LA/OC area thread

[sb67]

I do too. But people think I’m off my ******* rocker because I purposely take the longest, squirreliest routes I can when I drive (I usually take at least 13 hours to get from SD to SF with the help of this).

Likewise. Girlfriend hates vacations because of the drive, but I'll be damned if I don't like taking in the sights of mother nature.

What?? The long, twisty routes are the BEST routes! Especially in the right car. The best part about driving Laguna Seca is taking the extra few hours to drive home along the 1, with nooooo cell reception. Well, that and driving Laguna Seca.

 

[GregorySingh]

For those of you that are also into coffee, the US Coffee Championships is happening this weekend in Long Beach. It's been pretty awesome the last couple of days and the final two days of the event are today and Sunday. Besides seeing all the different competitions, there's tons of free world class coffee and espresso being ,add all day by the worlds best and you can have as much as you want! I think it's $10 a day or $15 for the whole weekendweekend

 

[BeerHatesRob]

For those of you that are also into coffee, the US Coffee Championships is happening this weekend in Long Beach. It's been pretty awesome the last couple of days and the final two days of the event are today and Sunday. Besides seeing all the different competitions, there's tons of free world class coffee and espresso being ,add all day by the worlds best and you can have as much as you want! I think it's $10 a day or $15 for the whole weekendweekend

 

[air]

Hey guys, I'll be staying with a friend in Ktown and could use tips, what's a good bottle shop around there? I'm visiting from Texas and would be nice to know what to look for as far as seasonal distro.

Anything new as far as bars? I've gone to Beer Belly before (dig it) and going to Blue Palms/Surly Goat isn't a big deal either.

 

[FBIinformant]

Whole Foods on Fairfax isn't too far and has some solid offerings. Vendome Beverly Hills doesn't get picked over either but that may be a bit too west for you depending on if you have a ride or not. Cap n Cork is solid for selection, be it a dollar or two more pricey than needed.

 

[air]

Thanks! I was last there right about a year ago and I think that Vendome location was in the middle of moving locations. Totally forgot about that.

 

[ficklenicholas]

Pliny the younger just got tapped at Boneyard Bistro in Sherman Oaks.

 

[swivelhips1]

Looking for some more specific reports on Phantom Carriage. I have seen a few recommendations here and there but nothing that has sold me on heading down there yet...

 

[sb67]

Looking for some more specific reports on Phantom Carriage. I have seen a few recommendations here and there but nothing that has sold me on heading down there yet...

I haven't been, but a woman I met in Redondo on Saturday highly recommended it. My friend and I figured we'd check it out on our next trip down.

 

[wuntrikpony]

Looking for some more specific reports on Phantom Carriage. I have seen a few recommendations here and there but nothing that has sold me on heading down there yet...

The sours are legit. I went opening weekend and regretted it. Taps were pouring funky and the bartenders didn't know how to deal with it. Several high ABV sours that come in small expensive tasters. There are some decent local guest beers, but nothing crazy. The overall atmosphere is pretty cool and dark. Not to far off the freeway as well.

 

[FBIinformant]

They're only in small flute tasters, but then again, I'm sure it's because they can't just crank them out with a couple of weeks time or anything. But they're straight up legit. Lugosi is top tier stuff and the location is pretty nice. I'd highly recommend heading there. They also have a BBQ dude in house, so the food is solid.

It's also a stones throw away from Smog city and the other South Bay breweries. So it makes it easy to hit up a couple of them in one go. Highly recommended.

 

[ttc]

Looking for some more specific reports on Phantom Carriage. I have seen a few recommendations here and there but nothing that has sold me on heading down there yet...

I was there on Saturday (drove down from West LA) and at Highland Park Brewing on Sunday. Both of them are worth visiting, but not overflowing with goodness. PC had 5 beers on and 3 of them were mediocre. Lugosi though was tight and I wish I had 2-3 of those instead. Highland Park was similar, but Bonkers IPA was pretty good. Overall they're both chill places that are clean and great places to hang out (lots of guest taps, seating space, and food options). PC has Smog City and Monkish nearby too.

 

[sb67]

I was there on Saturday (drove down from West LA) and at Highland Park Brewing on Sunday. Both of them are worth visiting, but not overflowing with goodness. PC had 5 beers on and 3 of them were mediocre. Lugosi though was tight and I wish I had 2-3 of those instead. Highland Park was similar, but Bonkers IPA was pretty good. Overall they're both chill places that are clean and great places to hang out (lots of guest taps, seating space, and food options). PC has Smog City and Monkish nearby too.

