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.
Last week the Business and Beer networking group returned to the Hermosa Beach gastropub; The Rockefeller. This was the second week that we utilized Meetup.com and it is becoming apparent that this is giving us some additional reach. We normally arrive at our meeting location about a half hour ahead of time so we can get set up and maybe eat before everyone arrives. When we got to The Rockefeller this time there were already five or six people waiting for us! It was going to be a good turnout.
The Rockefeller gastropub, Hermosa Beach
As it turned out, this initial group was the result of a Business & Beer members Phil and Deborah meeting one person and talking about our networking group. That one conversation resulted in five new attendees. In addition, Meetup did provide three new attendees, so combined with the regulars that showed up we had a large group with a majority of the attendees being first timers. They seemed to have a good time so I suspect they will return. That is how we grow; if you know someone that might find value in networking with our group, please invite them. You do not need special permission and we do not need notice ahead of time; just show up.
A nice Business & Beer group at The Rockefeller
This week, March 14, Business & Beer will return to 1321 Downtown Taproom Bistro in downtown Torrance. 1321 Taproom has redesigned their food menu and is improving their beer program, so we are happy to add them to our rotation. For those that have yet to try any brews from the South Bay’s latest microbrewery, The Dudes’ Brewing Company, I have reason to believe they will have a few taps available there. I hope you can join us. All the photos from our gathering at The Rockefeller can be found on GotBaddog.com.
Thursday, February 28 marked the fifth time that Business & Beer has met at Strand Brewing Company in Torrance, and once again we had an outstanding turnout. I do not know what it is, but it seems every time we return to Strand, people that we have not seen in a while show up; must be the fresh beers. Thursday we had a nice mix of regulars and people that are starting to show up more frequently. Of course, our host Rich Marcello, co-owner of Strand Brewing Co, never hesitates to send friends of his over to meet our group when he knows they are small business owners; we really appreciate it.
Our next Business & Beer will be held Thursday, March 7 at the Alpine Inn at Alpine Village in Torrance, CA. The Alpine Inn is a German gastropub that has a nice selection of European beer on tap; but they also have a very nice cache of hard to find American craft beer on tap available. They also have a nice food menu consisting primarily of German dishes. At the last minute we decided to try out Meetup, however, we were not aware that there was some delay in getting approval to be in their system. There is a chance that Meetup will announce our meeting in time for a few new faces to show up. We hope to see you there. 
A few days ago I had someone ask what they had to do if they wanted to bring a couple friends next week; I want to be sure everyone is familiar with the process so there is no confusion. If you know someone that you feel would benefit from coming to one of our gatherings, just tell them to be there at 6:00-7:30 and look for the Business & Beer signs on the table. They should then introduce themselves and order a beer. That is it. We encourage you to tell your friends about us. You can tell them the schedule is on the front page of this website or suggest they get on our mailing list so they know whenever a new event is added to the schedule. They can also Like Us on Facebook so they always know what is going on. You can find all the photos from our gathering at Strand Brewing Company on GotBaddog.com.
Last week, Business & Beer returned to the one brewpub in the South Bay that we include in our weekly rotation, The Brewery at Abigale. The Brewery at Abigaile, located in Hermosa Beach, is a great example of what a brewpub should be; excellent foods that compliment the wide variety of beers brewed on-site. This was our first Business & Beer gathering in the Lenten season, so I am not sure how much effect that had on our turnout, which was lower than expected. I did notice that the overall business at Abigaile seemed to be lower than normal, so perhaps Lent is something we will have to account for in our anticipated number of attendees. Luckily, we will not let a little thing like fewer people attending stop us from doing business and enjoying a beer or two.
Ready for Business & Beer
This week, Business & Beer will return to Strand Brewing Company in Torrance. For those that have yet to come to Strand Brewing Co, it is a microbrewery that specializes in ales; featuring their Beach House Amber, 24th Street Pale Ale and Atticus IPA as being some of their more popular offerings. Since it is a microbrewery, they do not sell food but you are welcome to bring food in. We usually have a couple pizzas there to help soak up the beer. There is plenty of street parking and we are requested to park in the street as opposed to the limited parking lot.
A toast to our host
Business & Beer is a networking group that meets every Thursday at a microbrewery, brewpub or gastropub in the South Bay. Our boundaries are El Segundo Brewing Company to the north and the Alpine Inn in Torrance to the south. Our attendees consist of business owners or employees whose job description includes networking and fans of American craft beer. We have no rules, dues or mandatory meetings. Just show up when you can, this is your invitation. You can find our schedule of upcoming events on the front page of BusinessNBeer.com where you can also signup for our mailing list. You can also Like Us on Facebook to help ensure you are kept aware of upcoming events. You can find all the photos from our last gathering at Abigaile on GotBaddog.com.
