Don’t Miss These LABW8 Events
The 8th annual Los Angeles Beer Week is finally upon us – and for folks like me it might as well be the summer time version of Christmas. Like the holidays, Beer Week (which runs from June 18 – 26th) week will be bountiful with gifts for all, coming in the form of great beer events. With so many options, I thought I’d share my two cents on what not to miss out on for what is sure to be the best LA Beer Week yet. Hope to see you at one of these beer-riffic shin digs, sure to satisfy the palate and enrich your sense of community so often found in LA Beer Culture.
Before I give you my list, may I highly recommend picking up this year’s Unity beer – an IPA brewed this year by Three Weavers using two experimental hops, HBC522, and HBC342 (sexy names, aren’t they). Unity is the official beer of #LABW8 (make sure to use the hashtag), so get your hands on this awesome-looking bottle while it’s nice and fresh.
Saturday, June 18th
LA Beer Week Kick Off Festival at Los Angeles Center Studios (12p-4:30p)
Not to be missed, this festival will feature 75 craft breweries bringing their A-game to represent Los Angeles and the amazing quality of beer that LA is beginning to be known for. With 200+ beers on tap, live entertainment, and tasty food trucks, this event is quintessential in my eyes as your direct line to enjoying all that LA beer can offer. Buy Tickets ahead of time, take public transportation (this year the fest has relocated to Center Studios in Downtown) and I hope to see you there!
Back up
No back up, just go… but also hit either El Segundo for a Pizza After Party, or industry folks can check out Far Bar in Little Tokyo for a VIP after party.
Sunday, June 19th
The Hermosillo (aka home to Highland Park Brewing) is bringing in one of my favorite San Francisco breweries down to the Southland to take over the tap list. Not only is this good news for Angelinos, who will rarely see this beer locally, but there’s also a collaboration beer between HPB and Cellarmaker being released as well, an exciting treat that you won’t want to miss.
Back Up
Dad Party + Bottle Release at Phantom Carriage
It being Father’s Day at all, let’s not forget about dear old Dad – Phantom Carriage sure didn’t! Brunch starts at 11am including hickory smoked chiken n’ waffles, Bring Your Own Vinyl, and the bottle release of a rare barrel-aged dark soul ale aged in oak (pre-sale pick up only). It’s good to be Dad!
Monday, June 20th
Pink Boots Take Over at Three Weavers
One of the best organizations in beer has got to be the Pink Boots Society, and on Monday from 4-9pm you’ll be able to support them while drinking some amazing beer from LA and beyond. With 100% of the proceeds benefitting the Pink Boots Scholarship Fund, it should be well worth the $30 price of admission for 6 beers and a glass to take home. Breweries like Drakes, Brouwerij West, Cascade, Monkish, Noble, and so many more will be pouring.
Back Up
LA Beer Week Bottle Share at Southland Beer
I love bottle shares, and I love Southland Beer. Bring some rare bottles to one up your beer-brethren and make some lasting beer friends.
Battle of the Bands
Tuesday, June 21st
Eagle Rock Brewery’s Battle of the Bands at the Echoplex
This is perhaps my favorite LABW event… LA breweries team up for an epic and oftentimes-hilarious showdown, showing off their musical talents and whacky themed performances. There’s also amazing beer on tap. Put a big red circle around this event and make sure you’re there. Check out last year’s photo gallery if you don’t believe me!
Back Up
Battle of the bands… but if you really can’t make it hit San Diego night at Beachwood BBQ in Long Beach. I have it on good authority there will be some heavy hitters (Societe, cough cough).
Wednesday, June 22nd
Fifty Fifty Brewing at Blue Palms
Eclipse on tap – need I say more? Starts at 4pm.
Back Up
Vagabond Cheese Pairing at El Segundo Brewing
While this event happens monthly at El Segundo Brewing Co, I’m recently obsessed with Vagabond Cheese (article in the works) and owner Alex Oueriff’s knowledge of cheese, as well as how it pairs with beer. There’s also Raclette Potatoes… potatoes with a melted down half wheel of cheese scraped onto it (cue the mic drop).
Thursday, June 23th
So many options I couldn’t just choose one! Here’s a bunch of picks to check out where you just can’t go wrong:
Battle of the Guilds 2016 at Naja’s Place, 6p
Craftman Beer Dinner at Eagle Rock Public House, 6p
Cascade Collaboration with Phantom Carriage, 6p
So You Want to Open a Brewery in LA? Panel at Rock & Brews, El Segundo, 7p
Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Dinner with Ken Grossman, 7-10p ($65 each)
Beachwood BBQ & Highland Park Brewing Together at Glendale Tap, 4p
Phantom Carriage
Friday, June 24th
Ladyface Sour Night with Flamberge Release & Brewery Tour
2016 Flemish Red bottle release and a supposed assortment of “archival ales from the vault.” Hard for any sour fan to say no to this one – Laceface’s sours, while rare, are on point. Get ‘em while you can!
Saturday, June 25th
Green Flash & Alpine Tap Take over at Blue Palms
IPA lovers can rejoice that Alpine (and parent craft brew company Green Flash) will be in Hollywood for a full tap take over. A special one-off cask is also promised. Starts at 1p.
Sunday, June 26th
Monkish, Phantom Carriage and Smog City come together for the 3rd annual Block Party at Glendale Tap, with specialty kegs tasty eats. This is a great way to end the week, with South Bay beers making the trek east! Starts at 5pm.
Happy Beer Week to all! Cheers.
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