of Love & Regret

Stillwater, known for their varied takes on the iconic saison style is now getting into the publican game. Here are some excerpts from their recent press release…

“Located at 1028 S. Conkling St. just off I-95 in the Brewer’s Hill neighborhood of East Baltimore directly across the street from the old National Brewing Company. The same neighborhood that Brian (Strumke) grew up and also the birth place of Stillwater Artisanal (formally awarded #2 best new brewer in the world for 2011 by Ratebeer.com and currently sits in the global top 100 for 2012). The area is also home to one of Baltimore’s most acclaimed and innovative restaurants, Jacks’ Bistro. The two parties decided to join forces after collaborating on a number of successful beer dinners and the mutual admiration shared between Chef Ted Stelzenmuller & Brian for one another’s craft, made it an obvious decision.

Designed in Stillwater aesthetic, ‘of Love & Regret‘ will provide three unique environments in the spacious venue of three floors that feature views of Baltimore’s Downtown Inner Harbor and outdoor seating. The first floor will be the ‘pub,’ featuring casual upscale dining with an innovative menu designed by Chef Ted to compliment the esoteric beer selection featuring many exclusive Stillwater beers and collaborations. The list will also be rounded out by selections from Brian’s global brewing brethren, again including many rare and exclusive offerings.

The second floor is where the ‘provisions’ come into play in the form of a focused ‘shop’ filled with libations of all types along with other artisan products available for enjoying on site or for take away. Here is where we will see the expansion of Stillwater Artisanal into other avenues of epicurean culture including collaborations with both local & international artisans to produce exclusive cheeses, charcuterie, sausage, bread, and even coffee. “We come across so many amazing craft products around the globe while on our travels, ‘of Love & Regret’ will give us the opportunity to share some of these experiences with our friends & family back home in Baltimore”. The third floor will be reserved for special events during the year and private rental space.

Open 7 days a week for lunch & dinner featuring an innovative menu (most items designed with the beer in mind) by Chef Ted Stelzenmuller of Jack’s Bistro, backed by inspired cocktails, select wines, and a Stillwater-curated beer list of roughly 23 drafts, 1-2 cask ale beer engines, an extensive bottle list, and other exclusive artisan products all of which will be available for on-site enjoyment or take away.

Golden Road – pub update

Other people have posted the news, but in case anyone in Los Angeles has not heard, here is the latest news from Golden Road Brewing…
Los Angeles, CA (January 2012) – “With the completion of their newest addition, the pub, Golden Road Brewing has achieved their vision of becoming the next great craft beer destination in Los Angeles. Starting mid-January, the newly renovated yellow building (in their collection of primary colored warehouses) in Atwater Village will be open to the public from 11 AM to 11 PM daily and feature growler fills, a to-go deli case, and an impressive array of vegan and non vegan small bites, salads, sandwiches and entrées. Add in weekly back patio BBQ’s on Saturday and Sunday with rotating burger and beer specials and The Pub at Golden Road is officially the perfect place to kick back with a beer and a bite, raising a glass and toasting every time the train whizzes by.

After opening the brewery doors in October and introducing their first two signature beers, Point the Way IPA and Golden Road Hefeweizen, the Golden Road team immediately focused their energy on three things: brewing as much quality beer as possible, getting a can line up and running (look for Golden Road cans in stores early 2012!), and putting the finishing touches on the pub space. Explains co-founder Meg Gill, “From the start, we’ve wanted to make the brewery a destination and really invite people into our process. People can come and see where the beer is made and then immediately taste it, which really lets you appreciate the craft and care that we put into it.”

When searching for a chef for this extension of the brewery, co-founders Tony Yanow and Meg Gill looked high and low for someone who would be able to create a menu that would complement and showcase the Golden Road beers. As a passionate home-brewer, Chef Adam Levoe possesses an impressive mix of beer and food creativity, which made him the best candidate for the job and a wonderful addition to the Golden Road team. After graduating from the California School of Culinary Arts in 2001, Levoe worked throughout Southern California at a wide range of casual and fine-dining establishments, from Roxanne’s Raw Vegan Cuisine to Medeline’s Wine Bar and Bistro in Pasadena, and, most recently, Quadruple Brasserie in Pasadena. For The Pub at Golden Road he has crafted a menu with plentiful vegan and non-vegan options, each designed to pair beautifully with a cold brew.

