Compared to other parts of California, Los Angeles took a little longer to fully join the craft beer revolution. Now, it’s on board big time, with hip taprooms throughout the region.
Start in the downtown Arts District at the 17,000-square-foot Boomtown Brewery, which opened in 2015 and is one of the most spacious places to enjoy a craft beer in Los Angeles. It has a full calendar of events and and you’ll find such signature brews as Mic Czech Bohemian pilsner and Submission Belgian Golden Blonde among the 20-plus brews.
Next, sample what’s on tap—and see what’s on the walls—at Angel City Brewery, also known for displaying local artwork in its airy, gallery-like space. Head to leafy Glendale (a favorite address for celebs) to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere at Pub LA, aka The Pub at Golden Road, which serves up Golden Road Brewery creations such as 329 Days of Sun Lager ad Wolf Among Weeds IPA.
No beer geek’s visit to L.A. would be complete without downing a few of the selections at the sprawling Highland Park Brewery Chinatown. Claim a picnic bench on the patio or inside the brewery’s cavernous warehouse digs to order up one of its straightforward Baseball Lagers, or something more experimental, like Twiced Sangiovese, a barrel-aged rustic saison aged on the pomace (the solid remains of pressed grapes) of its namesake grape. Another option is to take advantage of this itinerary for a Long Beach Coastal Brewery Crawl, which takes you to three beachside breweries and a cidery with no driving required.
North of the city, in the Conejo Valley, follow locals to Tavern Tomoko & Ladyface Brewery. And south of L.A., discover a trio of outstanding craft brew finds: El Segundo Brewing (in El Segundo), Monkish Brewing (in Torrance), and Belmont Brewing Company, founded in Long Beach in 1990.