The West Los Angeles craft beer scene is thriving, featuring several award-winning brewers across different neighborhoods and setups. These breweries offer a wide range of delicious beers, scrumptious bar food, thoughtful service, and a lively ambiance. Here are the 5 best places to enjoy excellent craft beer in West Los Angeles right now!
Santa Monica Brew Works is considered a pioneer in the independent craft brewery scene on the Westside. Established in 2014, this sprawling brewery and beer garden serves a variety of beers, including IPAs, lagers, stouts, and sour beers. Their offerings are inspired by the California beach lifestyle. Moreover, the brewery has partnered with Emmy Squared Pizza to serve Detroit-style pizzas, pretzels, fries, and other small bites. From their beer selection, 310 Blonde Ale, Citrus Witbier, Ocean Park Pale Ale, 310 Stomped Lemonade Shandy, Pali Pils, Inclined IPA, and Breakfast Brew are very popular.
Food-wise, the MVP Pizza (house-made vodka sauce, red sauce, garlic parsley pesto, and sesame seed crust), Big Al Pizza (red sauce, burrata, basil, sausage, and Calabrian chilies), Seasoned Waffle Fries, and Impossible Meatballs are crowd favorites. I ordered the Citrus Witbier ($7), a Belgian witbier brewed with orange peel and a hint of coriander, and the Roni Overload Pizza ($26), and it was perfect. The beer was light and refreshing, and the pizza was hearty and satisfying.
Founded by two brothers-in-law—Adam Firestone and David Walker, this brewery aims to craft experimental beer of the finest quality. At their outpost in Venice, guests can indulge in Firestone Walker favorites, including selections from the Propagator brewhouse and barrelworks wild ales. They also have an extensive food menu with delectable burgers, sandwiches, tacos, and other options. There’s also a store where you can purchase merchandise and packaged beers.
Moreover, this brewery’s West Los Angeles outpost is perfect for large groups, as it boasts a sprawling indoor and charming al fresco dining section. I recommend getting a beer flight to try Firestone Walker’s finest experimental beers. Along with the beer flight, I tried the Hot Fried Chicken Sandwich ($18) and the Fish Tacos ($20) and was very impressed by how good the food was. Their food offerings are the best I’ve had at a brewery.
Los Angeles Ale Works has a tasting room at Ivy Station in Culver City. This taproom features 25 rotating taps of fresh beers brewed at their production facility in Hawthorne. The venue boasts indoor and outdoor seating, a lineup of rotating food vendors, and multiple TVs, making it a perfect place to watch sporting events. Their top beers include Goldilocks, Bengal Brew, Cali Fizz, Belgian Shuffle, and Micheladas. I ordered the Belgian Shuffle, which is a Belgian Blonde ($10), and loved the spicy, candy and apricot flavors. The Be Cool West Coast IPA ($9) was also a standout.
Located across Zuma Beach at Trancas Country Market, the Malibu Brewing Company is a locally-owned craft brewery. This award-winning brewery’s mission is to enhance the craft beer drinking experience through quality ingredients and impeccable hospitality. The outpost features 22 taps of their beers, including lagers, ales, and IPAs. In addition, the Malibu Brewing Company also brews seasonal and experimental beers and a coastally-crafted food menu. I suggest grabbing a table in their quaint patio and ordering any of their signature beers, which include the Hatch Green Chile Lager, Big Rock Amber Lager, Tower 17 Hazy Double IPA, Happy Days Honey Blonde Ale, Canyon Rosé Lager, Sand and Sea Mexican-Style Lager, Wild Grove Hazy IPA, and First Point American IPA.
I tasted the House Flight, which included the Canyon, Pacific Gold, First Point, and Nitro Stout beers, and the Beachside Burrito which comprised shredded cilantro chicken with borracho beans, wild rice, quinoa, arugula, avocado, southwest cheese, cotija cheese, and heirloom tomato pico de gallo, wrapped in a flour tortilla, served with tortilla chips. The beer flight and burrito were lip-smacking and hit the spot! Their beers are exceptional, with several options and sizes, so you can pick a favorite or sample a few while you eat!
Located in the heart of Westwood Village, Broxton is a community brewery and public house set inside a historic building. This brewery is well-loved by locals and tourists for its handcrafted brews, California comfort food, neighborhood collaborations, and kid-friendly games. Broxton boasts a spacious front patio, a majestic bar, and a dining room that is ideal for large groups. I suggest ordering Broxton’s Hoppy IPA or Solo Expedition: Nectaron IPA. The Solo Expedition was my favorite. It’s a hazy triple IPA, highlighting a single-hop variety, with notes of sweet pineapple, peach, and passionfruit. From the food menu, the BBQ Chicken Sandwich, Smash Burger, Chipotle Quesadilla, and Kale Caesar Salad are the standout dishes.
Photo by Los Angeles Ale Works.
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