Last week, Business & Beer returned to Monkish Brewing Company in Torrance. Because we have added new locations to our rotation, combined with a bye-week, it had been three months since we had been there. We will have to try and ensure that doesn’t happen again. There have been a lot of changes at the tasting room, most notably a new window installed that allows people in the front area to view the brewing area. They have also added a new tap system, with 12 taps that feed directly from their cooler. 12 taps means more varieties of beer available. Our gathering started while they were still finishing things up, so while we started with two offerings, within an hour there were nine brews available. We had a nice group as a few people that have not been around lately came out, and one of our new Meetup people is becoming a Business & Beer regular. To be honest, I am not sure that Meetup is showing any value after the initial month. They really need a way to do repeat mass mailings.
Bring your business cards and win a free beer.
Business & Beer is a business networking group that meets every Thursday at a different microbrewery, brewpub or gastropub in the South Bay area. If you are a member of Meetup and know someone you think might enjoy and benefit from our group, please feel free to refer them to our Meetup page. Likewise, we have a Facebook page or you can sign up to our mailing list to be kept in the loop. All the photos from our Business & Beer at Monkish Brewing can be found at GotBaddog.com.
Please join us for Business & Beer a small business networking event which will be held at Smog City Brewing Co. on May 23, 2013 at 6 PM. Smog City Brewing Co. is located at 1901 Del Amo Boulevard, Unit B Torrance, California. Please RSVP by commenting below that you will be there.
Join us at Smog City Brewing Co at 6 PM on May 23, 2013
Last week, Business & Beer returned to Sophie’s Place in Redondo Beach, and this time we brought our Meetup group with us. It was a nice turnout with almost half of the attendees coming directly as a result of our becoming involved with Meetup.com. While the group was a little smaller than anticipated, it gave the Business & Beer regulars an opportunity to interact and network with our new attendees.
Networking at Sophie’s Place with Meetup
This Thursday, April 17, Business & Beer will return to Monkish Brewing Company in Torrance. It has been three months since we have met at Monkish, and a lot has changed over there. As always, Henry has a few new brews available and they have been doing a lot of remodeling; so if you have not visited Monkish Brewing in a while, you are going to be pleasantly surprised. For those of you that have yet to visit Monkish, they are a microbrewery that specializes in Belgian ales. If you are one of those that do not like real hoppy beers, you will probably enjoy Monkish Brewing’s offering. I suggest buying a flight so you can decide which of their beers you prefer.
Tommy wins a free beer from Business & Beer
If business networking is part of your job description and you live or work in the South Bay, you should check out Business & Beer. We are the business networking group that has no rules, no dues and meets after normal work hours, so we encourage you to bring your significant other if so inclined. Every Thursday at 6:00 PM we meet at a different microbrewery, brewpub or gastropub in the South Bay area. You can sign up to our mailing list, which is on the upper right hand side of the page; or you can follow us on Meetup or Facebook. We hope you will join us; it is a good group with nice people all eager to do business and have a couple beers. All the photos from our event at Sophie’s Place can be found on GotBaddog.com.
Business & Beer returned to El Segundo Brewing Company last Thursday for another business networking event. El Segundo Brewing Company (ESBC) is a microbrewery that specializes in ales, with a few amazing IPA’s (Two 5 Left, White Dog and Blue House) and a couple nice stouts. They have recently started bottling, so their growth is showing.
Lots to choose from at El Segundo Brewing Company
El Segundo Brewing Company is at the northern most limits of the location we visit, so I was interested in seeing if using Meetup.com was going to do anything as far as raising out attendance levels; it did not. We still had a nice size group of about 10 show up, among them being a first timer and a few that are becoming regular attendees. I could see that there was a lot of networking going on and I am noticing that our group is not hesitant to talk to others that ask what is going on. For those that showed up, ESBC offered some discounts on pints and flights so in addition to business networking and good beer, we got the beer at a really good rate. 
There will be no Business & Beer this week as we have a trade show to attend, however, we will resume with our gatherings on April 11 at Sophie’s Place in Redondo Beach. We are planning something a little special, so if you need any incentive to finally come out and see what the fuss is about, that might be a good event to attend. You will find all the photos from our networking event at ESBC on GotBaddog.com.
Last week Business and Beer returned to the 1321 Downtown Taproom Bistro (The Taproom), a gastropub located in Old Torrance. This was our second time visiting The Taproom and it was the third week that we have been promoting our weekly network events via our new group with Meetup.com. We started using Meetup as a means of growing our group, and it seems to be helping a little. We have had a few additional visitors as a direct result of Meetup and at least one of them seems to be becoming a regular attendee. I did have one Meetup visitor express surprise at how many people were in attendance since our Meetup page only showed a few RSVPs, and we had close to 20 people with us. It was a really nice group and everyone seemed to enjoy the fact that we had so many new faces join us.
Meetup meets Business & Beer at 1321 Downtown Taproom Bistro
This Thursday, March 28, Business & Beer and our Meetup group will return to El Segundo Brewing Company, a great microbrewery located in El Segundo, CA. As this is a microbrewery, they do not sell food; however, you are allowed to bring outside food in. We usually have some kind of snack like peanuts or pizza, but that is hit or miss. If food is important, there are locations close that will deliver. We are really hoping the Meetup members continue to join us, the more the merrier and all that. 
Remember, we created Business & Beer to help you; as such, we need you to help us grow. If you know someone that works in the South Bay that might benefit from free business leads, invite them to any of our events. The schedule is constantly updated so you can plan at least a month in advance. If you belong to Meetup, please consider joining our Meetup group and RSVP there so other Meetup members will notice that they are not alone. Like and share us on Facebook; every little bit helps. We are growing and I see people developing relationships and doing business at these events; come join us and see how we can help you succeed.
All the photos from our Meetup at The Taproom can be found on GotBaddog.com.
