The OC/LA release thread.

Have yet to try that one but sounds like it gets a ton of praise so I'll buy blind most likely. I want them to do another Lazy Susan release, I loved that beer.

 

I still don't know what to think about Vacation w/Brett batch one. It just ain't my style. But, damn, I'm absolutely hiring a shit ton of mules for Raised Eyebrows. hahaahaha

 

The raised eyebrows release is going to be the first shit show at HPB. I'm calling it now. Lazy Susan in ~ 6 months will be even worse.

 

Yeah, I'm enjoying the good ol' days while they last.

Then again, I thought that once the Hermosillo opened a brewery in the back, that the good ol' days of enjoying that bar's chill atmosphere. But here we are a year later and I'm loving it even more.

 

Yeah HPB will always have a special place in my heart, no matter what happens (fingers crossed) I will always support them.

 

HPB is one place I'd love to see a free or cheap loyalty program for those who started buying releases in the first 6 or 12 months, and who continue to buy at least every 6 months. Members get first shot at bottles and whatever else Bob wants to provide.

 

I went there once a few weeks ago and that was a total disappointment for me. It wasn't relaxing at all. It was super loud, even though they were not at full capacity, beer selection was extremely poor (it was some random Saturday, nothing special) and the service was poor as well. Even though they weren't super busy, it was as hard to order beer as it is at Russian River on daily basis, where you have to go through 3 lines of people at the bar. So I'm really surprised by reading the above comments. Must have went on a bad day or something.

 

All the good brewery's are getting like that. I remember when Ladyface was nice and quiet. Now its almost impossible to walk in and get a table outside. Let alone the fact they are going to start bottling soon and selling it inside the brewery only.

 

I've been there every Wednesday night since last August (except for Christmas eve when they were closed) and many Sunday afternoons so my perception is probably skewed for the better. There have only been 2 or 3 times when I was bored with the tap list. Except for one bartender I've had great service there with all of them before I got to know any of them. The Tuesdays and Wednesday nights during beer week were the only times it got too loud for me, but the staff did a helluva job those nights.

Even though it's gotten much more crowded since I started going there it's still my favorite place to drink beer.

Before 7pm.

 

I was there a few weeks ago and I generally have to agree with all of your feedback on the place, except being loud as I was there early in the day on a Saturday and it wasn't loud or very busy at all. But even though it wasn't busy, getting the bartender's attention to give me some actual service was a pain. The beer was solid but the service and atmosphere really made this visit a HUGE disappointment. Pretty much the exact opposite of my visit to Beachwood Long Beach, even though it was busy as hell over there, sat right at the bar and had attentive service from the bartenders all afternoon.

 

Wow, I'm really curious about who was working when you and @grze were there. There's a beer place within 300 yards of my place and I won't go there because of the shitty service so I wouldn't tolerate it at Hermosillo, either.

 

I wish I knew the name of the guy. I didn't want to create a rant or anything, I just happened to have a completely opposite experience and as @Vivified said, it was a huge pain to get their attention to get beer.

I totally get that, but I never experienced anything even remotely similar to that at places like Bruery, Noble or even Alpine...and I don't think HPB is at that level of beer quality just yet.

 

It's never been loud when I've gone (even the LA beer week it wasn't crazy), but I agree on service at the bar. To use the word disinterested might be too favorable. They seem to just want to chit chat with their friends that come in and when they do serve you it almost seems like you're bothering them. Maybe it's the too cool for school hipster vibe they are giving off.

Still I enjoy the beers and it's not too difficult to get service once you make eye contact with them.

 

Noble (but there is only a single or sometimes double line there, fastest servers of any place I've been, actually), Bottle Logic, and Alpine, yeah, but I have the opposite experience at the Bruery. There's only one guy in the tasting room who is even remotely pleasant to me.

 

I will tell them to take better care of you next time I'm there

 

HPB can definitely get hectic on a Friday or Saturday night, but that's odd it was like that during the day. as a homer, i agree with trystero. everyone has always treated me very well there.

 

It's not really encouraging to go back when I head down to LA next.

I stood at the bar while the barkeeps seemingly overlooked me over and over. I eventually put my hand up and waved a bit exaggeratingly to finally get someone's attention. They were very much more interested in having conversations with their friends.

 

I've only been once, which was on a Saturday or Sunday in the middle of the day to pick up my Cherry ****z bottles and we sat right at the bar and had no problem with service. Beer was on point too. I look forward to my next trip and hopefully more Lazy Susan on draft!

 

You have to be pretty tall to get someone's attention if all the bar seats are filled, so yeah I think service has been a mixed bag. The beer, though, is generally pretty great with some misses here and there. I think they've made some outstanding beers that warrant praise. Fun Juice, Raised Eyebrows, Super IPA, Neon IPA, GJG, & BA GJG have all been stellar. If some of you would rather go to Noble, please do--it'll make it easier for me to catch a barkeep's attention there!

 

Dayum.. The new batch of tongue tickles yo... Jump on it .