Cuisine Scene: Breweries

Long Beach’s vibrant brewing scene–much like the dining scene–is among the most exciting in the country because it embraces passionate talent with something unique to say through their craft. Long Beach was on the tip of the craft brew wave decades ago, which is why you’ll find breweries–many serving terrific food as well–in every corner of the city.

BELMONT SHORE

Belmont Brewing Co. (25 39th St) created the brew pub in LA County back in 1990 and continues to craft a full stable of beers including the fruit forward Strawberry Blonde and a strong chocolate stout called, fittingly, Long Beach Crude. For a brew with a view, check out the elevated deck at Ballast Point (110 N. Marina Dr.), which helped launch the entire boutique beer era. Beachwood 2nd & PCH Taproom (6400 Pacific Coast Hwy) is another place to enjoy a crafted beer outside. The Taproom is located in the central courtyard of the 2nd & PCH mall, so you can window shop and people watch while you enjoy one of the many beers on the menu.

WRIGLEY/SIGNAL HILL

Long Beach Beer Lab (518 W Willow St) is in a constant state of experimentation with yeast to see what it can create, producing the likes of the dry hopped Dad Beer and malty Red Head Retention. Beer Lab doubles as a bread lab, baking amazing loaves–Walnut Raisin, Garlic Rosemary, etc.--sourdoughs, pastries and pizza. Ten Mile Brewing (1136 E Willow St, Signal Hill) is a family operation that gets its name from a region of the Sierra Nevadas and its award-winning beer, made with the finest and freshest ingredients, reflects the raw elements found in these mountains.

DOWNTOWN

Downtown has three breweries, all within a short walk of each other. ISM Brewing’s (210 E Third St) wide selection of more than 20 house brews vary from the light and easy Bleach Boys Blonde Ale to the heavier, malt forward types like–wait for it–The Thickening. Altar Society Brewing and Coffee Co. (230 Pine Ave) offers more than a dozen house-brewed beers including hoppy and intense (All Eye Seeing IPA), fruit forward (Tango Haze) as well as rotating seasonal offerings. The Blendery is Beachwood Brewing’s lambic inspired bieres production facility. Its taproom offers a diverse lineup of Beachwood’s house beers on draft including West Coast IPAs, seasonal favorites and award winning lambic inspired sour bieres.

CENTRAL LONG BEACH

Trademark Brewing (233 E Anaheim St) is the first production craft brewery and taproom in Long Beach, and a sustainability-focused facility. Its 30 taps feature Trademark Brewing beers that can be enjoyed inside or in their large outdoor biergarten. Family-owned Steady Brewing (2950 Clark Ave) pride themselves on offering unique handcrafted brews, made with care and quality ingredients. The Demon Double IPA is bold and flavorful and a favorite with patrons, as is the light and crisp Poolside Lager, which is a popular complement to any of the dishes they serve. As with their Wrigley operation, Long Beach Beer Lab’s (4000 E Anaheim St) Zaferia location is a fermentation wonderland constantly fiddling with new ways to produce great brews as well as great bread and sourdough pizza crusts.

BIXBY KNOLLS

Dutch’s Brewhouse (4244 Atlantic Ave) has the distinction of being the first small batch community craft brewery in Long Beach, where you can make your own handcrafted brew of your own, or enjoy theirs. Ambitious Ales (4019 Atlantic Ave) specializes in reinventing classic styles with unique ingredients, such as Belgian table beer infused with chamomile, lavender and strawberries. They also feature a core lineup of IPAs, saisons and barrel-aged fare. Smog City (3768 Long Beach Blvd) is located at Steelcraft food court that looks lovely lit up under the glow of strung lights, a unique spot to enjoy Smog City’s trusty and experimental brews, including popular choices like the Coffee Porter and Sabre-Tooth Squirrel Amber Ale. Beachwood Brewing’s Distillery and Taproom (3630 Atlantic Ave) features the usual array of excellent Beachwood brews–Knucklehead Red IPA to Dia de los Mangos Belgian-style sour–as well as a full bar serving cocktails made with Beachwood distilled spirits such as Beachwood Black and White gins, as well as Beachwood Juniper and Citrus gins.

About the Author

Steve Lowery

Steve Lowery is a longtime local. Over the years he has written for the Los Angeles Times, ESPN, and others. If you're looking for the hidden gems of Long Beach, Steve is your go-to.