By Ed Solt
Fire up your hoppy taste buds and grease up that Strand cruiser. It’s time for the Battle of the Guilds.
Naja’s Place is the chosen battlefield as the three major California Brewers’ Guilds — San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego — square off Thursday night in a challenge to brew the dankest beer. Each guild selects its top breweries, whose offerings are voted on by the craft beer-loving public. The spoils of victory are the coveted Golden Keg and the satisfaction of having the best brew in California. Smack dab in the middle of LA Beer Week, aka “LABW8,” the Battle of the Guilds is the zenith of the week-long celebration of local beer culture.
“We offer 45 beers on tap, 15 from each guild,” said Kara Smail, Naja’s manager. “It’s a healthy competition that entices the brewers to brew their finest. With their efforts, the beer community benefits.”
The Battle of the Guilds is a series that takes places during each California region’s beer week. During San Francisco Beer Week last January, the San Francisco Brewers Guild took top honors at the Presidio gastropub with its popular Sessions brew. In November, San Diego, birthplace of the craft beer movement, will host its beer week.
“Traditionally, the hosting city wins with homecourt advantage. We all have pride in our beer communities,” said Greg Bechtel, El Segundo Brewery’s Bon Vivant (his official title) and a certified cicerone who has been handling the organization and the marketing of the LA Battle. “It’s all about the camaraderie. But maybe in the future, we’ll see LA upset.”
For many event goers, it takes a minute or two to remember who won, the fuzziness a testament to a good time. Last year, South Bay brewers stepped out for a moment to introduce a few visiting brewers to the magic of the potent “Fire Chief” around the corner at the Redondo Beach Pier landmark, Old Tony’s, just for a “few of the souvenir glasses.”
“Besides bringing together the best imaginable beer, it brings together all the brewers,” said Smail. “Some of the best brewers in the world are in one room, talking beer. It’s a community that supports each other.”
In such a tight-knit community, frothy ideas are certain to be shared into the late hours. But brewers are paying attention to the voting. Here is everyone’s chance to be involved in the democratization of craft beer. From the sophisticated palate of the craft beer connoisseur to everyday IPA drinkers, the voting opportunity does not discriminate.
“The beauty of the craft beer industry is that one of the keys to its success is to engage with its fans to better understand the market,” said Bechtel. “Brewers take in the overall picture on what to brew in the future.”
At the first ever Battle of the Guilds a year ago, the line of sud-stoked hopheads outside Naja’s stretched 100 yards along International Boardwalk.
“Last year was a magical event. Everything aligned perfectly, amazing beer, beautiful weather, a great crowd,” said Smail. “Najas is honored again to be selected as the gathering point for such an important event in craft beer culture.”
Also on tap is The Unity, LA Brewers Guild’s collaboration beer brewed at Inglewood’s Three Weavers Brewing Company, the official beer of LABW8 featuring an experimental hop varietal called HBC522 that’s so new it’s yet to be officially named.
The Battle of the Guilds starts at 6pm on Thursday, June 23. Naja’s Place is located at 154 International Boardwalk, Redondo Beach. For more info on the hoppenings, check out: labeerweek.org. ER
L.A. Brewers:
Beachwood BBQ & Brewing, Bravery Brewing, Brouwerji West, El Segundo Brewing Co., HopSaint Brewing Company, King Harbor Brewing Company, Ladyface Alehouse & Brasserie, Macleod Ale Brewing, Monkish Brewing Co., Phantom Carriage Brewery, Smog City Brewing, Strand Brewing Co., Transplants Brewing Company
San Diego Brewers:
Abnormal Beer Company, AleSmith Brewing Company, Amplified Ale Works, Bagby Beer, Coronado Brewing Company, Mike Hess Brewing Company, Karl Strauss Brewing Company, Port Brewing Co., The Lost Abbey, Modern Times Beer, Monkey Paw Pub & Brewery, Mother Earth Brew Co., Pizza Port, Societe Brewing Company
San Francisco Brewers:
Anchor Brewing Company, Bartlett Hall, Black Hammer Brewing, Cellarmaker Brewing Company, Harmonic Brewing, Headlands Brewing Company, Laughing Monk Brewing, Local Brewing Co.,Magnolia Gastropub & Brewery, Pine Street Brewery, Social Kitchen & Brewery, Speakeasy Ales & Lagers, ThirstyBear Organic Brewery, Triple Vodoo Brewery.
#LABW8
