By: Haley Bosselman By: Haley Bosselman | September 28, 2021 | Food & Drink
Why crack open a cold one at home when you can relish in the greatness of Los Angeles and one of its many great breweries? Whether you’re looking for a rich, dark stout or a blonde ale, you can find a place for lager and friends all across the city. From downtown L.A. to the coast, read on for seven of the city’s best breweries.
700 Jackson St. | Website
Rooted in California’s history as a place for potential riches and discovery, Boomtown Brewery embraces the creativity and community of the very artists that keep Los Angeles thriving. In addition to serving what they describe as “old world, unfiltered, gravity fed, fully flavored beers with integrity, they offer their space as a venue for galleries. The taproom taps into the heart and soul of the DTLA Arts District by hosting DJs, benefits, block pirates and bicycle rides all in the name of engaging around a beer.
828 Traction Ave. | Website
Since 2015, the Arts District Brewing Company has brought Angelenos a rotating selection of 30 craft beers, in addition to a full bar of cocktails and wine. Ranging from wheat ales to stouts to IPAs, their 15-barrel brewhouse produces approximately 2,1000 barrels each year by their award-winning team. They have a pretty hearty menu of mouthwatering items like tater tots and buffalo fried chicken sandwiches. And be sure to head over on a Monday for a free round of skee ball, an ideal start to your week.
1220 N. Spring St. | Website
Ample parking? In L.A.? Nothing better. The Chinatown-border location of Highland Park Brewery is a city gem neighbor to Los Angeles State Historic Park. Pop by before your way into a Dodgers Game or relax on the patio with your pup. Their menu boasts fresh hoppy beers, crisp lagers and bold stouts that are accompanied by a menu inspired by its surroundings, such as salsa negra mole tots, the kung pao wrap and chili limón chips. Highland Park Brewery has such a solid fanbase that they have a special Bottle Friends Membership that already has a waitlist for next year.
See also: Inside the Release of Yamazaki 55: House of Suntory's $60,000 Whisky
216 S. Alameda Ave. | Website
Riding on a wave of creativity, culture and craft, Angel City Brewing’s origins go back to 1997. Over the last several decades, it has gone through a number of ownership changes and renovations and now sits in the historic John A. Roebling Building in the Arts District. Come sit at its mustache bar for its constantly rotating selection of Angel City beers on tap, including some exclusive options.
416 Boyd St. | Website
A microbrewery and taproom above all else, Mumford Brewing allows you to bring in your own tasty morsels to grub on while sipping on one of their beers. Tucked away near Little Tokyo, you’ll surely want to order a flight or pick-up an order to go of their locally-brewed selection.
140 Main St. | Website
This locally-owned, independent brewery focuses on fresh, hoppy West Coast IPAs. Founded in a garage by Rob Croxall over a love of hops, El Segundo Brewery has expanded from producing 60 to 400 barrels a month in its 11 years. Their selection is designed to be consumed within 6 weeks of production and promise beers characterized by “amazing aromas of citrus, pine, tropical fruits and just dankness.”
110 E. 22nd St. | Website
Brian Mercer spent much of his career importing Belgian Candi Sugar for some of the country’s top breweries when he decided to found his own beer brand in 2010. By 2016, Brouwerij West came home to San Pedro where it now operates as a brewery, tasting room and beer garden in a former Port of Los Angeles Warehouse built by the Navy during World War II. Not only does Brouwerij West attest to combining traditional ingredients and progressive experimentation, but its solar-powered facility uses 30 percent less water than traditional breweries. Be sure to head to the coast to sip on a Belgian-style ale and munch on food from a local food truck.
Photography by: Jose Hernandez-Uribe/ Unsplash