LA/OC area thread

[user 304985]

Has anyone tried the Highland Park bottles that are being released tomorrow? Thinking I should buy a couple of the peach/nectarine one, haven't had much from them yet.

 

[wuntrikpony]

Has anyone tried the Highland Park bottles that are being released tomorrow? Thinking I should buy a couple of the peach/nectarine one, haven't had much from them yet.

Lazy Susan is damn good. There might still be some bottles left. The party was a blast.

 

[user 304985]

Lazy Susan is damn good. There might still be some bottles left. The party was a blast.

I took a gamble and stopped by to try, and get bottles too. Lazy Susan is legit for sure. The brett one not so much. I had no idea what was going on with all the bagged up beers, wish I'd known about that ahead of time, looked like fun.

 

[wuntrikpony]

I took a gamble and stopped by to try, and get bottles too. Lazy Susan is legit for sure. The brett one not so much. I had no idea what was going on with all the bagged up beers, wish I'd known about that ahead of time, looked like fun.

That was the blind bottle share put on by Chris who runs Woodshop. It was a pretty fun share since the reveal at the end is cool surprise.

 

[user 304985]

That was the blind bottle share put on by Chris who runs Woodshop. It was a pretty fun share since the reveal at the end is cool surprise.

I was there near the end apparently, asked a guy taking notes at the bar wtf was going on and got the lowdown. I'd only had 1 or 2 HLP beers previously, I'll be back for damn sure, good stuff.

 

[Xul1]

Cross-posted from BA since I don't know who visits which site anymore:

Going to be visiting my Grandpa in Playa del Rey for Christmas and aside from my usual spots that I hit while I'm up there, I've got a few questions:

1) Out of the Torrance cluster - Strand, Monkish, Smog City, Absolution, and The Dudes - are there any that are worth passing on and/or any that I can't miss? Mostly asking so I can plan when I go based on their various hours and how it fits into my free time.
2) Any special events going on the 21st - 24th? I seem to recall that Library Alehouse usually has a lot of winter seasonals around the holidays but I'm not seeing anything about it on their FB or website.
3) Unrelated to beer, but are there any good coffee roasters - or even just cafes - in the Playa del Rey/Marina del Rey/Westchester/El Segundo area? There are a few in Venice and Santa Monica and further towards downtown LA but it seems like the area I'm looking is a dead zone for third wave coffee.

 

[BeerHatesRob]

1) Out of the Torrance cluster - Strand, Monkish, Smog City, Absolution, and The Dudes - are there any that are worth passing on and/or any that I can't miss? Mostly asking so I can plan when I go based on their various hours and how it fits into my free time.

I'd recommend stopping into Three Weavers. They're in Inglewood, but a real quick stop off the 405. Everything I've had from them has been really solid. Nothing out of this world, but all around good beers. And of course, if you have never been, then stopping at El Segundo Brewing is worth the trip. Their IPAs are all in the great category for me and their stout offerings are starting to improve.

2) Any special events going on the 21st - 24th? I seem to recall that Library Alehouse usually has a lot of winter seasonals around the holidays but I'm not seeing anything about it on their FB or website.

I haven't heard of anything that far off yet. There are a couple events just prior to that I'm aware of (Naja's has a BCBS night --- with a keg of Vanilla already in stock to go on the 18th). City Tavern in Culver City has a Golden Road night on the 23rd...but that's not much to get excited about (even though I'll probably go). Maybe a trip to Beachwood Seal Beach would be worth your time for their 8th anniversary party (it ends the 21st). But that's all I can think of in that time frame.

3) Unrelated to beer, but are there any good coffee roasters - or even just cafes - in the Playa del Rey/Marina del Rey/Westchester/El Segundo area? There are a few in Venice and Santa Monica and further towards downtown LA but it seems like the area I'm looking is a dead zone for third wave coffee.

The best one I can think of is Two Guns Espresso in Manhattan Beach. Awesome (but expensive) coffee and I believe they sell their own beans, although I don't think they roast on site.

If you DO find yourself in the more Culver City / Mar Vista area, hit me up. I'd be down for meeting for a beer somewhere local.

 

[jmgrub]

Was down in San Clemente a few days ago eating/drinking at Pizza Port and happened upon Artifex Brewing. Really enjoyed some of the offerings. What's the story on these guys?


Inb4 let me google that for you

 

[golden1]

I am related to The Good Beer Company, but I still think they make great beer and are are going to have an awesome New Year's Eve party. You should bring all your friends to Happy New Beers, starting at 5pm. They will have at least one rotating tap and will be pouring their first sour around 8pm.

 

[MrVonzipper]

Anyone know what's up with Hoparazzi?? Website still says slated to open late 2014. Have they opened yet?? I need moar of dat inside me!

(Edit) just found they haven't. Anyone have inside info on the deets?

 

[ficklenicholas]

Kern Citra lottery for January http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1148273

I myself am looking forward to losing this for the 4th time.

 

[jmgrub]

Kern Citra lottery for January http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1148273

I myself are looking forward to losing this for the 4th time.

When winning means driving to Kernville for a couple bottles of time-sensitive beer, every loser is a winner.

 

[angry_lobster]

When winning means driving to Kernville for a couple bottles of time-sensitive beer, every loser is a winner.

I've made the drive three times now, please let me lose this one.

 

[MrVonzipper]

I've made the drive three times now, please let me lose this one.

Oh boo hoo. I've yet to win one ******* lottery and the last time I was able to buy it was when they still did growlers in early 2012.

 

[angry_lobster]

Oh boo hoo. I've yet to win one ******* lottery and the last time I was able to buy it was when they still did growlers in early 2012.

