Los Angeles Craft Beer Crawl 2012

***Review Article Dated August 19, 2012***

Thousands came out for one of Downtown Los Angeles’s biggest bar events with many cheers given and many chugs taken.

The Los Angeles Craft Beer Crawl hit seven bars on a sunny Saturday afternoon on August 18, bringing out the masses for multiple brands of specialty suds.

The crawl was hosted by 213 Nightlife, the management company behind the seven Downtown LA bars that served as stops for the beer crawl. It was also hosted by noted beer experts The Beer Chicks.

Starting off the beer crawl for this writer was Casey’s Irish Pub, a classic Irish bar decorated with photographs of old time Los Angeles when the Red Cars ruled the roads. Casey’s hosted a number of craft brewers, including local brewer Craft Brewing Co. from Lake Elsinore, as well as a food truck by SoCal favorite In-N-Out.

Next up was a visit to Seven Grand, a classy joint located near the intersection of 7th St. and Grand Ave. Among the brewers sampling their crafts was Orange County’s The Bruery, from Placentia. The décor at Seven Grand rung an old-style theme, yet with a young vibe.

Followed by Seven Grand was Golden Gopher, a favorite of LA hipsters with a large bar and outdoor patio area.  Brewers on hand included Redlands favorite Hangar 24, which provided tastes of its seasonal Polycot beer, made from pureed Apricots. Also served at Golden Gopher were brews from San Diego’s Ballast Point Brewery, and Ladyface Ale Company from Agoura Hills.

The crawl continued to Broadway Bar, another downtown favorite of LA hipsters with a large circular bar on the first floor and lounge area upstairs. On any weekend night, bar goers are most likely seen donning black or leather outfits, but this sunny day gave way to shorts and t-shirts of all colors.

Cole’s, a staple of Downtown LA history, featured Bootlegger’s Brewery from Fullerton. As proclaimed home of the original French Dip sandwich, it was a good match. Next stop was Las Perlas, just across the street from Cole’s. Served at Las Perlas, lit with colorful novelty lights, was Noble Ale Works from Anaheim, and LA’s own Smog City Brewing Co.

All in all, the 3rd annual LA Craft Beer Crawl was a sold-out hit. This writer gives props to 213 Nightlife for putting on a cool event that kept thousands of people jolly and entertained. Where the LA Beerathon seemed to have failed due to concerns by the Department of Alcohol Beverage Control, 213 Nightlife was able to make it work. Here’s to looking forward to the 4^th LA Craft Beer Crawl in 2013.

*** Original Article Dated June 4, 2012***

If you’re looking to expand your palate from the mass-produced beer found at grocery stores to suds produced with a little

bit more love and at lower quantities, then the LA Craft Beer Crawl is for you.

In its 3rd year, the LA Craft Beer Crawl takes place Saturday, August 18. Attendees are taken to seven different bars all within walking distance from each other in the concrete jungle known as Downtown Los Angeles to sample more than 50 craft beers. The event is set to include some of the top craft and artisanal brewers in the country, according to event organizers, and also includes seminars on beer and spirits.

The LA Craft Beer Crawl is organized by 213 Nighlife and Hallie Beaune and Christine Perozzi also known as “The Beer Chicks.”

Tickets range from about $80 for early admission, just under $60 for general admission, and $10 for designated drivers who provide that invaluable public service.

Participating brewers include Redlands-based Hangar 24 Craft Brewery, Black Market Brewing Co. from Temecula, and Bootlegger’s Brewery from Orange County. Others include:

Allagash Brewing
Anchor Brewing
Ballast Point Brewing and Spirits
Beachwood BBQ & Brewing
Black Market Brewing Co.
Bootlegger’s Brewery
Brewery Ommegang
Brouwerij West
Cismontane Brewing
Craft Brewing Company
Craftsman Brewing Company
Deschutes Brewery
Drake’s Brewing
Duvel
Eagle Rock Brewery
El Segundo Brewing Co.
Firestone Walker Fine Ales
Golden Road Brewing
Green Flash Brewing Co.
Hangar 24 Craft Brewery
Kinetic Brewing Co.
Ladyface Ale Companie
Lagunitas
Monkish Brewing Company
New Belgium Brewing
Noble Ale Works
Sierra Nevada
Smog City Brewing Co.
Stone Brewing Co.
Strand Brewing Co.
TAPS Fish House & Brewery
Telegraph Brewing Company
The Bruery
Uncommon Brewery