After opening with limited hours and an abbreviated menu in mid-December, the pub is finally ready to open its’ doors wide. With an expanded menu that now features a full array of

bar-friendly items, salads, sandwiches and entrées, and new daily hours from 11 AM – 11 PM, the brewery will have something to satisfy any craving at any time of day. Customers can come for a beer and a steak, or a quick lunch to go and a growler for the road. The pub also has signature Golden Road gear available for purchase, including glassware, recyclable bags, t-shirts, hats, sweatshirts and, starting mid-January, cans of the Golden Road beers as well.

The spacious, newly renovated warehouse features a take-away deli case for quick lunch pick-ups, where adventurous salads like the vegan Coconut ‘Noodle’ (shredded young thai coconut with julienned vegetables, spicy cashews and an almond chili sauce), and ‘Miso Crabby’ (blue crab meat with shaved cucumber, bell peppers and cherry tomatoes with miso vinaigrette) will be available along with sandwiches, including the Roast Beef (roasted in house with caramelized onions and peppers and blue cheese mousse) and vegan Bahn Mi (pickled carrots, jalapeño, cucumber, bell peppers, fresh herbs and tofu with Sriracha mayo).

Comfort foods such as meatballs (served with spicy vegan cornbread), twice-baked potatoes and an assortment of fritters (all available in vegan and non-vegan iterations) are all offered on the bar menu. For heartier entrées, the main menu features a Braised Pork Shank (braised in whatever extra beer specials the pub available week to week), a Sloppy Joseph (with Porter braised beef short-ribs and house made BBQ sauce) and a vegan Crispy Sundried Tomato Polenta, among other items.

With high ceilings and an industrial grey interior, small touches like the chalkboard menu behind the 30 foot bar announcing new brews on tap in bright colors, the vintage beer logo lights and the dark wood tables really bring the room to life, making the spacious warehouse feel comfortable and warm. An automated jukebox allows the space to transform with the clientele, with music ranging from Johnny Cash to The Grateful Dead at any given time.

Of course, the heart of the brewpub will be the twenty bar taps, which will house all of the Golden Road brews (five to start, but more as they produce new varietals), and up to fifteen guest taps, reserved for breweries that the Golden Road team holds in high regard. Says Brewmaster Jon Carpenter, “Our beers will not just be from California, but will primarily stay in the USA. All beers will come from friends of ours, as we want to support people that we respect and admire such as Dogfish Head, Oskar Blues, Firestone Walker, Avery, Stone and Hangar 24.” The goal for the pub is to provide a space for patrons to experience the best that craft beer has to offer, locally and nationally, with great food and a great vibe to match.

The new pub will seat approximately 80 people, with space for an additional 72 on the patio. The Pub at Golden Road is located at 5410 W. San Fernando Road, Los Angeles, CA 90039, there is an ample parking lot adjacent to the building, and street parking available.”

I have eaten and (had beer) there a few times now and I really like the space (especially the patio) and the club sandwich that I have ordered twice now is quite good. It doesn’t hurt that it is a 25 minute walk from my apartment either.

BruHaus

As part of my weekly LA Beer Blast duties, I get the occasional call to visit new beer-centric spots around the southland. I have a high bar, but I also want to have a wide variety of different beer locales that reflect both the diversity of people and beer styles.

And I was pleasantly surprised by the two-month old BruHaus. Wedged next to “Mexican themed” bar next door, you find a warm and inviting spot with an open kitchen and a solid set of beers. And they have taken the extra step of pairing the sausages and other menu items (Sweet potatoe tots) with primarily German and Belgian beers that really sparkle next to that hearty fare instead of just choosing the trendy beers of the moment.

Charlie Hwang and his partners are also super nice. They took the time to speak to me for a long while about their future plans (Kolsch for the summer in the authentic Cologne glassware) even though I am sure that they had multiple items on their to-do list.

The craft beer invasion continues as more places spread out across LA. Soon every neighborhood might be so lucky as to have a Bruhaus near them.