Beer is a beautiful thing, but some buds are crafted with a lot more love than others. If you want a break from the big, corporate name brands, try some locally crafted microbrews. If you’re looking for the best Los Angeles craft beer, look no further.
1. Homage Brewing
With locations in both Chinatown and Pomona, Homage knows how to brew a phenomenal glass of beer (or wine), but they also know how to throw a great party. Placing a big focus on music, Homage regularly has record swap meets and parties where they play the best music you’ve never heard. Be sure to check out their rotating menu as well, which often features tasty burgers, chicken sandwiches, tacos, and small bites. They also tend to feature a unique food vendor at each event they hold, supporting smaller businesses around them!
Notable Brews: Saison Spritz Tangerines + Muscat Grapes, Glimmer Hazy IPA, Kaleidoscope Kölsch*
*Subject to change as Homage frequently swaps out its selection for new tasty brews
2. Highland Park Brewery
Located right down the street from Homage’s Chinatown location (and right across the street from the Los Angeles State Historic Park) is Highland Park Brewery. With a spacious location featuring plenty of outdoor seating, Highland Park is a great spot to kick back with some friends for an hour or four. Highland Park creates its beers, as they say, using “unique processes, wacky microbes, and local ingredients.” Whatever they’re doing back there, it makes for some incredible brews.
Notable Brews: ‘Malgo Pils, Follow the Path, Vienna
3. Golden Road
Golden Road isn’t just a California brewery—they try to capture the good vibes of the Golden State with every can. Founded in 2011, Golden Road was instrumental in establishing the Southland as a premiere craft beer destination. Even though Golden Road was sold to Anheuser-Busch in 2015, they have not lost their identity as a local brewery that cares about sustainability, community events, and great beer.
Notable Brews: Mango Cart, Ride On West Coast IPA, Golden State Cerveza
4. Paperback
Paperback started where all great microbreweries start: a garage. After co-owners Chris and Brandon met each other by chance and discovered their mutual love of beer, they turned a garage (nicknamed “The Lab”) into a small brewery where they perfected recipes. Today, Paperback has grown into one of the best breweries in LA—even the cans’ labels are works of art!
Notable Brews: The Young Lovers, Bunny With A Chainsaw, Super Fun! Hazy Hop!
5. Three Weavers
Located in Inglewood, Three Weavers is all about community. This is even evident in the brewery’s name, which was inspired by founder Lynne Weaver’s three daughters. Focused on bringing friends and family together, Three Weavers went from a small operation to one of the largest independent craft breweries in Los Angeles.
Notable Brews: Blood Junkie, Citra Puffs, Day Job
6. Los Angeles Ale Works
Proud to be a small team, Los Angeles Ale Works was Hawthorne, CA’s first production craft brewery. Now with a second location in Culver City, LA Ale Works pairs great beer with great events. Partnering with local restaurants, they regularly put on live shows featuring music, comedy and more.
Notable Brews: Dead Cowboy, Live Life Lager, Full Thrust
Los Angeles Has Some Of The Best Microbrews In The Country
LA is a relative newcomer to the craft beer industry, but we’ve quickly established ourselves as one of the frontrunners in small breweries with big flavor. So support your local businesses the fun way—by drinking!
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