LA/OC area thread

[Hopsycho]

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

Amazing Grapes, O'Sheas, Pacific Market

 

[EliotRosewater]

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

In addition to what Hopsycho wrote, the Whole Foods also occasionally has some decent stuff.

 

[Hopsycho]

In addition to what Hopsycho wrote, the Whole Foods also occasionally has some decent stuff.

Oh yeah I forgot Whole Foods Laguna Hills. Didn't you used to work there? Now Decay is running it.

 

[Usofar]

Oh yeah I forgot Whole Foods Laguna Hills. Didn't you used to work there? Now Decay is running it.

I think you have Alex confused with someone actually named Eliot

 

[EliotRosewater]

Oh yeah I forgot Whole Foods Laguna Hills. Didn't you used to work there? Now Decay is running it.

I think you have Alex confused with someone actually named Eliot

Yeah, not me but I think I know who you're referring to. While we're on the subject of whole foods in Orange County, the Newport Beach store tends to have the best stuff by far.

 

[Hopsycho]

I think you have Alex confused with someone actually named Eliot

Haha I didn't think he was on here but the name threw me off.

 

[ficklenicholas]

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.

I've never had anything personally but I've heard they are making some fantastic sours. I am splitting a membership with a friend. If they blow, I won't be out as much. Plus they are semi-local so I don't mind taking a chance and I wouldn't mind a really good sour brewery within a half hour drive.

 

[GhettoFabulous]

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.

I am amazed that people who have not tried a drop of their home brew would spring a substantial advance for $30 bombers and priority access to "rare beers." Of course the beer they bottle is rare; it's so ******* rare that it doesn't exist except for their homies who have tried it and raved about it on social media. This **** is beer need / crowd funding satire come to life.

 

[walterfredo]

Cross post from the dark side...

I have to be in Claremont tomorrow and will be heading home late afternoon, heading west on the 210. If I were to stop for a couple of beers at only one place along the 210 between Claremont and I-5, what should it be? Preference toward a spot that serves food, but not the deciding factor.

 

[wuntrikpony]

Cross post from the dark side...

I have to be in Claremont tomorrow and will be heading home late afternoon, heading west on the 210. If I were to stop for a couple of beers at only one place along the 210 between Claremont and I-5, what should it be? Preference toward a spot that serves food, but not the deciding factor.

I'd suggest The Hermosillo on York Blvd in Highland Park(about 10 min off the freeway). They have good food and beers from the Highland Park brewery.

Other options would be Congregation Alehouse, but check the taplist before you go as sometimes it kinda sucks. There is also the Stone company store in Pasadena, which you could bring outside food too I believe.

But if you're going up the 5, I'd just stop at Tony's Darts Away, better than all the above options.

 

[BeerHatesRob]

I'd suggest The Hermosillo on York Blvd in Highland Park(about 10 min off the freeway). They have good food and beers from the Highland Park brewery.

Other options would be Congregation Alehouse, but check the taplist before you go as sometimes it kinda sucks. There is also the Stone company store in Pasadena, which you could bring outside food too I believe.

But if you're going up the 5, I'd just stop at Tony's Darts Away, better than all the above options.

All good suggestions, I'd only add my 2 cents that The Hermosillo is far superior to Tony's Darts. Beer selection is comparable. Food is better IMO, and there should be far more room to get a seat at that time (though I suppose going solo, that isn't really a problem anywhere).

 

[walterfredo]

Thanks. I will be with a coworker. Traffic is a concern, we're driving back to central valley so the less distance off the 210 the better.

 

[wuntrikpony]

Thanks. I will be with a coworker. Traffic is a concern, we're driving back to central valley so the less distance off the 210 the better.

Least distance off the 210=Slaters 50/50 or Golden Road.

 

[evilc]

So I hear Rare was being poured @ Whole Foods Venice Beach tonight?

 

[sb67]

So I hear Rare was being poured @ Whole Foods Venice Beach tonight?

10/10 Did bang. I'm perfectly fine with whoever hates me. Small pours shared across everyone doing the Goose Island tasting -- also included Vanilla Rye (3 good pours).

After a few sips:

And 3 pours of Vanilla Rye, which I failed to get a pic of the first pour. This was the shortest of my three:

 

[sb67]

And this is why we go to the tastings every Friday. It's usually on the more mundane side, but it's still really fun. Then there are the nights they pull out all the stops.

 

[El Glutton]

This is my first actual post on this forum, so I figured I would make it helpful.

If anyone is interested, 38 Degrees in Alhambra is having a bottle share today. It starts at 4:20.

I'm not exactly sure what the rules are regarding providing a link to the info, but if it's allowed I'll edit and provide the link later.

 

[SourBrewer]

Anyone know of a Girardin on a shelf in LA, Orange or San Bernardino county?

 

[EliotRosewater]

Anyone know of a Girardin on a shelf in LA, Orange or San Bernardino county?

Mr. K's in Orange has had Girardin on the shelf off and on. Not sure about currently but if I spot it anywhere, I'll let you know.

 

[SourBrewer]

Mr. K's in Orange has had Girardin on the shelf off and on. Not sure about currently but if I spot it anywhere, I'll let you know.

I got it at Mr Ks before. They had none last week.

 

[SoCalBeerIdiot]

This is my first actual post on this forum, so I figured I would make it helpful.

If anyone is interested, 38 Degrees in Alhambra is having a bottle share today. It starts at 4:20.

I'm not exactly sure what the rules are regarding providing a link to the info, but if it's allowed I'll edit and provide the link later.

I still can't decide if I'm going. Going to Alhambra for a bottle share on a Monday night is less than ideal but I've been itching to go to one of these for a while. If I go, I'll be wearing a black shirt with my avatar on it--say "hey" if you see me there.

