A Visit to Trademark Brewing
These photos were taken Sunday afternoon at Trademark Brewing, a production brewery with a tasting room in Long Beach.
I had first become aware of Trademark Brewing probably in the summer of 2019; in fact, I am relatively confident that I had made plans to visit them in July, but there had been some delay in the planned opening date; a rarity, I know. I was able to sample their brews for the first time at the third annual Craft Beer LB Fest. A few months later COVID hit and pretty much put a halt to my ability to go out and visit new breweries. Continue reading
Common Space Brewery 3rd Anniversary Photos
These photos were taken Saturday afternoon at Common Space Brewery in Hawthorne, where they celebrated their third anniversary with an actual in-person event at the production brewery’s tasting room and patios setup outside.
Prior to today, the last time I attended a brewery’s anniversary was the Brouwerij West 4th anniversary in February 2020; that’s a long time considering how many brewery anniversary parties we have around here usually. Continue reading
Pink Boots Brew Day at Eureka Brewing
These photos were taken Friday morning at Eureka Brewing Company, in Gardena. The reason for my showing up on a Friday morning is that Eureka is participating in the 4th Annual Pink Boots Brew. Essentially, Yakima Chief Hops and the Pink Boots Society come up with a hop blend that breweries can purchase and then create whatever beer they feel like brewing. The Pink Boots Society receives a percentage of the monies spent on the actual purchase of the hop blend itself.
Due to COVID protocols, this year’s blend was chosen via a global virtual hop selection. This year’s blend consists of Cashmere, Ahtanum®, Citra®, Loral® & Sabro® brand hops, creating a blend with tropical, herbal, citrus and woody aromatic qualities. Continue reading
Photos from the March Madness Craft Beer Can Exchange
The photos were taken Saturday afternoon at the Craft Beer Reclamation Center (aka my house), where I held another in a series of what I call the COVID Craft Beer Exchange.
Those of you that read my recap of 2020 may recall that I mentioned that back in September Craft Beer Guy Facebook followers were being invited to participate in a craft beer exchange that I started holding. So far we have done it every month except February.
Yesterday we had our largest turnout, with 15 traders; it was also the first time that we had two people bring the same beers. We had lots of local breweries represented, including King Harbor, HopSaint, Common Space, The Crac Brewery and Grub, Project Barley, Brouwerij West, and Three Weavers. With a total of 27 craft beers to choose from, there were plenty of options available. Continue reading
Karl Strauss Debuts Low-Cal, Low-ABV Hazy IPA to Lineup
Low-cal, Low ABV Hazy IPA by Karl Strauss
Launching March 4, Sun Drops Hazy IPA is a better-for-you beer clocking in at just 4.0% ABV and 99 calories, yet with all the character and complexity that you expect in a Hazy IPA. Brewed with Columbus, Idaho 7, and Amarillo hops for juicy citrus aromas, plus rolled oats for a silky mouthfeel, this beer refuses to compromise. Sun Drops Hazy IPA will be available on draft and in 6-packs of 12oz sleek cans at all Karl Strauss brewpub locations, as well as at select retailers throughout California.
Sun Drops Hazy IPA is the first release in the Karl Strauss “Small but Mighty” series, a collection of low-calorie beers that refuse to compromise on flavor. This 99-calorie brew is teeming with juicy tropical fruit aromas, big notes of spritzy citrus, and hints of sticky pine. Plus, it has the soft and pillowy mouthfeel that you crave in a hazy. Sheesh, pretty big claim for such a little beer, eh? Small but mighty, indeed. Continue reading
Absolution Brewing Announces New Can Releases
The Wicked 2021, Lion Around, and Fizziks Pomegranate Hard Seltzer Now Available
The Wicked 2021 offers in your face dankness matched with absurd drinkability; it is what you have learned to expect of The Wicked and you got it. Brewed with Nelson Sauvin, Mosaic, Simcoe and Idaho 7 hops, the results are a golden, dry IPA with juicy after tones. The Wicked 2021 (10.5% ABV) is available in 4-pack cans ($20) and on draft.
For the second release, Absolution’s Floc’ing Great series presents Lion Around Hazy IPA. Lion Around is a super hazy IPA loaded with Mosaic, Citra, and Zamba hops making this juice bomb burst with tropical fruit notes! Lion Around (6.3% ABV) is available in 4-pack cans ($16) and on draft. Continue reading
Dust Bowl Brewing Releases California Golden Ale
Now in Cans from Dust Bowl Brewing
“Blonde ales and lighter lagers have been gaining in popularity and they are always good performers at our taprooms,” shares longtime Brewmaster, Don Oliver. “Our range of beers had a good amount of lagers and IPAs, so the golden ale was a good compliment and brings more balance to our portfolio. It’s a clean, easy-drinking beer with a light fruitiness and low bitterness.”
California Golden Ale was first released in draft only in December 2020. While consumer exposure was minimal due to the Pandemic on-premise restrictions, those consumers who picked up growlers or crowlers to go from Dust Bowl’s taprooms responded positively to the new release. California Golden Ale will reach the promising off-premise sector in late January. Available in 12oz. 6 pack cans, and 5.2 gallon and 15.5 gallon kegs, California Golden Ale is an ideal gateway beer at 4.5% ABV and 10 IBUs. It is sold through Dust Bowl’s network of wholesalers servicing California and Nevada, and at Dust Bowl Brewing Co. taprooms located in Turlock and Monterey, California. Continue reading
Karl Strauss and Modern Times Beer Release Collaboration IPA
Mosaic Oasis – a Karl Strauss/Modern Times collaboration
Modern Times is widely recognized as one the top IPA producers in the country and when the teams came together to work on a recipe, they were inspired to push the envelope with their experimentation through the inclusion of the newly released Talus hop varietal. Talus hops impart big aromas of pink grapefruit, dried roses, pine resin, tropical fruit, and sage, which makes it the perfect complement to the Mosaic hop’s classic tropical and citrus notes. The result is a dank and citrusy San Diego-style IPA with a colorful mosaic of intoxicatingly fruity aromas. Continue reading
The Craft Beer Guy Recap of 2020
Port Town Brewing – progressing
2020 started off mellow enough; little did we know what was in store for us. The highlight of the month, and possibly the year for some, was the Hop Culture Juicy Brews Beach Party Craft Beer Festival held at Brouwerij West. It was a very fun event featuring craft beer from more than 25 of the top breweries in the country.
The month ended with a going away party for Smog City’s taproom manager Jason “Breezy” Briseño as he and his bride prepared to move to Australia; I think COVID put a temporary damper on those plans. Continue reading
Eureka Brewing Company Now Open
These photos were taken over the last two and a half months at Eureka Brewing Company, in Gardena. They include photos of one of their first pilot brew days, the first day of canning, and day one of their “grand opening.”
I guess it is an understatement to suggest that the year 2020 has been a little tough on the local craft beer scene. The SpaceX Corridor took a double hit, beginning in February with the closure of State Brewing. About a month later LA County started getting hit with ridiculous rules that caused did nothing but cause hardships to our breweries, restaurants, and bars. It began our current period of “survival of the fittest” and a second brewery of the SpaceX Corridor, Ximix Craft Exploration, stopped production and closed up shop.
In the middle of August it was announced that King Harbor Brewing co-owner and head brewer Phil McDaniel was leaving; what may not have been common knowledge was McDaniel was opening his own brewery with childhood friend Adam Ansari. McDaniel and Ansari took over the former Ximix location, equipment and all, and changed the name to Eureka Brewing Company. Continue reading
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