2012 Craft Brewery Pilgrimage in the Home Stretch

The 2012 Craft Brewery Pilgrimage heads back to Los Angeles County this month as the days grow shorter and summer again slips into autumn. We journey to Monkish Brewing in Torrance on Saturday, September 29.

Each month we explore the rapidly growing craft brewing community in southern California. Great conversation, authentic locations, excellent craft brews, and inspiring time with the people who make craft brewing happen. I learn a valuable lesson about leadership and pilgrimage at each month’s visit.

Recent months have taken us far from home.

In June, thirsty pilgrims visited Green Flash Brewing in San Diego. The brewery brings in food truck on the weekends, and the tasting room has the informal atmosphere and attention to brewing that I really appreciate. I have tasted everything they had available, and I really enjoy the way they brew. Green Flash’s Trippel Ale was a key element in my developing appreciation for Belgian-style brews, and who could not like Le Freak? Of course, there is also a Double Stout.

July’s visit was to Belmont Brewing in Long Beach. Belmont is a restaurant as well as a craft brewery, located on the beach in Long Beach. The suns and sand were fantastic, my ahi tuna was amazing, and everyone appreciated their brews. Top Sail is an excellent amber ale, and Long Beach Crude even won over some of us who were not sure about the darker porters and stouts. I am looking forward to going back to try a Penny Fogger.

Last month we headed down the freeway to Tustin Brewing. Tustin is also a restaurant, with excellent burgers and great fish and chips. I enjoyed the Jackson’s Double IPA, but my heart still belongs to the Blimp Hangar Porter.

Join us this month at Monkish Brewing, and at October’s double header!

[Image by fredcamino]