Enjoy your beer because from September 20-28, Los Angeles moves into its 6th ever beer festival starting this Saturday. Los Angeles Beer Week events in the South Bay kick off at Naja’s Place around 6:00 p.m. this Friday on the King Harbor side of the Redondo Beach Pier. For the South Bay centric craft beer fan, this week-long adventure begins in the most idyllic of South Bay beer shrines by pouring over twenty plus beers from local breweries Friday night (9/19). Naja’s will also host L.A. Beer Week events through 9/28 featuring special appearances by Firestone Walker and Pizza Port Brewing Company.
L.A. Beer Week is in its 6th term as a not for profit craft beer event with ever increasing popularity driven by a cadre of volunteer supporters, guild members, and a DIY craft beer spirit that have built a platform to celebrate the local craft beer scene that is alive and thirsty in LA and around California. The runaway freight train that has become craft beer in LA (& the South Bay of LA) will be reigned in and curated by the nascent Los Angeles County Brewers Guild during LA Beer Week’s sixth run with aims at keeping the event as local as possible and at the same time showcasing all the businesses involved with the rise of craft beer culture around LA. Just an FYI, The Los Angeles County Brewers Guild launch event that features over forty breweries from Los Angeles county and around California taking place in Downtown LA’s old Chinatown Plaza is already sold out and no tickets will be sold at the door.
L.A. Beer Week events at Naja’s Place on the International Boardwalk side of Redondo Pier
In the spirit of a unified craft beer community, this year L.A. Beer Week has brewed and nominated a hoppy, American Pale Ale with a California citrus twist that embodies drinkability over complexity. Unity is the official beer of L.A. Beer Week and was brewed at Eagle Rock Brewery with help from guild members. Unity will be available by draught at various events during L.A. Beer Week.
Bars, pubs, restaurants, bottle shops, and local breweries will weave together special food pairing events, tap takeovers, some beer education, and tastes all in honor of L.A. Beer Week’s sixth round.
L.A. Beer Week events in the South Bay
As we’ve done in the past, below you’ll find a list of South Bay venues & and craft breweries that will be serving up something special for this year’s L.A. Beer Week. If by chance you are in Eagle Rock, San Gabriel or happen to migrate outside the bubble (South Bay) be sure to scroll down the list of L.A. Beer Week events happening all week at L.A. Beer Week’s official events page.
9/18
Pre-LA Beer Week Bash with BrewCo MB and Ballast Point
6 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Help BrewCo get ready for for the best week of the year with their 3rd annual Sculpin Night. Lineup will be featuring original Sculpin, Grapefruit Sculpin, Sculpin on Nitro, Grunion Pale Ale(aka Baby Sculpin) and Sour Wench. Kegs will be tapped @ 6pm. Location: 124 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA.
9/19
Naja’s LABW6 Kick-Off Party
6 p.m. – close
Unofficial kick-off party for L.A. Beer Week in the South Bay at Naja’s Place will feature over twenty plus beers from local breweries. Location: 154 International Boardwalk, Redondo Beach, California.
9/21
BEER & PIE at Select Beer Store in Redondo Beach
Noon – 6 p.m.
Select Beer Store will be featuring a draft line-up from Almanac Beer Co. and delicious savory and sweet pies from I Heart Pies. Select Beer Store is located at 1613 S. Pacific Coast Highway, Redondo Beach.
A Libation Celebration to Pop Off LA BEER WEEK at R10 Social House
7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
It’s a libation celebration to pop off LA BEER WEEK 2014 with Green Flash Brewing Co.’s mad hops and R/10 Social House’s farm-to-table fare. Join them for this special 4 Course + 4 Beer tasting bonanza at R10 Social House. Featuring Citra Session IPA, Le Freak Belgian IPA, Hop Head Red Ale and Barleywine to be paired with R/10 Social House’s market menu. Plus Special Guest, Dave Adams, Director of Beer Education from Green Flash Brewing Co. Tickets are $65 per person. R10 Social House is located 179 N Harbor Dr, Redondo Beach, CA.
Wallet Dropper Imperial Session IPA Release at El Segundo Brewing Co.
noon – 7:00 p.m.
ESBC started brewing their Citra Pale a few years ago, and people always asked, “Is this an IPA?” And ESBC’s response was always a bit long-winded about Pale Ale and IPA and how they were different. But in the end, they always felt that a hoppy beer thats less than 6% is a Pale Ale, not an IPA. Then came along the “Session IPA” and poor little overhopped Citra was destined always to be a Pale, regardless of how much they dry-hop it. And so, in response, ESBC would like to introduce their new Imperial Session IPA, Wallet Dropper Brewed with Equinox, the newest named hop variety to come out of the Select Botanicals hop breeding program with such alumnus as Citra and Mosaic. ESBC is located at 140 Main St., El Segundo, CA. read more
9/22
So You Want to Open a Brewery in LA, Vol. III at Rock & Brews El Segundo
7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Join moderator Tomm Carroll, LA correspondent for The Celebrator Beer News and LA Beer History writer for Beer Paper LA, for this third bi-annual LA Beer Week panel. Brewers who have started brewing professionally in Los Angeles in the last two years — or have plans to do so in the near future — discuss their experiences starting a brewery as they share their war stories, talk about their beers, and answer the questions that inquiring potential brewers have on their minds. Rock & Brews El Segundo is located at 143 Main St, El Segundo, CA.
