Firestone’s Double Barrel Ale
Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times
FRESH: Firestone’s Double Barrel Ale from a cask.

Where cask ale flows in Southern California

Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times
FRESH: Firestone’s Double Barrel Ale from a cask.
June 25, 2008

Where the cask ales flow

CASK-CONDITIONED ales, -- unpasteurized, naturally carbonated beers served directly from their firkins (fermenting containers) -- can be difficult to find because of their short shelf life and special handling requirements, including a special hand pump called a beer engine.

The pubs and restaurants below serve local brews tapped from a cask (note special times); expect thick heads of foam, delicate fizz and fresh, yeasty flavor.

 
Upcoming: Blue Palms Brew House, opening in Hollywood in August, plans to offer daily casks.

Beachwood BBQ, 131 1/2 Main St., Seal Beach, (562) 493-4500, www.beachwoodbbq.com. Rotating selection of a Deans Brothers, Stone Brewing or other cask ale from a Southern California brewery offered daily.

BJ's Brewery and Restaurants, Oxnard and West Covina locations only, 461 W. Esplanade Drive, Oxnard, (805) 485-1124; 2917 E. Eastland Center Drive, West Covina, (626) 858-0054; www.bjsbrewhouse.com. Weekly cask night Thursdays from 2 p.m. features rotating selection of a BJ's house or seasonal cask ale such as pumpkin or spicy jalapeño.

Daily Pint, 2310 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, (310) 450-7631. Weekly cask night Fridays from 3 p.m. features rotating selection of a Firestone Walker, Stone Brewing, Craftsman or other cask ale from a Southern California brewery. Beginning in August, cask beers will be offered daily.

McG's Irish Pub, 21356 Devonshire St., Chatsworth, (818) 734-7056, www.mcgspub.com. Weekly cask night Fridays from 3 p.m. features rotating selection of a Firestone Walker, Stone Brewing, Craftsman or other cask ale from a Southern California brewery. Beginning in August, several beers will be offered daily.

Karl Strauss, 901A South Coast Drive, Costa Mesa, (714) 546-2739; and Karl Strauss, 1000 Universal Studios Blvd., Suite M-41, Universal City, (818) 753-2739. Cask nights the first Thursday of each month, from 4 p.m. in Universal City and 5 p.m. in Costa Mesa, feature a selection of a Karl Strauss house or seasonal cask ale such as double IPA or dry-hopped brown ale.

Naja's Place, 154 International Boardwalk Place, Redondo Beach, (310) 376-9951, www.najasplace.com. Rotating selection of a Firestone Walker, Stone Brewing or other cask ale from a Southern California brewery offered daily (beer engine currently being repaired; call for availability).

Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery, 1 Pine Ave., Long Beach, (562) 308-2255, www.rockbottom.com. Rotating selection of two Rock Bottom house cask ales such as American-style brown or double IPA offered daily.

Verdugo Bar, 3408 Verdugo Road, Glassell Park, (323) 257-3408, verdugobar.com. Cask nights (days vary) twice a month from 8 p.m. feature rotating selection of a Deans Brothers, Green Flash or other cask ale from a Southern California brewery (beer engine currently being repaired; call for availability and schedule).

Ye Olde King's Head, 116 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, (310) 451-1402, www.yeoldekingshead.com. Monthly cask night the first Friday of the month from October through May features a rotating selection of a Firestone Walker or other cask ale from a Southern California brewery. -- Jenn Garbee







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