We stopped by Monkish around 4ish on Saturday and it was a MADHOUSE. Wanted to to a tasting, but their rules were asinine. You're only allowed to pour one taste at a time, and you had to wait through a 15-20 minute line every time to get to the bar. Since we were there and had waited through half the ridiculous line (seriously, it was crowded and very loud), my friend and I each got a glass of something. We asked if there was a better time to come, and were told that Sundays are much more chill.

We left, grabbed a bite to eat, and visited King Harbor afterward. If you go there, I would recommend bringing in some ice cream to drop in your Swirly.

Started the day at Absolution, who had some pretty solid beers, and some nice barrel-aged selections. Think they were our favorite stop of the day. Also swung by Select to check out their bottles and taps, which is where Phantom Carriage was recommended to us.

 

[SourBrewer]

Looking for some more specific reports on Phantom Carriage. I have seen a few recommendations here and there but nothing that has sold me on heading down there yet...

Went in January, they had 4 house beers available. 2 were dark sours and 2 were brett saisons. The sours were good, but very similar, Lugosi an Lugosi Light (Rathbone?). The non sours were meh.

Hit Monkish afterwards, was insanely crowded. Got a glass of some fancy pistachio vanilla thing, then headed up to Alhambra for nasi bungkus at Indo Kitchen. Best Indonesian restaurant I have found anywhere (including Indonesia and Netherlands).

 

[DCLA]

The sours are legit. I went opening weekend and regretted it. Taps were pouring funky and the bartenders didn't know how to deal with it. Several high ABV sours that come in small expensive tasters. There are some decent local guest beers, but nothing crazy. The overall atmosphere is pretty cool and dark. Not to far off the freeway as well.

I also went on the their first weekend and didn't really like their sours. Haven't been back again. I'll probably give them another try.

 

[wuntrikpony]

Wow, sounds like Monkish has been a shitshow recently. I'm assuming you guys went on the weekend? Ive never waited more than 2 minutes to get a pour, so the whole 1 sample at a time thing worked great. I guess the Monkish traffic is spillover from Smog ******?

 

[swivelhips1]

Ok. Seems like reports here are about what I have heard from others: PC has potential but maybe it hasn't been fully realized yet.

 

[BeerHatesRob]

LA Beer Week 2015 - http://www.latimes.com/food/dailydish/la-dd-los-angeles-beer-week-moves-to-june-20150226-story.html


Looks like they moved the week up (with a reasonable justification for doing so).

And the kickoff event is now going to be June 20th at Exposition Park.

I like the change of venue, but with that date, I will now have FWIBF, NHB, and LA Beer week all within 3 weeks.

My liver is scared.

 

[arren]

Is anybody aiming for Remy's Pappy? ISO please.

 

[Spoonsock]

I also went on the their first weekend and didn't really like their sours. Haven't been back again. I'll probably give them another try.

Just tried them out last...the sours are ok, still need some time to sour up a bit. Still kinda sweet. Hoping they improve with some more time.

 

[oowtfmate]

Is anybody aiming for Remy's Pappy? ISO please.

I have one. Steal me a CC from Toronado.

 

[DCLA]

Just tried them out last...the sours are ok, still need some time to sour up a bit. Still kinda sweet. Hoping they improve with some more time.

Same here. I hope they can improve.

 

[jmgrub]

Is anybody aiming for Remy's Pappy? ISO please.

With an unannounced Saturday release in the I.E., this one might be a #newmoney exclusive.

 

[swivelhips1]

far bar is serving bottles of peche n brett for $16. we drank 3 of them last night.

 

[angry_lobster]

far bar is serving bottles of peche n brett for $16. we drank 3 of them last night.

Welp, I know what I'm doing tonight. Also thanks!

 

[sb67]

FYI, Amazon Local is offering a deal at Smog City: 2 tasting flights and an empty growler for $14.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TRGPRQ0/?tag=talkbecom09-20

 

[swivelhips1]

anyone try this yet?

 

[Hopsycho]

anyone try this yet?

Yup it's really good!

 

[arren]

What do you guys know about Casa Agria? They're seemingly all over the place on Instagram on Untappd, but they've yet to open a brewery.

Oh, and they're also doing a membership.

 

[Tyrsis]

Just got a job in Aliso Viejo. Any decent bottleshops around?