Hey is there already a thread for these guys? I could've sworn I posted in it with the following question yesterday and now I can't find it... Anyway I was at the Phoenix in LA the other night and I had a great sour from Craftsman called something something Matsumoto. Anyone know what the something something part of that name actually is? I can't seem to find any info on it.
On a side note, The Phoenix is brand new (at its location) and has a very nice little taplist going: They had Victory at Sea, Anchor's best beer ever Brotherhood Steam, Saison Dupont, this Craftsman Cuvee de Masumoto, Delirium Tremens, Hell or High Watermelon, Luponic Distortion I think 002!, and SN Torpedo Pilsner (which I thought was some sort of mistake but actually exists)
Craftsman has some entertaining Yelp reviews especially Karen C http://www.yelp.com/biz/craftsman-brewing-company-pasadena
I can see where somebody who knows nothing about Craftsman's model and Mark would get the impression they do from the negative reviews on Yelp. If there's anyone out there who's doing business just the way they want to and feel like without any pressures from the market, it's Craftsman.
Mark really did have a good point there. At least look up what type of beer or a name of a beer from who you're buying it from to get a good start.
One thing I've always respected about Craftsman is they are very selective about where their beer is served. They are almost always on at Maximilano in highland park and lucky baldwins. Like someone previously mentioned, they are aren't interested in being part of a trend or churn out beer styles that are popular to the masses plus they have been around over 10 years. I've always found their beers to be very consistent and drinkable even for non-beer drinkers.
Aren't they essetinally the majority of Maximilano? I don't think I ever heard of a time when they weren't the majority of beers there. Essentially aside from a keg that made it down south to san diego or to the west side to friend's bars, Craftsman footprint is basically the east side of Los Angeles until the 605 or so. Fun fact, Bob from HPB worked for Mark. So you can thank that awesome experience for the deliciousness that HPB is cranking out.
Blind Lady Alehouse and Tiger Tiger almost always have Craftsman on tap. I'm pretty sure I've seen it at Bottlecraft and Monkey Paw, too.
Go for it Craftsman Cuvee de Masumoto Barrel-aged cuvee- 6.9% "A Pale Wheat beer barrel aged for one year and aged for an additional year with organic peaches and nectarines from Masumoto Farms in Central California. Both nuanced and balanced, De Masumoto is the result of decades of experience, applied artistry and the utilization of hand-picked ingredients." Not my words, quoted from distro
I just had the Craftsman Honesty Ale last night at the new Bottlecraft next door to Stone at Liberty Station (S.D.). I looked up my review, six years ago (!), the tasty stuff is brewed with Montmorency cherries and apparently blended with younger beer so it's not totally tart.
For anyone that hasn't noticed, Craftsman is on Instagram now at https://www.instagram.com/craftsmanbrewing. What's more, bottled sours coming in March.
