Skip to main content

Craft beer rallies around LA in wake of fires

Drinking for a good cause

We Love LA beer.
We Love LA

You can’t keep a good city down. Los Angeles is emerging from historic fires that wiped entire neighborhoods off of the map. Among a giant relief effort is the craft beer sphere, from west coast breweries to those residing elsewhere.

Common Space Brewery in Hawthorne jump-started the initiative and has since drawn fellow breweries from all over the globe. The international aid project incorporates special brews and portions of sales funneled straight to those affected by the fires.

A glass of beer on a beach
George Cox / Unsplash

Dozens of breweries have hopped on board, including names like Angel City Brewery, Cellador Ales, Firestone Walker, Highland Park Brewery, Sugar Monkey Brewery, Three Weavers, and more. It’s a tremendous coming together that spotlights the collaborative nature and vibrancy of the Los Angeles beer scene and craft beer in general.

Recommended Videos

Check out the We Love LA website to learn more about who is involved and how much support has been offered. To date, participating breweries have donated more than $200,000 in relief. Breweries can still join in and patrons can donate directly through the site as well. Breweries beyond California are welcome to join (the likes of Maui Brewing and Burial Beer Co. are on board) and suppliers like hop purveyors are invited to help too.

Igniting in early January, the LA fires grew to some of the most destructive in the history books. Tens of thousands of buildings were destroyed, scores were evacuated, and more than two dozen people have died. Many in the area had to flee in a flash and lost everything in the fires.

So, next time you’re after a pint, consider a member brewery and imbibe for a good and necessary cause.

Mark Stock
Mark Stock is a writer from Portland, Oregon. He fell into wine during the Recession and has been fixated on the stuff since…
Maui Brewing Company turns 20
Two decades in the craft circuit
Cheers beer bottles with sun in the background

One of Hawaii's most iconic breweries is almost old enough to drink. Maui Brewing Co., the state's largest brewery, celebrates the two decade mark this February. The nation's 26th largest craft beer producer will celebrate with a host of anniversary events.

The Kihei location will have an anniversary party on Feb 6 to commemorate twenty years in business. It doesn't seem too long ago that the label was just emerging, first launched back in 2005. The company continues to make all of its beer in Hawaii, shipping out beyond the archipelago via distribution channels.

Read more
This pre-drinking supplement totally changed the game for me
Take these to feel better the next day after drinking
Jelly IV

I don't drink alcohol frequently, and when I do, it's usually while I'm traveling and want to try fun cocktails. As an avid traveler and health enthusiast, I love the taste of alcohol but hate the way I feel the next day after drinking. The sluggishness and "mental cloudiness" I experience the next day after drinking not only slows down my productivity but also impacts the enjoyment of the next day's trip itinerary.

When I heard about Jelly IV, a pre-drinking supplement designed to alleviate these so-called hangover symptoms, I was immediately intrigued, yet also skeptical. Many supplements have health claims that most of the time, do not seem to prove true. However, the science behind Jelly IV was incredibly fascinating to me. Here's why trying this pre-drinking supplement totally changed the game for me and how it has quickly become a must-pack item in my travel bag.
How the pre-drinking supplement works

Read more
Discover the hidden gem of winter beers: The Baltic porter
A dark beer for the core of winter
Porter beer in a glass

Beer styles cover a vast spectrum, starting from light lagers and stretching all the way to dark Imperial stouts. Of the many great winter beers out there, the Baltic porter should very much be on your radar. This twist on the traditional English classic offers a bouquet of flavors that match the chilly season perfectly.

Born in the north and east of Europe, the Baltic porter has a deserved fan base. The beer serves as a great intro to the dark end of the spectrum and is all kinds of generous when it comes to flavor and mouthfeel. This winter, seek some out if you're looking for something off the beaten path and full of character.
The history of the Baltic porter

Read more