The LA Beer Festival was a sellout last year and with 80 breweries coming from all over the country — and even a few from outside the U.S. — the event will likely draw a big crowd again when it returns to downtown L.A. April 6.
Those who snag tickets can attend one of two three-hour tasting sessions to try to sample as many of the 200 brews being poured as possible.
There isn’t going to be enough time, and it may not even be physically possible, to taste all the beers being poured at the festival. But don’t worry, if you miss out on a few beers you wanted to try, or if you can’t score a ticket, here are five local breweries taking part in the LA Beer Festival with taprooms that you can visit even after the event is over.
Iron Triangle Brewing Co.
Where: 581 Industrial St., Los Angeles. 323-364-4415 or irontrianglebrewing.com
Details: Beers from this downtown L.A. brewery can be found in various places like BevMo, Trader Joe’s and Dodger Stadium. But go straight to the taproom for the ever-changing seasonal offerings which at the moment include a rye beer called The Kids Aren’t All Rye, an oatmeal stout called Oot Stoot and a strong American IPA called Sluice Gate.
San Fernando Brewing Co.
Where: 425 Park Ave., San Fernando. 818-745-6175 or sanfernandobrewingcompany.com
Details: Beers here are inspired by the San Fernando Valley and include signature brews such as the Stoney Point Stout, which was inspired by a rock climbing destination in the northwest valley, and the Wolfskill IPA, named after a street in San Fernando. You get free popcorn and pretzels and there’s wi-fi in the taproom, plus they’ll refill growlers from other breweries. There are also food trucks or you can bring in your own food.
King Harbor Brewing Company
Where: 2907 182nd St., for the brewery; 132 International Boardwalk for the waterfront tasting room. Both are in Redondo Beach. Kingharborbrewing.com.
Details: You can drink at the original brewery or at the waterside tap room, which overlooks the boats at the harbor and has more of a beach bar feel. At either place you can try beachy brews such as the Guava Lava made with guava, lime and smoked sea salt or the Casual Friday, an easy-drinking American IPA made specifically for day drinking by the beach.
Hangar 24
Where: 1710 Sessums Drive, Redlands. 909-242-8111, hangar24brewing.com.
Details: Brewing out of a 4,640-square-foot hangar, this was the first microbrewery in Redlands and remains a popular place for beer lovers to land (see what we did there?). Core beers include the Orange Wheat, made with locally grown oranges and the Chocolate Bomber, which will blast your taste buds with its intense chocolate malt flavors.
Golden Road Brewing
Where: 5410 W San Fernando Road or 317 S. Broadway at Grand Central Market in Los Angeles; 2210 E. Orangewood Ave., Anaheim. Goldenroad.la
Details: The original Golden Road on San Fernando Road is a popular spot and always packed while the downtown L.A. location is a bar inside Grand Central Market. The Anaheim spot is a big cavernous taproom with a nice patio with a mini playground for the kids and tables and chairs for the adults. Star beers at this brewery include the rich and chocolatey Get Up Offa That Brown as well as fruity summer ready brews in their “Cart” lineup which includes mango, melon and pineapple flavors. (Opt for the Spicy Mango with a rim of Tajin if it’s on.)
If you go
When: Noon-3 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. April 6
Where: Los Angeles Center Studio, 1201 W. 5th St, Los Angeles
Cost: $45-$85
Information: labeerfest.la