Craft Beer Tour 2022 – The Mitten Brewing Co

These photos were taken Wednesday afternoon in Grand Rapids, Michigan as I started my annual craft beer tour. Wednesday found me at The Mitten Brewing Company, a microbrewery/pizzeria that opened in November 2012.

For over a year now, my sister Ruth and I have been planning a fall craft beer tour through the northeast as I have very little experience there and it would be cool to visit breweries and watch the leaves change colors. Unfortunately, my sister happened to be a participant in the Amtrak train derailment in Missouri this past June. To say she got jacked up in it would be an understatement (26 broken bones above the waist), but she wanted me to come visit, so we decided we would venture around the state for a week or so. Continue reading

Photos of the 2022 Craft Beer LB Fest

These photos were taken Saturday afternoon at Ranch Los Cerritos Historical Site, where Craft Beer Long Beach held their 6th Annual Craft Beer LB Fest. The sold out event featured brews from 14 breweries and the Long Beach Homebrewers, as well as food from local vendors, live music, and a Kid Zone for the families in attendance.

It was a remarkably lovely day in Long Beach, especially when compared to the past couple of weekends. While it was sunny, the overhead clouds, trees and tents kept it from getting too hot. Continue reading

8th Annual South Bay Tap Takeover Photos

These photos were taken Thursday, September 1, at Tortilla Cantina in Torrance, where they hosted my 8th Annual South Bay Tap Takeover. The event, meant to celebrate the South Bay’s vibrant craft beer scene featured 19 breweries from Torrance, Redondo Beach, Inglewood, Torrance, Carson, Lomita, Hawthorne, El Segundo, Gardena, and Lawndale.

The featured South Bay breweries included Smog City, HopSaint, Scholb, Hermosa Brewing, Yorkshire Square, King Harbor Brewing, Far Field Beer, Crac, Honest Abe, Eureka Brewing, Common Space, LA Ale Works, Tortugo Brewing, Three Weavers, Crowns & Hops, El Segundo Brewing, Upshift Brewing, Burnin’ Daylight, and Project Barley. Continue reading

8th Annual South Bay Tap Takeover Coming September 1

tortilla cantina Torrance

8th Annual South Bay Tap Takeover – September 1, 2022

Yes, it is that time of year again, and I am not talking about time to buy the kids new clothes and back to school supplies; it is time for the 8th Annual South Bay Tap Takeover which is returning to Tortilla Cantina in Old Torrance.

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

Phantom Carriage Closing Photos

These photos were taken Sunday afternoon at Phantom Carriage Brewery in Carson, where a few dozen of their fans gathered to raise their glasses for a final time at the brewery/blendery which officially closed Sunday at 8:00 PM.

After celebrating Far Field Beer Company’s first anniversary, my friend Tomm Carroll joined me as we paid a final visit to Phantom Carriage, which is closing due to their building having been sold and the new owner apparently having different plans for the location. Continue reading

Far Field Beer Company One Year Anniversary Photos

These photos were taken Sunday in Lawndale at Far Field Beer Company where several hundred fans came to help Far Field celebrate one year as Lawndale’s first and only craft brewery. Attendees were treated to live music, plenty of food offerings, five new beer releases, games, and vendors offering everything from butterflies to rocks.

If I had to summarize Sunday’s event in one word, it would be “wow!” I have visited Far Field a few times in the past year, but it has pretty much been limited to getting there within the last hour or so of their business day, so I cannot say that I had a grasp on how popular they have gotten in the past year. After attending Sunday’s event, there is no question that the Lawndale locals have definitely learned to appreciate what Far Field is doing. Continue reading

Absolution Brewing 8th Anniversary Photos

These photos were taken Saturday afternoon at Absolution Brewing Company, in Torrance, where they held a party to celebrate their 8th anniversary. The celebration included an anniversary beer release, food, live music, and games.

In addition to their standard tap list, their anniversary beer, 1/8th Anniversary IPA was available on tap as well as cans. Food was available from SouthBay Comfortz (formerly known as Smokin’ Sandos) and Chiky Pancakes. Live music was provided by Nasty Bad Habit, and Taylor Killam Music. For the athletically inclined, cornhole and table shuffleboard were also available. Continue reading

Craft Beer Guy Visits 8bit Brewing Company

These photos were taken Saturday afternoon, when I visited 8bit Brewing Company, a brewpub located in Murrieta, California.

So, Saturday afternoon I left the mild clime of the beach (71 degrees) to head out to Murrieta (low 100s) to watch a play that my number one grandson and favorite granddaughter were performing in. Since traffic out there can be very unpredictable, I left a few hours early hoping traffic wouldn’t suck too much and I might be able to visit one of the breweries out there that I had yet to visit. Luckily, it only took a couple hours to get there, so I had time to stop by 8bit Brewing Company. 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

Platinum Jubilee Celebration at Yorkshire Square

These photos were taken Saturday afternoon, June 4, at Yorkshire Square Brewery in Torrance, where they held their Platinum Jubilee Street Party celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 years as the monarch of England.

The free event featured live music, beer and food specials, a special wine list, and fun activities happening throughout the day. The special food menu included Platinum Pudding, the dessert created by Fortnum and Mason especially for the Queen’s Jubilee. The festivities included beer specials, including eight cask ales and a Jubilee Ale in cans to go.

I have to admit, I was a little surprised how busy it was, but the beertenders made short work of the lines. Continue reading

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