5th Annual LA Vegan Beerfest

May19

What is the 5th Annual LA Vegan Beerfest? It’s a different festival than Mr. Beerman and I are used to going to. This one has so much more than just beer. It’s a festival with over 40 breweries and just as many Vegan Food Truck/ booths and if that wasn’t enough why not throw in some incredible live music!

I love that a festival that has become so popular was really just the idea between 3 buddies, Nic Adler of the Roxy, Tony Yanow of Tony’s Darts Away and Quarry Girl, an infamous blogger who is one of Southern California’s most famous sources of information on vegan food. So they thought, huh we love beer, music and vegan food..I have an idea…and five festivals later here we are.

I went to this festival last year and had a great time. This year I wondered if it could match the greatness. I saw the fest sold out much quicker than before. Word was out..this was the place to be if you are Vegan…or love beer…or Both!

Initially yes it was more crowded. I did wait in line about a half hour to get in the doors. But the thing is from a beer standpoint this festival is different than the others I attend. There isn’t that ticking clock on your head like you have to get in there when it starts cause you only have 180 minutes to make it through hoards of people to taste new beers. This beerfest is far more mellow. There was never a line for a beer (well one but that’s coming up in my review)..you just sort of hung out got a beer when yours was empty. You could bring chairs and blankets to sit on to enjoy the bands. It was more of an all around festival as opposed to a race to drink.

As the day wore in it got more and more crowded for sure. But I have to say I never ever felt uncomfortable. The crowds were there, but I always had a beer in hand. I got the food I wanted. I could hear the bands from everywhere. Looking back on our pictures I think “dude there was a crap load of people there”. But just never felt that way at all.

Now I must be forthcoming in the fact that I am not Vegan, I do have many Vegan friends and was even with one at the fest. So I can’t talk too much about the food. But I will say my friend John who is Vegan and my friend Jason who is a vegetarian were over run with glee over the sheer amount of choices. I mean in ONE place you could get food from:

And I am surely not opposed to Vegan food so when in Rome….I tried a Doughnut from Pebbles Donuts…Blueberry goodness! Mr. Beerman had chocolate chocolate our friends had the caramel apple….really good stuff!

I also stopped at the Mohawk Bend Booth http://mohawk.la/ cause dammit if you haven’t had Tony’s Darts Away http://tonysda.com/or Mowhawk Bend Potato Chips, just seriously stop what you are doing right now…I’ll wait…go get them. Seriously I don’t know what they do to create these chips but every time I am at those bars I get them, so I couldn’t walk past the booth without some!

Someone in line behind me had a Vegan “Big Mac” and I apologize for not knowing who was serving those but damn it was the best smelling plate of food of the day! WOW!
And Sage Vegan Bistro created these vegan nachos and buffalo cauliflower.

Okay now on to what I know! Beer! So being the Self Proclaimed Queen of Session Beers I was so happy to see that the breweries brought their best sessions. Even the IPAS were low in ABV.

There were a few out there that were higher and I need to take a moment to call out Bravery Brewing who in my mind had the best NON SESSION there. Old Rat: english style old ale 9.0% abv/55 ibu. http://www.braverybrewing.com/beers.html This was a smooth smooth beer, this beer could get you in some trouble, you just couldn’t tell it was stronger than a 5%. Well done!

Some other call outs of the festival:

First and foremost hands down the LONGEST line at the fest was ACE CIDER. Granted it was a Vegan fest and this was the only cider there, but I don’t think that was it. http://www.acecider.com/ I think it was their new cider, PINEAPPLE. Oh man. I have been chasing this one down. I love pineapple in any form. Bucket List checked when I went to the Dole Plantation last November. And some other alcohols have attempted the flavor. Hey I love flavored vodkas I always order my lucky Blueberry Stoli and Tonic at a blackjack table in Vegas. Okay it was lucky once a night I won $900 and I have been chasing that dream ever since with that drink. (The first step is admitting you have a problem)…but usually the flavored vodkas miss the mark with actually tasting like the fruit. They are almost synthetic tasting. Which explains why Fruit Loop Vodka from Three Olives tastes exactly like Fruit Loops. True story. I was at a wrap party for a TV show being sponsored by Three Olives it was there, I tried it, I liked it, stop judging.

