The battle for Los Angeles is finally here but no matter what side you’re on, UCLA Football Bruins or USC Trojans, at least we can all agree that whoever wins the city, wins some of the best craft beer in the state.
I’ve tried to keep these articles filled with beers that anyone of you UCLA Football fans can find locally in your craft beer centered liquor stores but like I said last week this is going to be a very special edition of “PAC-12 Pints”. I’m not just going to focus on what you can find on shelves but what breweries here in Los Angeles that you absolutely need to get to while repping your Bruins.
So with that in mind this is going to be a bigger and longer version with two different lists of three. The first list is going to be places in the city where you can not only find great beer but that also have kitchens. Our second list will be concerned with breweries from Los Angeles county who distribute their beers around Southern California that you can find in your favorite craft beer shop.
Oh and there won’t be any duplicates. So if an eatery is mentioned that also happens to be owned and operated by a brewery they also won’t turn up in the second list.
Related Story: PAC-12 Pints: A UCLA Football return to the Arizona beer scene
Eateries
For those of you daring to set foot in the Coliseum this Saturday you can tailgate in style by hitting up a number of great local spots for both beers and some fantastic food as well so that you can sample as many delicious options as possible.
While the tailgate is a revered part of the college football experience think about this. You don’t pay for stadium parking. You can use Uber or Lyft to get around safely and you’re already close by in the city so distance isn’t really an issue. Then after the game you’re not trying to get on the road with everyone else.
Just a genius thought.
Beer Belly has quickly become a craftbeer and food mecca for those in the L.A. area. Not far from the Coliseum in Koreatown this spot constantly some of the best tap lists and menu items in the city. The tap takeovers they have are legendary and their duck fat fries could best be described as a religious experience. Opening at 11:30 a.m. you can arrive for lunch, drink a couple of great beers and eat some incredible food before you continue on down the road to the stadium in an Uber.
If you’re closer to the heart of downtown then a must hit is Mikkeller Bar LA. If you love craftbeer then you’re likely a big fan of his with ability to make some absolutely beautifully crafted beers. Think about it like this. Just as UCLA Football QB Josh Rosen is underappreciated even in Los Angeles so is Mikkeller underrated even by craftbeer lovers. With New England IPAs being all the rage right now make sure you get a Windy Hill on tap. You’ll thank me if you haven’t been able to find this on tap in other places. Plus the hop bill is always rotating so there’s a good chance you’ll always be able to try different variations.
Rounding out our first list of brewpubs and eateries in Los Angeles for you to try if you’re looking for an alternate tailgate experience is a familiar name in the craftbeer community. Karl Strauss Brewing Company Downtown Los Angeles brings plenty of those award winning San Diego beers to the city of angels. It isn’t just the beers that give you great feelings. An operating brew pub is full of great smells and sounds to those who love craftbeer and this one is no exception. The food and beer pairings don’t joke around either. Think about an Aurora Hoppyalis and shishito pepper, watermelon and feta salad. Crisp, refreshing, light and yet still packed to the brim with hints sweetness, heat and tropical hop flavor. Easily one of the best pairings I’ve ever had.
Beers
So maybe you’re not going to degrade yourself by stepping into the Coliseum. I fully understand. So here are three beers from breweries in Los Angeles County that will you can find in retail stores that have a craft beer emphasis.
El Segundo Brewing has garnered tons of popularity with their “Day One Freshies” program where they periodically bottle and deliver beer in the same day which is incredibly difficult to get done. But that’s not the only claim to fame they have. Their Power Plant TIPA and Hammerland DIPA are sure to please hop heads. However, Mayberry IPA in six pack form? Yes please. This flagship IPA is soaking with pine and grapefruit in traditional west-coast style but the hops round off on end giving it a smooth finish. Just so you guys know sometimes it’s easiest to just buy it by the case.
If you plan to stay closer to the Rose Bowl for your viewing party or just happen to live in Pasadena then you should be able to find plenty of beers from this near by brewery. Eagle Rock Brewery has been cranking out palate pleasing beers since 2009 and making it look easy. Manifesto is a clean, refreshing witbier with hints of citrus and spice and since it’s available in 16 oz. four-pack cans you can grab a couple packs and find a good place to hunker down for this game. The UCLA Football run defense has been porous all season so against this strong running Trojan team just try and pace the beers. No need to have to make a beer run while the Bruins are on the field.
The last beer on our list is brewed in Los Angeles County but is the farthest east we’ve yet to venture. Right on the border of San Bernardino County, Claremont Craft Ales has been a local favorite for almost six years now and for good reason. While you won’t find off the wall beers from this brewery what you will find is well-crafted, award winning beers. The perfect culmination of this is their Jacaranda Rye IPA which took home bronze this year at the Great American Beer Festival against thousands of other entries. The rye quality of the beer gives this IPA more body and spice that lends itself to the perfect balance of hop and malt. It won’t fatigue your palate, it won’t make you feel too full. All you’ll feel is satiated.
Next: UCLA Football vs. USC 2017: 3 Keys to a Bruin Victory
So there you have it. Here is our special edition of PAC-12 Pints for a very special cross town rivalry game between your UCLA Football Bruins and the USC Trojans. No matter who wins, take solace in the fact that the city of angels is slowly becoming the city of ales and we are more than okay with that.