Long Beach, CA Local Craft Beer Guide
Your Ultimate Brewery Circuit
Long Beach, California, is a vibrant coastal destination known for its dynamic craft beer scene that reflects the city's innovative spirit and cultural diversity. With a flourishing community of breweries, Long Beach has become a haven for beer enthusiasts seeking unique and flavorful brews. The local craft beer bars and breweries offer a diverse array of styles and tastes, ranging from the traditional to the experimental, catering to the preferences of both connoisseurs and casual drinkers alike.
The city's craft beer offerings are punctuated by settings as diverse as the beverages themselves, from taprooms with scenic waterfront views to cozy pubs that echo Long Beach's laid-back atmosphere. These establishments not only serve up exceptional beer but also provide a space for community engagement and socializing, showcasing the role of craft beer as a focal point of local culture.
Whether one is venturing through the historic streets of Downtown Long Beach or exploring the trendy hangouts in neighborhoods like Bixby Knolls and Signal Hill, the array of craft beer spots beckons with the promise of high-quality brews paired with a uniquely Long Beach ambiance. The breweries and beer bars here are essential stops for anyone looking to experience the city's local flavors and connect with the community's pulse.
History of Craft Beer in Long Beach
Long Beach, a city in Southern California, has developed a rich craft beer culture that roots back to the early 20th century. The city's relationship with beer started with simple establishments, like Joe Jost's on Anaheim Street, serving American lagers since 1924. Over the years, the town's residents have maintained a strong enthusiasm for beer.
The passion for brewing in Long Beach is anything but new. However, it saw considerable growth with the nationwide rise of craft beer that started in the 1960s and surged in popularity during the 1990s. This movement encouraged local entrepreneurs and brewers to experiment with beer-making, which led to a burgeoning craft beer scene.
In the last two decades, Long Beach craft breweries have flourished, reflecting a drive towards innovation and flavor diversity. This era has witnessed local brewers pushing the envelope by offering unique and experimental brews.
The following points highlight key aspects of this historic development:
Early 20th Century: Start of Long Beach's casual beer culture.
1924: Establishment of local pubs like Joe Jost's.
1960s: Beginning of the modern U.S. craft beer movement.
1990s: Nationwide microbrewery trend inspires local brewers.
21st Century: Substantial growth in local craft brewing, with breweries heightening beer variety and creativity.
Establishments such as The Attic and Beer Belly Long Beach have played a part in complementing the craft beer movement by curating menus that pair well with the diverse flavors of local brews, thereby solidifying Long Beach's reputation as a craft beer haven in Southern California.
Top Breweries in Long Beach
Long Beach boasts a vibrant craft beer scene, where connoisseurs and casual drinkers alike can find unique and flavorful brews. With a focus on innovation and quality, these local breweries provide a diverse range of beers that cater to every palate.
Belmont Brewing Company
Location: Waterfront, Long Beach, CA
Notable Beers: Long Beach Crude Porter
Belmont Brewing Company, established in 1990, is known for its oceanfront views and a selection of classic beer styles. The brewery has garnered attention for the Long Beach Crude Porter, lauded for its rich flavors and smooth finish.
Trademark Brewing
Location: Long Beach, CA
Notable Brews: Rotating Selection
Trademark Brewing stands out with its expansive taproom and ever-changing roster of craft beers. The brewery is a hub for creativity, often experimenting with new styles and flavors to produce distinctive beers that push the boundaries.
Ambitious Ales
Location: Long Beach, CA
Notable Beers: Rotating Selection
Ambitious Ales is characterized by its innovative approach to brewing. They take pride in crafting a rotating lineup of beers that highlight their creativity and brewing expertise, ensuring that there is always something new and exciting on tap.
Ballast Point Long Beach
Location: Long Beach, CA
Notable Beers: Variety of Styles
Ballast Point Long Beach is a prominent name in the craft beer community. Visitors can explore a plethora of beer options, from signature IPAs to unique seasonal releases. The venue is a favorite for friends to gather and share in the love of a well-crafted pint.
Guide to Long Beach Beer Bars
Long Beach boasts a vibrant beer bar scene, with an array of craft beer bars that celebrate local brews and unique flavors. This guide highlights selected venues that stand out for their dedication to serving a variety of high-quality craft beers.
Bottlecraft Long Beach
Bottlecraft Long Beach is not just a retailer but also a beer bar that offers a curated selection of craft beers. It provides a relaxed atmosphere for patrons to explore a wide range of both local and international brews. Known for its knowledgeable staff, visitors can expect to receive recommendations tailored to their personal taste preferences.