Back to the Ace Cider, the pineapple was so good that the entire group I was with all looked at one another and said “well we are going to need some backyard pitchers of this, this summer”. Just back up a palette of bottles into my car.
They also had their Pear. A very refreshing cider as well. Some ciders are just too sweet, but the Pear was great. The Pineapple however, rated my very first FIVE STARS on Untappd. And I wasn’t alone. This line was off the hook but we stood in it three times. It was that good. They are slowly releasing these bottles of summer goodness. So keep an eye out.

My favorite Figueroa Mountain Brewing was there! Oh Figmtn http://www.figmtnbrew.com/ you never let me down. I have since this weekend become a big fan of their BIG CONE, it’s a Black Ale, and 6.8%. Normally Black Lagers and Ales sort of mess with me. I don’t know if it’s color. Not that I don’t love a good stout or porter, but that’s it. My mind is expecting a thicker, creamer taste. And to be honest most are just “meh” to me. But this is a great beer! Well done again Fig Mtn! Keep making beers….we’ll keep drinking them!!

Another brewery that never lets you down is Firestone.http://www.firestonebeer.com/home.php How freaking smart were they to bring not one but TWO kegs of their 805 Blonde.

I have spoke of this beer before. Its light but super tasty. You drink Bud or Coors, but want a better tasting craft brew? Its your session beer this summer. And I kinda loved the man serving the beer who told me he hit 1000 beers on Untappd in 6 months. (I need to go to more festivals).

Eagle Rock Brewery, http://eaglerockbrewery.com/main said it once I will say it over and over. They know what they are doing. They brought my favorite XPA Revolution. If you want to start drinking IPAS but they are still too “strong” or “hoppy” for you…let this be your gateway beer.

Angel City Brewery http://angelcitybrewery.com/ brought their Goldline Pilsner 5.6% and Angeleno IPA, 6.1% both super good, session and they win for having the nicest server at the fest!

Golden Road Brewery http://www.goldenroad.la/ didn’t forget how much we LOVED the Almond Milk Stout 5.6% from last year so they brought it back again! Yay!! Thank you!

So good.

So my two call outs for this festival were

Bootleggers Brewery http://www.bootleggersbrewery.com/?page_id=32.
Palomino Pale Ale – 5.5% ABV, 19.5 IBU
Borrowing from their website:
“Palomino Pale Ale is our interpretation of an American style Pale Ale. We brew this beer using only the finest American barley and hops and add even more hops as it ages to give it a great balanced citrusy taste and aroma. This beer is sure to please anyone who enjoys the refreshing taste of American hops without the bite of an IPA.”
And their
Rustic Rye IPA – 6.2% ABV, 90.9 IBU
“Our Rustic Rye IPA balances the malted barley and spicy rye grains with a floral and earthy hop flavor and aroma. The maltiness of this beer is balanced with its finish of a crisp, clean hop bite. The combination makes for a truly memorable and refreshing beer.”

Both of these beers have been around a few years now but I have somehow missed them. Both score high points on my tasty and very session. I lean toward the Pale Ale as I love a good 19.5 units of bitter (remember from my last blog) but both were great finds!

And my favorite Brewery of the fest, while I must admit I had a head start on this one as they had a week prior done a Tap Take Over at Story Tavern, http://www.storytavernburbank.com/ is Speakeasy Ales & Lagers out of San Fran. fb.com/speakeasybeer I sort of fell in LOVE with their Scarlett Red Rye. But they had like 8 beers at Story and they were all the MOST DRINKABLE beers I have had. All session, all great. At the festival they had Betrayal an American Strong Ale 8.2% but really smooth and tasty not a session but would be fantastic with dinner and Big Daddy an IPA at 6.5% also super drinkable. Find Speakeasy you will thank me later.

