These photos are from the El Segundo Brewing Company (ESBC) Bottle Release Party which was held Friday night, February 1. The Bottle Release Party was to celebrate the two brews they are now providing in 22oz bottles, their ever popular White Dog Wheat IPA and their new Stand Crude Imperial Stout. A Facebook status update that went out a couple hours before the event started stated that it would be their “biggest shindig yet;” I don’t think they knew just how big of a shindig this was going to be.
They opened at 5:00 and when we arrived around 5:30 there was already a line going out the door. I figured that the line must have been for those buying growlers and leaving, but it was for people buying pints. The line for growlers and bottles was on the north end of the counter. The tasting room was standing room only and the crowd overflow went to the brewery itself, with guests sharing space with the fermenting and storage tanks. In addition to the ESBC usual offerings there was a rum soaked and oak barrel aged Hyperion Double Stout; and El Segundo Catering Company was there offering two types of pies featuring a New Zealand Meat Pie and a Spiced Vegetable Pie.
The Standard Crude Imperial Stout will be a limited release seasonal offering and the White Dog IPA will be available all year long. The plan is to start offering all their ales in bottles as soon as possible. Judging by the turnout tonight, the only problem I foresee is keeping enough in stock. Congratulations to Rob and Tom, you have taken a huge step forward in the craft beer arena.
