Drive-by Brewery Review and New Brew: Mindcloud IPA at Mumford Brewing in downtown Los Angeles

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Mumford Brewing’s excellent pale ale dubbed Bleacher Beer at my Torrance local beckoned me to try their full range at their downtown LA brewery, open for about the last six months.

The day after Christmas with time on my hands and likely light freeway traffic seemed an apt time.

On this day street parking was plentiful in the neighborhood Mumford sits in near Skid Row, although it was a little strange to pay for parking when I’m guessing whoever was sleeping on the sidewalk in the tent across the street was likely not paying for the privilege.

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The sparse, simple one-room brewery and small bar were uncrowded and the custom four-beer tasting flight (above) excellent, showcasing the wide range of available ales (especially good was the Black Mamba).

The atmosphere was mellow with a couple of DJs spinning some relaxing ambient music at a pleasant volume that allowed a couple of gents at a nearby table to concentrate on their dominos game (below) with no problem.

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Lunch is available at a local pizza joint and a bar next door that appeared to have been there for decades (the name escapes me, but try the small grilled cheese sandwich with jalapenos and bacon), but also had an excellent local craft beer list of its own. Bonus: go order food next door and they deliver it to your seat in the brewery.

Mumford’s neighborhood may be sketchy, but it’s beers and vibe are certainly not.

The Boyd Street IPA was worth taking home in a crowler and I’m betting the Mindcloud would be, too (although I haven’t seen any description of it yet online).

Definitely worth getting acquainted with both the brewery and its beers.

Hangar 24, other Inland Empire breweries raising funds for terror victims on Saturday

Beer for SBHangar 24 Craft Brewery, through Hangar 24 Charities, is spearheading a fundraising effort for victims of the December 2 terror attack at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino.

The brewery’s health inspector, Tin Nguyen, was one of those killed in the attack.

On Saturday (December 26), the brewery will donate 100% of both beer and merchandise sales — as well as online sales profits — to the Arrowhead United Way’s San Bernardino United Relief Fund.

The #BeerForSB fundraiser will take place from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the brewery, 1710 Sessums Drive, Redlands.

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Tickets available now for Dale Bros.’ Brews & Bros celebration

Brews & Bros 2016Tickets are available now for Dale Bros. Brewery’s annual Brews & Bros Craft Beer Festival, set for 1 to 5 p.m. January 23 at Cable Airport in Upland.

Besides Dale Bros., at least 39 breweries, cideries and wineries are scheduled to pour at the event, which will take place rain or shine.

More than 80 beverages are planned to be served at the event, which celebrates the brewery’s 13th anniversary.

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Hangar 24 PugaFest is upon us

It’s here!

Pugafest 2015This year’s Hangar 24 Craft Brewery PugaFest kicks off at 2 p.m. and runs ’til 5 p.m. today (December 5).

The event will feature more than 15 barrel-aged brews, including new releases, exclusive pours and archive releases.

Tickets were sold in advance, and no tickets will be sold at the door. The tasting room will be closed to the public during the event.

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This weekend at El Segundo Brewing Co.: Two new craft brews, ugly sweaters and a parade

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ESBC opens at noon Friday so craft beer fans can get a taste of Pine Tar Incident, which last summer took home a gold medal at the San Diego International Beer Fest.

From the press release:

Whiffs of pine and spruce lead you in to the glass, where you find bitter cocoa and candied oranges. Dry and lively, but with a creamy feel. A touch of roast permeates throughout, but the hop expression wins over in the end.

And don’t worry — no umpires were harmed in the production of this beer.

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From the press release:

Hitting the Taps that will be our fourth batch ever of fresh Standard Crude and a 2015 Barrel Aged Standard Crude. Anyone ins a ugly sweater gets $1 off all their beers that day.

The parade begins at 1 p.m.