Tag: Santa Monica

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Sip & Scavenge

In one week the combined forces of Firestone Walker / Deschutes / Lagunitas brings a new type of event to Los Angeles….

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The triumvirate of organizers say, “This is the first of what we hope will be a series of scavenger hunts all over Los Angeles.”

Here is the 411 for you:

Beginning at the first bar, clues will be given directing teams to various bars or locations in downtown Santa Monica (all w/in walking distance)
–          Once your team has made it to the correct location you will have to correctly identify the beer being poured, at which time you’ll each be given one to enjoy
–          Drink up, get your next clue, so on and so forth….
–          At each location teams will also have the  opportunity to collect raffle tickets by doing additional ‘challenges’, the raffle will be held at the hosting bar, The Commons, after the hunt

Jumping off point is at The Commons on Broadway, half a block East of Ocean in downtown Santa Monica
–          Cost is $100 for a team of 4 or $35 for individuals (space is limited to 10 teams total so sign up now please)
–          Sign up can be done in person or over phone at The Commons (address/phone number)
–          Prizes will be awarded to 1st 2nd and 3rd place teams
–          And because everyone’s a winner in our eyes, every participant will be given a commemorative t-shirt and other swag

It is good to see craft beer integrated into events like scavenger hunts that are normally the domain of the bad beers.

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Brewing in the Works in Santa Monica

Los Angeles is a tough town to navigate if you want to build a brewery from scratch.  And to try to do it on the Westside would seem close to crazy considering the cost of a large amount of space would cost.

But according to the L.A. Eater, “someone” is trying to start one up in Santa Monica.  That would be big news and a large step forward for a brewery to open there.

When/If more news develops, you will here it here.

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FoodGPS Teaser – Stout

Tomorrow on FoodGPS, I re-visit Stout. It is a burgers & craft beer spot that started in Hollywood and has an outpost in Studio City with two more locations in Pasadena and Santa Monica coming soon.

So, if you haven’t been to Stout in awhile, read my post and check out Stout’s pairing beer with food tips and consider making a visit to the Studio City outdoor patio and watch the traffic flow on Ventura Boulevard while you enjoy your lunch or dinner.

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FoodGPS Teaser – BAM Fest 2012

I finally attended my first BAM Fest in Santa Monica and thoroughly enjoyed my drinking day. I will talk more about it tomorrow on FoodGPS but for now, here are some photos to whet your whistle….

18th Street filled up mighty quick as the event was all but sold out by opening time.

One of the many fine beers that I sampled on the afternoon.

I found another winner from the Smog City line-up.

I got to sample Abigaile beers for the first time without having to travel all the way to Hermosa.

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Sour Times at Library Alehouse

If you want “A week’s worth of puckering, funky goodness.” then Sourfest 2012 starting September 4th and running until the 10th at the Library Alehouse is where you will need to be.

Here is the rundown of (dear God, how do I choose from this list) sours….

● Russian River Supplication
● Russian River Temptation
● Russian River Consecration
● Rodenbach Grand Cru
● Rodenbach Vintage 2008 (Single Foudre)
● The Bruery BeRazzled
● The Bruery Hottenroth Berliner Weisse
● The Bruery Nottenroth Berliner Weisse w/ Kumquats
● The Bruery Tart of Darkness
● The Bruery Oude Tart
● Lost Abbey Cuvee de Tomme
● Bockor Cuvee des Jacobins Rouge
● Golden Road Berliner Weisse
● Allagash Vrienden
● Allagash Confluence
● New Belgium Brett Beer
● New Belgium Tart Lychee
● Bavik Petrus Aged Pale
● St. Louis Gueuze Fond Tradition
● Heretic Tartuffe Berliner Weisse
● Eagle Rock Equinox
● Ladyface Guillotine
● Grand Teton Howling Badger Berliner Weisse

“We’ll kick things off with Locals Only Night on September 4th at 6PM. Expect some special pairings for the evening along with the following on tap (subject to change):”

● Ladyface Guillotine
● Eagle Rock Equinox
● The Bruery BeRazzled
● The Bruery Hottenroth Berliner Weisse
● The Bruery Nottenroth Berliner Weisse w/ Kumquats
● The Bruery Tart of Darkness
● The Bruery Oude Tart
● Golden Road Berliner Weisse

“We’ll cycle in the rest of the list as the week progresses, offering six ounce pours of all available beers in addition to full pours, so you can sample responsibly.”

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Beer Chick + Rustic Canyon =

Here is all the information you need about the upcoming ……

2011 Rustic Canyon Spring Beer Bash
Featuring Deschutes Brewery

“The long-awaited Beer Bash is back at Rustic Canyon Winebar & Seasonal Kitchen. Hosted by Beer Sommelier and Author Christina Perozzi and Proprietor Josh Loeb and featuring a beer inspired menu from Chef Evan Funke & Pastry Chef Zoe Nathan, paired with craft beers from Oregon’s preeminent craft brewery, Deschutes Brewery.

The menu will feature as well as the award-winning, highly limited, hard to get Deschute’s specialty beers The Dissident and The Abyss 2010.”

Tuesday, April 12th, 2011
$75 per person

Rustic Canyon Winebar & Seasonal Kitchen
1119 Wilshire Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90401

Because space is limited,
PLEASE CALL 310-393-7050 for available reservations.

Tax and gratuity not included.
Credit card is required to hold spaces.

