LA/OC area thread

[swivelhips1]

I have to say I am pretty excited that HPB Someday is in a 750 ml format. Given how easily consumable a lot of HPB beers are, I always thought it was tough to split a 500 mL.

 

[chemman141]

Speaking of HPB releases, did I get booted from Beer Friends or did that end or did they forget about us or?????

 

[chemman141]

I have to say I am pretty excited that HPB Someday is in a 750 ml format. Given how easily consumable a lot of HPB beers are, I always thought it was tough to split a 500 mL.

Oh ****, I didn't even notice that bottle appears to be bigger in the picture. Very excite.

 

[wuntrikpony]

I always thought it was tough to split a 500 mL

solution: solodome

 

[BigFrank]

My number one recomendation would be head to Southland Beer + Beer Belly in Koreatown. They are not too far and both always have good tap lists (southland beer has an especially good looking one right now). Plus you can get some awesome korean food while you are in the area. Crawfords always has one HPB beer on tap and isn't too much further. If you head downtown Mumford Brewing is certainly worth a stop. They might not have cans when you are there but you can get crowlers of pretty much all their beers and the place typically is pretty low key. Mikkeller Bar and Far Bar are my favorite two bars downtown.

The Verve Coffee on 3rd is probably your closest good coffee spot in the area you are staying. And you will get some stereotypical LA people watching at that location. If you go downtown, Demitasse or Blacktop have good coffee (easy to link up with Mumford or Far Bar). If you really want to win, go to Spoke Bicycle Cafe and get some Trystero coffee. Or if you are around on a Wednesday pickup some beans straight from the source at Thank You For Coming. TrysteroCoffee do you also brew coffee on Wednesday's there or is it just pickup of bags of beans?

Soowon Galbi followed by Beer Belly makes for a complete night.

 

[angry_lobster]

Soowon Galbi followed by Beer Belly makes for a complete night.

Sowoon best QPR kbbq for sure, one of my go-to recommendations.

 

[tylerk88]

Thank you all for the thoughtful responses. There are an overwhelming amount of restaurants to choose from. I think I'll eat/drink pretty well for a few days!

 

[swivelhips1]

Pretty excited about HPB crowlers!

 

[chemman141]

Pretty excited about HPB crowlers!

Wait what???? Also $16 750s of almost one year in the bottle beer? **** to the yes.

 

[chemman141]

Wow just saw the label on IG. Hnnnnnnng

 

[BigFrank]

Anyone headed to Hangar 24 in the next couple weeks from South LA county or North OC? Hoping to find a proxy to pick up my couple bottles of puga. You would have my gratitude..

And a thank you beer.

 

[wolf13]

Anyone headed to Hangar 24 in the next couple weeks from South LA county or North OC? Hoping to find a proxy to pick up my couple bottles of puga. You would have my gratitude..

And a thank you beer.

I was just there on Saturday... should've posted a bit earlier. I'll be out that way next mid-January if that helps... I'm also more Central OC.

 

[shanrath]

Hey, all! I'm visiting LA for the first time in like... 15 years, and am looking for a few recs for places to have a beer or good cup of coffee. I'm staying in what I think is the West Hollywood/Beverly Grove neighborhood, but will have a car. So far, the closest option I've found is Blue Palms Brewhouse.

Not looking to spend an hour in line waiting for hazy IPA cans, but very interested in trying some of your local beer that I've not had, which is most. Have heard very nice things about HPB, which might be a bit too far out of my way, so if there's a local spot w/ some on tap that would be great.

I've identified a few nearby coffee shops to check out, but am very interested in other recommendations too. So far, I have: Coffee Commissary, Verve, Demitasse Coffee, and maybe Go Get Em Tiger.

Will do some touristy things (The Getty, Warner Bros studio tour, etc.), and so I am planning on a little bit of travel around town. The talk of your crazy traffic frightens me some, but I'll make the best of it.

Maru, Dinosaur, Paramount Coffee Project, G&B, Endorffeine, Proof, Cognoscenti in Culver (which I believe is a considerably better option than Bar Nine), and Blacktop in the Arts District are some of my favorite cafes/multiroasters in town. I’d visit any of them before Commissary or Demitasse, though YMMV.

 

[wuntrikpony]

Blacktop in the Arts District

Blacktop is awesome and in a great neighborhood to walk around. If you can hit Blacktop when Guerrilla Tacos are there, you ******* win life.

