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Southern California has practically become synonymous with hoppy IPAs. Its drinkers love that bitter, sunny, citrusy flavor so much that they created a holiday to toast the brew.
Its fans are many. According to Symphony IRI Group Data, India Pale Ale is single most popular style of craft beer in America, and its popularity is rising the fastest compared to other varieties, surging 39% in the past year alone.
One such IPA-lover is Ashley Routson (aka The Beer Wench), who launched IPA Day (today) in 2011 by as a way to bring craft beer drinkers together via social media.
Of course, the real fun is taking this off the interwebs and into the real world. Here are a few of our favorite places to get some real face time with IPA in and around L.A.
Eagle Rock Brewery: When this Glassell Park brewery launched three years ago, it was the only player in the L.A. area. Since then, they've developed some awesome brews, including a red velvet ale, some serious coffee collabos, and our personal favorite, the black mild Solidarity ale. Today, they'll be tapping one of their OG beers, a West Coast IPA called the Populist in honor of IPA Day. Food trucks routinely roll around their 'hood too, so there'll be plenty to soak up the suds.
Golden Road Brewing: GRB is Tony Yanow's (Tony's Darts Away, Mohawk Bend) baby, and boy oh boy has it grown up. You can now find their cans in grocery stores all over the country. The patio at their Atwater Village brewpub is always a great place to throw back a few, and today is no exception. Try their Point The Way IPA with some of their vegan-friendly food, and you'll be happy camper.
Beer Belly:Duck fat fries? Check. Great grilled cheese? Check. Bangin list of Cali brews? Double check. This K-town bar has become one of our favorite spots to get a drink in town. Try the Ballast Point Hot Sculpin IPA, made with habanero chilies, to kick it up a bit on this festive, sudsy holiday.
Beachwood Brewing: Not only does this Long Beach brewpub make some of our favorite smoked buffalo wings and BBQ, but they also craft excellent Cali brews. Their portfolio is vast, but today it's all about those India pales. Check out their Melrose IPA and Thrillseeker IPA, which are also bottled and sold to the public at some SoCal shops.