Beachwood BBQ & Brewing
Beachwood BBQ & Brewing is a staple in the Long Beach craft beer community, featuring an in-house brewery that produces award-winning beers. Their selection pairs well with the bar's renowned barbecue offerings, ensuring a perfect blend of flavors for the palate. As a prominent craft beer destination, it affords patrons a complete dining and drinking experience.
The Stache Bar
At The Stache Bar, one finds a local haunt that seamlessly blends the concepts of craft beer bar and a classic cocktails wine bar. This venue takes pride in its diverse menu that includes finely crafted beers and eclectic wines, catering to a myriad of tastes. The Stache Bar also provides a cozy and inviting ambiance, making it a go-to spot for casual drinks in Long Beach.
Best Local IPAs and Ales
Long Beach, CA, is home to a vibrant craft beer scene, with a special nod to its diverse selection of IPAs and Ales. The West Coast IPA, a style synonymous with California, particularly shines in Long Beach breweries.
Beachwood Blendery stands out for its expertise in barrel-aged brews, with their hop-forward IPAs showcasing a fine balance of bitterness and aromatic hop profiles. Their IPAs often exhibit the classic citrus and pine notes that West Coast IPAs are celebrated for.
At Belmont Brewing Co., patrons can enjoy a variety of ales while taking in the ocean views. They consistently serve up high-quality traditional ales, including amber ales with a smooth, malty flavor that compliments the coastal ambiance.
Brewery Notable IPAs and Ales
Beachwood Blendery Barrel-Aged IPAs with robust citrus profiles
Belmont Brewing Co. Traditional amber ales that pair well with seafood
For those preferring something off the beaten path, Trademark Brewing is making waves with their innovative takes on ales. Their selection often includes a mix of malty, fruity, and complex ales that cater to a broad range of palates.
It is important to note that individual tastes vary, so visitors are encouraged to sample different offerings to find their personal favorites. Each brewery in Long Beach offers a unique take on these beloved styles, underpinned by a deep understanding and appreciation of the craft.
Craft Beer and Food Pairings
When exploring the craft beer scene in Long Beach, one can enhance the experience by understanding the synergy between beer and food pairings. The city's local brews offer a variety of flavors that can complement or contrast various dishes to elevate the dining experience.
Hoppy and Bitter beers, like India Pale Ales (IPAs), stand up well to the robust flavors of grilled meats or spicy foods. The bitterness can cut through the fat and complement the char on grilled dishes.
Pairing Suggestion: IPA paired with spicy wings or a juicy burger.
Fruity and Spicy beers, often found in Belgian-style ales, marry well with light seafood dishes (What wine goes well with seafood dishes?) or sweet desserts. The fruity esters and spicy phenols in the beer can accentuate similar notes in fruit-based dishes.
Pairing Suggestion: Belgian-style ale paired with a fruit tart or glazed ham.
For aficionados seeking comfort food, Fish and Chips (What wine goes well with fish and chips?) makes for a classic pairing with a Pale Ale or a crisp Lager. The beer's carbonation helps to cleanse the palate between bites of the battered and fried fish.
Pairing Suggestion: Lager paired with fish and chips.
Sour, Tart, and Funky beers, such as Gose or Berliner Weisse, offer a refreshing counter to creamy or rich cheeses and can balance the sweetness in fruit-forward desserts.
Pairing Suggestion: Gose paired with a creamy goat cheese or a slice of cheesecake.
Understanding these pairings allows one to navigate Long Beach's craft beer bars with confidence, knowing that each sip and bite is thoughtfully matched to provide a harmonious dining experience.
Events and Beer Festivals
Long Beach, California, hosts a diverse array of events celebrating the local craft beer scene. One notable event is the Craft Beer LB Fest, which stands out as Long Beach's exclusive festival spotlighting local breweries. It also incorporates food and artists, creating a community-centric atmosphere. The event is family-friendly, offering activities for all ages.
The LA Beer Week also extends its festivities to Long Beach, featuring the Los Angeles Independent Beer Fest. With over 75 breweries participating, this event brings together a week-long celebration of independent brewing, showcasing the area's vibrant beer culture.
Each summer, beer enthusiasts can look forward to LA's Biggest Craft Beer Festival, which takes place in Long Beach. Known for offering an exquisite selection of craft beers, the event is complemented by dining options and live music, enriching the overall experience.
The annual Summit Beer Festival is another highlight. It's held at Marina Green Park and features early bird specials, VIP access, and a general admission option to cater to different preferences. The event emphasizes local and regional brewery talent and provides a variety of craft beer selections.
