Where it all started

.....Ok, so it may not be where it "all" started, but for ME, in particular....I mean these guys at Belmont BrewCo in Long Beach were making craft brews WELL before I was of drinking age (1990), so before the whole craft brew "scene" was happening I was going to places like Belmont BrewCo, Redondo Beach BrewCo, Manhattan BrewCo, etc.

Manhattan is gone now, and Redondo doesnt make their own beer anymore. But Belmont is still going strong after 28 years! Located at the foot of Long Beach Pier, with terrible parking options, lies a VERY laid back brewery, focused on their core styles: brown, blonde, pale ale, stout.

HOWEVER...they are starting to (forced to?) experiment more now, and despite their small brewing area, they are able squeeze in a rotating monthly special brew. This month they have a citrusy IPA which was DELICIOUS (see bottom right)

I first went through the taster menu. If you stay away from the guest taps, you can pretty much go through all their own beer on one taster menu.

B U T ---- W A I T !!!!

What you dont know is that they have crafted these deceptively simple yet drinkable brews of each style for an additional purpose. They have a blend variety for each. For example take the Pale Ale and the Top Sail (amber), and order a Pale Sail, a blend of the two. Or the Marathon (light ale) and the Top Sail (amber) and order a TopaThon (this one is my favourite).

So...in the end, after the tasting menu, I did go back to the monthly DIPA.

Anyway, even if the food sucked (which it doesn't, its great. Try the Salmon Salad), and even if the beer sucked, (nope, see above) the view and atmosphere is unbeatable. Also, the prices here can NOT be beat. I get a 5G keg of Top Sail from the brewer (which you have to befriend before he lets you buy - no joke), for $77. I challenge you to find me a good quality beer that beats that price.