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Absolution, the Torrance based brewery will be celebrating double digits this year with a big 10th anniversary party. Might be a good time to re-acquaint yourself, if like me, you get stuck at Smog City and Monkish and have a hard time moving past.
The Torrance Beermuda Triangle is gaining another tenant as HopSaint Brewing Company will be expanding to a location HopSaint @ The Ditch. I would probably ditch that moniker to match up better with the delicious beers that HopSaint puts out.
I will follow up with news about when and where when opening is closer.
The old King Harbor space on 182nd Avenue did not stay quiet for long as it was quickly taken by Trusted Gut Beverages. A Long Beach company that does not only beer but seltzer and kombucha too. It has taken me too long to visit but I finally made it.
And though the space can louden up real quick and the food truck outside was generating a generator racket, the beer list was a happy surprise. Saison, Kolsch, Amber Ale and a Schwarzbier among many styles to pick from. I went Kristalweizen and followed with a Scottish Ale because, don’t know when I will see either on draft in the near future.
Both were solid examples of their styles with the K-weizen being my favorite. I did not the either of the two kombuchas or the POG seltzer but I would come back when next in the Lawndale / Redondo borderlands to hit up some of the other lesser seen beers.
BSP blog favorite Smog City Brewing is primed to celebrate their 13th anniversary of brewing beer in Torrance. There will be a special anniversary beer along with their new ESB made from Infinite Wishes second runnings and maybe even some bottles of Infinite Wishes to buy.
One benefit of taking over an existing brewery is the opportunity to turn back the anniversary clock. Project Barley Square is taking that tack with the new 1st anniversary for their Torrance location.
January and February are now core beer news months and Smog City has a new all year beer, Citrus Blonde. Described by the brewery as, “soft and easy-drinking, Balancing a medley of sweet citrus fruit character and a delicate honey malt backbone, rolls out an irresistible beer sipping experience.”
Discover Torrance presents the 2023 Torrance Beer Run from September 23-30. It “is a self-paced tour of 12 breweries all around the City of Torrance – no actual running required! Collect a stamp in your Beer Run Passport from each stop and turn in your completed passport for a Limited Edition 2023 Torrance Beer Run Hat.”
These passport events are a great excuse to check out for the first time or re-visit a brewery that you haven’t been to in awhile.
I have been looking forward to the 2023 version of Smog City’s Kumquat Saison for a bit of time. And now, is the time to take from the ‘fridge and taste it.
2023 marks the 8th year that Smog City Brewing Co. has joined forces with Food Forward for the release of Kumquat Saison. 600 pounds of kumquats were plucked from fruit trees in backyards that otherwise would not have been used.
Food Forwards’ efforts to end food insecurity are helped with each can sold as a portion of the proceeds from each 4-pack of Kumquat Saison will be donated to Food Forward as part of Smog City’s 1% for the Planet Community Impact Series.
The saison pours a bright yellow color. Nice and tart on the tongue as that kumquat citrusy flavor shines through. Light on the palate with a bare hint of the Saison yeast coming through. The malt base is right where it needs to be to let the fruit lead the way.
HopSaint Brewing Company has some excellent BBQ and equally excellent beer under the stewardship of Brian Brewer. And they will be celebrating their 7th anniversary at the end of the month….
Smog City Brewing will be celebrating their 12th Anniversary (almost a teenager) this month and if past parties are any indication there will be fun beers to be had and cans and bottles to grab for later.