Breweries at the Fest included

Abigaile | fb.com/TheBreweryatAbigaile | @abigaile

Ace Cider | fb.com/AceCider | @AceCider | IG: acecider

Anchor | fb.com/anchorbrewing | @anchorbrewing | IG: anchorbrewing

Angel City Brewery | fb.com/AngelCityBrewery | @AngelCityBrewery | IG: angelcitybeer

Automatic Brewing Co. | Facebook | @AutomaticBrewCo

Anderson Valley Brewing Co. | fb.com/AndersonValleyBrewingCompany | @avbc | IG: andersonvalleybrewing

Ballast Point | fb.com/BallastPoint | @BPbrewing | IG: ballastpointbrewing

Bison | fb.com/Bison | @bisonbrew | IG: bisonbrew

Bootleggers Brewery | fb.com/bootleggersbrewery | @BootleggersBrew | IG: bootleggersbrew

Bravery Brewing | fb.com/braverybrewing | @braverybrewing | IG: braverybrewing

Deschutes Brewery | fb.com/deschutesbrewery | @DeschutesBeer | IG: deschutesbeer

Drake’s | fb.com/drakesbrewing | @drakesbrewery | IG: drakesbrewery

Eagle Rock | fb.com/eaglerockbrewery | @eaglerockbrew | IG: eaglerockbrew

El Segundo Brewing Co. | fb.com/ElSegundoBrewingCo | @ESBCBrews

Epic Brewing | fb.com/epicbrewingco | @epicbrewing

Faction | fb.com/factionbrewing | @factionbrewing | IG: factionbrewing

Figueroa Mountain | fb.com/figueroamountainbrewing | @figmtnbrew | IG: figmtnbrew

Fireman’s Brew | fb.com/firemansbrew | @firemansbrew | IG: firemansbrew

Firestone Walker Brewing Co. | fb.com/firestone.walker | @firestonewalker | IG: firestonewalker

Golden Road | fb.com/goldenroadbrew | @goldenroadbrew | IG: goldenroadbrew

Hangar 24 | fb.com/hangar24brewery | @hangar24brewery | IG: hangar24brewery

Karl Strauss | fb.com/KarlStraussBrewingCompany | @karl_strauss | IG: karl_strauss

Lagunitas | fb.com/lagunitasbrewingco | @lagunitasbeer | IG: lagunitasbeer

Kinetic | fb.com/kineticbrewing | @kineticbrewing | IG: kineticbrewing

Modern Times | fb.com/ModernTimesIsYourFriend | @moderntimesbeer | IG: moderntimesbeer

Monkish Brewing | fb.com/monkishbrewing | @monkishbrewing | IG: monkishbrewing

New Belgium | fb.com/newbelgium | @newbelgium | IG: newbelgium

Noble Ale Works | fb.com/noblealeworks | @noblealeworks | IG: noblealeworks

North Coast Brewing | fb.com/northcoastbrewingcompany | @NoCoastBrewCo

Ohana | fb.com/ohanabrew | @ohanabrew | IG: ohanabrew

Omission | fb.com/omissionbeer | @omissionbeer

Oskar Blues | fb.com/oskarbluesCANS | @oskarblues | IG: oskarblues

Pizza Port | fb.com/pizzaportOB | @pizzaportOB | IG: pizzaport

Saint Archer | Facebook | @saintarcherbrew | IG: saintarcherbrew

Sierra Nevada | fb.com/sierranevadabeer | @sierranevada

Smog City Brewing | fb.com/smogcitybrewing | @smogcitybeer | IG: smogcitybeer

Speakeasy | fb.com/speakeasybeer | @speakeasybeer | IG: speakeasybeer

Surf Brewery | fb.com/surfbrewery | @surfbrewery | IG: surfbrewery

Wolf Creek | fb.com/wolfcreekbrewery | @wolfcreekbrew | IG: wolfcreekbrewery

All the bands were so fantastic! What a great addition to any Beerfest!

One of my favorite booths ever was present at the festival! WRECK CHECK. They were there to provide “free blows” to anyone who wanted to see how much they have had to drink.

Look I take cabs everywhere we are drinking. Sure I am more responsible now in my …ahem not 20s then I was when I was in my 20s. But Im guessing if there was a DUI Breathalyzer test at some of the bars I frequented early on in my drinking life I may not have driven home EVER.

