Elina Shatkin
To the delight of local hop heads, Los Angeles is finally becoming a beer town. Maybe it always has been, but in typical Angeleno style: springing up haphazardly, secreted in obscure niches, resistant to easy discovery. Good beer can always be found for those willing to put in the effort. What about the rest of us?
The next gathering for beer devotees: Bock Fest, a celebration of seasonal German beer happening on January 15th. A $25 ticket gets you a 16-oz. souvenir beer mug and unlimited tastings all afternoon. Fill it up or sample as many times as you like.
The event features 65 brews, mostly from Germany (Aktien, Innstadt Brauerei, Weihenstephaner) and Austria (Schlagl, Rieder), as well as local German-style beers from Bier Bitzch (Orange County) and Bootlegger's Brewery (Fullerton).
The event also includes a winter beer contest judged by notable beerists like Rich Marcello (owner and brewmaster of Strand Brewing Company in Manhattan Beach), Eric Hulme (executive chef of Tender Greens in West Hollywood and a devoted home brewer) and Alex Puchner (brewmaster of BJ's Restaurant & Brewery). Everyone else can vote for the people's choice champion.
When: 1-5 p.m., Jan. 15, 2011
Where: Olympic Collection: 11301 Olympic Blvd., LA, CA 90064.
Cost: $25 $35 + $1.79 service charge
Why: Net proceeds go to Children's Tumor Foundation.
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