The Scene Team at L.A. Beer Fest

Sony Kegs

The Scene hit up the L.A. Beer Festival this Saturday, and a good time was had by all. Mike’s photo gallery is here; check it out. The event — sponsored by us, among others — took place on Saturday and Sunday from 2 p.m.-5 p.m (It’s too late now, obv, but more info here).

I have to admit, while I love beer, AND beer festivals, I had some misgivings about this one. For one, it was the first go-round, and the first time you try to hold an event of this size and scope — especially one involving essentially limitless amounts of booze — problems are likely to arise.

But aside from the website not being all that clear as to how to get into the Sony lot, or where on the giant Sony lot the beer fest was (once you get there, it’s pretty self-explanatory. But it’s very dangerous to assume that the average beer fest attendee can perform complex mental functions like map-reading and, well, even reading), everything ran very smoothly.

Parking was free; they had guys in the parking lot that told you where to find the will call tables; the lines at the will call tables were not long; the lines at the beer tents were also not long (although the food lines were, but I didn’t eat because I’m hard core like that); the 4 oz. cups were NOT too small; and it turns out that three hours was plenty of time to drink your money’s worth!

Seriously though, all things considered it was an amazingly well-run event. You can always use more bathrooms at a beer festival, but aside from that: impressive.

Also, the range of beers was really good. Everything from Pabst (You’d think after winning one Blue Ribbon they’d sort of pack it in, rest on their laurels, so to speak) to serious craft breweries like Quebec’s Unibroue and The Bruery in O.C.

Now, obviously, after the first, like, 10 or so minicups of beer the memory starts to get hazy as to exactly what we were drinking, what was like whoa! and what was like meh. But, a few favorites:

• The Union Jack IPA from Firestone
  The first beer I had where I was like, “Damn! Give me a brochure!” If you are a fan of hoppy, strong-flavored IPAs, find some of this stuff.
• Éphémère from Unibroue
  I actually had this before, liked it, then forgot all about it. It’s a Belgian-style white ale (The dude at the booth was pretty testy about calling his Quebecois beers “Belgian” or “Belgian-style” — and I left it alone because he was pretty swole, like Remy Marathe with legs (if you get that reference, good for you)) … anyways, a BELGIAN-Style white ale brewed with apple. It’ not a cider, it just has a hint of apple favor. Delicious.

  They also had a limited-edition beer called Quatre-Centieme, brewed to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec in 1608. It was also very, very good. Although it might be hard to find now.

• Angel City “Che”
  I personally don’t remember having this. But it was a favorite of Mike, our vp product.
• Lagunitas Censored
  Back in college, once the student loan checks cleared, we’d forgo the Keystone Ice and grab a six pack of Lagunitas IPA. I’d never had their Censored Ale before Saturday, and I got a pour out of the third-to-last bottle. If you like red/amber ales (Boont Amber, Red Nectar, Red Seal), you will really enjoy this one.
• Newport Beach Brewing Co. Barlywine [sic]
  I have never had a Barlywine I liked, ever. I got a cup of this because my girlfriend asked me what the hell a barleywine was. I tasted it first, to refresh my memory as to why barleywine is terrible — but it wasn’t. In fact, it was incredibly good, so good that I thought it might have been mislabeled. So I made everyone else try it, and they all agreed. Unfortunately, not a word about any Barlywine on the NBBC website. But that’s why you go to a beer fest, to taste stuff you might not find anywhere else.

So those were some of the beers that stuck out. For anyone who is disappointed they missed this event, or for those of you who went and are already jonesing for another all-you-can-drink-type beer-fest situation, you’re in luck! Coming to the Echoplex on Saturday, May 9, the first annual L.A. Craft Beer Fest!

So a few things to look forward to here. 1) This fest only costs $30, and that includes food as well as beer (Stout ice cream? Yes, please!). 2) This event goes from 2 p.m.-9 p.m. — a full SEVEN HOURS of all you can drink. 3) Local bands playing all day. 4) This is craft beers only, aka not PBR, aka expect a bunch of delicious, mad-scientist-type concoctions.

Hopefully, this 0-60 L.A. beer fest trend will continue.

-PETE

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