2016 Meeting of the Guild at Naja’s Place

The “Blue Room Crew” self deemed VIPs holds the fort at their local spot at the bar. They staked claim hours prior. — The “Blue Room Crew” self-deemed VIPs holds the fort at their local spot at the bar. They staked claim hours prior.

By Ed Solt

All photos

More commonly known, tongue-in-cheek, as the “Battle of the Guild,” the Meeting of the Guild is the climax of LA Beer Week, the region’s week-long celebration of local craft beer. In its eighth year, #LABW8 (as its known on social media) is organized by the Los Angeles Brewers Guild. The “LABG” and Naja’s hand selected 20 breweries from the San Francisco Brewers Guild and the San Diego Brewers Guild to compete for the covenant “Golden Keg.” In a hoppy democracy, craft beer fans to craft beer industry legends voted on their favorite.

Two things that for sure get former Redondo Beach Councilman, Jeff Ginsburg out of his stomping grounds, the Riviera Village, good beer and karaoke. Ginsburg is sporting an OG Naja’s t-shirt.

As time passes, no one can really recall past year’s winners (attendees just remember sampling the best of the best). We caught up with Naja’s GM Jay Ousten, the de facto mascot of the South Bay Craft beer scene before memories dissolve into frothy oblivion (or is it the other way around?) Ousten informed that this year winner was Torrance’s very popular Monkish Brewing Co. with their limited Saison Farmhouse styled ale “Stone Kisses.” LABG has yet to lose on its home court.