L.A. Beer Week is just around the corner, and the celebration of craft beer culture features events from the South Bay to the Valley, with more being added daily. In the past it’s been difficult to visualize just how widespread the LABW events are, but this year the organizers have added a fancy interactive map to help you get the most of the 10 days of festivities.

L.A. Beer Week starts Thursday and runs until the last Sunday in September; it’s a marathon, not a sprint! You’ll still want to get a good start, and here are four options for kicking off the week of sudsy celebrations right:

Stone Brewing’s Annual LABW Kick-off at Verdugo Bar: The San Diego brewery has always been good to Los Angeles, and every year they throw a great party to start off L.A. Beer Week. This year’s smash takes over Glassell Park’s Verdugo Bar and features a drool-worthy taplist filled with Stone rarities like Ruination IPA with Grapefruit, 2010 Old Guardian Barley Wine aged in White Wine Barrels, and Farking Wheaton w00tstout. The $40 tickets are available online and include a commemorative glass, and six tasting tickets (1 pint and 5 5-ounce tasters).

Verdugo Bar, 3408 Verdugo Road, Los Angeles, (323) 257-3408


The World’s Smallest Toast at Stiengarten LA: The founder and brewmaster of Belgium’s acclaimed Brasserie D’Achouffe will lead beer fans in a toast to the beers of Belgium with a gnome-sized glass. Eight of the Duval family of beers will be featured alongside a three-course pairing dinner. Visit www.steingartenla.com for reservations.

Steingarten LA, 10543 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 441-0441.

The Bottle Room Features El Segundo Brewery: Hit Whittier’s The Bottle Room on Thursday at 7 p.m. to meet the team from El Segundo Brewing Co. and try the hoppy brews that they’re known for. There will be food specials featuring hops, and some special ESBC brews too.

The Bottle Room, 6741 Greenleaf Ave., Whittier, (562) 696-8000.


Dogfish Head and Hot Dogs in the South Bay: Redondo Beach’s Select Beer Store will kick off LABW with a tap-takeover of special Dogfish Head brews (including the coveted 120 Minute IPA, and the brewery’s fan-favorite Punkin Ale). The Let’s Be Frank truck wil be parked outside the bottleshop/taproom, and the beers start flowing at 5 p.m.

Select Beer Store, 1613 S. Pacific Coast Highway, Redondo Beach, (310) 540-1221.

Those are just a small handful of the events happening on Thursday to get L.A. Beer Week started; check out the full list of events for all the details.

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