This weekend, the South Bay welcomed the latest microbrewery to the Southern California beer brewing scene, The Dudes’ Brewing Company which is located in Torrance, CA. Unlike most microbreweries, The Dudes’ does not currently have a tasting room, but rather have decided to break onto the scene by selling kegs to bars and restaurants, and will begin canning and distributing sometime in June of this year. There is talk of opening a tasting room in 2014 after they have their operation running exactly how they want. The Dudes’ are having four kickoff parties this weekend, beginning at Hot’s Kitchen in Hermosa Beach on Thursday and ending Sunday at The Tavern on Main in El Segundo. These photos are from Thursday and Friday’s events at Hot’s Kitchen and Naja’s Place in Redondo Beach.
We had Business & Beer on Thursday at The Rockefeller and since Hot’s Kitchen is just around the corner we decided to stop in to get our first try of The Dudes’ brews. I went with their Grandma’s Pecan, which is a very nutty brown ale. I really enjoyed the flavor which definitely improves as it loses it chill. Tanya got a taster of their Grinning Face Porter, a coconut porter, which I took a sip of, but it was not enough to really judge. It smelled good though.
On Friday The Dudes’ launch tour headed to the venerable Naja’s Place on the International Boardwalk on the Redondo Beach Pier. Even though I was there within minutes of their scheduled 5:00 PM start, Naja’s was packed and The Dudes’ glassware was filling almost every table. I decided to start off with the Day 1 Pale Ale, it was good, but I am more of a hoppy guy. Again, as the chill wore off the beer the flavor improved. I then tried their Blood Orange Amber which seemed to get the most comments that I heard. To describe the taste I will say it is like drinking a Creamsicle; just like you remember those vanilla and orange sherbet ice creams. Very tasty and unlike any beer I have tried before. There is talk that they have a double IPA that should be ready soon; I am looking forward to trying it.
If you want to try The Dudes’ this weekend, they are having a tasting session at Simmzy’s in Manhattan Beach on Saturday as well as The Tavern on Main in El Segundo on Sunday. Welcome to The Dudes’ Brewing Company and I look forward to watching you grow.
