Vella Pizza

On April 10 the Business & Beer networking group returned to Torrance production brewery, Monkish Brewing Company. Monkish Brewing Company is a local microbrewery that specializes in Belgian style ales; it also happens to be Tanya’s favorite local craft brewery, and since it was her birthday it made sense to hold our April gathering there. The fact that Vella Pizza was on hand with their mobile brick oven pretty much sealed the deal for her. We had a nice turnout with quite a few first time attendees joining us. One thing is for certain; Monkish is sure a lot busier these days than when we first started bringing Business & Beer there two years ago. It is good to see our local craft beer scene doing so well.

The May gathering of Business & Beer will be held May 8 at Smog City Brewing Company in Torrance. Smog City Brewing is a production brewery with an extremely wide variety of craft beers available. I would not be over-stating it to suggest that they pretty much have every style of beer you can think of covered; from Pilsners to barrel aged porters and about everything in-between. If you have not been to Smog City lately I am positive they have something you have yet to try. As they are a tasting room, they do not serve food but you are welcome to bring your own or have something delivered. Continue reading

Absolution Brewing Company

Torrance’s newest production brewery

The March gathering of the Business & Beer networking group was held at the latest production brewery to open in Torrance, Absolution Brewing Company (ABC). As ABC officially opened a mere two weeks before our event, this was the first opportunity for many of the Business & Beer attendees to sample the beers being produced by them. Tanya had obtained some spent grains from them ahead of time which she dehydrated and turned into flour which was used in the baking of the treats she provided to attendees and other Absolution Brewing customers. We had a nice group show up for Business & Beer and they all seemed to enjoy the beer, networking and treats that were available. Head Brewer Wes McCain took time from his busy brewing schedule to give us a “tour” of the brew house and to tell us about ABC’s future plans. I think it is safe to say that Absolution will be around for a long while and I cannot wait to see what happens with their future brews.

Three Absolution Brewing beers

A wide range of beers to choose from

Our April gathering of Business & Beer will be held April 10, 2014 at Monkish Brewing Company. There are a couple reasons that we chose Monkish Brewing, not the least of which is the beer. We have not brought the group to Monkish in six months and if that was the last time you went there, you really should come out. Henry has been turning out even more amazing brews and has started bottling some of them. Many, if not all, of them are great for aging. The range of Belgian-styled brews includes light blondes, a couple hoppy pale ales, dubbels, tripels, quads and more. They have really expanded their tap list and it can be tough to choose what to get. The other reason we picked them is that Tanya wanted food, and Monkish always has a food truck on Thursdays. On April 10 they will have Vella Pizza; they have a mobile brick oven and prepare your pizza on the spot. I have heard that if you have vegetables you grow and want to have some on your pizza, they are more than willing to add your produce. Continue reading