Hi gents - I just moved to LA from Vancouver and I could use some help as to where / what to buy! I tend to drink IPA for the most part but also love pale ales and the occasional porter. I've tried a few IPAs so far that have been pretty mediocre - Stone and Angel City to name a couple. I'm living in Westwood and work in Culver City. Also make trips to downtown, Irvine and San Diego for work. Where are the good shops? More importantly what are some great local IPAs and pale ales? Thanks a ton for any help!!!
Monkish makes those NE-style IPAs that are the current darling of the beer community. Beachwood BBQ and Brewing in Long Beach always has a ton of different IPAs on, you can probably find something you like there. El Segundo makes a lot of IPAs as well. Maybe a better question is what is it about IPAs that you like? What are your regular drinking favorites?
The stuff I used to drink you likely have never heard of as it's all local stuff in Vancouver. Yellow Dog & Central City made a couple of outstanding IPAs. So far I'm finding the IPAs I've tried here are very one dimensional. Stone for example does not have much going on at all I find. All I taste is hops and way too much carbonation. May as well drink a Bud. I typically prefer something more balanced with an interesting palate - citrusy IPAs are a fave.
Ah....Stone IPA's? That may be a good start....but if you seek out, you will find a whole lot better IPA's than Stone.
My only reference point for Van beer is Howe sound and while I thought it was solid I didn't think it was anywhere near anything I've had in SoCal.
Welcome to LA and BA. Explore around- there's a reason why California, especially Southern California, is known for its IPAs. Try the breweries mentioned, even Monkish offers IPA growler fills without the crazy wait that the can releases entail (just check their Facebook or Instagram). Noble in Anaheim has carved out a hoppy identity, and check out Societe next time you're in San Diego. Even Stone offers more than one IPA; try Enjoy by.
Ok I'll stick with my recommendation of going to Beachwood BBQ and ask them for a citrus-forward IPA. El Segundo tends toward the more balanced IPAs. Karl Strauss Aurora Hoppyalis might be up your alley for a citrus, slightly more hop-forward IPA.
People line up over night for beer here? LOL! The only place you'll find me early morning other than my bed is the golf course.
People didn't line up much for beer here until recently... That said, don't completely avoid Monkish -- they make great beer (especially their fruited sours). Just avoid showing up in the first couple hours of can release days, which have happened every other Saturday.
