Craft beer in Los Angeles
America's second-biggest craft beer city
LA metro spans hundreds of square miles, and its craft beer scene is similarly sprawling — from Monkish's hazy DIPAs in Torrance, to Highland Park Brewery's West Coast IPAs in the LA proper, to Smog City and Three Weavers also in the South Bay. The city flew under the craft-beer radar through the 2010s before exploding into a top-3 US scene by 2020.
Breweries Tracked
2
Specialty
Monkish-school hazy DIPAs, modern West Coast IPAs
Hub Neighborhood
Torrance (South Bay), Highland Park, Arts District
How Los Angeles shaped American craft beer
LA's craft revolution arrived later than San Diego's or San Francisco's. Eagle Rock Brewery (2009) and Angel City (2010) were early pioneers but the scene didn't ignite until Monkish opened in Torrance in 2012. Monkish's pivot from Belgian styles to hazy DIPAs around 2016 made Torrance an unlikely destination for the world's most coveted craft beer drops — fans queue Saturdays for weekly limited releases. Highland Park Brewery (2014) made LA proper a serious craft destination with consistent West Coast IPAs. Modern Times (San Diego) and others now operate LA satellite taprooms.
Where to visit in Los Angeles
Tasting Room HighlightsMonkish Brewing in Torrance for the Saturday hazy DIPA drops (arrive early — they sell out). Highland Park Brewery's Chinatown taproom for West Coast IPAs. Smog City Brewing in Torrance for solid hop-forward beers. Beachwood BBQ & Brewing in Long Beach for an all-around great brewpub. The Bruery's Public House in Sherman Oaks for a deep tap list.
Common date code formats from Los Angeles breweries
MM/DD/YY
2 breweries