Your Next Pint

Balanced Hop Ottin' IPA takes Bronze at CA State Fair Commercial Craft Brewing Competition

If you love American IPAs, then you'll appreciate the complex, yet balanced flavors Anderson Valley Brewing Company brings to the pint glass in Hop Ottin' IPA. Made from "hard-working" high-alpha Pacific Northwest hops and whole hop cones, it's no wonder why fans are calling it "the most aggressive American IPA to date (with) Flavor Big-Time."

The Washdown:

- fruity 'n floral aroma, burnt sienna color, hoppy barley flavor Hop Ottin' IPA (Boonville, CA) 7% ABV

Brace yourself when you swig Hop Ottin' because this beer is complex with different flavors that keep hitting you in every sip.

When I first put the pint up to my nose, I smelled honeysuckle, lemons, and raspberries. But when I touched it to my lips, a whole 'nother flavor profile came through – pine, oats, and hoppy grass. And the finish was all about the barley. It's crisp, dark orange-brown in color, and full-bodied with medium carbonation that makes the beer very refreshing.

Hop Ottin' will definitely keep you on your toes, trying to break through the bitterness and discover all the citrusy, fruity, floral, and grain flavors that keep this 2010 California State Fair Commercial Craft Brew Competition Bronze Medal Winner so well balanced.

P.S. Make sure to check out the secret message underneath the Solar-Powered Brewery (like totally e-cool) entitled Bottle Cap.

Indica India Pale Ale is bitter for the boys

• 
• 

Pay no attention to the cutesy potholder in the background, 'cuz Indica India Pale Ale from Lost Coast Brewery is one heavy hitter with 6.5% alcohol, bitter Columbus hops, and a burnt orange color that matches its flavor.

The Washdown:

- sweet grapefruit aroma, fluffy head, burnt orange color, bitter Indica India Pale Ale (CA) 6.5% ABV

Don't let the honey sweet grapefruit nose fool you. Once this beer hits your lips a rush of bitter Columbus hops mixed with Willamette & Centennial hop Flowers hit your palate like a ton of bricks. This beer's not for pansies. While the carbonation may add some relief, the bold Bitter, almost Roasted Coffee flavor continues from taste to finish.

As my dad always says, "It'll put hair on your chest, and make your toes open 'n shut," which is probably what the four-armed, leg-twisting elephant on the beer's label is trying to accomplish whilst juggling his frothy mugs.

Enjoy with caution.

Beat the Summer Heat with Banana tasting Sierra Nevada Kellerweis Hefeweizen

• 
• 

Sierra Nevada's new Bavarian style Kellerweis Hefeweizen is the perfect refreshing summer beer to keep your body cool and your tastebuds hot (for it).

The Washdown:

- prominent banana nose & taste without being too sweet Sierra Nevada Kellerweis Hefeweizen (CA) 4.8% ABV

I was shopping at my local Whole Foods Market one day, when I noticed a sign for a Sierra Nevada Beer tasting. $1 pours + complimentary cheese nibbles? Pass up I could not! (Especially since my man's favorite beer of all time is Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.)

Not being a huge Hefeweizen fan, or even banana lover for that matter, I was completely blown away by how perfect and seductive the banana flavor was. I could not get my lips off it and you won't be able to as well, 'cuz each sip is crisp with enticing carbonation. There are subtle hints of citrus and clove. The color is a golden, cloudy yellow. And the head is thick and frothy.

You can definitely tell Sierra Nevada learned a thing or two from from the pros on their recent educational trip to a German Brewery. In fact, on their website they even advise you how to pour Kellerweis correctly to maximize its flavor potential:

    "To serve, pour two-thirds into a glass, swirl and pour the rest." - Sierra Nevada

You'll be drinking this one all summer long. Cheers.

Two Dollar Hite Draft Beers make Happy Hour at Gyenari a Steal

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

$2 Hite Draft Beers PLUS mouth-watering, tender Sliders & Dumplings at Gyenari in Culver City from 3pm until a finally reasonable Happy Hour of 7:30pm? Um, yes please!

The Washdown:

- light, summertime Hite Lager (Korea) 4.5% ABV, $2

- citrus, cooling, refreshing, but could be stronger Cucumber Gingerita, $7

• 
• 
• 

When I heard about Gyenari's fabulously priced Happy Hour Prices & Times – hello, people in LA work late, then have to drive in traffic – I couldn't resist.

While Hite is a relatively generic Lager, close to American Domestics like Coors & Bud Light, it's appropriately priced at $2 during Happy Hour – and comes in a nice big Draft mug to swig, too. It's perfect for a hot summer day and has a super bubbly personality with lots of carbonation. Plus, you can order the Hite Tower Tap for everyone to share – 100 ounces for $24 = a very VERY Happy Hour!

The $7 Cucumber Gingerita combines my 2 favorite cocktail accessories – Cucumbers & Ginger. Tasting more like a Ginger-jito with a refreshing Mint Sprig & splash of Sour, the only thing that's lacking in this drink is more Vodka! You'll see what I mean after you suck this almost lemonade-soda cocktail down in 30 seconds flat.

