I just moved to Long Beach from Portland and I'm trying to piece together an overview of the area. Over in the Northwest forum, we have a lot of regional threads with the recommended breweries, bottle shops, and beer-focused restaurants for the area. I've found them to be super helpful when visiting a different city and sharing with tourists. Now I understand that everyone loves driving in the southland, but it would still be nice to not have to fight traffic to get to a decent bottleshop. Or maybe not and this thread will drop down to page 97! Anyway, hit me up with your thoughts on the Long Beach beer situation. And thanks to @dispensingchem with getting me started on some great LA-area recommendations. BREWERIES Beachwood BBQ, Brewing, and Blendery - if anywhere is a must-hit in Long Beach, it's here. Some of the best West Coast IPAs around and the Blendery is turning out some great wild ales and sours. Bonus points for Blendery beers being cheaper on tap than in bottles. Large outdoor patio at BBQ although the Blendery is closed due to lack of outdoor seating. Belmont Brewing - Right on the beach, you can bring the whole family here for a great view. Beer styles seem limited to the classics, but everything I've had here has been good. Large outdoor patio, although it's mostly screened in which could be a concern during the pandemic. Scholb - Seems like a newer expansion on the thrift-shop lined 4th Street corridor. They turned the parking lot behind their pub into a huge patio for the pandemic which has been nice. Massive tap list with a great variety of styles. They had a rauchbier in their lineup so they're cool in my book. Ballast Point - Cool mega-huge rooftop patio, but that same chain-feel that pretty much every Ballast Point has now. Cellphone-based ordering system is nice in the age of COVID. I think everyone knows what Ballast Point has to offer at this point. BREWERIES I HAVEN'T BEEN TO Smog City at Steelcraft - I've been to the Steelcraft in Garden Grove so I kind of get what the deal is. I also like Smog City's beers, so this will probably be a winner once I get up there. Long Beach Beer Lab - this place has been mentioned in a few other threads but I'm curious to hear more. Trademark - Newer brewery, that's all I know Ten Mile - Their branding looks nice Liberation - No idea Ambitious Ales - Got favorable marks from @dispensingchem but I haven't been yet. Steady Brewing - Also no idea Congregation Ale House - I guess this is a brewery now? Haven't been to one since that happened. BEER BARS Bottlecraft - Also recommended by @dispensingchem but I haven't been yet. Tap list online looks good and they're in a food pod type situation which is a plus. BOTTLE SHOPS Hi-Lo Liquor - Downtown, seems like a newer place. Very clean and orderly inside with a pretty well curated selection. I saw Heater Allen and de Garde from Oregon which both made me happy. Selection was good although I don't yet know what's hard to come by in the area to say whether or not they get the rare stuff. BEER-FOCUSED RESTAURANTS just kidding it's a pandemic That's all I've got so far. I'd love to hear your recommendations and also opinions on the breweries in the area.
Welcome to Long Beach ! We have lived in Belmont Shore for 15 years now and I think you'll love the Long Beach life style. Covid has sucked the life out of most everything right now but there are some spots I would recommend based on living in LB that are worth a few extra miles. 1st, locally it doesn't get better than Beachwood, the beer and food are all world class, this is a no brainer for locals. Now, take a short drive up to Monkish, 30 minutes max after securing cans on line, they are closed to the public currently. Bottlecraft at the Hanger in LB has an amazing bottle/can selection to go as well as great beers on tap, there are some great food stalls inside too that you can pair up with one of their tap selections. Drive down to Costa Mesa for world class beers at Green Cheek in Costa Mesa, again about a 30 minute drive but so worth it. They are open for pours and the new outdoor patio is now open serving very good grub. Always world class cans to go. In the Shore we have Quinns and L.A Tap House and Zimmzy's that have great food and thoughtful craft beer options and are open. Welcome to LB, Cheers,
If you take a short drive from Downtown LB to the 47, Brouwerij West is about a 15 min drive. Cool spot with rotating food options and big open space. If you venture further from Brouwerij West down PCH, hit up Select Beer in Redondo Beach for good taps and good bottle selection to-go or on-site. Take a walk down the Riviera, or down the beach, just 2-3 blocks away.
I've actually been to both Monkish (probably in 2017?) and Green Cheek back before the pandemic this year. I'm not a big fan of hazies, but I thought Monkish's belgian lineup was very good. They need a separate line if you're not going to order hazy beer. Green Cheek had a very cool space and I really liked their west coast IPAs and pilsners. I'm glad to hear they're back open with an outdoor space, I'll head back there soon. I haven't been to any of those locations over in Belmont Shore (assuming they're all on 2nd?). I'll be sure to check them out! I actually saw Brouwerij West from the road a couple weeks back and was surprised because I wasn't expecting to see them there. Are they open during the pandemic?
IMHO... Prioritize Long Beach Beer Lab of the places you haven't been. Some good beers and great food - killer fresh bread made daily. 'Pubs' Joe Jost - local institution usually with fresh Anchor Steam Little Vice - great tacos and great taps 4th Horseman - good pizza and taps, get their 'to-go' hotsauce if you're a masochist 'Bottle Shops' The Wine Country in Signal Hill - friendly service, and great selection including singles 'Misc.' Ellie's Deli/Diner - absolutely fantastic food; due to COVID has shifted from diner to a deli operation for now , while they relocate fine dining location to another 'new' spot in the future; I fly their flag all day long...
s-tier beachwood a-tier brouwerij west (close enough to claim it), smog city worth a trying lb beer lab, trademark, ten mile, ambitious ales bottle shops hi-lo, corked, wine country, lazy acres/whole foods beer restaurants 4th horseman, little vice, rasselbock, quinn's, simmzy's dives with decent draft lists (visit after covid) alex's bar, the 'stache best new pizza spot little coyote
Does anyone know of someplace in Long Beach (or even the surrounding area) that fills CO2 tanks for kegerators? I've got a 5lb tank that's getting low.
I go to Stein Filers for all my homebrew supplies but get my CO2 from Air Sources Industries, 3976 Cherry Ave, Long Beach. They actually fill there rather than just swap tanks and because my CO2 tanks are brand new I don't want a shitty beat up one in exchange. Stein Fillers is good and have nice staff though.
Mine is in pretty good condition so this is perfect, thanks! It has been awhile since I've homebrewed, but I'll keep Stein Fillers in mind when I pick it back up.
Tried the Ambitious Ales Nice Guy Eddie west coast IPA tonight and it’s really solid. I’d put it up there with Amalgamator, similar hop profile but a bit more bitter. Definitely looking forward to visiting their tap room after covid restrictions are listed. I also found this virtual beer festival, which I signed up for to try all the Long Beach breweries - http://craftbeerlbfest.com/
