Westwood Brewing Co.

July 10, 2008 [ Updated July 22, 2008 ]
Interesting place. Summer (Thursday July 9th), but I can see how this place would be bad during college session. Place caters to Macro drinkers, mainly Stella, Miller and fat tire on being drank (as well as Corona in bottles). I personally had the Arrogant Bastard, Firestone Double Barrel, and their own labeled IPA (they have four beers that they call there own, a pale ale, a IPA, an amber, and a honey blonde). The IPA was suprisingly tastey! The food looked edible, but I was just there for a drink. Ordering an Arrogant Bastard got me talking to another beer geek (although he had not heard of rate beer yet...soon to change hopefully). Server was nice, but not too knowledgable about beer. They are grossly understaffed! Chilled glasses too. Apparently they hardly ever rotate taps seasonally. Lots of TV, and boy was the music loud (another college scene thing). Overall enjoyable as a beer bar that is amazingly close to me...but BJ’s (around the corner) is better for Brewpub beer (but no bar seating, and always a line for tables). Westwood Brew Co has its place as a fun bar that serves above average beer. Not too bad.

February 8, 2008
Once upon a time, those metal cannisters behind the bar were actualyl used to brew beer. Now they’re just there for looks, since BrewCo (as it’s known around the area) no longer brews. The draft craft beer list is better than your average bar by a long shot, though there are the usual make-believe craft beers (Bare Knuckle Stout, anyone?). The food is a hair better than average, but it too was once much better and more adventurous than it is now. And while the bartenders are a good-looking and friendly lot, the service is a bit slow. Ambiance is college crowd lite, with gaggles of cute girls banding together for protection (as if they needed it) from feminized guys. Some testosterone charged young men got into a faggot shouting match last time I was there, though. There is live music from time to time: some acoustic, some amplified rock. It is kept safely away from the main room in an upstairs loft area. Parking is valet and cheap, unless you snag some free street parkign at night. overall, the place has been dumbed down from its heyday in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, but is still a welcome stop if you’re coming out to see my band play there. :-)

September 20, 2005
Since Westwood Brewing Co. (or BrewCo) no longer brews their own beer, they are building an impressive collection of taps. On any given day, you might find Alesmith Speedway Stout (yes, on tap), Red Rocket Ale, Nautical Nut Brown, or even Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter. Food selection is standard pub grub... but very tasty. The place is are rare combination in LA or great beer and live music.