Lastly, the Taste of Brews Long Beach presents a day filled with beer and cider tasting. Patrons over the age of 21 can explore an extensive lineup of local and regional crafts, ciders, gourmet foods, and snacks, all accompanied by live music, making it a lively site for beer lovers.
Event Name Location Features
Craft Beer LB Fest Long Beach Local breweries, Family-friendly, Food & Artists
LA Beer Week Festival Long Beach 75+ Breweries, Independent Brews
LA's Biggest Craft Beer Festival Long Beach Craft Beer Selection, Live Music
Summit Beer Festival Marina Green Park VIP Access, Craft Beers
Taste of Brews Long Beach Beer & Cider Tastings, Live Music, 21+ Event
These festivals and events are core to Long Beach's craft beer gardens and overall beer appreciation, making the city a hub for those who love a quality brew in a vibrant setting.
Craft Beer Tasting Experience
Long Beach, California, is a treasure trove for craft beer aficionados, offering a plethora of breweries that showcase the region's talent for innovative brewing. Embarking on a tasting journey here connects travelers with the local scene, each sip telling a story of craftsmanship and regional flair.
Ten Mile Brewing
Ten Mile Brewing is a family-owned establishment that exemplifies the craft beer culture in Long Beach with its diverse range of beers. They offer an inviting tasting room where guests can explore a variety of styles, from robust stouts to refreshing ales. Notable Tasting Highlight:
The Depth Charge, a commendable imperial stout, stands out with its rich, malty character and deep complexity.
Brouwerij West
At Brouwerij West, visitors can expect an innovative and modern approach to beer making. This brewery in San Pedro is known for its artful use of unique ingredients and fermentation techniques. With a spacious taproom and frequent food truck visits, it's an ideal stop on any beer lover's travel itinerary. Tasting Favorites Include:
Popfuji, Brouwerij West's take on a pilsner, is both unfiltered and unfined, offering a crisp and refreshing experience.
San Pedro
San Pedro brewing scene, while not confined to a single brewery, is a vibrant component of Long Beach's overall beer culture. Local bars and taprooms serve a wide selection from local and regional breweries, allowing for an extensive exploration of flavors. Beer enthusiasts should try:
The small-batch and seasonal releases that are often exclusive to the San Pedro area, providing a unique tasting experience every visit.
Brewpubs and Beer Gardens
Long Beach boasts a dynamic craft beer scene anchored by innovative brewpubs and inviting beer gardens that offer a blend of unique brews, local vibes, and diverse culinary options. These establishments provide avid beer enthusiasts with places to enjoy quality drafts with the added bonus of outdoor seating arrangements that perfectly cater to the Southern California weather.
Steelcraft
Steelcraft unites craft beer with a community-oriented outdoor urban eatery experience. It offers not only a selection of local and regional beers but also a variety of food options from multiple vendors within a communal dining space. The outdoor seating is integral to Steelcraft's atmosphere, making it an authentic beer garden where friends and families can gather and socialize over a cold pint.
Location: Long Beach, CA
Features:
Communal outdoor seating
Varied beer selection
Diverse food options
Long Beach Beer Lab
The Long Beach Beer Lab is distinguished by its dual identity as a small-scale brewery and artisan bakery. They emphasize experimental brewing techniques and locally sourced ingredients, capturing the spirit of innovation that flows through Long Beach. This brewpub is known for its unique yeast strains and fermentation methods, which are as much a part of its character as its intimate and welcoming environment.
Location: Long Beach, CA
Unique Offerings:
House-baked artisan bread
Experimental beer styles
Intimate brewpub setting
Unique Offerings
In Long Beach, craft beverages extend beyond traditional beer, with unique offerings including an assortment of seltzers and ciders, as well as venue-specific craft beer and wine selections that cater to a broad range of palates.
Seltzers and Ciders
Long Beach's foray into the world of craft seltzers and ciders is marked by the presence of Ficklewood Ciderworks. Established in 2020, Ficklewood stands out as the city’s first cidery, offering a specialized range of cider options for enthusiasts. This East Broadway location is not just a haven for cider lovers but also introduces an assortment of craft seltzers, presenting a lighter alternative for those seeking variety.
Ficklewood Ciderworks: Notable for craft cider and seltzer varieties.
Craft Beer and Wine Selection
There is a growing landscape of breweries in Long Beach that curate not only craft beers but also an extensive selection of wines, bridging the gap between beer aficionados and wine connoisseurs. Innovative venues in Long Beach include Belmont Brewing Company, which combines its portfolio of beers with a choice of fine wines. These establishments are emblematic of Long Beach's culinary diversity and the inclusive spirit of its beverage culture.
Belmont Brewing Company: Known for beers and an eclectic wine selection.
