Four Points Sheraton by LAX is hosting “A Christmas Carol Beer Dinner at The Beer Hotel,” with Mark Ruedrich and Doug Moody of North Coast Brewing and Larry James of Wine Warehouse on Friday, December 9 at 6:30 PM. The menu will feature these pairings: Oysters and Le Merle Belgian Style Farmhouse Ale; Lamb Pie and Red Seal Ale; Goose with Apple Sauce, Potatoes, Stuffing, Gravy and Brother Thelonious Belgian Style Abby Ale; and Plum Pudding and Old Stock Cellar Reserve 2009. Ending with XIV Bourbon Barrel Aged Old Rasputin with chocolates. $75 per person. Call 310-649-7024 or email phil.baxter@fourpointslax.com to RSVP (required). 9750 Airport Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045.
Mohawk Bend in Echo Park started their lunch service at 12 PM from Monday to Friday and brunch starting at 9:30 AM on Saturday and Sunday. They’re offering three lunch combos: soup and mixed leaf salad for $8, soup or salad and half sandwich for $9.50, and soup or salad and Marley-size pizza for $9.50 with at least one vegan and non-vegan option offered. 2141 West Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026.
Photography provided by Four Points by Sheraton Los Angeles International Airport
Agoura Hills‘ newest craft beer destination, LAB Brewing Co. is offering full size growler to-go (64 oz.) for $20 on any house beers including: Cold Fusion Java Porter, Lab Wit, LAB XPA and more. Refills are $15. 30105 Agoura Rd., Agoura Hills, CA 91301.
Hangar 24 Craft Brewery in Redlands, CA is releasing “Pugachev’s Cobra”, a 16.5% ABV, Russian Imperial Stout aged in bourbon barrels on Wednesday with a pre-sale event at the brewery starting at 4 PM. Other specialty beers for purchase include: non-barrel aged Pugachev’s Cobra and Small Stout at 4 PM, Humpty Bump at 5 PM and Immelmann at 6 PM. Each “Pugachev’s Cobra” bottle cost $20 with a five bottle limit per person. 1710 Sessums Dr., Redlands, CA 92374.
Tony’s Darts Away in Burbank is gearing up for the holidays. For the next three weeks they’ll be kicking off holiday celebrations starting on Tuesday, December 6 with Golden Road Brewing‘s debut of two of their holiday beers. Tuesday, December 13 with “Winter Wonderland” featuring $20 beer flights including beers like Lost Coast Winterbraun, AVBC Winter Solstice, Eagle Rock Jubilee, Moylan’s Winter Warmer, H24 Holiday Ale, Port Santa’s Little Helper and Lost Abbey Gift of the Magi. On Tuesday, December 20, Tony’s will host “12 Beers of Christmas with Hangar 24” pouring 12 different Redland, CA based Hangar 24 Craft Brewery beers including a very special cask of Chocolate Porter with maple syrup. 1710 West Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, CA 91506.
Downtown Los Angeles‘ famous Cole’s Originators of the French Dip is turning 103 years old. To celebrate, from today until December 8 Cole’s is offering a meal special for $19.08 that includes 2 small French Dip sandwiches and two sides. 118 East 6th St., Los Angeles, CA 90014.
One night, two places for holiday beers in L.A.
Far Bar in L.A.'s Little Tokyo and Blue Palms Brewhouse in Hollywood on Dec. 10
On Saturday, December 10 starting at 1 PM, Far Bar in Little Tokyo is hosting “A Far Bar Christmas Featuring ‘Bad’ Santa Steve.” 14 different holiday beers have been announced to be available for purchase including: The Bruery’s 4 Calling Birds, Bootlegger’s Mint Chocolate Porter, and Port’s Santa’s Little Helper. 347 East 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012.
After hanging out with ‘Bad’ Santa Steve, head north to Hollywood On Saturday, December 10 starting at 2 PM for “Jingle Bell Jubilee @ Blue Palms.” Winter beers being poured will include: Avery’s Rumpkin, The Bruery’s 3 French Hens, Triple Rock’s Reindeer Ale, 21st Amendment’s Fireside Chats and more. Check out the complete list of beers here. 6124 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028.
