Ever notice how the birthday of your family members, friends and friend’s kids seem to come in packs? You’ll go a month without having to buy a card or grab a bottle of wine in a panic before a party, then suddenly you have a weekend full of parties, dinners, and stops for “just one quick drink” to toast a co-worker’s birthday. Craft beer in L.A. gets similar stretches of anniversary overload, and this weekend is a busy one!

Here’s a quick look at three craft-beer-focused anniversary parties from Redlands to Torrance where you can get some great brews and toast with like-minded craft fans.

Hangar 24 turns 6

First up is Hangar 24’s sixth anniversary airfest. Last year’s air show / concert / beer festival was such a success that the Redlands brewery has added a second day to the festivities. Now beginning Friday afternoon and running through Saturday night, the 2014 Hangar 24 Airfest features bands (the headliners are JT Hodges on Friday and ‘90s favorites Everclear on Saturday), dozens of beers, a fleet of food trucks and all manner of aerial exhibitions.


The party, which benefits the Hangar 24 Charities, takes place at the Redlands Municipal Airport, and tickets are $10 for Friday, $15 for Saturday, or $20 for both days (kids get discounted tickets, and a VIP package is also available for $200). The brewery’s tasting room will also be open (and no doubt packed) during the event if you don’t want to spring for a ticket.

Hangar 24 Craft Brewery, 1710 Sessums Drive, Redlands, (909) 389-1400.

Smog City celebrates one year at its brewery

Next up is the first birthday of Smog City’s Torrance brewery and tasting room. The fan-favorite South Bay brewery is anticipating a big turnout for itsr party on Saturday that will feature a special anniversary brew (a “strong saison” that’s a continuation of the brewery’s experimentation with wine grapes - Merlot this time) and a long tap list of Smog City’s hoppy (Hoptango IPA, Sabre-Toothed Squirrel), experimental (Plumb Saison, Fennel of Love) and barrel-aged (Bourbon O.E., Quercus Circus, the Tempest) beers. You can see the full list at the Facebook event page.


The celebration is on Saturday from 1 to 8 p.m. in the brewery and will feature food from Dogtown Dogs. There’s no admission cost for, but you can opt for VIP session tickets: $60 gets you early entry, a special-edition anniversary growler filled with the anniversary brew, five taster pours and full-sized pours of Groundwork Coffee Porter, Make Out Session Pale or Little Bo Pils during the VIP session.

Redlands Municipal Airport, Redlands, (909) 798-7655.

Smog City Brewery, 1901 Del Amo Blvd., Suite B, Torrance, (310) 320-7664.



Beer Belly’s third anniversary


Everyone’s favorite Koreatown craft beer is celebrating its third birthday with a weekend of heavy-duty brews. The special kegs start getting tapped on Friday (the Bruery’s Bois, Firestone Walker Parabola and New Belgium La Folie are just a few highlights), and the party continues through Saturday with more sour, hoppy and high-alcohol tappings such as Blanche de Conundrum from TAPS, Lost Abbey Red Poppy and El Segundo Hop Tanker.

Sunday is the real party when the Mexicali and Churro Borough trucks sling their fare, an even more insane tap list (also featuring Smog City’s Merlot-infused anniversary beer) is offered, and a wing eating contest using Beer Belly’s incendiary Volcano Chipotle Wings contest is held. The Beer Belly team also collaborated with Noble Ale Works on a special cask of beer; Naughty Birthday is Noble’s famed Naughty Sauce golden milk stout casked-up with cherries and bourbon-soaked oak chips.

Check out the Beer Belly site for each day’s full tap lists and plan your attack!

Beer Belly, 532 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 387-2337.