Daniel DrennonWe love the fact that LA Beer Week is actually two weeks. From the kick off party at Naja's Place on tonight, October 10, through the closing beer festival at Union Station on Sunday October 23, this is an L.A. beer lover's dream month. Each and every day, multiple bars will be hosting “Event Nights” featuring the best in craft brewers and their beers, including multiple medal-winning beers from the 2011 Great American Beer Festival that just finished in Denver, Colorado. Go to LA Beer Week's website for daily schedule of events.
Naja's Jay Outsen with Stone CEO Greg Koch; Credit: Javier Garcia
One event we can tell you about is the Opening Night Kick Off at the venerable Naja's Place. On the waterfront in Redondo Beach, the godfather of all L.A. beer bars is big enough to offer a mini-festival-like setting for 200 lucky beer fans at each of two sessions. The early session is 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. The second session is 8:00 – midnight. The featured brewer will be the 800-pound gorilla of the benchmark-setting California craft brewing community, Stone Brewing from Escondido. Crazy CEO, and we say that with admiration, Greg Koch will be there with his team of brewers, undoubtedly speechifying and, quite possibly, crowd surfing as the excellent Naja's crew serves up over 40 of Stone's killer beers, including rarities that you won't find anywhere else.
If you're looking for craft other than Stone (warning: if Koch finds out he might have your body dumped in the marina), not to worry. Naja's has a total of 88 taps and over 300 bottles. With your $45 admission fee, you will receive a commemorative taster glass along with ten six-ounce samples of the beers of your choosing. Sixty ounces of nectar not enough for you? They will sell you additional tasters. The Redondo Beach Crowne Plaza is a block away and you may need it. Tickets are available at brown paper tickets.
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