Your Trader Joe's Guide To Budget Craft Beer in Los Angeles

I scored both from Trader Joes as well. I like them both, having the Madewest now so I should have Shaka next to note differences.

 

I’m not sure what to say about Shaka. I do know it’s all good. It’s my first PP cans in a year? Plus the word Fremont? You can’t go wrong with this one. And instead of a 4pk you get 2 extra cans. Good pick up.

 

Bacon and Eggs hitting shelves at OC Trader Joe's. I'm getting huge blueberry notes from the Bird Rock Ethiopian coffee they used this year. Haven't had this much blueberry for years. So. Damn. Good. And $18 for a sixer of 16oz cans!

 

Didn't get it at TJs, but the made west pale is an absolute gem. Even more so at $9 for a 4 pack. Stellar stuff

 

Grabbed the first bottle of Trader Joe's annual Vintage Spiced Ale from the store tonight. Nice to see the price is same as last year ($5.99) for the 750 ML bottle.

Brewed as a Belgian Strong Ale by Unibroue for Trader Joes. Worth a pickup, one of two Christmas / Year End beers I buy each year along with Anchor's Our Special Christmas Ale since discovering them a few years ago.

 

Up in Norcal/Sac/Roseville. Picked up a 4 pack of Altamont Brewing "Nelson Stash" West Coast IPA. Pretty good. $13.



Also got a 6 pack of the latest Pizza Port rotating WC IPA, Scenic Loop. Strata, Loral, Cashmere, Cryo-Pop hops. While not my favorite of the series, solid for the $ as usual.

 

Found it for the first time today at my local TJ's, grabbed a couple to try.

 

I don't need to look it up. I'm an old SoCal beer drinker, and I am well familiar with their offenses against God and fermentation.

Jeebus. Are they still around? And if so...why?

 

need more info

 

Oh yes IWBC is alive and survived the pandemic….so far. I stopped in for old time sakes a couple of months ago on my way up to Mammoth area for some springing and camping. I remember stopping in on my way up to Kern River for Citra bottle releases. I’m not sure if they are the worst. I think Hilo Brewing is pretty bad. IBWC is definitely an interesting place to visit. Especially during the summer.

 

Anyone know who is brewing TJ's new house beer Winter Ride Double Bock? They are described in the Fearless Flyer as "a West Coast craft brewery that had an affinity for traditional fermentation techniques." Could it possibly be Enegren?!? I know TJs has been carrying to their beer as of late!

Will look to pick up a sixer of 12oz cans for the advertised price of $6.99 when I see them.

 

I've been meaning to stop at IWBC on my way to the Eastern Sierras but by the time I reach Indian Wells I'm in no mood to stop. It seems they have a selection of sodas, candies etc. that the kids might enjoy. My expectation of the beer is quite low so will not be easy to disappoint.

 

Oregon doesn't get them because of something having to do with a self-distribution license TJ's refuses to get (since this, I think, is one of/the only beer that actually says Trader Joe's on it). TJ's has essentially decided Oregon isn't worth the bother, so the only way we Oregonians can get it is go up to Vancouver.

 

I grabbed a couple today to try, not surprisingly there's not much info on the can. Listed at 7.5% which looks like what it was in previous years.

 

I'm fairly certain it's Gordon Biersch. I also picked some up today and it's okay for the price, a little too sweet for the style imo, and an aftertaste I could do without. I wish there were more doppelbocks available...

 

Bingo! It is brewed by GB who also brew the TJ's Joseph Brau line and Stockyard Oatmeal Stout from the original Goose Island recipe.

 

Enegren anything is awesome.
Was lucky enough to visit the taproom the otherday and Enegrens Caber Tosser is a must try for anyone within a 45 minute drive there. ( its an hour for me) .

 

I get unpleasant (for me) levels of diacetyl in this beer. Anyone else, or just me?

Ringwood-ish.

 

TJ in Elk Grove CA has 4x16 oz of Old Rasputin for around $12

 

I'll look for this the next time I'm there. A $3 pint of Old Rasputin is hard to pass up.

 

Not my bag, but I noticed a couple Drekker offerings (a NE IPA and a fruited sour) at the NoHo location a little while ago...

 

I'll definitely grab more of their stuff next time I see it

 

Pizza Port's latest seasonal Spring Thrills hit local TJ shelves this week canned 2/13! Simcoe, HBC 586 and Sabro. This one could've been a banger since HBC is so damn good but they had to add Sabro sunscreen so I could commit to only a single can. I'll report back on how it is.

 

I grabbed a couple today to try out, hard to beat that freshness!

 

Grabbed one for $2.34 yesterday and it was great.

 

I could continue to be very happy just drinking PP and Madewest beers for the price.

 

for a brief moment they were carrying Speedway.... i was a kid in a candy store.

PP before and Speedway to get me just right.

Quick and easy 6 dollar buzz. Can't beat it

 

you said youd be happy drinkin pp

 

Grabbed some sliced Turkey, sliced havarti, and a Swami’s today at Trader Joe’s. Good lunch

 

those shits dont move at all at the Pasadena and Silverlake locations.....prolly the 5 dollar for a single thing. . and its weak ass drekker

 

Was hoping

Yes, they continue to sit on the shelf months out from canning date - meanwhile, Old Rasputin 4-packs seem to have vanished :-(

 

so has Enegren at the ones i visit
The Hollwood TJs on Vine usually had Old Raspy but i dont like the cans as they taste funny