Tag: new breweries

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Last 1st Visits of 2023

So, I traveled over to El Segundo to check out two new breweries that I have posted about before. One The Boardroom was shut for a private party.

But I did get to taste the beers of nearby Five Point Five Brewing which has taken over the former Surfridge Brewing space.

The space remains the same. No drastic changes inside. The change is outside with a bright big paint job with the brewery name in big letters.

The beers were surprisingly good but in styles that I was a bit surprised by. In my sampler tray were two IPA’s, a hoppy blonde, a Nitro Red Ale and a big stout. The Hoppy Blonde, I Love That for You was my top choice. Light yellow in color. Nice flavor with a little hoppy burst that came through well.

The Proud Mary Irish Red on Nitro highlighted the creamy dispense very well and when that flavor dissipated, the malt flavors took over for a second round.

A promising start for sure that I might re-check.

To make this last 1st Visits post of 2023 factually plural, I tacked on a visit to Long Beach and the former promenade home of Beachwood Brewing that is now ISM Brewing. Ian McCall who brewed at this very location is back with his eponymous initials brewery and the word is good.

I had five tasters covering a bit of their beer menu and came away very impressed. Especially with their New Zealand hopped beers. A pilsner, Lag Rope and an IPA, Kiwi Fingers. Both really let that Nelson hop shine. Also quite impressive was a simple ale called Peaches for Days that harmed no peaches but the aroma and taste was 100% stonefruit. A hop magic trick for sure.

ISM is only a month old but they are already firing out hits so mark it as your first to visit next year.

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Back to Four

With 2023 openings for both The Boardroom and Five Point Five Brewing, El Segundo is back up to four breweries along the hilly streets of the bedroom and oil community.

The latter is the former Surfridge Brewing space now taken over by the lead brewer and re-branded.  The former is in a quonset hut making it the western version of Paperback Brewing.  It opened earlier this year.

Both are on the agenda for first visits look for those before year end. 

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Coming to PDX in 2023

In a patented Beer Search Party move, read THIS about 2023 Oregon and SW Washington breweries about to open first, then you can see below my picks and if you agree with my choices as the most interesting newbies.

Oak Union – hey, hey might be landing in my hometown of Milwaukie

Breakside – big plans for three locations including Astoria

Upright – adding a second location in a former corner gas station

Little Hop Brewing – a brewery and a mobile Tiny Hop House truck

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Pomona Now, Covina Later

Old time L.A. beer fans might remember Sanctum Brewing in Pomona, well that space is now the home of Neon Bear Brewery.  The owner/brewmaster is Ryan Walton, who last worked at Last Name Brewing Co.  They are now open and showing off neon signage because, for some strange reason, the City of Glendale’s Museum of Neon Art, has a storage facility not in Glendale.  I digress, the brewery is now open and is on my to-visit list.

Coming later is Campsite Brewing settling in Covina and a planned opening date later this year.  More info to come as they get closer to opening the taps on what should include a rauchbier or s’mores stout.

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New in San Diego

I do not know how one person can cover the vast San Diego craft beer scene. Too much. Way too much. But read HERE for info on four, yes four new breweries…

  • VooDoo Child Brewing
  • Backyard Brewing
  • Tipping Pint
  • Seek Beer Co.

Doing a new brewery crawl might be an easier ask.

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New in Orange County

One could argue that now is a great time to open a brewery. California is re-opening so a new taproom won’t have to rely on 4-packs to go. Maybe that is why an uptick is happening south of us in Orange County with Dueling Ducks Brewing Co. …

..who opened last month and Juniper & Morgan who premiered this month…

..which means quite the epic Orange County trip will need to become planned.

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New in Portland

Being an expat Portlander and not being able to return home to try Oregon beers has been trying to say the least and the New School Beer + Cider blog is not helping by posting a rundown of new breweries coming to the state. I strongly encourage you to check out the full list but below are the breweries (and contract brewery) that struck me as places to visit.

A brewery, in a formerly church with a gorgeous bar like that. What a great drinking environment.

A new Japanese and food based brewery is a really nice addition to the beer scene.

Contract brewing has always needed more facilities and more people focused on smaller breweries. Back Forty ticks both of those boxes and does distilling too.

That is one wicked cool logo and the fact that they will focus on the wild side of beer is even cooler.

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New in Oregon

The New School Beer Blog has posted up their list of anticipated breweries for Oregon. Check out their round-up HERE.

Mecca Grade is my #1 on the list. Their malt has been used in many a Brouwerij West beer so it will be interesting to see how often they will showcase other breweries that use their malt alongside their beers. Notable that Mikkeller will finally open in Portland as well. I am already charting how to get to some of these spots when I am next in Portland.