Los Angeles: Beer Store Recommendations?

You might try Total Wine and More: https://www.totalwine.com/

They have multiple locations. I'm pretty sure I've seen most of the beers you listed at some of their stores before.

 

I haven't seen Hop Rod Rye in years. It was a great beer when I had it. The Alesmith beers Wee Heavy and Old Numbskull I haven't seen in years either, not that I look for them, but they are not listed on their website either. I suspect if they one off do them you may find. The Alesmith Double IPA was a seasonal, right around this time of year for many years but I don't think I've seen it around here in SD for awhile. I could be wrong with everything as I don't often seek out the big high ABV boozers much.......

 

I used to see a whole bunch of Alesmith at Valley Beverage but I haven't been to Valley Beverage in years so I don't know if that's still true.

 

Is Moylan's (and Hopsickle by extension) even still around?

 

Yeah, this post is almost a bummer. It basically presents how Bear Republic and AleSmith are no longer relevant. Maybe in 2013 you’d find these beers, but not now. These breweries are basically non-existent in liquors stores here (unless you want some dog plop 100 calories hazy from Alesmith).

 

Yeah, I'd much rather recommend visiting places here like Highland Park Brewery, Modern Times, Homage, Cellador, etc.

Or for bottle shops like Southland Beer, Handy Market, or Vendome Toluca Lake for beers. Probably way better current stuff than what's on old beer lists.

 

Bear Republic - Neither of those beers are in production, but the distributor keeps a tight profile; even if they brewed a one-off, doubtful it would show up here. For example, Red Rocket Rye is not available in So Cal, and I'd call that a flagship beer after R5 if there ever was one.

AleSmith - None of those beers are in production, AleSmith has restructured a lot of their portfolio, and unfortunately the Wee Heavy, Horny Devil, and Old Numbskulls of year's past are now relegated to a barrel-aging program exclusive to a membership club. If anyone has a tipoff of any dusties of some of these beers in LA, that'd be your only lead. Otherwise some dusties exist in San Diego which can ship to Los Angeles when you visit.

Moylans - No distribution in Los Angeles.

Quite a strikeout, but if I could recommend one thing, Alesmith IPA, their flagship, has been redesigned in the past few years and it's an A+ beer. One of the best IPAs-- period. Be sure to seek out a freshie of it when you are down here.

 

man...Alesmith Wee Heavy and Old Numbskull were absolute classics.

 

You'll need a time machine.

Instead spend your time at LA breweries as @annakarina mentioned such as Highland Park Brewery, Modern Times, Homage, Cellador.

 

I was at Alesmith Brewery earlier this year and OldNumskull in tap wasn't good.
Moylans--wow! Flashback to 2013 drinking Kilt Lifters from BevMo.
Bear Republic..maybe Bevmo or Total Wine.
Seems Alesmith only cares for that orange themed beer they have all over instagram.

HandyMarket in Burbank has good shit although wayy to many fruit and ipa beers . Orange county has Brewery X,Monkish, Breury,Bottle Logic.

In LA HPB and Homage are next to eachother. Cellador if you wanna drive to the valley.
Stone in Pasadena is worth the trip depending on tap list.
Sunset Beer is a great spot to grab single beers.
Modern Times in Downtown LA . I live half mile away and have been there about 3 times. Overpriced stouts and an overwhelming list of hazies and other shit i dont care for.
Have fun

 

They're open, but I haven't seen packaged Hopsickle in years. Spec sheet on the website last updated in '14. Maybe I'm overdue for a post-hike quality-control check on brews and grub next time I'm over near Novato...

 

I mean....if you're already hurting from the hike don't make matters worse?

 

In the past I've enjoyed Hopsickle, Hop Chraic, and Kilt Lifter for my palate and preferences, unless things there have changed dramatically I doubt I'll feel differently. And their food, while nowhere approaching Michelin Guide territory, has been enjoyed on my previous visits. But what do I know, I'm just a misplaced rancher from the Midwest. TETO

 

I would check some of the Vendome locations to try your luck with some older Alesmith bottles.

Best shops around are: Hi-Lo, Glendale Tap, Southland, Vendome...

 

I’ll suggest Ramirez Liquor and Ramirez Beverage Warehouse. They both have huge selections.