Archive

September '10

"Los Angeles' Sexiest Happy Hours"

July '10

"WELCOME"

"The Happiest Tradition"

"Best Happy Hours in West Hollywood"

June '10

"There's More Than Booze in Bouzy"

"LA's Longest Happy Hours"

"The Secret is Out: Happy Hours at LA's Speakeasies"

April '10

"Classic LA Happy Hours"

Microbrews and craft ales are gaining in popularity as more Americans lean towards small-batch, independently owned, and locally produced food and drink, realizing that perhaps bigger isn't always better.

Traditionally the domain of smaller, kitschy cities and towns with plenty of fresh air and bad weather, microbrew appreciation has taken hold in Los Angeles and for every $3 PBR, a $3 handcrafted beer is available as well. Whether you prefer stout, amber, blonde, wheat or IPA, you can sample several brews during happy hour, sip closely to taste the trend towards brewmasters who truly care about the libations they produce.

Located on Sunset Blvd in the middle of the hipster drag that is Sunset Junction, Good Microbrew serves a dazzling array of international beers and their own brews as well. Wednesday from 6PM to 10PM is "Mystery Beer Night," a fun evening where pints of mystery microbrews are only $3. Hit up Good on the weekends for $8.95 bottomless mimosas too.

For beer aficionados looking for a cold wet one in Hollywood, head to the Blue Palms Brewhouse. With 24 craft brews on tap and food fare like lobster mac'n'cheese, Blue Palms is a step up from most bars in the area, and their beer menu changes frequently- check the website for the latest offerings. Happy hour lasts from 5PM to 6:30PM on Monday through Friday with $3 beers, or head there on Tuesday nights from 6PM to 10PM and on Sundays from noon to 5PM when all of their pints are just $4.

Prefer to have your beer with a side of beach? The Belmont Brewing Company is located at the foot of the pier in Long Beach and offers happy hour libations in the bar on Monday through Friday from 4:30PM to 6:30PM, on Saturday and Sunday from 2PM to 5PM, and late night every day of the week from 8:30PM to 10:30. The oldest operating brewpub in SoCal, Belmont's happy hour includes $3.50 beers and $10 pitchers, with plenty of appetizers and additional daily specials as well.

A fun pub with an outstanding collection of microbrews, the Daily Pint in Santa Monica serves beer alongside foosball, pool tables and even a shuffleboard court. Keep up with their changing beer selection on their Twitter page, and aim to arrive on Monday through Friday from 2PM to 6PM, when all draft beers are $1 off.

Patio seats are at a premium at The 3rd Stop, a neighborhood bar whose happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 5PM to 7PM and Saturday and Sunday all night. For $4 a glass you can try a selection of the 30 beers on tap, from choice imports such as Unibroue Maudite to local Cali brews like Humboldt's Lost Coast Great White. The long wooden tables welcome a varied clientele who come not only for the fine selection of brews, but for the $5-7 appetizers at happy hour as well.