Here's a link to the FB event page:

For those who want to avoid FB, here are the "house rules" they listed:

- Please bring a couple bottles. We'd like to limit the amount of beer brought by each person to 3 bottles/50 oz. of beer. Bring the fire this time. Ask your bottle shop guy if he or she has something fancy in the back, do a trade on RateBeer or BeerAdvocate. Instagram is a fun place to trade as well.

- Bring something on the unique/interesting side. Don’t stop by 7/11 on the way and bring a bomber of Corona. Try not to bring beers you are pretty sure everyone has tried multiple times.

- Feel free to bring home brews that you are proud to share. Bring your friends who might be new to craft beer. This is a real eye opening experience!

- Plan your exit before you taste your first sample. Are you going to sample in moderation, do you have a designated driver, do you have Uber or Lyft installed on your phone? Whatever the case may be, stay safe and have a plan a head of time.

- We have a large selection of amazing bottles to purchase if you are empty handed or stumped.

-Please tip our servers. We will be providing the glassware.

- Feel Free to use this Facebook to check with other "Bottle Share Goers" to see what they are bringing, or what they think of what you are bringing (not that it should matter.)

 

[El Glutton]

I still can't decide if I'm going. Going to Alhambra for a bottle share on a Monday night is less than ideal but I've been itching to go to one of these for a while. If I go, I'll be wearing a black shirt with my avatar on it--say "hey" if you see me there.

Here's a link to the FB event page:

For those who want to avoid FB, here are the "house rules" they listed:

- Please bring a couple bottles. We'd like to limit the amount of beer brought by each person to 3 bottles/50 oz. of beer. Bring the fire this time. Ask your bottle shop guy if he or she has something fancy in the back, do a trade on RateBeer or BeerAdvocate. Instagram is a fun place to trade as well.

- Bring something on the unique/interesting side. Don’t stop by 7/11 on the way and bring a bomber of Corona. Try not to bring beers you are pretty sure everyone has tried multiple times.

- Feel free to bring home brews that you are proud to share. Bring your friends who might be new to craft beer. This is a real eye opening experience!

- Plan your exit before you taste your first sample. Are you going to sample in moderation, do you have a designated driver, do you have Uber or Lyft installed on your phone? Whatever the case may be, stay safe and have a plan a head of time.

- We have a large selection of amazing bottles to purchase if you are empty handed or stumped.

-Please tip our servers. We will be providing the glassware.

- Feel Free to use this Facebook to check with other "Bottle Share Goers" to see what they are bringing, or what they think of what you are bringing (not that it should matter.)

Thanks for that. Yeah, I'm probably not going to make it tonight, but like you I've been wanting to go to one of these for a while now. Definitely going to try and make it next time though.

 

[arren]

The woman and I are heading up to LA next Saturday to see The Decemberists at the Greek, and we're going to make a day trip out of it. Couple questions:

1) Best burger in LA? Last one I had was Father's Office three years ago and, while good, was pretty pricey.

2) Is Phantom Carriage worth visiting? Looks like it's in Carson, which is pretty out of the way of the Greek.

3) Anything else worth doing in/around Griffith Park, minus the Observatory, Zoo, and museums?

 

[Usofar]

The woman and I are heading up to LA next Saturday to see The Decemberists at the Greek, and we're going to make a day trip out of it. Couple questions:

1) Best burger in LA? Last one I had was Father's Office three years ago and, while good, was pretty pricey.

2) Is Phantom Carriage worth visiting? Looks like it's in Carson, which is pretty out of the way of the Greek.

3) Anything else worth doing in/around Griffith Park, minus the Observatory, Zoo, and museums?

Check out Highland Park Brewing, it's in the area and worth checking out. While the praise they got earlier of being #2 behind Beachwood sounds like it's coming from a homer, they are solid and on their way up. They're located at one of the places Chris hosted a previous Woodshop with a solid tap list beyond their own brews.

 

[arren]

Ah yeah, I forgot to mention them too. Was interested in one of their releases a while back and forgot about them in the midst of it all. I'll make sure to check them out for sure.

 

[swivelhips1]

Pretty sure I am the accused HPB homer but it really is worth checking out. Buy a bottle of Uncontrollable and you can pick it up next weekend when you are there. And get a burger at Plan Check. Definitely my favorite in the city.

 

[arren]

Pretty sure I am the accused HPB homer but it really is worth checking out. Buy a bottle of Uncontrollable and you can pick it up next weekend when you are there. And get a burger at Plan Check. Definitely my favorite in the city.

Hah yeah, just saw that posting when I did some research. I'll have to buy bottles of it tomorrow if it still lasts. Are their bottle releases pretty solid?

 

[sb67]

The woman and I are heading up to LA next Saturday to see The Decemberists at the Greek, and we're going to make a day trip out of it. Couple questions:

1) Best burger in LA? Last one I had was Father's Office three years ago and, while good, was pretty pricey.

2) Is Phantom Carriage worth visiting? Looks like it's in Carson, which is pretty out of the way of the Greek.

3) Anything else worth doing in/around Griffith Park, minus the Observatory, Zoo, and museums?

I've heard mixed reviews about Phantom Carriage, though I'll still go check it out at some point since it's not too far from me. Surly Goat in Hollywood is one of the better beer bars in the area if you'd rather grab a pint or two in Hollywood.

 

[arren]

Eh, not really looking to hit up a beer bar; for once I think we'd like to have a non-beercentric trip somewhere.

 

[sb67]

Eh, not really looking to hit up a beer bar; for once I think we'd like to have a non-beercentric trip somewhere.

But... you asked about Phantom Carriage.