the article.
Cerveceria del Pueblo
In looking up some information on the Los Angeles County Guild website, I came across an unfamiliar logo. The one you see above. Never heard of this brewery so I assumed that Cervecia del Pueblo was far away, but lo and behold it is in Pasadena. Dig further I will and report back when more information is found.
Paperback on the Shelf
Last year, I put Paperback Brewing on the radar of readers and then, well, nothing really happened. I mean there was probably forward motion but nothing really concrete. Seems like 2020 might hold more news on this Glendale brewery….
1st Visit – Upshift Brewing
It felt weird being in El Segundo and NOT going to El Segundo Brewing, but I did want to check out the new kid on the block, Upshift Brewing.
Just off of Sepulveda is Upshift Brewing, you enter the brewery tap room in the back and right away that you see that they have taken the automotive theme and run with it. License plates on the bar wall with oil tin signs. Oil drums on patio as tables. Highway guardrails. Cool hubcap four tops with freeway signs for the cool photos and even racing on TV.
For my money they have one of the coolest flight tray designs around. Sturdy grey plastic with a bike handle to lift the six tasters. The flight sheet is in the form of an old-time auto repair ticket
All of the beers tasted on the heavy side to me even though the ABV’s were low. Both pale ales were tilted toward extra malt and extra hops. Both Pole Position and P-R-N-D-L had a near caramel smokiness under an earthy hop flavor. The Kolsch tasted like an amped up imperial version. I will need to go back and check out the darker beers from the 9 list long menu to see how those shape up.
1st Visit – Surfridge Brewing
Block 1
There is no sign, except for a tiny “beer” arrow to indicate that Surfridge Brewing is open. October 11th was the official grand opening and I jumped in early on a Saturday to both check out the interior and to taste a beer.
Two things grabbed my attention. First were cool eco tap handles minus any logo that have a marble look to them. Quite different from the normal heavily branded practice. There is also a kid friendly clubhouse near the entrance. Splitting the difference by keeping kids out of the way from the bar and TV patrons.
There is also a patio with seating and off in the distance is the light blue El Segundo emblazoned water tower. Food trucks are accessible out through that patio and the whole place has plants everywhere. Reminding me of Homage Brewing in Pomona.
Currently there are 6 beers on tap, your basic starter brewery menu. IPA, Session IPA, Wit and Pale. The Pale was good. Mostly old school Cascade hop territory. A bit one note and not subtle but well done all the same. The Wit has peppercorns and grapefruit which should make for a new twist on the Belgian style.
Overall, the space is calming and large enough for groups to gather, I will have to check back on the beers to see how they evolve but this is a good start.
Add 1 More to El Segundo
Surfridge Brewing are starting up El Segundo and now a second newcomer is opening Upshift Brewing Company.
Make sure not to grind gears getting out to the LAX area to check this new entrant out.