Tag: TAPS

Posted on

Food GPS Teaser – Scary Bottles

In tomorrow’s Food GPS Brew & You column, I touch on three wildly different beers that I was too scared to try until now but for those in an unadventurous mood, here are the Top 5 Pumpkin beers as rated on RateBeer.

1. Midnight Sun T.R.E.A.T. Imperial Chocolate Pumpkin Porter (Oak Aged)
2. Selins Grove Pumpkin Ale
3. Southern Tier Oaked Pumking
4. Avery Rumpkin
5. The Bruery Autumn Maple (Barrel aged)

How many have you had?

My favorite pumpkin ale is from TAPS in Brea.  Victor Novak has crafted a beer that has the spice notes but is pumpkiny.  Like having a slice of pie.

Posted on

DieN’Isis

Here in L.A., we are treated to the occasional DioNicEss events. Where gastronomy and beer meet. And they are back again for a Zombie themed evening that involves foodstuff’s that a zombie would enjoy and beer that I (and you) would enjoy.

“Also, we received commitment from another one of the breweries that will do a custom batch for the gig…Taps…so Victor will do one, the Bruery will, Monkish will, Beachwood will, and I believe Martin Svab’s brewery (Phantom Carriage) will be open by then and he wants to do a batch for us…wooohoooo!”

You can read the first press release about the event HERE

Posted on

TAPS + Far Bar


Tonight, yes tonight at Far Bar in Little Tokyo of L.A. ! Get your fix of some rarely seen in Los Angeles TAPS beers from the wonderful Victor Novak….

Here is the List:
Remy w/Balinese Coffee ( Espresso infused Bourbon-Barrel Aged Stout)
Taps Double IPA
Obscura (Euro Dark Lager)
Crystal Pils and
Cream Ale

I highly recommend ALL of these beers. But if I had to pick one. Get the REMY!

Join us for a night with Victor Novak and his award winning beers. We’ll be tapping a very special keg of Remy (2010 GABF Silver Medal Winning Bourbon Barrel-Aged Russian Imperial Stout). We’ll have five other Taps beers on as well this evening. So come and enjoy some outstanding beers with one of our favorite brewers.

Posted on

Buzz Wine and Beer

I slowly am visiting all of the new and (at this point, not so new) L.A. beer locales. And last Tuesday, I finally checked in at Buzz Wine and Beer in Downtown L.A.

The Beer is just inside the front door to the left and all chilled as well with many a style including what I purchased, Adnam’s Broadside and Grand Teton’s Snarling Badger Berliner Weisse as well as locals like Eagle Rock and Golden Road.

And if you are not grabbing to-go, you can also take a seat at their small beer and gaze upon the taps.

I went with the new 2012 Hoptimum from Sierra Nevada which to my palate tasted better than I remember from the past.

Good to have another addition to not only Downtown LA but to the L.A. Craft Beer scene in whole.

Posted on

TAPS @ Congregation Alehouse in Pasadena

On Thursday night, I ventured two towns over to Pasadena to the bustling Congregation Alehouse in Pasadena. (The newest chapter of the three strong alehouses) for TAPS night with brewmaster Victor Novak in the house.

Here are some photos of the night…..

Travis from Congregation with Victor

My favorite beer of the night. Crystal Pils.

My second favorite of the night was the coffee aromatic Mocha Stout.

The TAPS barleywine.

Me with Travis.

Posted on

Sunset Beer Co. is about to open….

…and by about to, I mean tomorrow, Saturday!

I toured the new space which has a beautiful grand hotel bar look to it with dark woods and bookcases and big art pieces on the walls.

It is split into two sections. You walk in and see a row of coolers to the right which hold the starting inventory, which will grow. Right now you can pick up Aphrodite from Ommegang or an Oyster Stout from Porterhouse of Ireland,

The bar section is separated a bit on the other side but you can still see the bottles while perusing the tap list. With Alex Macy at the helm you can expect a good variety of beer for all levels of beer enthusiasts. Last night, Dortmunder Export from Eagle Rock was a popular selection.

So clear some room out of your ‘fridge so you can support a local business!

Posted on

Wades Wines

It appears that Wades Wines (near Ladyface Ale Companie) has set up taps in their shop! The new Malibu Sundowner Tasting Room.

The initial taster flight was: Coronado Idiot IPA, Flying Dog Gonzo Porter, Bear Republic Racer 5 and Lady Face IPA

We have 32 different beers on tap for you to try. We’re sure you’ll find something you like!!!

Call the store for tasting hours and then check out their extensive bottles for sale as well.

Posted on

City Tavern + Cismontane + TAPS

Last Thursday, I had the great pleasure to partake of another great night of beer and food at City Tavern in Culver City. Great vibe and great location in Culver City.

Anyway, here is the menu from the night. Try to guess the theme….

To me, the best pairing of beer and food was course # 2. The spiciness of the pork and the hushpuppies worked really well with the amber maltiness of the steam beer. I mean California common. The Blacks Dawn with the salted Caramel ice cream played well together too but since I am not a big pecan pie fan, it comes in a notch lower.

TAPS and Cismontane give us the rationale behind the pairings. It is essential to have this before beer dinners. Victor from TAPS really explained the choices and even how to eat and drink. A little of each food on the fork to catch all of the flavors.

The TAPS witbier that paired with the first course of ambrosia and cream. And below are the buttermilk fried chicken and the dessert at the end of the night.


The portion size was good for both the beer and the food. But even so. I was stuffed by the end. And a little filled with salt. My only course correction would be to subtract either the pork or shrimp dish for a soup or a salad one to give the breweries a chance to choose a beer that would work with different food and also to lighten the meal.

If you haven’t been to a beer dinner, you certainly should and if you get the chance to try one at City Tavern. Hop on the opportunity.

Posted on

Taps at the table

City Tavern in Culver City is going the tap within reach route.


They have three tables (that I am sure will be booked solid, so don’t wander in and get upset that you can’t get one) that have taps built in. You pay and off you go.

City Tavern are planning on local brews with a spectrum of choices on the three taps. Let’s hope that they keep that up. I would not want a Bud Light table for sure.

Check out this article in Urban Daddy as well for other information.