Granted the technology is not always 100%. If I had a big gulp of a 9% IPA and blew I would blow off the charts. But in general it’s pretty accurate. We visited their booth pretty early on after just a few of the tasters and I blew a 0.089 Not crazy. Not tragic. Not even feeling drunk. But you know what? That is above the LEGAL limit to drink and drive. And I wouldn’t have known that.

End of day a $20-40 cab ride to an all day festival is a small price to pay in comparison to a $12000 DUI. And the $12k you will end up spending is the best case scenario. That’s if you don’t hurt anyone. You probably paid for parking somewhere anyway. Be safe just don’t ever ever drink and drive.

There are so many options out there. Taxis which we use all the time Thank you Taxi Magic LA https://taximagic.com/en_US (Taxi Magic app makes it absurdly easy to get a cab get home and click to pay. Um…its an app for the drunkest of fest goers), Uber, https://www.uber.com/ or Side Car http://www.side.cr/.

When we were waiting in line to get in I saw so many of these cars and cabs dropping off fest goers. I was so happy. So thanks Wreck Check for making everyone more aware that a few of those little tasters is a few too many to drive home! https://www.facebook.com/WreckCheck

There was also fun chalk art, and the snap it booth, and they were selling great merch this year. So many things were there I didn’t even get a chance to take pictures of all of it. But the good news is you can follow them on twitter @veganbeerfest and #veganbeerfest and see pictures from everyone who was there!

My final call out was to maybe the greatest part of the festival…the Fans that blew water. No I mean literally the fans that provided spritzing and cooling off to those of us coming off a 100 degree week in LA. Mother Nature was kind enough to cool it down a bit, but still 80 degrees in a big lot in the middle of Hollywood gets hot. So thank you fans. Thank you for being there.

Another most successful LA VEGAN BEERFEST for sure! Thank you Nic, Tony, and Quarry Girl for coming up with this brain child. Its pretty genius!

Until next year!

PS you all saw this right? I know I was drinking so just making sure….

Mother’s Day Weekend (Mom/Bierlady Balance) Part 2….Hangar 24

May13

Mothers Day… is an annual holiday celebrated on the second Sunday in May. Mother’s Day pays tribute to all types of mothers, moms, mommies, mom in laws, expecting moms, just like a mom….. Did you know where Moms Day came from? Well at least here in America the day was established by a woman named Anna Jarvis. Jarvis, campaigned for the first official Mother’s Day and it was celebrated at St Andrew’s Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia, on May 10, 1908, three years after her mother’s death. Jarvis held a memorial ceremony to honor her mother and all mothers and that became the first know Mother’s Day although it was not a recognized holiday. But in the following years, Anna Jarvis embarked upon a campaign to make “Mother’s Day” a recognized holiday. She spent a significant amount of time writing to countless business executives, church groups, and politicians at the state and national level to promote the commemorative day. After her persistent efforts, Mother’s Day was finally proclaimed a national holiday in 1914 by President Woodrow Wilson.

Today Mothers Day is usually synonymous with a breakfast or brunch. A few gifts from your children and if you are lucky a Mothers Day mimosa at said brunch! This year in the true spirit of the Bierlady I found a place that had Beer- Mosas for that special Mom in your life.
Mr Beerman and I teamed up with another couple friend of ours (Barb and Paul – he’s a home brewer, she makes fantastic caramels http://www.etsy.com/shop/TreatsnSweetsbyBarb and they drove us out to a brewery near them called Hangar 24. http://www.hangar24brewery.com/.

These guys you would probably recognize they have a very distinctive label. We have been tasting them at Beerfests for years, and we were proud that our friend Paul (who was with us) even won a silver medal at their home brewers fest for his “Big Bill’s Brown” – American Brown Ale. We were super excited to finally make it out to Redlands to try their beers at the brewery.

Boy they sure did NOT disappoint! Beers I never would have thought I would like I did. And who can beat a Beer-Mimosa on Mom’s day! They had two types Orange juice mixed with their Belgium Summer Ale or Mango Juice mixed with the same beer. Having tried both I have to lean toward the orange juice but what a great idea. Don’t think I won’t be trying that with some beers at home!

