A new brewing spot

Entrepreneur Ralph Verdugo once ran downtown L.A.’s Club 740, but he left that world after having a revelation. Or maybe just a few pints.

“With the economy, people don’t like going to clubs so much,” Verdugo said.

The 41-year-old has embraced his inner beer geek and just opened Los Angeles Brewing Co. ( www.labrewingco.com) in the Chapman Building between 7th and 8th streets on Broadway. The place boasts 100 taps, a gated patio for dogs, and a menu with all but one item under $20.

“People ask if we’re a high-end restaurant, a sports bar or a gastro-pub. Why can’t I be all three?” asked Verdugo.

His tap list mixes craft options with well-known brands, but it will trend more toward specialty soon. Firestone Walker will be showcased next week, and Verdugo plans to host home brewer meetings.

Also, join the beer club and get an engraved mug after 50 pints.

“We’ll be making this more of a craft house and catering more toward the locals,” he said. “The residents are telling us what they like.”

The West Side has long had its share of notable beer bars and its own brewery, El Segundo Brewing Co. ( www.elsegundobrewing.com), celebrates its one-year anniversary May 20. On the anniversary, the tap room will open at 2 p.m., but a $50 reservation gets you in at noon and includes a filled growler, a bag to carry it in and an anniversary glass.

Founder Rob Croxall summarizes the El Segundo mission thusly: “We focus on being the hoppy brewery in L.A. I might be as bold to say that we probably have the hoppiest beers of any of the L.A. breweries.”

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todd.martens@latimes.com