 

[tylerk88]

Maru, Dinosaur, Paramount Coffee Project, G&B, Endorffeine, Proof, Cognoscenti in Culver (which I believe is a considerably better option than Bar Nine), and Blacktop in the Arts District are some of my favorite cafes/multiroasters in town. I’d visit any of them before Commissary or Demitasse, though YMMV.

Will definitely look into these. Preference to a place that will let me get a pour over of some single-origin coffee. Thanks for the tip!

 

[angry_lobster]

Will definitely look into these. Preference to a place that will let me get a pour over of some single-origin coffee. Thanks for the tip!

Endorffeine is a bit further than your preferred location but I'd also second it because you can get a good pour while you're waiting in line for Howlin Ray's (the hype is real).

 

[GregorySingh]

Hey, all! I'm visiting LA for the first time in like... 15 years, and am looking for a few recs for places to have a beer or good cup of coffee. I'm staying in what I think is the West Hollywood/Beverly Grove neighborhood, but will have a car. So far, the closest option I've found is Blue Palms Brewhouse.

Not looking to spend an hour in line waiting for hazy IPA cans, but very interested in trying some of your local beer that I've not had, which is most. Have heard very nice things about HPB, which might be a bit too far out of my way, so if there's a local spot w/ some on tap that would be great.

I've identified a few nearby coffee shops to check out, but am very interested in other recommendations too. So far, I have: Coffee Commissary, Verve, Demitasse Coffee, and maybe Go Get Em Tiger.

Will do some touristy things (The Getty, Warner Bros studio tour, etc.), and so I am planning on a little bit of travel around town. The talk of your crazy traffic frightens me some, but I'll make the best of it.

Go Get em tiger should be first on your list for coffee spots in LA. has a great rotating selection of roasters, one of the most unique espresso bar menus, and the owner/head barista has won more awards for his drink inventions and barista skills than most any American. The folks there are unpretentious and willing to talk your ear off about coffee. It's worth going even if it's out of your way. I drive up there from Long Beach just to chill and have coffee!

 

[cquiroga]

Go Get em tiger should be first on your list for coffee spots in LA. has a great rotating selection of roasters, one of the most unique espresso bar menus, and the owner/head barista has won more awards for his drink inventions and barista skills than most any American. The folks there are unpretentious and willing to talk your ear off about coffee. It's worth going even if it's out of your way. I drive up there from Long Beach just to chill and have coffee!

Bonus points for the excellent yeast-raised waffles with maple syrup and whipped butter. And extra bonus for the ridiculous G&B shake (espresso milk shake, basically). Stupid expensive ($9.75 for a shake?!), and it seems to take forever for them to make for some reason, but it's fucken delicious if you're in the mood to treat yo'self.

 

[shanrath]

Go Get em tiger should be first on your list for coffee spots in LA. has a great rotating selection of roasters, one of the most unique espresso bar menus, and the owner/head barista has won more awards for his drink inventions and barista skills than most any American. The folks there are unpretentious and willing to talk your ear off about coffee. It's worth going even if it's out of your way. I drive up there from Long Beach just to chill and have coffee!

And the new Los Feliz location on Hollywood is next door to Home State, which is a great breakfast taco place (owned and operated by some Austin-expats, so, while the price’s a bit high per taco, the authenticity’s there. They also serve Cuvée, an Austin roaster.). G&B is owned and operated by the same people—it’s just a bit more experimental than either Go Get Em location. It does have the added benefit of being in Grand Central, where you’ll be spoiled for good eating options (Tacos Tumbras is one of my favorite taquerias in town).

 

[tylerk88]

Damn... I had no idea that LA is such a coffee town!

I'm definitely going to hit Verve, as I was a long-time subscriber to their single-origin subscription and then their African s-o subscription, and had pleasant experiences with both. GGET is only 10 min away, so will try that one, and also Paramount. A place w/ some good food, or food nearby is a big plus, and it seems most, if not all, of these places have something. You guys love your avocado toast, huh?

Have added all of these recommendations to my Google map, which is now 80% coffee, 10% beer, and 10% touristy attractions

 

[shanrath]

Damn... I had no idea that LA is such a coffee town!

I'm definitely going to hit Verve, as I was a long-time subscriber to their single-origin subscription and then their African s-o subscription, and had pleasant experiences with both. GGET is only 10 min away, so will try that one, and also Paramount. A place w/ some good food, or food nearby is a big plus, and it seems most, if not all, of these places have something. You guys love your avocado toast, huh?