We did two flights to try as many as we could. The Special Beers Flight (Beers that aren’t always there) and their Year Round Offerings Flight.
Much like with my last blog I will borrow some descriptions from their own website then add my 2cents! I also noted some of the awards these beers have received. I tell you this brewery is not fooling around. They are good.

First the Special Beers or Seasonal

Belgian Summer Ale Alcohol Content: 5.8% IBU: 15 –
Our summer seasonal is based on the recipe for our very popular 3rd Anniversary Ale. Aromas of clove, pineapple and bubblegum spill from the glass. The flavor is a combination of spicy Belgian yeast with hints of pear & nutmeg.
Okay this is the one they were mixing in the mimosas. As you know Im not a Belgium fan but this was a very light refreshing beer. Not in your face Belgium and was a great mixer with the OJ.

California Spring Beer Alcohol Content: 5.2% IBU: 20
A time of renewal. Renew your taste buds with our “California style” Spring Beer, a unique fusion of a hoppy wheat beer brewed with a blended fermentation of Belgian and American yeast.
Another one of those “go figure” moments. I am not a Belgium or a wheat beer fan. This seems to be a mix of both and I tell you I loved it. I even drank more than the taster. Find this one!

Ballpark Beer Alcohol Content: 4.8% IBU: 21
A unique blend of a classic Pilsner with an American Wheat Beer. Spicy hop aroma and a clean subtle bitterness are balanced by the bready malt character of wheat.
Rumor has it this was made for Angel games. I love that. It’s a Session beer that gives you the choice at a Stadium to not drink the normal “ballpark” beer. You can get a great tasting craft beer even while eating a dog at the park. Nice! That is my entire purpose to find you a beer you have been drinking for years, but the craft beer version!

Palmero Alcohol Content: 7% IBU 20
A traditional Abbey Dubble with a healthy addition of dates from the Coachella Valley.
Little too on the Belgium side for me. But Mr Beerman gave it a big thumbs up.
Red Rye, Special Release Alcohol Content: ? IBU: ?
Every year we brew a beer to celebrate American Craft Beer Week. This year weve taken our popular Redlands Red Recipe and reimaged it with additions of rye in the malt bill.
Well I have been on a Red kick lately. Just recently I tried a similar beer SpeakEasy’s Scarlett Red Rye and both that one and this one really caught my attention. The slight rye hit makes for a great addition to a typical red. I got a pint of this one while I was there.

Nitro Chocolate Porter Limited Alcohol Content 8% IBU 47
Rich Chocolate, coffee roast, hint of vanilla. Brewed with raw Cocoa Nibs.
Well now if you want true Chocolate beer, I mean really tastes like a milk shake but careful of the 8% kick, this is your beer. It’s on nitro (which makes it a different type of carbonation, like a Guinness or Murphys, thicker) which just made it more like a milk shake to me! Yum.

Their regulars:

Orange Wheat Alcohol Content: 4.6% IBU: 17
Crisp, Tangy, and Refreshing. The citrus aroma, light airy mouthfeel, and tangy finish are this unfiltered beer’s trademarks. This is accomplished by adding whole locally grown oranges throughout the brewing process, which perfectly coalesce with the wheat and barley base.
Awards:
GOLD – 2012 Los Angeles International Commercial Beer Competition
SILVER – 2012 California State Fair GOLD – 2011 Los Angeles International Commercial Beer Competition
HM SILVER – 2011 California State Fair

Ok I admit Im not wheat beer person but the awards speak for themselves this is a great wheat beer and made with the oranges grown right there…you can’t get a fresher tasting beer.

Alt-Bier Ale Alcohol Content: 6.0% IBU: 22

Caramel, Toasty, and Clean. This red ale is our unique version of a northern German Alt-Bier. Enjoy silky caramel smoothness, followed by toasty, bready flavors and finished with a hint of chocolate roast. These flavors all come through in the aroma and combine in a truly unique, very clean, complex, Alt-Bier

Awards: GOLD – 2013 California State Fair Beer Competition
BRONZE – 2013 Los Angeles International Commercial Beer Competition
SILVER – 2012 Los Angeles International Commercial Beer Competition 3RD
SILVER – 2011 California State Fair Beer Competition
SILVER – 2011 Los Angeles International Commercial Beer Competition
BRONZE – 2011 San Diego International Beer Festival
SILVER – 2010 Los Angeles International Commercial Beer Competition
SILVER – 2010 San Diego International Beer Festival

Do I need to go on after that list of awards? I also got a pint of this one. What a fantastically drinkable session beer! GIANT THUMBS up. Go buy this today.

