HopSaint Brewing Company: Best of the Beach 2018 Craft beer establishment

HopSaint brewmaster Brian Brewer. Photo

HopSaint co-founder Steve Roberts was hip to craft beer long before it was even called craft beer. When he started Cafe Boogaloo in the mid-‘90s, most small independent breweries didn’t distribute beyond their own towns. So Roberts hopped in his truck and drove to the breweries. His tap handles in 1996 —  which included the truly legendary Pliny the Elder — would still look like expert curation in 2018. But Roberts. being who he is (visionary isn’t too strong of a word), he didn’t stop there. HopSaint took things to another level entirely. Its food is, of course, spectacular — smoked BBQ and other Southern-tinged flavors with an authenticity the South Bay has never seen before, all of which of course pairs beautifully with good beer. And this is where HopSaint has truly set a new standard. Co-founder Brian Brewer is flat out one of the best brewers on the planet. In the coffee world, it’s called the Third Wave: first, there was Folgers, then Starbucks, and now a host of small roasteries have taken the art to a level akin to fine wines.

HopSaint represents the Third Wave of brewing. Brewer’s beers have a level of delicacy and detail capable of involving a beer palate entirely. Brewer said the trick is to adhere to traditional, time-tested brewing methods for different styles of beers while still being innovative and at the same time staying true to HopSaint’s ethos —  which is all about finding the best ingredients.

“We see that as a challenge, doing something new and still adhering to the flavor profiles we like,” Brewer said. “We want a lot of flavor in our beer, and we want it distinct and clean… We don’t want any brash, off flavors.”

The HopSaint Pure Intention Pale is a model of clean, sharp flavor, while newer brews, such as the Kickstart My Tart is a wheat beer in the style of Berliner Weiss, but re-fermented with raspberry and two types of cherries. Always on the cutting edge, Brewer’s Don’t Cryo ‘Bout It IPA uses newly developed cryogenically processed Simcoe and Amarillo hops, resulting in a beer that is nothing short of elegant.

“He is so good at what he does,” said Roberts. “It’s where the bar is set now, as far as I’m concerned —  I’m not trying to brag about it, but I’ve been wanting to do this a really long time, and to have a brewer as good as Brian makes it all possible. He pays attention to all the details, all the little things, and that is why his beers are so good.”

HopSaint Brewing Company

5160 W. 190th St., Torrance

(310) 214-4677

hopsaint.com

 

Runner-up: Tower 12

53 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach

(310) 379-6400

tower12hb.com

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