DRINK: Craft Beer
I’m a bit ashamed to admit it, but there was a good (decade-long) time in my life where I thought the world of beer was limited to Stella Artois, Heineken, and Corona. It didn’t matter what bar or store I went to- those were always the staple of what I drank.
I can’t really beat myself up too much because if you look back on the history of brewing in the U.S. it was really Prohibition that set this wheel in motion. Most Americans who are 25+ grew up with the largest breweries to survive that time–mostly because they were able to sell other products like malt extract or soft drinks– and a huge number of small operations simply had to close their doors. To put it in perspective, in 1890 we had 2,156 breweries in the U.S., dwindling to 684 by 1940- and eventually just 101 in 1980.
If you came of age anytime during the 90′s-00′s this meant you had about five choices of Domestic beer- Miller, Anheuser-Busch, Coors, Pabst or Schlitz and their assortments (almost all a variation of the Pale Lager- yellow, fizzy, bland). This was just what you accepted “beer” as, variety be damned.
Sorry for the history lesson.. but what it boils down to is we’ve only had one style of beer in the U.S. for a very, very long time. It’s like thinking that all vodka was Popov, all tequila is Jose Cuervo, or all wine comes in a box.
So what changed for me? I had a friend who introduced me to Craftsman’s Triple White Sage in a local L.A. eatery (Father’s Office in Santa Monica) and I’m not kidding, I instantly wondered what the hell else I was missing in my life. Here was a beer that smelled like a bouquet of flowers, but instantly addicting and kept you guessing what exactly was in it (was that coconut?) I must have had four or five that night–not an easy task as Father’s Office is usually packed like a sardine can.
As someone who is notoriously stubborn on his Food & Beverage selections this was a little hard to accept at first. I like to know exactly what something is before I order it and to have some sort of reference point in my head. I want to know “X” will taste like “X” every single time I order it (blame it on McDonald’s) because deviation isn’t my strong suite (or so I thought).
It took a few years of dabbling in the craft beer world to get here, but below is my personal list of brews to try if you’re a complete newbie to the scene. These aren’t going to bite, but they are fairly consistent and they will open your eyes to the possibilities that can be poured from your local tap (or bottle), no guesswork involved.
[Note: Like real estate, most craft beer is local. This list is focused on availability in and around the Los Angeles area.]
It’s a good thing they only sell this one in a four-pack, because I’d honestly have no problem sucking 6 (or 12) of them down at a time:
“Esquire Magazine calls our 90 Minute IPA., “perhaps the best I.P.A. in America.” An Imperial I.P.A. brewed to be savored from a snifter. A big beer with a great malt backbone that stands up to the extreme hopping rate.”
I think they are being modest- the truth is that “90 minutes” is the approximate amount of time it takes for the tears of angels to fall from heaven and hit your local store shelves. This one is fairly easy to find, and while I haven’t been able to track down 120 Minute yet I suspect it’ll just up the ante. If you try anything on this list make it a priority.
Female Analog: Charlize Theron
Easy to drink, perfect for a nice warm day. Floral, grassy character with a hint of corn. The only issue I have is that I can’t take it home with me–draft only– but I have found a few places that carry it fairly consistently. It’s exactly what an American Pale should be.
Father’s Office (Santa Monica), Mediterraneo (Hermosa Beach), Pure Luck (Silver Lake)
Female Analog: Rachel McAdams
Russian River Consecration | American Wild Ale
It’s the only wildcard here, but anyone who has had it probably can’t deny that someone interested in craft beer should at least try it. It literally rips apart any notion you had of how beer should taste- it’s sour, it’s fruity, it’s got a hint of tobacco and almost smells like a wine. They age it in barrels for nine months and the ABV is a mind-numbing 10%.
I can’t even come up with a recommended food to pair it with (maybe grilled monkey-brain tacos wrapped in a blueberry pancake?) but it’s so good you’ll likely end up in a fist-fight with your spouse for the next sip.
Female Analog: Charlie Sheen in drag
Ladyface Ale Blind Ambition | Belgian-style Amber ale
The next time you’re driving up the 101 North make a note to stop in a grab a growler of Blind Ambition. It’s only available at this location, but it’s a year-round brew that won’t send you on a wild-goose hunt (or find yourself trying to bribe the night-shift manager at BevMo).
If I was told I could take a life-time supply of one item with me to a deserted island this would be it. It’s a symphony that is hitting all the right notes and makes your taste buds feel like they scored a date with the prom queen. It’s not quirky or unusual- it just works every single time with an endless variety of entrees.
Female Analog: Natalie Portman
When not at ESM, Chris can be found cycling up and down the Santa Monica Bay, re-engineering a turkey fryer into a pizza oven or reading about survival techniques in the Gobi desert.
I could do with a pint of 90 minute IPA right now, or maybe Charlize
[...] found this place because of his fairly recent passion in finding bars that serve the best craft beers. The front area of 1321 Downtown Taproom Bistro in Torrance, [...]