2014

Brett wins free beer

Networking and free beer, great combination

Business & Beer finished up 2014 on a high note with the last gathering of the year being held at the Monkish Brewing Company tasting room on December 11. It was cold and blustery evening which was just right for the big Belgian-styled ales and apparently everyone know it would be as we had a pretty nice turnout for two weeks before Christmas. The Bourbon Barrel-aged Magnificat was quite popular, with the St. Simcoe Belgian Pale Ale satisfying the needs of the die-hard hop heads in the group. In addition to the fine beer, Vella Pizza was there with their mobile brick oven making some very good pizza. Denise came with some oils to hand out and she did some tarot card readings for those interested.

Thank you to everyone that came out, not only to the December gathering at Monkish, but to everyone that came out throughout the year and to all the production breweries and brewpubs that hosted our events throughout 2014. We added three new tasting rooms to our rotation in 2014 with the inclusion of King Harbor Brewing Company, Absolution Brewing Company and The Dudes’ Brewing Company. The craft beer scene is really growing around here. I know we will have at least one new addition in 2015, but it is only January so we will see how the year progresses.

Business & Beer at Monkish

Thanks for a great 2014

Our first meeting for 2015 will be held this Thursday, January 8, from 6:00-8:00 PM at the Smog City Brewing Company tasting room. If you have not visited Smog City in a while I am sure you will find something interesting and new to you. We hope you will join us. Continue reading

business & beer at ABC

Join us the 2nd Thursday of every month

The November gathering of Business & Beer, arguably the South Bay’s most entertaining business networking group, returned to Torrance’s newest production craft brewery, Absolution Brewing Company. This was our second visit to Absolution since they opened their tasting room in March. Taking into consideration that this was our first Business & Beer since Daylight Savings Time ended, we had a pretty decent showing; winter has historically had smaller turnouts. Those that did attend were able to try some of the brews that may not have been available back in March. I know I became an immediate fan of their firkin version of the Trespasser Blister Farmhouse Ale; I am pretty sure a few others in our group enjoyed it as much as I did. In addition to the beer, Absolution Brewing Company’s new head brewer, Bart Bullington, hung around and chatted with the group telling us a little of his history and his vision for Absolution’s future brews. I would say the future is bright and I look forward to seeing more from their barrel program.
Free Beer!

Brett Naylor of 3Ten Liquor wins the free beer drawing; seen here with Absolution Head Brewer, Bart Bullington

The next Business & Beer will be held Thursday, December 11 at Monkish Brewing Company in Torrance. With the cooler and sometimes damp weather we are having lately, there probably is not a better tasting room to visit in this area. Their Belgian-style ales are perfect for it and when we were there the other day they were pouring 2013, 2014 and 2014 Bourbon barrel-Aged Magnificat. If you have not tried them yet, this would be a good time to do it before they are gone. Our Business & Beer meetings start at 6:00 PM and run until at least 8:00 PM. Vella Pizza will be there for those that want hot, fresh, brick oven cooked pizza. If there are special toppings you want, maybe something from your garden, they will add them for you if you bring them with you. Monkish Brewing Company is located at 20311 South Western Avenue in Torrance. We hope you will join us; if not, see you in 2015. Continue reading

Please join us for Business & Beer a small business networking event which will be held at Monkish Brewing Co. on December 11, 2014 from 6:00-8:00 PM. Monkish Brewing Co. is located at 20311 South Western Avenue Torrance, California. Please RSVP by commenting below that you will be there.

 

Logo for Monkish Brewing Co

Join us at Monkish Brewing Co from 6:00-8:00 PM on December 11, 2014

Business & Beer at King Harbor Brewing Company

A few of the Business & Beer networkers

Business & Beer returned to Redondo Beach and King Harbor Brewing Company for our October gathering on Thursday, October 9. It was our first return to King Harbor since they had their soft open at our February meeting. In those eight months they have come up with a few more options with their beer selection although not all were available at our gathering. It seems that some of their brews have become so popular that it is gone almost as fast as it is kegged; which is a good thing for King Harbor Brewing. At our gathering The Quest with Mosaic Hops, California Saison, Abel Brown and The Swirly were made available.

We had a very nice turn out with a nice mix of regulars and first time attendees; and Phil and Deborah were kind enough to bring a few pizzas along for those that had not had an opportunity to eat. Since it was a Thursday, it was “Bring Your Own Beer Mug” night several attendees took advantage of being able to bring in their favorite mug and had them filled at the standard prices. The winner of the free growler and fill has not been announced yet, so if you brought your own mug watch the King Harbor Brewing Facebook page for the announcement. 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