Have added all of these recommendations to my Google map, which is now 80% coffee, 10% beer, and 10% touristy attractions

I worked for Verve for a few years and definitely recommend the Third Street location of the three LA spots. Also, glad to hear you dug the subscriptions!

 

[ac24]

Cant believe no one has mentioned TrysteroCoffee, make sure you get some coffee to take home from him.

 

[angry_lobster]

My number one recomendation would be head to Southland Beer + Beer Belly in Koreatown. They are not too far and both always have good tap lists (southland beer has an especially good looking one right now). Plus you can get some awesome korean food while you are in the area. Crawfords always has one HPB beer on tap and isn't too much further. If you head downtown Mumford Brewing is certainly worth a stop. They might not have cans when you are there but you can get crowlers of pretty much all their beers and the place typically is pretty low key. Mikkeller Bar and Far Bar are my favorite two bars downtown.

The Verve Coffee on 3rd is probably your closest good coffee spot in the area you are staying. And you will get some stereotypical LA people watching at that location. If you go downtown, Demitasse or Blacktop have good coffee (easy to link up with Mumford or Far Bar). If you really want to win, go to Spoke Bicycle Cafe and get some Trystero coffee. Or if you are around on a Wednesday pickup some beans straight from the source at Thank You For Coming. TrysteroCoffee do you also brew coffee on Wednesday's there or is it just pickup of bags of beans?

Cant believe no one has mentioned TrysteroCoffee, make sure you get some coffee to take home from him.

 

[tylerk88]

I worked for Verve for a few years and definitely recommend the Third Street location of the three LA spots. Also, glad to hear you dug the subscriptions!

Great coffee, fair pricing, and the beans got from CA to Boston like 3-4 days after roast. I stopped because my local spot gives me a free cup and well... George Howell!

 

[ac24]

Meh, not gonna lie I just skimmed most of those posts lol

 

[eb1]

I cant believe no one mentioned TrysteroCoffee !

 

[angry_lobster]

TrysteroCoffee and Compelling are my go-to locals; I tried some other roasters, even reaching out to Copenhagen but I'm mainly with the former now.

 

[shanrath]

TrysteroCoffee and Compelling are my go-to locals; I tried some other roasters, even reaching out to Copenhagen but I'm mainly with the former now.

I’ve met the Compelling guy a few times and really dig his stuff. Where do you typically find it though? I’ve only seen it by the cup at Maru once and rarely otherwise.

 

[angry_lobster]

I’ve met the Compelling guy a few times and really dig his stuff. Where do you typically find it though? I’ve only seen it by the cup at Maru once and rarely otherwise.

I do his monthly roaster's choice subscription but yeah I don't think I've ever had it at a shop before. I think I heard about it on a reddit post so tried it out.

 

[cquiroga]

Damn... I had no idea that LA is such a coffee town!

I'm definitely going to hit Verve, as I was a long-time subscriber to their single-origin subscription and then their African s-o subscription, and had pleasant experiences with both. GGET is only 10 min away, so will try that one, and also Paramount. A place w/ some good food, or food nearby is a big plus, and it seems most, if not all, of these places have something. You guys love your avocado toast, huh?

Have added all of these recommendations to my Google map, which is now 80% coffee, 10% beer, and 10% touristy attractions

You've poked the bear! Assuming you're here for at least a few days (all restaurants below are what I would consider moderately priced, but fucken beautiful and delicious food-- the biggest splurge is Son of a Gun, but that's only because it's my fave sitdown place/quintessential "new LA")...

BREAKFAST:
Sqirl
Cofax (the aforementioned pastrami breakfast burrito)
Sqirl again
Republique

Rinse, repeat ad infinitum...

LUNCH:
Guerrilla Tacos on Friday (10am to 2pm in front of Blacktop coffee)
Madcapra at Grand Central Market (or Tacos Tumbras, or Wexler's, or Belcampo, or...)
Guisado's
Wax Paper

DINNER:
Baroo
Gjelina
Son of a Gun
Guerrilla Tacos at night-- **** it. It's my favorite restaurant in LA, bar none. Eat as many times as it takes to try everything at least once (maybe 2 times in a week, depending on the menu).

Also around... Wonderful Thai, Korean, Peruvian, Malaysian, Japanese, Sichuan, Italian, and all kind of fusion stuffs... if any of that is more your speed. Ramen, burgers, ceviches, tacos, fried chicken, burritos, etc. ****, I'm making myself hungry.