Debuting in Orange, CA in 2009, Haven Gastropub was well received by OC Weekly and the Orange County Register. Drinks from pre-Prohibition cocktails and a curated global wine and beer list of over 100+ bottles, 52 taps, four of the brewery’s own special beers, four cask ales, and eight wine varietals served by the keg complimented chef Greg Daniels’ gourmet comfort foods. Now, they bring the concept to Pasadena with the official opening on December 15. 42 De Lacey Ave., Pasadena, CA 91105.
Photo: Haven Gastropub in Orange, CA
Photography provided by Haven Gastropub
Great American Beer Festival reigning champion, Pizza Port Carlsbad is hosting “The 15th Strong Ale Festival,” where all 80 beers being poured will be over 8% ABV. The two day festival will go from 4 PM – 11 PM on Friday, December 2 and from 11 AM – 11 PM on Saturday, December 3. The event will also debut the 15th Anniversary Ale blended from beers made at all four Pizza Port locations. The admission of $30 includes tasting glass with eight taster tickets for four oz. pours. Tickets available at the door, call 760-720-7007 for additional information. 571 Carlsbad Village Dr., Carlsbad, California 92008.
Just for the ladies, on Monday, December 5 at 6 PM, Christina Perozzi and Hallie Beaune, the Beer Chicks, will be appearing at Ladyface Ale Companie in Agoura Hills, CA. The authors of The Naked Pint-An Unadulterated Guide to Craft Beer will be featured for the “Ladies at Ladyface” event. The topic this month is holiday beers and Ladyface’s newest winter seasonal. Attendees are encouraged to bring a wrapped bottle for gift exchange. 29281 Agoura Rd., Agoura Hills, CA 91301.
L.A.’s German restaurant Wirtshaus introduces “Give Back Mondays” with a “Pay What It’s Worth” event on December 5 from 6 PM – 10 PM. Dinner will include an appetizer of sauerkraut soup followed by pretzel schnitzel with mashed potatoes, green salad with a mustard vinaigrette and a soft drink. Pay whatever you feel the dinner was worth with a portion going towards local charities. 345 N La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036.
Photo: Wirtshaus owners Bjoern Risse and Bülent Yildirim
Details on L.A.’s craft beer garden winter event, Karl Strauss’ ugly sweater party
Two craft beer events before Christmas and Hanukkah
Statement from the website: ColLAboration event has to be postponed due to utility outages caused by the wind storms. ColLAboration Winterfest, L.A.’s mobile craft beer garden is having their last event for the year on Saturday December 3 from 12 PM – 5 PM at Golden Road Brewing in Atwater Village. Winterfest will feature a selection of holiday beers including two special releases from Golden Road Brewing. Limited edition steins will be available for $15, admission ticket not required if you’ve already purchased a glass from previous events. Beers for purchase will be $5 to $6. 5410 West San Fernando Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90039.
To celebrate the release of Josh Bernstein’s book, Brewed Awakening: Behind the Beers and Brewers Leading the World’s Craft Brewing Revolution, Karl Strauss is hosting Brewfestivus: a Craft Beer and Ugly Sweater Party for the Rest of Us on Friday December 9 from 6 PM – 9 PM at the Pacific Beach location. Guests are encouraged to wear ugly sweaters for a chance to win an autographed book and beers. For $20, attendees will receive five 5 oz. beers paired with appetizers. Additional beer taster tickets are available. Main Brewery, 5985 Santa Fe St., San Diego, CA 92109.
Photo: The Beer Chicks, authors of The Naked Pint, with ColLAboration organizer Ryan Sweeney
As part of the California Restaurant Month initiative, the culinary coalition starts off in San Diego with the San Diego Restaurant Week from January 15 – 20, 2012. Over 180 current restaurants are participating in the event by providing three course, prix fixe dinners at discounted prices from $20, $30, or $40 (+ tax and tip). Prix fixe lunches also offered at $10, $15, or $20. Nothing special is required to dine, but reservations are highly recommended as 140,000 guests are expected during the six day event.
California Restaurant Month will be holding week long dining events at thirty destinations across California. Visit their site for information near you.
