Craft Beer Guy

The Dude's production brewery

The Dudes’ Brewing Company

On April 9, the Business & Beer networking group returned to The Dudes’ Brewing Company’s tasting room in Torrance. This was our second visit to The Dudes’ since we went there for their soft open back in August. Unlike our first visit, when we pretty much filled the place, we had a pretty small turnout at our April gathering. In fact, the turnout was so poor that we considered changing the format of Business & Beer from a monthly event to a “once-in-a-while” event. Fortunately, the gathering ended up having a few more attendees as a few people joined us before we had packed up. Those that did attend were treated to free beer, courtesy of The Dudes’ Brewing Company. When the date was scheduled I was unaware that Thursday was trivia night at The Dudes’ so when it was announced Business & Beer formed an impromptu team to play. Our team did okay, but none of us were really into it for the long run. When we return there I will find out ahead of time so those of you that want to play will have enough notice.

After a little discussion, it has been decided to continue with the monthly format for Business & Beer and it appears that our next gathering, at The Brewery at Abigaile on May 14, will be very well attended. We have already been notified by several people that they will definitely be in attendance so if you have been waiting for the right time to attend, this just might be the networking event you were looking for. The Brewery at Abigaile is a brewpub so there will be plenty of food options to go along with their fine selection of brews. They have a special Research & Development Menu during Happy Hour, so come a little early if you want to take advantage of that. The Brewery at Abigaile is located at 1301 Manhattan Avenue in Hermosa Beach; that is on the northwest corner of Pier and Manhattan Avenues. Business & Beer officially runs from 6:00-8:00 PM but we should be there by 5:30. We will be seated at the community tables that are opposite the bar when you first come in. Continue reading

Brewery tour at Smog City Brewing

Chris Walowski gives a personal tour to Business & Beer

Business & Beer welcomed 2015 at the tasting room of Torrance craft brewery, Smog City Brewing Company. We had a nice turnout with a mixture of regulars and newcomers. A couple weeks ago, Smog City provided us with some spent grain and Tanya used it to create some tasty grain crackers and peanut butter cookies; the cookies were perfect with their Coffee Porter. Assistant Brewer Chris Walowski gave us a tour of the production brewery operations and answered any questions. All in all, it was a nice evening of networking and drinking good craft beer with friends.
lagering tanks

Lagering tanks

Our February meeting of Business & Beer will be held Thursday, February 12 at El Segundo Brewing Company. We are scheduled to be there from 6:00-8:00 PM but sometimes stay a little longer. If you have not been to El Segundo Brewing lately, they have really expanded their menu and have plenty of delicious options for those that are not into the “in your face” hoppiness many of us look forward to. Besides the Station No.1 and Hyperion’s Stout, they now have a pilsner! For the hopheads in the group, their Power Plant TIPA (yeah, triple IPA) will be on tap by then so come early and stay late; I am sure I will. Continue reading

Business & Beer attendees

A nice group of networkers

The September 11 gathering of Business & Beer was held at The Brewery at Abigaile, the only brewery/brewpub in Hermosa Beach. While admittedly our Business & Beer events that are held north of Torrance seem to have lower turnouts, we had a pretty respectable group that consisted of two waves. Our initial group was a small mix of regulars and a couple first timers that all enjoyed the beer, food and networking. About five minutes after everyone left and before we had finished picking up after ourselves, a few more first timers showed up thereby making me realize the importance of including an end time for the events when we add them to the Business & Beer upcoming events. I apologize for not doing this two years ago when we started this. Officially our events run from 6:00-8:00 PM but this is not written in stone. Sometimes we have a larger group and time just flies by; since most tasting rooms close at 9:00 PM that is the latest we will stay but most people start leaving around 8:00. The drawing for the free beer is at 7:00; so you will want to be there by then.

Business & Beer will meet October 9th at King Harbor Brewing Company; currently the only craft brewery in Redondo Beach. This will be the second time we have met at King Harbor Brewing, the first time being their soft open that was held back in February. If you have not returned or been there lately you will be pleasantly surprised as there are more beers and much better seating than even a month ago. One thing you should know is that Thursdays are “bring your own mug night”; $5.00 fills your mug/stein; reasonable sizes only (no buckets allowed). The best mug brought in will win a free growler and fill from King Harbor Brewing; so come prepared to impress us all. The networking event runs from 6:00-8:00 PM. King Harbor Brewing Company is located at 2907 182nd Street in Redondo Beach. Continue reading

Please join us for Business & Beer a small business networking event which will be held at Absolution Brewing Company on November 13, 2014 from 6:00-8:00 PM. Absolution Brewing Company is located at 2878 Columbia Street Torrance, California. Please RSVP by commenting below that you will be there.

Logo Absolution Brewing Company

Join us at Absolution Brewing Company from 6:00-8:00 PM on November 13, 2014

The June 2014 gathering of Business & Beer networking group was held June 12 at El Segundo Brewing Company (ESBC), a production brewery located in El Segundo, California. Since El Segundo Brewing is the furthest away from most Business & Beer regulars it typically has the smallest turnouts but this particular gathering had a very respectable turnout with people coming from as far away as the San Fernando Valley. ESBC had been brewing and bottling for an upcoming event so there was a wide selection of brews available for sampling from their Citra Pale Ale to their Standard Crude Imperial Stout; there was virtually something for everybody. Thanks to El Segundo Brewing for hosting our event and keeping the brews flowing; and thanks to everyone that made it out. We always enjoy seeing you and hope to see you again soon. All the photos from the event can be found on CraftBeerGuy.com.

Our next meetup of Business & Beer will be held at Strand Brewing Company in Torrance on July 10 at 6:00 PM. Strand Brewing Company is the oldest production brewery in the South Bay and have been supporters of Business & Beer since its inception two years ago. It is hard to believe that our July meeting marks two years that we have been doing this. It has definitely been an interesting time and we have met a lot of very nice people, had some great beers and have done business and helped set up many business connections. I cannot wait to see what happens in the next two years. You can find the link for more details about the July gathering of Business & Beer on the front page. You can also follow us on Facebook or sign up to our mailing list. Continue reading