The Grubdown:

- incredible, you-must-order this chunky Japanese Curry Crabcake with Asian Pear Slaw & Pickled Ginger Aioli (2 for $5)

- tender Short Rib Patty with Bulgogi, heaping Gouda Cheese, Balsamic Soy Onions & Kimchee Mayo (2 for $5)

- fluffy, tangy, spicy Kimchee Mandoo Dumplings with Korean Vegetables, Tofu & Potato Glass Noodles (4 for $4)

- a little dry, Spicy Pork, Chicken & Bulgogi Korean Taco Trio with Spicy Salsa & Guacamole $6

• 
• 
• 
• 

Our waitress wasn't kidding when she said her favorite thing on the menu was the Crabcake Slider. I was totally impressed by how succulent it was with big Chunks of Crab, tang from the Pickled Ginger Aioli, and a hint of sweetness from the Japanese Curry & Asian Pear Slaw – definitely NO CRAPcake here!

The tender Short Rib Patty & Bulgogi Beef Slider is super cheesy with a generous amount of Gouda, and a little spice from the Kimchee Mayo. Oh and did I mention the sweet, pillowey buns are out of this world?!?

I love Kimchee so I had to order the Mandoo Dumplings, too – Steamed of course, but you can also get it Pan Fried or Deep Fried. It's served with a spicy sweet Scallion Soy Dipping Sauce. The texture of the dumpling is buttery and light at the same time with Fluffy Tofu & Korean Vegetables inside.

The Taco Trio was my least favorite of our Happy Hour menu items. The meats – Chicken, Pork & Bulgogi – are bland and all kinda taste the same. But, at least they're filling and come with Spicy Salsa & Guac.

All in all, considering the quality of the food, the reasonable prices, and realistic Happy Hour 'til 7:30pm, Gyenari's Happy Hour is a steal!

Follow @GyenariLA for summer specials and shows.

9540 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232. 310-838-3131.

LA Eagle Rock Brewery is Red, White, and Brew

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

On the outside, mistakable-for-a-warehouse Eagle Rock Brewery is easy to miss. But don't overlook one of the first breweries in over half a century to have operations based in LA, 'cause on the inside their brews are unique, the vibe is chillaxed, and the family that runs it couldn't be nicer.

To kick off the 4th of July weekend, Eagle Rock Brewery will be having cul-de-sac food truck parties with Fresh Eats & Beats, Friday 6-10pm, and Frysmith, Saturday 7:15-10pm. Taproom opens at 4pm.

The Washdown:

- coffee nose, not too thick, hint of sweetness Solidarity English Style Black Mild 3.9% ABV, $5

- golden yellow, hoppy bitter, smooth Revolution American Extra Pale Ale 4.8% ABV, $5

• 
• 
• 
• 

When I say Eagle Rock Brewery is chill, I really mean it. For example, Mr. Brew Mission (a.k.a. my hand model) and I walked in 5 minutes before closing time, and Donna & daughter-in-law Lynn welcomed us in with open, come-hither, swingin' arms. Even as we browsed the menu, and asked some questions, still no sense of hurry or stress was in their aura – these people are super cool. And their air-conditioning is cranked high, too.

We decided to have a pint of Solidarity and Revolution. (The beers are served in the Brewery's own "Beer for the People" pint glasses for sale at $5 each.)

I really, really enjoyed the Solidarity. It's dark like Guinness in color, but light-bodied, so you could drink it all night long. My first reaction was "Mmm, kinda tastes like dessert." But as I ate the complimentary peanuts Donna & Lynn told us would help bring out more flavor, I tasted coffee, chocolate, spices, and a roasted flavor I couldn't quite put my finger on – that is until they offered us a last minute tour.

In the first part of the Brewery Tour, Steve the Brewmaster showed us the barley they use to make the beer. He gave us a grain and told us to lightly crack it with our teeth – not to crunch it all at once – so that the flavors could slowly seep out. And there it was. That roasted caramel, almost like cereal, flavor I was missing in the Solidarity.

Next up, Mr. Brew Mission ordered the American Extra Pale Ale (shocker!), Revolution. (I stole a few sips, naturally :) It has a beautiful golden yellow color. It definitely has a hoppy bitter taste of grass and citrus rinds, but it's still really smooth.

Eagle Rock Brewery also has a few more House Taps, like Manifesto Belgian Style Witbier 6.4% ABV, and 5 Guest Taps ($6-7) that rotate. They also carry a fantastic assortment of Guest Bottles ($8-18) like Hazelnut Brown Nectar and La Trappe Isid'or.

So get your American spirits high this 4th of July weekend (on the actual 4th they'll be closed) with American Craft Brews from LA-based Eagle Rock Brewery.

3056 Roswell St., Los Angeles, CA 90065. 323-257-7866. Open Fri-Sat 4-10pm. Sun 12-6pm.