LA beer week - naja's place

day 1 of LA beer week kicked off in grand style at naja's place in redondo beach, where stone brewing took over the taps to the tune of 40+ exclusive and rare beers to be found. not only that, but the co-founder and owner of stone, greg koch, was on hand to get the party started right.


because i was on the VIP list for the event, my $40 entrance fee was waived (thanks martin!). each admission granted you a special commemorative LA beer week glass along with ten 6-ounce tasters of any beer of your choosing. there were a ton of rarities on draft, so i opted for the following:

1. double bastard w/chipotle peppers
2. 15th anniversary w/espresso beans
3. cherry chocolate stout (collaboration)
4. special holiday ale (collaboration)
5. smoked porter w/vanilla bean
6. arrogant bastard w/coconut flakes

i wasn't able to take full advantage since i was driving, but the above six still allowed me to do some damage. the double bastard w/chipotle was my fave of the night - its sweet and spicy overtones balanced perfectly with the double digit ABV. and i was thrilled to have tried the cherry chocolate stout, as it was tapped a few weeks ago when i visited the brewery in escondido.

and a final parting shot w/the stone head honcho, who delivered an impassioned plea against yellow fizzy beer, before crowd surfing a la pearl jam circa 1994:

me & greg koch (stone co-founder, owner)