Los Angles has to be the food capital of the US. There’s an array of cultures in this starlit city, and with this comes a huge variety of food and beverage.
The beer industry of LA is booming now more than ever, with food trucks and casual dining taking over, beer has become the perfect accompaniment to the city’s street-style food and there are now over 95 breweries with an array of different brews to choose from.
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What Are The Best Breweries In Los Angeles?
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The best breweries in Los Angeles are all about innovation, and Angel City Brewery delivers just that. There’s nothing traditional about this place, situated in LA’s downtown art district, this brewery prides itself in craft beer with a spin. Incorporating flavours from the city, you can find banana rum flavoured beer, pomegranate beer, or beer infused with stone fruit. Enjoy your beer with a Downtown Taco in the spacious industrial space and embrace the rougher, edgier side of the city.
Barbequing and beer might just be the perfect combination, so when you go to the Beachwood BBQ Brewing Company in Long Beach, you’ll get the flavour experience of your dreams. The beer at Beachwood is all about perfectly pairing it with the smokey deliciousness of their barbeque meats and sides. Here you can find beers with notes of coffee to accompany their rubs, or a beer with hints of pine and citrus oil, which goes hand in hand with the moreish flavours of their sauces.
If you’re a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to your brews, then the Eagle Rock Brewing company may be more your style. They offer their rendition of the classics, such as Belgian Style Witbier, American IPA, and German-style Pilsner. Because their taproom is focused on beer only, they’ve also taken to supporting the food truck scene of LA so you can match their beers with food from the truck that’s at the taproom that day. You’ll be able to check which food trucks are coming on their website.
Where would LA be without its Mexican and Hispanic influence? The Mexican craft beer movement has locals looking for more breweries that offer unique styles and Border X is doing just that. Opening in 2014, the huge premises is known for its “sour” beers but with a Mexican twist. Similar to that of Berlin Weisse beer, but with flavours like lime, Pepino (cucumber), camotero (sweet potato), and unrefined cane sugar. Pair this with their Cuban sandwich or pastelitos and take yourself on a flavour adventure.
What Is The Most Popular Beer In Los Angeles?
Despite the support of the craft beer renaissance in Los Angeles, the classic favourite of many Americans and California natives has to go to the American Lager, led by the ever-popular Budweiser and Bud Lite.
However, Los Angeles is all about supporting their local businesses and experiencing all the cultures the city has to offer, so if you go around town asking where their favourite beer is brewed, they’ll probably point to a taproom nearby, where you’ll find the favourite to be a crisp IPA or something infused with a unique flavour.
What Is The Largest Brewery In Los Angeles?
The Golden Road Brewery in Atwater village was founded in 2011 and has since earned the title of the biggest craft brewery out of all the breweries Los Angeles has to offer. It offers massive premises the whole family can enjoy, and a pet-friendly outdoor space, so you can even enjoy a cold one with your dog. The Golden Road prides itself in its Cali style of beer; light, refreshing pale brews to quench your thirst while bathing in the Los Angeles sun.
Which Brewery In Los Angeles Has The Best Outdoor Seating?
There’s nothing quite like a beer garden, and in keeping with tradition, the breweries in Los Angeles have certainly provided. In Fact, beer gardens and patios have become a huge part of the LA local culture, and almost every taproom will offer some kind of outdoor seating. The weather is just too good to sit inside, and locals love their pets, so this solves both of those problems.
The Common Space Brewery offers exactly what the name suggests, a space where locals gather for those after-work drinks and weekend shenanigans. The outdoor space is big enough to host events, invite over hoards of people and seat almost 100 beer lovers (and that’s just outdoors). There’s even more space inside, so this place is very well catered to those who like to enjoy their beer with a crowd. Sit under the fairy lights and sip on one of their local brews.
What Are The Major Beer Events And Festivals In Los Angeles?
Los Angeles is known for its parties, and the beer industry doesn’t shy away from this fact. The annual Los Angeles beer festival is held every year. You can buy tickets and do a beer walk through the city and enjoy the extensive range of food, beer and tastings the Los Angeles breweries have to offer. With your ticket, you’ll have access to the fantastic food trucks on offer in addition to unlimited samples and live music.
If walkabouts aren’t your thing, the taprooms will always have an event on during the weekend. There may be an interesting food truck (or trucks) option on offer, a beer tasting, or just a full-on party with live music. You’re guaranteed to find a party with the locals in LA or at least get invited to one, and if not, you could always rent out the huge event spaces the taprooms have to offer and throw your own party!
Which Brewery In Los Angeles Has The Best Food?
When you think of Los Angeles, you think of tacos, so it’s only natural for the taprooms to provide the local combo of crisp beer and delectable Mexican cuisine. When the All Season Brewing company collaborated with Chica’s tacos for an onsite Taqueria, the locals were delighted and you will be too.
This combination is the best way to experience local beer and can not be missed out on when visiting.
So, if you ever find yourself enjoying the LA living, make sure to think like a local and have an awesome time at the best breweries in Los Angeles.
Jake has been a craft beer and homebrew enthusiast since his college days. He loves scouring Europe for unique and unusual hops to add to his beers.
Founder of Jake’s Brew Haven – he currently hosts beer-tasting sessions at select local pubs in Baltimore.