It’s always been in style to support local businesses in LA and, in our minds, there is no better way to show your SoCal pride than with a cold beer. Check out the five best spots to sip local California brews below.
Beer Belly
With two locations in the LA area, Koreatown and Long Beach, Beer Belly gives you double the opportunity to guzzle down Cali brewskis. The Ktown spot standouts on the street thanks to its colorful outside artwork while the beach spot is brand new, having opened just last fall. Owner Jimmy Han is an avid beer collector so you know he knows how to choose the best for his menu. Standout drafts include the The Glowing Sea Haze NE Style IPA from Bottle Logic Brewing in Anaheim, or for something a little heavier, the Safe Word Cacao Stout from Mumford Brewing in Los Angeles.
They also have a selection of local beers in cans including the Blood Orange Whitbier from Refuge Brewing in Temecula. Happy Hour takes place at both locations weekdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. offering a $5 featured draft and $1 off all craft cans.
Hours: Sun – Tues 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Weds – Thurs 11:30 a.m. to 12 a.m., Fri -Sat 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.
532 Western Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90020, 213-387-2337, beerbellyla.com, @beerbelly_la
Mohawk Bend
Mohawk Bend in Echo Park is a super cool spot housed in a retrofitted 100-year old Vaudeville theater. Dedicated to bringing patrons fresh, locally-sourced fare and drinks, the restaurant/bar uses only California ingredients in its menu which includes pizzas, seasonal salads, elevated pub food and delicious desserts that appeal to vegans, vegetarians and meat-lovers alike. With 72 taps of craft beer, Mohawk Bend is a tribute to local, small-scale breweries.
Order the Manifesto Belgian-style Witbier from Eagle Rock Brewery in Eagle Rock or the Sabre-Toothed Squirrel Hoppy Red Ale from Smog City Brewing Company in Torrance. Enjoy them on the fresh air patio, at a booth in the quad, or in the skylit atrium of the Ramona Room.
Hours: Mon – Thurs 11:30 a.m. to 12 a.m., Fri 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m., Sat 9:30 a.m. to 2 a.m., Sunday 9:30 a.m. to 12 a.m.
2141 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026, 213-483-2337, mohawk.la, @mohawkla
Surly Goat
West Hollywood isn’t exactly known for its beer bars, but Surly Goat is the perfect low key and low-lit bar to enjoy a casual cold one. Presided over by a stuffed goat’s head, the bar offers over two dozen craft beers on tap including the From Here To Gardena IPA from State Brewing Company in Gardena, Come In Grape, Your Time Is Up (Muscat) Lambic Ale from Beachwood Blendery in Long Beach and the World Game Blonde Ale from Modern Times Beer in San Diego. Sit inside the bar, which is covered in cool vintage beer memorabilia or in one of the outdoor front patio booths.
Hours: Mon – Fri 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., Sat – Sun 1 p.m. to 2 a.m.
7929 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90046, 323-650-4628, Surlygoat.com, @surlygoatbar
Blue Palms Brewhouse
Located next to the historic Henry Fonda theater in Hollywood, Blue Palms Brewhouse is a classic American alehouse with a long list of rotating specialty beers on tap. Local favorites include the State Oolong, which is a Belgian-style ale brewed with traditional Oolong tea from Angel City Brewery in downtown LA and the Little China, a Witbier style beer brewed by Transplants Brewing Company in Palmdale. As one of L.A.’s original craft beer bars, Blue Palms attracts an eclectic crowd of locals, tourists and straight up beer geeks.
Hours: Mon 4 p.m. to 12 a.m, Tues – Thurs 12 p.m., 1 p.m., Fri – Sat 12 p.m. – 2 a.m.
6124 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 323-464-2337, bluepalmsbrewhouse.com, @bluepalm_brew
Glendale Tap
With more than 50 craft beers from all over the globe, Glendale Tap House is inspired by the neighborhood taverns in co-owner Steve Skorupa’s hometown of Chicago. The decor has a kitschy vintage vibe complete with two pool tables, classic beer signs and an old bowling lane, rescued from Chicago’s now demolished Marzano’s Miami Bowl, that serves as the bar top. This bar in the burbs also has loads of local options on tap.
Summer is the perfect time to try the Peachy Keen Wild Saison / Farmhouse Ale, which is aged in oak for two years on Masumoto Family Farms with peaches and nectarines from the Craftsman Brewing Company in Pasadena. Or try the Deep Roots ESB Style / Amber- Biscuity, which is a tea like malt with a medium hop finish from Three Weavers Brewing Company in Inglewood.
Hours: Mon – Thurs 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday – Sun 1 p.m.-2 a.m.
4227 San Fernando Rd., Glendale, CA 91204, 818-241-4227, glendaletap.com, @glendaletap
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