LA/OC area: Restaurants/Bars/Pubs (2017)

This thread hopefully answers the question, "If they are putting effort into their wine list, why not put some effort into the beer list?"

In short, there's no money in it. At least, not what there is in comparison to wine. Beer consumers still aren't enthusiastic about paying 500-600% mark-ups for the good stuff like you'll often see on a carefully curated wine list. So why would a restaurateur put a nice beer list together that dilutes their beverage margins? Instead, you see a ton of places with a *decent* beer list of like 5-10 things available in bottles or cans, often zero-to-mediocre sell-through and/or stock rotation, little-to-no seasonal rotation or special releases, no draft beers (to avoid the necessary equipment, space, maintenance, and staff training), and a big missed opportunity for brewers, beer aficionados, and chefs alike.

At least there's a cocktail renaissance going on nowadays here in LA, if you want something interesting to drink that isn't wine.

 

While I totally agree, if these places just stocked up on well priced sixer's (say Amalgamator 6pack for $13) and sold a single 12oz'er for $6-7 each I'd do it if the restaurant was classy enough, as I'd already be shelling out massive amounts of money anyway.

 

Yep. Probably doesn't help that I've lived Huntington Beach for 25 years. I'd probably be more apt to pay that premium if I was on vacation somewhere overlooking the ocean.

 

Hello BAs,

In LA/OC area for the next couple of days and have already visited/will visit:

- Monkish
- Noble
- Mumford
- Beachwood Blendery

so I'm covered on the brewery/taproom front.

If I could choose one beer bar to go to with priority on rotating taplist w/variety of SoCal beers on offer and generally pretty high quality stuff, what would it be?

 

Definitely Seal Beach Beachwood, but depending on what you mean by LA area, you can't go wrong with Blue Palms in Hollywood or Hermosillo in highland park (which depending on when you go will have 70% HPB beer to as little as ~25%)

 

Add to the already suggested LA-area stuff I'd also take a gander at Mohawk Bend and Sunset Beer Company.

 

Native Son Alehouse in Santa Ana is a good choice with an updated tap list available online. You could also visit Good Beer Co. a few blocks over and eat great food and drink yet even more good beer at Playground across the street.

 

If you're on the west side, I'd probably go with the bar at the Whole Foods on Lincoln and Rose, Library Alehouse (tap list webcam you can check), or maybe West 4th and Jane near the Promenade (updated tap list on Untappd).

 

How does SB Beachwood differ from LBC Beachwood?

 

Honestly best way for guest taps to compare is to see each other's hop cams:
http://beachwoodbbq.com/hopcam.html

Long beach you need to add in house brews, which depending on the category, are some of the best in the field:
http://beachwoodbbq.com/brewery.html

 

Has anyone been to Network Brewing in Santa Ana? Right off the 55 and dyer. Its right by my work, might stop in for a taste. Was wondering if anyone has been?

 

Yes, and it wasn't anything to write home about. I stopped in there not too long after they opened, I was the only person in the place, and the guy behind the counter didn't even look up from his phone as I walked to the bar until I had to say something. Not a solid first impression.
The tasting room is tiny, and the beer wasn't anything to scream about.

 

Sunset Beer has ba viet speedway on tap

 

https://www.barbarasatthebrewery.com/

 

you are a freaking saint. this is the reason this forum was created!

 

@dcgunman little dissapointed. Finally got to try BT's this week, my wife got a hair appointment for the boy in the same strip. BBQ was great, although I found the sauces a little lacking, and the tap list didn't have society or beachwood. Had to settle for the El Segundo bursted chinook. Hehehe.