9/23
City Tavern Culver City Kick the Keg
6:00 p.m. to midnight
City Tavern in Culver City will be hosting the best of the West Side and South Bay breweries, along with a couple of some favorites from across California for the Kick-the-keg event. Come help City Tavern crown the king or queen of City Tavern, the first keg to kick wins. Breweries include Phantom Carriage, El Segundo, Smog City, Monkish, Strand, Congregation Ales, King Harbor, Abigaile, Three Weavers, Ballast Point, Drakes and Firestone. The fun taps at 6pm. City Tavern is located at 9739 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA.
9/24
Allagash Night at Naja’s Place
7:00 p.m. to close
Never before poured or tasted in California brews from Allagash do a tap takeover of at least twenty draughts at Naja’s on Wednesday night. Other favorites from Allagash will also be available for tasting and drinking. Naja’s is located at 154 International Boardwalk, Redondo Beach, California.
So You Want to Be a Beer Judge?
7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Do you sniff, swirl and hold your beer up to the light before you taste it? You may have the makings of a Beer Judge.
Join moderator Tomm Carroll of Celebrator Beer News and Beer Paper LA for this second annual LA Beer Week beer evaluation panel Wednesday, September 24, at 7:00 p.m. Held again at the Four Points by Sheraton at LAX, the panel will consist of a trio of high-ranked, certified BJCP (Beer Judge Certification Program) judges, who will discuss the program and tell you what you need to know to become a certified beer judge. Panelists include Carl Townsend (National rank, Pacific Gravity Homebrew Club), Jim Wilson (Grand Master II rank, Strand Brewers Homebrew Club), and one more (TBA). Brewster’s at Four Points by Sheraton LAX is located at 9750 Airport Blvd, Los Angeles, CA. read more
9/26
Return of the YETI Night at BrewCo Manhattan Beach
6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
BrewCo and Great Divide Brewing presents: YETI Night highlighting one of the best stouts known to man or beast. BrewCo will be tapping a collection of aged and rare Yeti’s including: 2010 Espresso 2011 Chocolate 2011 Oak-Aged 2012 Espresso 2014 Oatmeal Yeti’s will be tapped @ 6pm. BrewCo is located at 124 Manhattan beach blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA.
9/27
Monster Brew with King Harbor Brewing Co.
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
King Harbor Brewing Co. is brewing up a batch of wort for home brewers to take home in 5 gallon containers, get crazy with fermentation, and show how creative you can be. Post fermentation event in October for everyone that took part. Registration through the Strand Brewers Club. Contract Ryan Penrod – penrod_25@yahoo.com. The Wort: 20 plato strong dark wort with a good amount of dark crystal malt that will be moderately fermentable. It will have caramel sweetness, good chocolate, and minimal roast. Good for a dark Belgian, spiced Christmas beer, a clean dark ale, or whatever awesome creation you come up with. King Harbor Brewing Co. is located at 2907 182nd street, Redondo Beach, CA.
Power Plant Release at El Segundo Brewing Co.
noon to 10:00 p.m.
El Segundo Brewing Co. is brewing up a second batch of their Triple IPA that they brewed for the DIPA and TIPA Fest this past February. And due to popular demand, they are going to be bottling some. In addition, they will be using some of their Equinox hops (newest named variety) to brew yet another DIPA for the ESBC lineup. El Segundo Brewing Co. is located at 140 Main St., El Segundo, CA.
Return of the Gorilla at Smog City Brewing Co.
noon to 8:00 p.m.
Smog City is bringing back The Gorilla for LA Beer Week 2014! Maybe you’ve been waiting for this Smog City favorite to make its return and Amarilla Gorilla with its tropical notes, fruit forward hops and all around uniquely balanced IPA characteristics, has been waiting patiently (or not) on the side lines. Join Smog City in their taproom, Saturday Sept 27th from 12-8pm for pints, growler fills, and cask versions of the Amarilla Gorilla IPA. They’ll also be hosting Serendoggity Hotdogs for your noshing needs. Smog City Brewing Co. is located at 1901 Del Amo Blvd, Ste B , Torrance, CA.
Firestone Walkers Wild Ride at Naja’s Place
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday September 27th starting at 4:00 pm Naja’s will be tapping twenty plus Firestone Beers. Come down and meet “The Lion” David Walker. Naja’s is located at 154 International Boardwalk, Redondo Beach, California.
Terranea’s Waterfront Beer Garden
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Angel City Gold Line Pilsner and Angel CIty Oktoberfest will be featured at Nelson’s waterfront Beer Garden at the beautiful Terranea Resort, along with live music, bratwursts, and other German-themed cuisine. Terranea is located at 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA.