Erika BoldenL.A. Beer Week runs Thursday, Sept. 19 through Sunday, Sept. 29. It's a time to celebrate beer — from favorite local breweries and nationwide collaborators — to visit the hard-working bars and bartenders that serve us, and to make new friends with other pint-bearers. There is an incredible array of events this year, from tap takeovers and pint nights, to a gala, a homebrewing demonstration, and a music + beer crawl.
Our to-do list is epic, yet it only features two particularly outstanding events a day. For a comprehensive list, check out the official L.A. Beer Week website. Without further ado, go forth and saturate your calendars as quickly as possible. Turn the page for our pick of Beer Week festivities in the Los Angeles area.
Thursday, Sept. 19
WHAT: Dogfish Head Night at Select Beer Store
WHEN: 5-10:30 p.m.
WHY: With no fewer than half a dozen Dogfish Head beers on tap, this is a great opportunity to get better acquainted with Delaware's self-described “off-centered” beers. Let's Be Frank hot dogs and sausages also in attendance.
WHERE: Select Beer Store, 1613 S. Pacific Coast Highway, Redondo Beach; (310) 540-1221.
WHAT: Eagle Rock Brewing's The Right Brews at Story Tavern,
WHEN: 6:30 p.m.
WHY: Eagle Rock is providing at least five of their beers but this is not a typical tap takeover. Each beer, depending on the night, will be available on CO2 (how you usually drink it), on nitro (how Guinness usually is served), and on cask (with yeast-provided carbonation alone). Owners Jeremy Raub and Ting Su will be there at 6:30 to introduce the event.
WHERE: Story Tavern, 150 S. San Fernando Blvd., Burbank; (818) 567-4200.
Friday, Sept. 20
WHAT: An Evening with Haven Brewing at the Federal Bar
WHEN: 4-8:00 p.m.
WHY: Join Haven's head brewer Brian Thorson to discuss the Haven lineup including Hop Wave and Oktoberfest.
WHERE: Federal Bar, 5303 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood; (818) 980-2555.
WHAT: Brewers Karaoke Championships at Melody Lounge
WHEN: 8:00 p.m.- 12:00 a.m.
WHY: Brewers and staff will do their worst, performing quality tunes as fodder for mockery from the general public. If we have to listen to Journey one more time, at least there will be great beer. Folks from Eagle Rock, The Bruery, Noble Ale Works, Lagunitas, Golden Road, Kinetic, and Stone Breweries in attendance.
WHERE: Melody Lounge, 939 N Hill St Los Angeles; (213) 625-2823.
The Surly Goat; Credit: Courtesy Surly Goat
Saturday, Sept. 21
WHAT: AleSmith Brewing Tap Takeover at the Surly Goat
WHEN: 7:00 p.m.- 2:00 a.m.
WHY: Meet AleSmith's head brewer, Bill Batten and harass him with your geekiest beer questions. He'll have a full lineup of award-winning AleSmith beers from San Diego.
WHERE: The Surly Goat, 7929 Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood; (323) 650-4628.
WHAT: The Armando Improv Comedy Show
WHEN: 9-10:30 p.m.
WHY: Featuring guest host Lance Rice from the upcoming documentary, Lance's Brewery Tour which chronicles the story of an autistic man with a photographic memory and a thirst for craft beer. $10 for the show and no cover for the bar. Tickets here.
WHERE: iO West, 6366 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles; (323) 962-7560.
Sunday, Sept. 22
WHAT: L.A. Beer Week Opening Gala at Union Station
WHEN: 11:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.
WHY: Unlimited samplings from over 50 breweries set right in the iconic 1939 Union Station train ticketing hall. Small bites featured and brewers pouring their beloved wares. Tickets here.
WHERE: Union Station, 800 N Alameda St., Los Angeles.
Monday, Sept. 23
WHAT: Port/ Lost Abbey Tap Takeover with Tomme Arthur at Mohawk Bend
WHEN: 6-11:00 p.m.
WHY: Meet Port/ Lost Abbey founder Tomme Arthur in person. How do two reputable breweries operate hand-in-hand? Together, yet separate? As connected, yet independent brands? Ask Arthur and sample the beers in question.
WHERE: Mohawk Bend, 2141 W. Sunset Boulevard Los Angeles; (213) 483-2337.
WHAT: Brouwerij West Tap Takeover at Bow & Truss
WHEN: 6-11:00 p.m.
WHY: Taking over all ten taps, this is a rare opportunity to find so many Brouwerij West beers in one place — they don't have a taproom so unless you're buying all of their beers yourself this truly is a rare opportunity.
WHERE: Bow & Truss, 11122 Magnolia Ave., North Hollywood; (818) 985-8787.
Tuesday, Sept. 24
WHAT: Beachwood BBQ & Brewing Tap Takeover at Tony's Darts Away
WHEN: 6-11:00 p.m.
WHY: Head brewer Julian Shrago will be talking over flights and individual pints of his award-winning beers. Look for Udder Love, Mocha Machine, and a Beachwood BBQ/ Drake's collaboration IPA.
WHERE: Tony's Darts Away, 1710 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank; (818) 253-1710.
WHAT: Musical Beer Crawl at Echo Park
WHEN: 7:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m.
WHY: A free passport gets you draft discounts and reduced price purchases at Echo Park's Sunset Beer Co., Origami Vinyl, Two Boots Pizza, Mohawk Bend, El Prado, and the Short Stop. Download your passport here.
