Sunday, St. Patrick’s Day, and what better way to celebrate than to enjoy some of the best beers brewed in the South Bay at the Easy Reader 1st Annual Froth Awards held at Saint Rocke in Hermosa Beach. They called it the Froth Awards, but I do not think it was as much a competition as an award of recognition to the rising stars of brewing in the South Bay. The day consisted of live music to accompany the food and beer pairings that were provided. The winners were those that attended; we got some great beer, food and music.
We started off with a pairing of The Brewery at Abigaile’s Death or Glory IPA along with a chicken skin taco with mango sauce from The Standing Room; it was my favorite. We then had El Segundo Brewing Company’s Blue House IPA with a seared ahi, won ton, guacamole combination from The Rockefeller. The Blue House was amazing, as usual. The third pairing was Monkish Brewing’s Feminist Trippel with chilled mussel on the half shell from Tin Roof Bistro. I never had mussels before; still not sure why people eat them. This was followed by a pairing with Strand Brewing Company’s Second Sleep Russian Imperial Porter and a lamb shoulder with baby carrots from Hot’s Kitchen; it was great. For dessert we had Smog City’s Groundwork’s Coffee Porter with an almond biscotti from Simmzy’s. It was probably the first time I dipped a cookie into a beer.
There was live music provided by Hang Dog Expression, Johnny Jump Up and Los Sindicate. They had a Best Beard contest that I got pulled into because I thought they said “best beer contest” as I was not even close to having the best one there. Anyway, it was a great time and if there was any question as to whether or not this would be something people would be in to; I think the question has been answered with a resounding yes. Proof once again, you do not need green beer to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