Amarillo Pale Ale Alcohol Content: 5.5% IBU: 35
Balanced and Resinous. Midwestern malted barley provides a pedestal for you to experience the flavor and aroma of the citrusy Northwestern hops which are the showcase of Hangar 24’s version of a true classic. An American Pale Ale.

This is a pale ale. So its not going to be as bitter as an IPA. See look at the IBU. It’s a kinder gentler ale. Very tasty!

Betty IPA Alcohol Content: 6.5% IBU: 68

is an American IPA boasting a blend of Mosaic, Citra, Simcoe and Centennial hops. We spent 8 months perfecting this hop blend, and we love the huge range of juicy aromas and flavors we were able to hit: tropical fruit, citrus zest, berries, stone fruit and pine are all packed in.

This is a full blown IPA. Not crazy hops or bitter, middle of the road. Slightly too hoppy for my taste but it’s a good blend of flavors for sure.

Chocolate Porter Alcohol Content: 8.0% IBU: 47

Rich and decadent. This strong porter is perfect for sipping at the end of the day or to accompany full-flavored foods. The intense, roasty flavor comes from two types of chocolate malt and raw cocoa nibs. Whole vanilla beans introduced post fermentation add complexity and enhance the dessert-like qualities of this full bodied beer

Awards:
SILVER – 2012 California State Fair
SILVER – 2012 Los Angeles International Commercial Beer Competition
SILVER – 2011 California State Fair
SILVER – 2010 Los Angeles International Commercial Beer

Ok so this is the chocolate beer not on Nitro. So its going to be thinner, a true porter. Still super chocolate and coffee. Just look at the awards. They have figured out this beer.

Columbus IPA (India Pale Ale) Alcohol Content: 7.0% IBU: 77

Bitter and bold. This single hop american style IPA features 100 percent Columbus Hops for an intense citrus, floral and spicy aroma and flavor.

So I learned something. I love Columbus hops. Did not know that. Even though this is a true IPA again the hops they used were delicious to me. This is one I will buy!

Double IPA Alcohol Content: 9.0% IBU: 118

Assertive and drinkable. Double IPA is California’s gift to beer lovers. Ours is brewed with four distinctly American hops: Centennial, Citra, Columbus and Simcoe, all beautifully balanced by five malts and generous additions of local orange blossom honey.

Awards:
SILVER – 2012 California State Fair
SILVER – 2011 California State Fair
SILVER – 2011 Los Angeles International Commercial Beer Competition

Little hoppy for me. But again award winner. If you like a great IPA here you go!

The brewery is small with an excellent patio with one long table all the way down. We sat on benches made new friends. Really enjoyed a few hours there. They had a food truck in Big Easy Sandwich made food for us all day. Mr Beerman had pulled pork and I had a roast beef sandwich both were incredible! They even provided roses for all the moms who came out to celebrate with beer. That’s just good people.

We did not bring out two lil guys this time out but I did see kids there hanging out on the patio enjoying their “ginger beer” and “root beer” both non alcoholic.

I highly encourage you to visit Hangar 24 and if you can’t make it out there you can always find them at Beerfests and even easier they are at Bev Mo and I bet even your grocery store I know Trader Joes carries some, and Vons, and Ralphs, even Cost Plus World Market. Right now I believe only in CA. I will check on that. For my Beer Uncle in Florida, don’t worry Uncle Jan I got you covered, I’ll be sending some soon!

Thank you Hangar 24 for a really lovely Mothers Day!!

Leave a comment Posted in Uncategorized Tagged americancraftbeerweek, Beer, craft beer, hangar24, mother'sday

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Mother’s Day Weekend (Mom/Bierlady Balance) Part 2….Hangar 24