LAX-Pasadena-Palm Springs

NewEl Segundo Brewing is literally 3 miles away from LAX - be sure to check them out if you're fond of IPA's. They're extremely underrated.

Pasadena - I would check out Highland Park Brewery.

 

Depending on when and the time you land at LAX > El Segundo Brewing Co, Whole Foods El Segundo for bottles to take with you to Palm Springs (cause you ain't gonna find much greatness out in the desert). Pasadena > Stone Company Store and Lucky Baldwins Pub and Lucky Baldwins Trappiste. And yes to stopping in at Highland Park on the way to PS.
Exiting and entering LAX is a major headache these days. Avoid Century Blvd at all cost. Ongoing construction is the issue.

 

I always enjoy a stop at Hangar 24 on the way out

 

I thought about H24 also. Yes a nice stop. Man has this place grown since the beginning.
Or taking the 10 or 60 out to PS in Pomona you have Homage.

 

Coachella Valley Brewing is worth a visit. It's the best brewery in the desert.

They're in Thousand Palms, which is basically between Palm Springs and Palm Desert.

 

Jensen's grocery store in Palm Springs is worth a pop in. Occasionally has some nice goodies.

 

Not trying to be a dick, but what would you say is worth stopping for? I was there about a month ago and wasn't impressed with anything. A couple of beers were flat out bad.

 

It's probably the best brewery within 50 miles of Palm Springs, which is his destination.

No, the beers aren't world class, but they're above average, with a lot of diversity.

I live in Redondo Beach but have a home in Palm Desert and visit regularly. It's not Monkish or El Segundo, but it's not a waste of time either.

 

F coachella valley brewing. I go to la quinta brewing. The brewery, not the tap room in old town. They should have a coupke ba beers on tap too. They are basically right off Washington st.

 

Lots of good choices, but with limited time..
El Segundo
The Bruery
Bottle Logic
Noble

 

Since you're with the wife who I will assume is not a hard-core beer enthusiast, I will steer you towards places approved by my wife

LAX - your rental car pickup and dropoff will be very close to Three Weavers, I recommend bringing takeout from LAX-adjacent In N Out or if you're more adventurous, Pakistani food from Bilal a half block away, the famous Randy's Donuts is also a few blocks away

Downtown LA - Arts District Brewing has above-average beer, fun n games (skee-ball) and in-house food from adjacent Fritzi restaurant, plus you will be in the most hip neighborhood in LA if that matters to you, recommend the Pie Hole a block away for dessert

Highland Park - not sure what day you will be in LA but a favorite Friday to Sunday lunch for me is beer + coconut curry at Highland Park Brewery, open for dinner too

Pasadena - English-style pub Lucky Baldwin's is the unofficial taproom of pioneer LA craft-brewer Craftsman Brewing and there's also the Stone Brewing taproom with Luggage Room Pizza next door

For the drive to Palm Springs, I've had several good meals at Congregation Brewing in Azusa (20 miles east of Pasadena) and will second Hangar 24

 

For your voyage east of Pasadena...

Whisper House in Claremont has a small but typically good draft list. It's on their facebook page.

Homage in Pomona is making some noise with their sours and saisons.

Darby's American Cantina and The State in Redlands both often have good tap lists. Darby's in more of a sports bar, The State is a little higher end.

Hanger 24 is probably the largest brewery in the IE and is generally solid.

Brickwood just opened up in downtown Riverside and typically has a good tap list, which they keep updated on Beer Menus.

There are actually a ton of breweries in the Inland Empire, just not many that get national recognition, and many are new so quality can be hit or miss. I can vouch for Wicks and Packinghouse in Riverside. Both are quality although you probably won't find much BA or sour stuff at either if that's your quest. La Bodega is my typical bottle shop, also in Riverside, which will have a ton of stuff you're not used to seeing on the east coast.

 

Beverage Warehouse in Culver City for bottles.
These Torrance Breweries are awesome and they are all with a mile of each other some of the better one's would include:.
Smog City
Monkish
Strand
Cosmic

 

Bumping this thread >>> Heading out to Indio for a gig at the casino on Saturday. Should we stop in at Coachella Valley Brewing on way to Indio? I'm bringing 2 growlers of Beachwood greatness and there'll be some other bottles/cans for the pre gig consumption. Maybe left over for post gig consumption. I'm usually game for a visit to a new brewery. Worth a stop in and out?

 

Hate to say it, but I don't think so. I made a detour out there a few months ago on my way to visit a friend in Palm Desert and was disappointed. A couple of things were flat out undrinkable, and a few others were very mediocre. Nothing even remotely close to Beachwood; I would just enjoy your growlers.

 

Thx JayO. There are so many new brewery's these days. Most of them mediocre to bad. Not wasting my time, unless I have time to waste. We'll just enjoy the growlers and bottles at poolside till showtime. Cheers.

 

I'd skip it....sounds like this is a quick trip and you're already well provisioned. There's nothing there I'd drink over Beachwood, and also nothing in particular worth bringing back.

If you were in the area for a few days, it'd be worth exploring.

 

Sour Cellars is absolutely worth a visit. In Rancho Cucamonga, 2 miles north off the 10 up Archibald, 100% year+ oak-aged sours. Opened in January; finally stopped by this weekend and they are producing some awesome beer.

Homage is also worth a stop - they do the hazy IPA thing well, and their sours are pretty good. Their milk stout is also a personal favorite.