A New Strand

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During the final weekend of the old Strand Brewing tap room on Telo Avenue, I and a few others were given a tour of the new facility by none other than the effervescent Rich Marcello.  This last weekend, the new space was pouring beer in a soft launch so I can let the photos out and onto the blog so you can see just how freakin’ big the new Dominguez Street home is…..

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…but there will still be the same Strand touches on the furnishings….

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One Last Hurrah on Telo Avenue

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The original taproom for Strand Brewing is almost done. Only one weekend remains for those who want to order a pint of 24th Street pale ale or other Strand favorites in the Telo Avenue location.

Roomier digs await in their upcoming Dominguez Street where the White Sand and Batch 100 will soon flow and flow faster since they will be able to brew more than double what they do now.

The Final Countdown Hours tomorrow are Noon to 8pm and on Sunday are Noon to 6pm.

Strand Cans

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Facebook can be one long and continuous scroll of the finger through posts that you have already read and movies that Zuckerberg and Co. think you really must see.  But on occasion (15% of the time is my guesstimate), you run across a photo that makes you start to scroll back.

That is what I did when I saw this photo of empty cans of Strand Brewing beers.  Now Strand only bottles as of now, so this is news.  But since I am not the “extra, extra!” type of blogger, I want to talk a little about the can design.

What I Like!

The different colors to signify each beer.

The font size of the beer style name and the beer name

The Strand logo really pops on the can

What I Don’t Like

The silver is way to reflective and glare causing

The middle logo is nice but maybe bigger to show some detail

A few too many font changes

But I certainly hope to see these cans in stores.  Not enough Strand on shelves right now.

Review – Harvest Ball Orange Witbier from Strand Brewing Co.

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I am starting to wonder if Torrance will have it’s own terroir desgination.  That pondering occurred to me whilst staring at the really simple and classy label for Strand Brewing Co.’s Harvest Ball Orange witbier.  Which is their 4th anniversary beer that will probably be around for years to come.

Their version of the classic wit style pours a hazy light orange color with a thin white head to it.  It is a pretty beer to look at.  The smell though is fairly medicinal with a tinge of really dried fruit to it. Or maybe that is orange peel.  I wish the fruit would come after me in both the aroma and the taste which has a tiny touch of orange that is there from the beginning of the sip until the end but wheat and coriander and a bit of metal is more predominant to me.

This is one of those beers that is really close to being a really nice fruit beer.  But that nice citrus taste seems just out of reach and it lets other flavors take over that I am not digging on as much.

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Strand + Cinco

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Strand Brewing Tap Takeover at Cinco tomorrow night from 3pm to 11:30pm

Enjoy half pints, full pints, and four, six and eight pour tasting samplers of Strand Brewing brews and “Drunken Tacos” during Cinco’s Tap Takeover with Strand Brewing.

Every time a guest buys a beer, taco or sampler, they can toss their name in a raffle jar to win sweet Strand prizes including hats, shirts and pint glasses. One lucky winner will go home with a rare special release Strand Second Sheep Russian Imperial Stout.

MENU SPECIALS:  “Drunken Tacos” – Strand Beach House Amber Beer-Battered Shrimp, pickled radish slaw, topped with a creamy chipotle salsa (two for $7)

BEERS ON TAP: Beach House Amber, 24th St. Pale, Atticus IPA, White Sand Imperial IPA, Bahgeera East India Pale Ale (3rd Anniversary Beer) and the last keg in LA of Ito-Weisse, Cherry Ito-Weisse and Musashi Black IPA

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FoodGPS Teaser – Beer Paper LA

 

It is a yet another sign that the Los Angeles beer scene is heating up, when a paper devoted to our beer scene will be published.164471_450588621677139_368075715_n

Beer Paper LA is headed our way and tomorrow on FoodGPS, I turn the tables on them and ask the questions.  But to give you a feel of what is to come check out this article about growler law in California (that yours truly is quoted in) and then read this interview with Justin Evelyn formerly of Beachwood Brewing.

 

 

Sean Suggests for April 2013

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Since April in Los Angeles is a bit hotter than in most of the country, I have selected three beers with a little less ABV oomph to them than usual.  And all three will be good NBA playoffs choices.

LIGHT

Widmer Columbia Common 4.7% abv

“The Columbia Hop was near extinction when we brought it back to create this crisp, easy drinking common ale. With a rich amber hue, Columbia Common, the new Spring Seasonal Release for 2013, has a Mild grassy and spicy hop notes are complemented by a fruity character and clean finish brought on by the use of hefeweizen and lager yeasts and unique malt bill. It’s the perfect beer for Spring.”

MEDIUM

Strand 24th Street Pale 6.1 % abv

“This is what we had intended to brew when we made Genesis. Serving as our flagship ale, 24th Street Pale contains exactly the same hops but is less malty than Genesis which leads to less masking of the hop profile. It’s a smooth little Pale with a bitter finish. Slightly floral, slightly fruity. It is dry and drinks quickly. ”

DARK

New Belgium Hoppy Bock 6.9 % abv

“Meet the first in our new Hop Kitchen series: A German-style springtime lager brewed with rye then loaded with Hallertauer, Perle and Fuggle hops for a spicy, earthy aroma. This Hoppy Bock Lager offers a medium body and slightly sweet malt character perfect for your spring hop-fling.”

Strand in Bottles

It is getting easier than ever to get your favorite LA craft beers in bottles!  El Segundo and Beachwood are now available and Monkish may be following suit soon and Strand Brewing will be jumping into the game mid-month.

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And you can grab some of these handsome bottles at their tap room this Saturday March 16th from 12-8

the following Beers will be available in bottles:

24th Street Pale Ale
Atticus IPA
Beach House Amber Ale
Second Sleep Imperial Stout

*Bottles are for take out only, same as a growler

And while you are there you can also sip on the re-released White Sand Double IPA on draft that day and/or sample a Special Cask of Oaked Second Sleep Russian Imperial Stout tapped at Noon.

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Strand Tasting Room Opening Party

I haven’t mentioned Strand Brewing in awhile. Very remiss of me. But now I have an excellent reason. April 14th and 15th will be the opening shindig for the new tasting room next to their brewery.

If, like me, you haven’t had a Strand beer in awhile. This will be the perfect opportunity to reacquaint yourself with the delights of the Atticus IPA or, my personal favorite, the Beach House amber. Both of which I had while checking out the new space and both are as good as ever which isn’t surprising with their exacting quality standards.

And like at the new Monkish tasting room (which is also a must stop location nearby), the atmosphere is very convivial and laid back. Easy to sit and stay and enjoy.