Hey folks. The Mrs is attending a conference in Anaheim in June and I'm thinking of tagging along. I know there are some great breweries in the L.A. area that I want to check out (namely Monkish and El Segundo), but are there any note-worthy breweries in the Anaheim area that won't require renting a car or traversing across L.A. to get to (as I'll have to do with Monkish and El Segundo)?
In Anaheim, Noble and Bottle Logic. It's hard to overstate just how difficult it can be to cross L.A., rental car or not. I'd personally replace El Segundo with Smog City, which is literally three (long) blocks away from Monkish.
Karl Strauss in Anaheim. Not so much for their beers, but mainly for the food and atmosphere. But they do have a lot of beers to choose from. Not far from Noble is Chapman Crafted in Orange. Some good ipas. All are a quick Uber/Lyft from each other. El Segundo over Smog City if you like hoppy beers. Nothing wrong with Smog. But you enjoy more hop forward beers > IPA/DIPAs > El Segundo has a lot more over Smog. But if you enjoy all styles then you could do Monks, Smog and maybe even Phantom Carraige and/or Beachwood BBQ/Blendery in Long Beach.
^^Those. If you're around for multiple days you could consider doing the Monkish/ESB/Smog City circuit one day, or the downtown/east side (Mumford, MikkellerDTLA as of 2/10, Indie Brewing Co, Highland Park Brewery) another. Uber/Lyft everywhere imho.
Stick to Anaheim area, there is PLENTY of high quality beer without the need of battling LA traffic. Actually IMHO, as a whole, Orange County (Anaheim-ish area) > LA.
About five miles from the convention center is Hollingshead Deli - about 20 craft beer taps, an extensive reach-in for to-go bottles, and a tasty deli (I loves dat liverwurst with gouda on squaw and deviled eggs). Close to Chapman Crafted brewery in Orange.
Plenty. In Anaheim is Noble, Bottle Logic, Legends (mostly lagers), and Unsung. Surrounding area of Orange and Placentia, you've got Chapman, The Bruery, Valiant, and Stereo. And if you're flying into John Wayne airport, Costa Mesa and Santa Ana have Barley Forge, Gunwhales, Good Beer Co. and an s-ton of outstanding eateries and bars, and Tustin Brewing makes some pretty good stuff just a bit down the road. Cheers!.1
Hollingshead's is a good recommendation, and their beer list is online. There's also Beachwood in Huntington Beach, maybe about 12 miles from the convention center.
Thanks for all the input folks! I haven't checked the schedule yet, but hopefully the Angels are in town as well so I can catch a game. Cheers!