If I win, you can buy half my lot if you drive me there. The drive is such a pain in the ass and I've only been able to go by getting others to drive. Even then, it's still bad. It's basically like going to San Diego but instead of Alpine, Council, Toolbox, etc, there's only 1 brewery and some terribly made roads.

 

[arren]

If I win, you can buy half my lot if you drive me there. The drive is such a pain in the ass and I've only been able to go by getting others to drive. Even then, it's still bad. It's basically like going to San Diego but instead of Alpine, Council, Toolbox, etc, there's only 1 brewery and some terribly made roads.

Except Kernville is a pretty ******* beautiful place, and it's a good weekend trip back to nature. I would gladly make the trip to Kernville again and again, just for the close vicinity to Sequoia.

Also, MrVonzipper, if I win I'll give you two or three bottles at cost. Winning the lottery is just a thinly-veiled excuse for me and the family to go on a mini-vacation.

 

[MrVonzipper]

If I win, you can buy half my lot if you drive me there. The drive is such a pain in the ass and I've only been able to go by getting others to drive. Even then, it's still bad. It's basically like going to San Diego but instead of Alpine, Council, Toolbox, etc, there's only 1 brewery and some terribly made roads.

Do I have to wear pants on the car ride?

 

[MrVonzipper]

Except Kernville is a pretty ******* beautiful place, and it's a good weekend trip back to nature. I would gladly make the trip to Kernville again and again, just for the close vicinity to Sequoia.

Also, MrVonzipper, if I win I'll give you two or three bottles at cost. Winning the lottery is just a thinly-veiled excuse for me and the family to go on a mini-vacation.

Sounds like a deal. I heart you!

 

[angry_lobster]

Do I have to wear pants on the car ride?

No pants required!

Except Kernville is a pretty ******* beautiful place, and it's a good weekend trip back to nature. I would gladly make the trip to Kernville again and again, just for the close vicinity to Sequoia.

Also, MrVonzipper, if I win I'll give you two or three bottles at cost. Winning the lottery is just a thinly-veiled excuse for me and the family to go on a mini-vacation.

If we both win, have BPT ticket, will travel.

 

[walterfredo]

Can anyone recommend good beer spots (preferably with good food options) on the drive between The Bruery and LAX? Have limited time and don't want to go to far off the driving route. Thanks in advance.

 

[user 304985]

Can anyone recommend good beer spots (preferably with good food options) on the drive between The Bruery and LAX? Have limited time and don't want to go to far off the driving route. Thanks in advance.

If you're up for a slight detour, the answer is Beachwood. depending on when this trip is, it won't be much more than an extra 15 min driving. Or it could be 2 hours out of the way. There are a few breweries more on the way like Monkish or Smog City or El Segundo. Go to Beachwood if you can though, it's worth it.

 

[walterfredo]

Thanks. I posted way too late, was asking about yesterday. I've been to beechwood several times and love it, wasn't in the cards this time. I did make my first visit to Noble, won't be my last, loved it. My stop at the Bruery though...will be my last. That place is just way too pretentious for my likings. Noble was right up my alley.

...the blarney stone brings a tear to me eye!

 

[flopfacefred]

Check out Bottle Logic if you are ever back in the area for Noble.

 

[FBIinformant]

yeah, I typically just skip Bruery for any sort of tasting and hit up Bottle Logic and Noble when in the area. Both places have some tasty stuff on tap and Noble is well worth closing out the night at.

 

[flopfacefred]

yeah, I typically just skip Bruery for any sort of tasting and hit up Bottle Logic and Noble when in the area. Both places have some tasty stuff on tap and Noble is well worth closing out the night at.

You literally have to get to The Bruery when they open or it's a total clusterfuck for seating. And lines for pours are almost always awful.

 

[ttc]

You literally have to get to The Bruery when they open or it's a total clusterfuck for seating. And lines for pours are almost always awful.

It may be busy, but I've been to the Bruery a dozen or so times and you typically end up finding a seat. Sure the bar could be a bit more efficient, but it tends to come in waves. All in all, the Bruery is busy because its good. The prices are fair and the options are wide. Bottle can be busy too, and I don't think it's offerings are as strong. That being said, I think it's more relaxing to be at BL.

 

[FBIinformant]

Unless there's something specifically one off or I'm going there to taste a sample of the month's allocation I'm not sure about, I can count on one hand the times I decided to get a flight there all year. Not because it's not decent, but because it seems like I'm giving up too much of my sobriety in a flight there when everything is so high in abv.

I like the more relaxed atmosphere and the non-snobby feel BL has over Bruery. Besides that, they may have one register, but they do a decent job at getting orders going in the line. The Bruery really needs to fix where that register is. It really ***** over sitting at the bar and the line typically blocks up the restroom and that entire flight filling out station.

 

[FBIinformant]

What the **** is up with someone asking on Smog City's face book page that if they had to camp out for tomorrow's BA nothing release. What have we become? Smog City is delicious but they aren't well known. Last year bottles sat for months of the nothing and bottles of their coffee porter and SBS sit on the shelf at costco. Toss something in a barrel and folks just assume it's instant trade ammo for them whales?

 

[user 304985]

What the **** is up with someone asking on Smog City's face book page that if they had to camp out for tomorrow's BA nothing release. What have we become? Smog City is delicious but they aren't well known. Last year bottles sat for months of the nothing and bottles of their coffee porter and SBS sit on the shelf at costco. Toss something in a barrel and folks just assume it's instant trade ammo for them whales?

Walesbro.

Edit: were you the guy that mentioned this weird place on their fb page?

 

[FBIinformant]

nope, that wasn't me. I'm still trying to figure out what that comment even meant.