Photo: City of San Diego
Café Motif and adjacent retail store, Motif, selling high end clothing and home decorations, officially opens on December 6 in Beverly Hills. The French inspired cafe created by owners Elishia Bolour and Sasha Shokrian will serve fresh squeezed juices and smoothies, coffee, tea, sandwiches, salads, and soups. 930 S. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90035.
To raise funds for prostate cancer, the team behind Basement Tavern in Santa Monica is hosting the “Movember Gold Classic Golf Tournament” for a minimum donation of $40 per golfer on Monday, November 28 from 12 PM – 3 PM. An after party will be hosted at Basement Tavern with a mustache contest, live music, and prize raffles. To participate in the tournament, email twiggbrad@hotmail.com.
Photography provided by Gabriella Kashani
Michael Ruhlman’s four course dinner and book signing at Farmshop, and Vignalta wine dinner at Ombra
On Thursday, December 1 from 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM, Farmshop in Santa Monica is hosting a four course family-style dinner prepared by Jeff Cerciello and Michael Ruhlman, along with a book signing of Michael Ruhlman’s new book “Ruhlman’s Twenty”. Dinner cost $75 per person and comes with the book. Call 310-566-2400 for reservations. 225 26th St., Suite 25, Santa Monica, CA 90402.
Chef Michael Young of Ombra in Studio City is preparing a five course dinner and wine-pairing with Italy’s Vignalta founder Lucio Gomiero on Wednesday, December 7 from 6 PM – 10 PM. Dinner and wine pairing cost is $89. Call 818-985-7337 for reservations. 3737 Cahuenga Blvd., Studio City, CA 91604. Read More
Public School 612 in Downtown L.A. having an open class with Norm Stackhouse from Stone Brewing Co. to educate on the Darker Side of Beer and Dessert on Monday, December 5 at 7:30 PM for $25. Public School 612 is a restaurant/bar whose focus is on “Education in the Art of Food and Beer.” For reservations call 213-623-1172. 612 S. Flower St., Los Angeles, CA 90017.
Hot’s Kitchen in Hermosa Beach is helping the less fortunate with a canned food drive. Bring in three canned goods and get a complimentary beer. 844 Hermosa Ave., Hermosa Beach, CA, 90254.
For the month of December, City Tavern in Culver City is offering holiday brews, rotating up to five different tap handles until the kegs run out. 9739 Culver Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232. Read More
Ra Pour in Rancho Cucamonga, CA lead by restaurateur Karim Webb and Executive Chef Greg Stillman will open for dinner Monday, November 21. The restaurant’s approach includes craft cocktails and combines indulgent ingredients, global influences and classic Americana. Think Lobster Pops, Kobe Carpaccio, Chicken & Waffles, Wood Fired Pizzas and larger plates like Cola-Brined Pork, Bone-in Prime Filet, and Duck Bolognese.
For the month of December, Beachwood BBQ in Seal Beach will celebrate their 5 year anniversary with discounts, specialty beers and events. Beachwood BBQ partnered with five breweries and created five beers as part of the celebration. Read More
Feast before you feast at Koreatown’s Beer Belly
Plus Thanksgiving food drive helping the LA Food Bank
If stretching is warming up to exercising, then eating turkey before the holidays is warming up for Thanksgiving. Chef Wesley Lieberher over at Beer Belly, in L.A.’s Koreatown has prepared a Thanksgiving-themed menu along with (salted) Carmela Ice Cream’s Pumpkin Spice to top you off. The menu will run until November 23.
Also, Jimmy and Yume Han over at team Beer Belly are helping the LA Food Bank. Boxes will be setup to take food donations with a 400 pound goal. Read More
West L.A.’s, The Six opened its expansion in Studio City today. Serving American cuisine from Executive Chef Sean Mindrum with dishes like Turkey Sloppy Joe Sliders with Portobello, Rosemary Potato Pizza with Garlic Tapenade, and Pot Pie with Braised Short Rib and Roasted Vegetables. The restaurant also offers signature cocktails, beer and wine. The Six Restaurant, 12650 Ventura Blvd. Studio City, CA 91604.
