From Chicago - Visiting OC/LA this weekend 2/19-2/22

Forget about chasing RR; go to the Bruery, Noble, and Bottle Logic. All 20-25 minutes away, you won't be disappointed.

 

How far are you willing to travel? Laguna Hills isn't immediately near any popping beer scenes to my knowledge.

 

Noble is having an anniversary event on the 20th. Bru is off El Toro in that area where you can get some good bottles and samplers.

 

Tickets are almost gone. Act quick.

 

Call or check around if your looking for anything RRBC. Pliny (Elder) is always on tap somewhere here in the OC. Usually at Tustin Brewing Co or Beachwood BBQ. It's on right now at the Long Beach location. But it will tap out before this weekend. It's usually at Hollingshead Deli and Haven Gastropub or their Provisions Market. Get and use the app Taphunter. When I was in Chicago I used BeerMenus to locate everything I was looking for. We really don't use BM app here in SoCal. As far as RR bottles. Hit or miss with a few stores in the OC. But your gonna spend a half day looking for the Elder? We got a lot more better beers to try than the Elder or Younger. Noble's got Tongue Tickles on right now. I would say it'll still be on this weekend....but they have their Anny party going on Sat. So unless you go then Sunday would be your only day to visit Noble. For anything in bottles your close to Whole Foods Newport Beach which has a good selection. Again Hollingshead has a good selection of bottles but a bit on the high side compared to others. If you do go to the Bruery, at the corner you have Mr K which is one of the better bottle shops in that area.
Question: Will you be bringing any Anti Hero?

 

With your taphunter app you should be able to see whats available around your area. Bru Grill & Market is nearby. They do have taps and bottles to go. Haven't been in a while. They should be on taphunter. It's up to the brewery/bar to keep them updated. So be advised.
Total Wine may carry some Noble. Depends on which beers and location. Your better off with Whole Foods as they usually get Noble's specialties. I will say this about the Bruery...I don't really care for most of their beers, but if you never been to the tasting room then you should go just for that. Otherwise check with Tustin Brewing Co to see if Pliny is on tap. Stop in for that and their IPA. Head to Noble and if you can Bottle Logic. I would use Uber.

@jonkevin just saying miss me some anti hero and some of them pipeworks. killing it.

 

As a recipient of NvU and Lizard King recently I would agree.

 

I live not far from there. Bottom line, go to bru. Good stuff on tap and great bottle selection (not to mention the food is great). Bru is about 15 minutes away from you. Also worth noting that there is a bevmo across the street from Bru and a Total Wine about 5 minutes away as well. I would for sure focus on that area.

There are honestly no breweries that are close to you as anything worth while is in Northern OC. Not a far drive but not close either. Bottle Logic I would peg at 40 minutes away, worse with bad traffic.

 

When you're in Hollywood, Blue Palms has a solid taplist. A little further east on Sunset in Echo Park are Mohawk Bend and Sunset Beer Co. All worthwhile stops. Beer Belly in Koreatown is close to Hollywood as well.

 

Not sure what time you are leaving on the 22nd, but you may have gotten really lucky. Monday is the first day of Russian River week at tustin brewing. They typically put a hoppy beer (pliny, pig, row2) and a sour on first thing each day. If you have time before flying out, that should be able to scratch that itch.

 

About 20 min north of OC is Beachwood in Long Beach.

 

If you're staying in Laguna Hills, you may want to consider hitting a few places around with good bottle selections while you're here... Total Wine on El Toro Rd, Whole Foods Market in Laguna Niguel and O'Sheas Brewing in Laguna Niguel all have a good selection of bottles. You should be able to find some gems at all 3 places. They are all within 10-15 minutes of each other.

Also, hop on I5 down to San Clemente (15 mins) and check out Pizza Port.

Cheers!

 

Total Wine will most definitely have Modern Times. Bottlelogic and Noble will be a little harder to come by in that particular place, however you can for sure grab some Bottlelogic bottles from Whole Foods, less than 15 minutes away.

Also, from what I hear, Whole Foods should have Noble's Tongue Tickles DIPA in this Friday as well...

 

Swami's is a great deal at $12 or $13 for 6 pack @ 16oz ea. Kook is another great deal at $14 or $15.

 

Second the Blue Palms. Surly Goat is closer than Mohawk bend, and their online list is almost always 100% accurate, less options though. But honestly, Hollywood is just a bunch of souvenir shops, places to get quick food, tourist traps, and stars on the sidewalk. Really isn't much there at all.

If you are going to Beer Belly, just a few blocks south is Southland Beer. It is a recently opened bar, no markings at all, and no one knows about it really. Very quiet and a good list. Their list is also available online as well.

If you want to try "Anything" RR then you can just stop by K&L wines. I think every time I have ever been in there they have had Damnation. Not their best offering, but it is something. OR you can place an order for pickup there, and they will ship stuff down from Northern California locations for free. May have some luck that way getting a bottle.

 

To the OP: local Chicago guy here. I've done what your doing....here's my best advice. Go to beachwood in long beach. Then go Stearns liquor also in long beach. Ask for Danny. Tell him you're from Chicago....

Don't let people tell you not to search for RR or Pliny. That's like somebody coming to the Chicago area and wanting to seek out zombie dust, us saying "hey! There's 10 other local IPAs that are great too!" Both sides of the coin are right, but obtaining Pliny will never be easier for you than it is when you're visiting California.