Wednesday, Sept. 25
WHAT: Smog City Tap Takeover at Cinco
WHEN: 3:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.
WHY: Flights and individual pints from Smog City Brewing Co., in addition to loaded taco and beer battered shrimp with Lil Bo Pils. Try the Saber Toothed Squirrel and Amarilla Gorilla, and consider how a battle would end between the two.
WHERE: Cinco, 7241 W. Manchester Ave., Los Angeles; (310) 910-089.
WHAT: Brewers Behind the Bar at the Pub at Golden Road
WHEN: 6-9:30 p.m.
WHY: Enjoy twenty pours of local L.A. beers, brought to you by some of the people who made them. If you haven't been to the cozy Pub inside Golden Road's warehouse brewery, you're in for a treat. Coolest bathroom wallpaper in Los Angeles.
WHERE: Pub at Golden Road Brewery, 5410 W. San Fernando Rd., Los Angeles; (213) 542-6039.
Thursday, Sept. 26
WHAT: L.A. Brewers Unplugged, 22 Breweries at City Tavern
WHEN: 6:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.
WHY: One of the best of events of the week, get access to brewers and beers from Angel City, The Dudes, Ohana, Ladyface, Abigaile, Phantom Carriage, LA Aleworks, Pipe Dream, El Segundo, Cismontane, Monkish, TAPS, Strand, Hangar 24, Eagle Rock, Golden Road. No tickets, first come first served.
WHERE: City Tavern, 9739 Culver Blvd., Culver City; (310) 838-9739.
WHAT: Lucky Baldwin's Annual Pub Crawl at Lucky Baldwin's
WHEN: 6:30 p.m.-12:00 a.m.
WHY: A hop on/ hop off bus tour that takes you to all three Lucky Baldwin's Pubs, each featuring different beers from Craftsman, Eagle Rock, Stone and more. Price includes, transportation, a beer at each location, special refill prices, commemorative pint glass, and t-shirt. Tickets here.
WHERE: Lucky Baldwin's, 17 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena; (626) 795-0652.
Story Tavern; Credit: Courtesy Story Tavern
Friday, Sept. 27
WHAT: Spirit Sessions Presents: A Stone Take Down for L.A. Beer Week
WHEN: 6:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m.
WHY: East L.A. and San Gabriel Valley DJs will provide music to Stone Brewing's offerings of beer at this Monterey Park event.
WHERE: Spirit House, 123 S. Lincoln Ave. 2nd Floor, Monterey Park; (626) 872-0353.
WHAT: Figueroa Mountain Brewing's Ludwigpalooza at Story Tavern
WHEN: 6:30-10:30 p.m.
WHY: It was crazy King Ludwig who introduced the Oktoberfest tradition. Raise your glass to him with Bavarian-style lagers, wheat beers and more at this free event.
WHERE: Story Tavern, 150 S. San Fernando Blvd. Burbank; (818) 567-4200.
Saturday, Sept. 28
WHAT: Homebrew Demo at Eagle Rock Brewery
WHEN: 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
WHY: This full-day event will walk you through the homebrewing process, provide a simple lunch and a pint of beer. See how honey gets used in beer, RSVP by buying tickets here.
WHERE: Eagle Rock Brewery, 3056 Roswell St., Los Angeles; (323) 257-7866.
WHAT: Smog City Brewing Rarest of the Rare
WHEN: 12:00-8:00 p.m.
WHY: Arguably one of L.A.'s highest quality beer-producers, Smog City will be pulling out kegs just for the occasion of otherwise unavailable beer in addition to coveted favorites including sours and barrel-aged selections. Look for Tempest and Farmhouse Funk.
WHERE: Smog City Brewery, 1901 Del Amo Blvd. Ste. B, Torrance; (310) 320-7664.
WHAT: Firestone Walker, Walker's Wild Ride L.A.
WHEN: 2 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5 p.m., and 7 p.m.
WHY: Co-Proprieter David Walker and Sour Jim will be trekking a branded 1955 Land Rover through the streets of L.A. to bring four rare sour beers from Barrelworks to four different bars. Stop at one of the following bars for a taste or honk at them on the freeway.
WHERE: Daily Pint, Surly Goat, Blue Palms, and Mohawk Bend, respective to the above times.
Sunday, Sept. 29
WHAT: Brewers Brunch at Eagle Rock Brewery
WHEN: 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
WHY: A casual close to the end of beer week with Lemon Poppy Kitchen providing vittles. Ticket includes one beer and food. Tickets available at the event.
WHERE: Eagle Rock Brewery, 3056 Roswell St., Los Angeles; (323) 257-7866.
WHAT: Game of Thrones “Take the Black” Stout L.A. at Blue Palms
WHEN: 1-5:00 p.m.
WHY: Brewery Ommegang's second Game of Thrones collaboration brew will debut at Blue Palms Brew House and the Henry Fonda Theatre Rooftop Terrace. Tickets get you a glass, a pour, a sausage and access to the rooftop. How very L.A. Tickets available here.
WHERE: Blue Palms Brew House, 6124 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles; (323) 464-2337.
The following bars have dedicated multiple nights to featuring different brewers and their beers: Bank of Venice Public House, The Federal Bar, Rose City Pizza, Uncle Henry's Deli, The Bottle Room. We salute them.
Erika writes at erikabolden.com and @erikabolden. Want more Squid Ink? Follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook.
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