On 12/17/09 thrill list.com posted an article about the grand opening of the latest local micro brewery titled, "Eagle Rock Brewery: our liver's newest foe". The uninspiring yet slightly informative article showcased what had originally caught my attention back in March when I read of the Brewery's victory over some city hall bureaucracy. According to their website, the Eagle Rock Brewery would be debuting their "Socialist" themed brew; with names like Revolution, Manifesto, and Solidarity; at a couple of local public houses this week. One of them being the Verdugo. It came as no surprise to me that this hipster hive would be pouring the limited release ale. It is after all, at the Verdugo that I have discovered some of my favorite beers. A couple of years back their ambition and commitment to beer would have been enough to keep me coming back. Unfortunately, that alone cannot make up for the overall terrible service that plagues this otherwise premier bier haus.
The Location: The Verdugo in Glassel Park
The Day: Thursday
The Time: 9:30 pm
The place was surprisingly empty and the d.j. spun negligible noise. I perused the flier that replaced a once robust beer menu and I ordered the 'Solidarity' only to be told by the barmaid that it's on a rotating tap and that the only ERB available would be the 'Manifesto'. The beer wench unenthusiastically poured my order and handed it to me in a nondescript glass. I only mention this because there was a time when they used to take more pride and pour tap beers into their corresponding glasses. 'Manifesto', a Belgium style witbier was nice but reminded me of a smoother 'Bluemoon'; an overall forgettable beer. NOTE: I don't brew my own beer, nor do I make my living reviewing beer. I have however been drinking beer for fifteen years and have developed a discriminating palate. It was a tasty sample but nothing to write on about. Perhaps the 'Solidarity' and 'Revolution' will prove otherwise?
The true Belle of the Ball that night was the $5 Jewbalation-Bar Mitzvah by Shmaltz. At 13% it packed a powerful yet flavourful punch. So much so, that I winced as I pried open my wallet several times more than I had originally set out to do. I was so impressed with the texture, taste and potency of this He'brew beer that I just had to find out more! Their website; shmaltz.com, reveals that this San Francisco based company has been brewing puntastic beer in New York since 1996. They have a Coney Island Lager line that is also worth checking out. I hit up my local sodapop shop, Galco's to see if I could get my cloven hooves on some limited edition Jewbalation but sadly, that effort proved futile. I did however score most of the Coney Island Lagers and got a chance to try both the 'Genesis Ale' and 'Messaih Bold'. Impressive.
For more information about the Eagle Rock Brewery, visit their website for available tour and tasting times:
http://www.eaglerockbrewery.com/. Or follow them on twitter @ eaglerockbrew.
Also, if you find yourself in the Highland Park area jonesing for some old timey candy, rare brews and a decent cold cuts sandwich, be sure to visit Glaco's: 5702 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042
I took these to HELL for our end of the year, farewell to the team, Italian food themed pot luck and they were a graveyard smash.