Menu

Amuse:
Fried Oyster

First Course:
Shaved Asparagus and Artichoke Salad with Parmigiano-Reggiano
Paired with Black Butte Porter
Black Butte is rich in flavor yet easy to drink, with a creamy, smooth mouth feel with distinctive chocolate and roasted finish.

Second Course:
Beer Laquered Free Range Wings with Farmers Market Carrots & Homemade Buttermilk Dressing
Paired with The Dissident
This limited beer brewed in September of 2010 spent eighteen months in isolation. A wild yeast Flanders-style brown ale made with whole cherries

Third Course:
Chestnut & Buckwheat Mandilli with Braised Vittellone
Paired with Inversion IPA
Named for a local Oregon weather phenomenon where the clouds hug the base of the mountain revealing clear skies further up, Inversion is Deschutes’ answer to the siren call of the hop.

Fourth Course:
Crispy Pork Belly with Southern-style Veggies
Paired with Green Lakes Organic Ale
A finely balanced certified organic ale with a mellow malt profile and subtle hop leading edge that you can enjoy in good conscience.

Dessert:
Vanilla Napoleon
Paired with The Abyss 2010
This highly coveted, rare specialty beer was brewed in November of 2010 and makes its Southern California debut this week in Los Angeles.Full-bodied with hints of molassas and licorice.

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Beer Geek Mind Blower

The Yard has enough to blow the crankiest beer geeks mind away. Check this:

“The Yard is giving away a tasting of the Best Beer in The World.
Beer Freek is a series of rare beer tastings (see below for full schedule). We will be offering special tastings of all the beers listed for each event. Chef CJ will also be doing pairings and dishes inspired by the tastings, aka Food for the Freek. A number of the beers listed below are considered the best in the world, and many are difficult, if not impossible to get. At the final tasting, we will be giving away a number of tastings of one of the Holy Grails of the beer world – Narke’s Stormaktsporter, a rare Swedish porter. Everyone who attends a Beer Freek tasting and samples the rare brews will receive a raffle ticket for a free tasting at the Narke tasting on May 11th. Winners will be drawn on May 11th at The Yard. They’ll also get to taste some great beers along the way! Prices for the tastings will vary depending upon the beers being offered at each tasting.”

Jan 26
Goose Island Bourbon County Vanilla Stout,
Dogfish Head Chicory Stout (on draft),
Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence (on draft)
……also:
Beer float – Chicory Stout w/Redbreast Irish whiskey ice cream.

Feb 9
Stone Vanilla Porter (cask),
Stone Verical Epic (draft),
Stone Double Bastard (draft),
more Stone TBA.
Food: Goat Head’s soup. Music: Rolling Stones.

Feb 23
Bell’s Hopslam IPA mini kegs,
Three Floyd’s Dreadnaught IPA,
Alpine Expo,
Cask Ale – 24th Street Pale or their IPA.
Food: Roast Suckling Pig.

Mar 9
Hair of the Dog w/Doggie Bites.
Doggie Claws – w/ Rabbit Stew Croquette, coriander chutney;
Matt – w/grilled Pork sate, apple brandy, soy sauce;
Cherry Adam of the Woods – w/macerated berry tart.

Mar 23
Bruery Black Tuesday/Chocolate Rain.
more Bruery specialties TBA.

Food: TBA.

April 13
Sour Freek – TBA.
Will include: Cantillon,
New Glarus,
Russian River,
Lost Abbey.
Food: Duck leg confit, et al.

April 27
Belgian Freek,
Westvleteren 8,
Unibroue,
more Belgians TBA.
Food: TBA.

May 11
Narke Stormaktsporter,
Portsmouth Brewery’s Kate the Great,
Three Floyd’s Dark Lord 09,
Olde Rabbit’s Foote.
Food: TBA

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BAM 2010

Yesterday, I told you about the LA Craft Beer Crawl. Well here is the 411 on another charitably beer event happening in Santa Monica…

from the press release:
BAM Fest 2010

“18th Street Arts Center, in association with popular Santa Monica restaurant, Library Alehouse, is bringing the first Craft Beer Festival to the Westside of L.A. B.A.M. Fest, which stands for Beer, Art and Music Festival, is a celebration of locally produced art, music and the finest craft beers around. With 20-plus breweries, 4 bands, 3 galleries, open artist studios, gourmet organic food provided by the Green Truck, and sweet treats from the Big Swirl Truck, B.A.M. Fest 2010 is poised to draw a crowd and become Santa Monica’s next ‘hoppiest’ annual event.

A $35 donation ($30 pre-sale until Sept. 1, 2010) provides you 5 hours of live music, exploration of artist studios and galleries with art for purchase, and unlimited tasting of great beers in the Santa Monica sunshine. All proceeds from the event directly support 18th Street Arts Center’s programs and artists.”

Webiste: http://18thstreet.org/events/bam-fest

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Bear Republic at the Library Alehouse

I don’t get out to the Library Alehouse often enough. They have good food (Spinach and Strawberry salad) and a nice selection of beers and at least one if not more that I haven’t had either before or in a long time.

Since Bear Republic was in town along with Racer X, I e-mailed my fellow beer traveler Richard and we tasted a sample of 4 Bear beers.

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First up was Norcal, it is a typical West Coast Pale. Assertive and hoppy without the citrus and pine that makes an IPA for me. It does go great with food though. Second was Racer V. This was my favorite of the night. As Richard said, pink grapefruit tastes. Third was the Racer X. Strong and bold at first but that dissipates to pine and orange notes. Last was Heritage, a Scotch ale. Nice malt and roasty flavors. Some coffee notes too.

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Thanks to the Library for putting on a good show.