Two hundred revelers gathered Monday night at Naja’s Place on the Redondo Pier to smash the proverbial champagne bottle and set sail to LA Beer Week’s third year of Dionysian delight. In attendance were Greg Koch and Randy Clemens of Stone Brewing Company, who signed copies of their co-authored brewer’s guide, The Craft of Stone Brewing Co.: Liquid Lore, Epic Recipes, and Unabashed Arrogance.
The Bacchanalian event was fueled with over 40 varieties of Stone beer, including their Double Bastard Ale w/ Chipotle Peppers and a very special cask-conditioned blend of their IPA and Ruination ales. Participants raised their tasting glasses in solidarity as Koch cried “Death to fizzy, yellow beer!”
The festival (misnamed “Beer Week” when festival-goers will in fact be imbibing for 14 glorious days) appropriately chose the South Bay as its port of departure. A nascent craft brew movement, which has just recently bubbled into the consciousness of local gourmands and restaurateurs, begs recognition from the larger beer community.
“This year’s Beer Week gives everyone that’s not from this area a chance to see that something’s happening in the South Bay. We’re showing people that we can do it with the best,” said Mike Siordia, beverage director for Hot’s Kitchen in Hermosa Beach. ”
With two bourgeoning South Bay breweries (Strand and El Segundo) carrying their creations to tastings around LA over the next two weeks and with a team of South Bay alehouses hosting festival events of their own, this year’s fete-du-beer promises to be a banner event for South Bay craft beer.
Following is a list of Beer Week events through Sunday, October 23:
Ongoing: Charlies in Redondo hosted Port Brewing on Tuesday and featured eight of their beers, including four of their Lost Abbey brews. Until it runs out you can still get a flight of four of their beers for $6. 601 N. Pacific Coast Highway, Redondo Beach. (310) 374-8581.
Wednesday, October 12th: Strand Brewing is the featured brewer at Rock & Brews in El Segundo. Based out of Torrance, the brewery poured its first beer at the first LA Beer Week in 2009. They’ll be serving two very limited casks: their Double Dry Hopped 24th St. Pale Ale (made with Amarillo hops) and their 2nd Anniversary Braggot. Also on tap will be their 24th St. Pale, their Beachhouse Amber and their Atticus IPA. Plus, if you buy a Strand beer you get to keep the glass. Starts at 6 p.m. and I’m told the limited casks won’t last much past that. Rock & Brews 143 Main Street, El Segundo. (310) 615-9890.
Naja’s hosts a New Belgium Brewing sour beer night. Naja’s Place 154 International Boardwalk, Redondo Beach. (310)376-9951. Thursday, October 13: Gasser Lounge in Redondo hosts an Oskar Blues beer pairing. $30, seating limited to 20 people. Contact info@gasserlounge for reservations. 7:30 p.m. Gasser Lounge 1500 Aviation Blvd. Redondo Beach. (770) 262-1201.
Venice Ale House hosts a “meet the brewer” with El Segundo Brewing’s Rob Croxall. They’ll be pouring El Segundo’s new Picket Fence Wheat IPA, as well as their Blue House Pale and Blue House IPA. 6 p.m. House. 2 Rose Avenue, Venice. (310) 314-8253.
Friday, October 14: Naja’s hosts Dogfish Head Brewery, with 20 of their beers on tap, including their coveted 120 Minute IPA. Pint glasses and special guests. 8 p.m. 154 International Boardwalk, Redondo Beach. (310)376-9951.
El Segundo Brewing will be having a pint night and meet the brewer at Mohawk Bend in LA. 6 p.m. 2141 West Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 483-2337.
Brew Co. in Manhattan Beach hosts a Sierra Nevada Weekend, featuring over 10 Sierra Nevada beers, including a “crazy rare cask.” Drink the beer and keep the glass. 124 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Manhattan Beach. (310) 798-2744.
Saturday, October 15: Najas’s hosts Ballast Point Brewing. 154 International Boardwalk, Redondo Beach. (310) 376-9951.
Sunday, October 16: Rock & Brews hosts Ballast Point Brewing and pouring their cask-conditioned Habanero Sculpin IPA, as well as 7-8 of their other beers. 12 p.m. 143 Main Street, El Segundo. (310) 615-9890.
Monday, October 17: El Segundo Brewing has an Open House with neighboring Rock & Brews. 143 Main Street. (310) 615-9890.
Hudson House hosts Maui Beer and offers a flight of four beers with a paired plate of hors d’oeuvres. $25 between 5-9 p.m. Open for regular business as well, with full menu. 514 N. Pacific Coast Highway, Redondo Beach. (310) 798-9183.
Tuesday, October 18: Meet the brewer with Strand’s Rich Marcello at Venice Ale House. 6 p.m. Venice Ale House 2 Rose Avenue, Venice. (310) 314-8253.
Rock & Brews hosts Iacopo Lenci, owner and brew master for Italian brewery Bruton. Cheese pairing. Rock & Brews 143 Main Street, El Segundo. (310) 615-9890.
El Segundo Brewing will have a pint night at Library Alehouse in Santa Monica. 2911 Main St., Santa Monica. (310) 314-4855.
Wednesday, October 19: Hot’s Kitchen in Hermosa hosts a multi-course dinner and beer pairing with Cismontane Brewery. 844 Hermosa Ave. (310) 318-2939.
Rock & Brews hosts a beer dinner with Black Market Brewing: a four-course meal paired with three of their beers and a fourth wild card. 143 Main Street. (310) 615-9890.
Thursday, October 20: Naja’s hosts the 2nd Annual Local Craft Brewery Appreciation Night, including Strand and El Segundo breweries and 10-plus more. 8 p.m. Naja’s Place 154 International Boardwalk, Redondo Beach. (310) 376-9951.
Brew Co. hosts a Lagunitas Brewing “Taste of Sonoma” night, with rare beers from the brewery paired with Sonoma County meats and cheeses. Plus, keep the glass. 6 p.m. Brew Co. 124 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Manhattan Beach. (310) 798-2744.
Friday, October 21: El Segundo opens their brand new tap room. As well as their Picket Fence Wheat IPA. They’ll be pouring a Double Dry-Hopped variation of their Blue House IPA, made with Simcoe hops, described by brewer Rob Croxall as “obnoxiously hoppy.” There may also be a variation made with Nelson hops. Limited run of growlers will be available. 4-9 p.m. 140 Main St., El Segundo. (310) 529-3882.
Saturday, October 22: Beer Belly in Koreatown will be hosting El Segundo Brewing for a “tap takeover” in conjunction with Untapped, who will be promoting their app. 532 S. Western Ave. Los Angeles. (213) 387-2337. ER.
