Beer News
El Segundo Brewing Collaborates with Gelson’s Markets
These photos were taken Wednesday afternoon at Gelson’s Market, in Manhattan Beach, where my buddy Phil joined me at the Gelson’s Wine Bar to check out the beer collaboration they had done with El Segundo Brewing.
Last month it was announced that El Segundo Brewing Company had partnered with Gelson’s Markets on their first-ever beer collaboration – Gelson’s Summer Blonde Ale. Gelson’s reached out to me to see if I was interested in checking it out. I had a pretty busy June, but yesterday was free, so Phil and I headed out to Manhattan Beach. Continue reading
19th Annual American Craft Beer Week Begins Today
In case you were not aware, today is the beginning of the 19th annual American Craft Beer Week, which runs from May 13 through May 19. I actually started photo-documenting my American Craft Beer Week adventures in 2012 when it was the 7th annual American Craft Beer Week (ACBW7). My girlfriend at the time had recently changed the medications she was using and was now allowed to drink beer, so we took advantage of it.
We spent each day trying to find award winning beers, starting our journey at Naja’s Place. I think this is when Tanya discovered she was into Imperial stouts, especially of the barrel-aged persuasion. Continue reading
The Craft Beer Guy Recap of 2023
Well, it is December 27 which means I am running out of time, and this recap of 2023 is not going to write itself. I frequently go into this task with the attitude of “what did I do this year”?, and while that remains true today, I cannot help but look back at this year and think of all the things I did not do this year. I think the combination of old age and a definite change in the craft beer world are both contributing equally. I guess we will see what 2024 brings us; in the meantime, here is my recap of 2023, beginning with the last hours of 2022.
Farewell to King Harbor Brewing
December 2022
King Harbor Brewing Company closed all three of their locations at the end of 2022, but they definitely signed off with a bang. Project Barley took over the waterfront location, a sandwich shop took over the Riviera Village location, and TrustedGut Brewing took over the brewery on 182nd Street. Continue reading
The Craft Beer Guy Recap of 2022
Well, it is that time of year again, when I try to recollect everything that happened in the craft beer world this year that I participated in. This is typically the most difficult article of the year for me to write because I go into it thinking, “What the hell did I do this year anyway?” 
I know I went on my annual craft beer tour, I know I was able to put on the 8th Annual South Bay Tap Takeover, and I know there was at least one brewery closure in the South Bay. I used to end these recaps by predicting what I expect to happen in the following year, but the last two years have been really tough to predict. Unfortunately, there is a lot slated for 2023 that is not exactly positive, but I don’t make the news, I only report it. So, let’s look back at 2022, because I am sure I must have done something more that what I have already mentioned. Continue reading
8th Annual South Bay Tap Takeover Coming September 1
8th Annual South Bay Tap Takeover – September 1, 2022
I know I say it every year, but there is no way I ever anticipated this event celebrating the South Bay’s craft beer scene would still be going on all these years later, but here we are. I didn’t let a little thing like a change of ownership at the original venue, or a global pandemic with its accompanying shutdowns stop us from continuing what has become, dare I say, a tradition.
There is no question that COVID has caused a few changes over the last two years, but we will not let that stop us. The 8th Annual South Bay Tap Takeover will provided live music, Tortilla Cantina’s fabulous food, and of course, plenty of craft beer that was brewed in the South Bay. Continue reading
Photos of Claudia’s Birthday Party at King Harbor
These photos were taken Saturday afternoon at the King Harbor Brewing Company’s tasting room in Redondo Beach, where several dozen friends and family of Claudia, of Claudia and Juan fame, gathered to celebrate Claudia’s birthday.
Guests were treated to plenty of King Harbor Brewing’s tasty brews, wine, all you could eat tacos from El Chiapas Tacos, ballads, dancing, and birthday cake. It was pretty obvious that a fun time was had by all.
Happy birthday, Claudia; I hope you have a great year. Cheers! Continue reading
Photos of Kristie’s Going Away Party at Smog City
These photos were taken Friday evening at the Smog City Brewing tasting room in Torrance, where friends and coworkers gathered to wish Kristie Bjorklund a fond farewell as she said goodbye to the South Bay to pursue new adventures in Central California.
I was trying to think just how long I have known Kristie; I think it has been about 10 years. She has worked at Sierra Nevada Brewing, King Harbor Brewing, and most recently, at Smog City, primarily at their Steelcraft location. With her move comes a new job, this time with Firestone Walker in Paso Robles; so if you are going to the Invitational, be sure to tell her hello as she will be working. Continue reading
The Craft Beer Guy Recap of 2021
2021 is about to tap out; I guess it was better than 2020, but was it really? It almost seems like 2020 was just to immerse us into our new normal, and 2021 was a test run to test scientific theories and our own personal abilities to deal with this crap.
Rest In Peace Jonas Neubauer – January 5, 2021
I know I did some stuff this year that I had not done since 2019, so I guess things are improving, it is probably my own personal comfort level that I have to work on. This was my first complete year without my dog or a girlfriend, which is probably resulting in my becoming more of a wallflower again. We shall see.
Did you ever see the movie Memento? Well, I am slightly better than Leonard (the star) at remembering stuff, so I use my camera and my websites so I do not have to cover my body in tattoos to recall the past year.
Anyway, here is the Craft Beer Guy recap of 2021; what the hell did I do over the last 12 months? Continue reading
Aven Turns Four
These photos were taken Saturday, October 2 at King Harbor Brewing Company where they held a birthday party for AJ’s son, who turned four.
For those that are unaware, AJ is the manager at King Harbor Brewing Company and he is my nephew which makes his son my grand-nephew, and for that he gets his birthday party photos on my website.
Happy birthday Aven, I hope you have the best year yet. Cheers! Continue reading
7th South Bay Tap Takeover to Feature 28 Breweries
The 7th Annual South Bay Tap Takeover is two days away, and as hard as it may be for me to believe, this may be the first time that I am not going to be rushing around trying to fill taps with less than 24 hours to go; knock on wood.
Just in case this is the first you have heard about my event, shame on me, but this is what you need to know.
The tap takeover is returning to Tortilla Cantina in Old Torrance, from noon until 10:00 PM. Tortilla Cantina is located at 1225 El Prado, in Torrance. Parking is always free in Torrance and there is a large parking structure just south of Tortilla Cantina. Continue reading
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