Tucked between two looming birch trees in downtown LA is a matte black storefront, adorned only by glowing light bulbs that read “Modern Times” – assuring you that you’ve arrived at your destination. Don’t let the simplicity of the outside fool you. Within Modern Times’ Dankness Dojo is an intricate combination of moving parts. This location appears to be every bit as complex as the brand’s beers, proudly showcasing a diverse taproom, a café that serves – among other things – MT’s house-roasted coffee, and an establishment wallpapered with comics and unique art installments.

Location: 832 S. Olive St. Los Angeles, CA 90014

Parking: There is little-to-no street parking outside of the location, but just across the street are two lots with parking for $7.

Seating: The minimal seating within the taproom and patio areas is first come, first served. However, the dining and café area is seated by the hosts. On a Friday evening at 7 p.m. we were seated within about 25 minutes.

What’s special about Modern Times?

First, everything is vegan. I repeat: EVERYTHING IS VEGAN.

While there, we ordered the Battered & Fried appetizer ($12) – which included jalapeno hushpuppies, onion rings and smoked seitan – and the Double Burger made with Beyond Meat ($15). The menu is short, but unique and carefully constructed. Next time I go back I plan to try the dessert, but for research purposes I chose to save room for beer.

Second, this brewery is experimental and unapologetic. Modern Times’ downtown location has a host of taps to choose from including rich stouts, fruity sours and a plethora of hazy IPAs – which I theorize has to do with a lack of non-vegan fining agents, as discussed in “Fish Bladder, Hooves and Honey”. While hazy IPAs are said to have a shorter shelf life than their less-opaque brethren, they can be richer in flavor due to bypassing the fining process – which can strip away some flavorful elements as a cost of achieving clarity.

Showcasing a majority of hazy IPAs in-house is a solid strategy because it offers people an incentive to visit and experience something exclusive to the taproom and somewhat controversial in the brewing community. As well as their affinity for hazy IPAs, Modern Times has an extensive combination of adjuncts including fruit, chocolate and coffee, that are well-utilized in their brewing process and help set them apart from other brands. While there, I chose a flight including: Neon Tiger (4.1% ABV) a refreshing gose featuring sour cherries, raspberries, cranberry, lemon and a Fruitlands base, Tortuga (6.5% ABV) a bold and citrusy berliner weisse, Eye Spy (7.4% ABV) a fruited IPA with notes of strawberries and cream and Black House Nitro Stout (5.8% ABV) an oatmeal coffee stout with hints of chocolate and espresso (totaling $14.50). Modern Times is one of the only breweries to also roast their own coffee, which makes a creation like this – a hybrid combining two of their talents – a particularly rich experience.

Modern Times beer is available in-house, online and at and your local Bevmo.

Until Next Time,

The Vegan Brewja.

(Feature photo by me)