How to Find Craft Beer in Long Beach Breweries

Long Beach, California, is more than just a coastal city with sun-kissed beaches and vibrant boardwalksits a thriving hub for craft beer enthusiasts. With over two dozen independent breweries scattered across its neighborhoods, from the historic downtown to the artsy Belmont Shore, Long Beach offers one of the most diverse and dynamic craft beer scenes in Southern California. But with so many options, knowing where to start, what to look for, and how to uncover the hidden gems can be overwhelmingeven for seasoned beer lovers.

This guide is your comprehensive roadmap to finding the best craft beer in Long Beach breweries. Whether you're a local looking to rediscover your citys brewing scene or a visitor planning a beer-focused getaway, this tutorial will walk you through practical steps, insider tips, essential tools, and real-world examples to help you explore, taste, and appreciate the full spectrum of what Long Beach has to offer. Youll learn not just where to find great beer, but how to understand the craft behind it, identify quality indicators, and engage with the community that makes it all possible.

Unlike mass-produced lagers, craft beer is defined by innovation, small-batch production, and a deep connection to local ingredients and culture. In Long Beach, this means hop-forward IPAs brewed with citrus from nearby orchards, stouts infused with local coffee beans, and sour ales fermented with native yeast strains. Finding these beers isnt just about checking off a listits about immersing yourself in a living, evolving ecosystem of flavor, tradition, and community.

By the end of this guide, youll know how to navigate brewery taprooms with confidence, interpret beer menus like a pro, identify seasonal releases before they sell out, and even connect with brewers to learn the stories behind your favorite pints. Lets begin your journey into the heart of Long Beachs craft beer culture.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Define Your Beer Preferences

Before you step into your first brewery, take a moment to reflect on what kinds of beer you enjoy. Do you prefer crisp, hoppy IPAs? Rich, chocolatey stouts? Tart, fruity sours? Or maybe youre drawn to lagers with clean, crisp finishes? Understanding your palate helps you focus your search and avoid wasting time on styles youre unlikely to enjoy.

Start by reviewing your past experiences. What beers have you liked? Use apps like Untappd or BeerAdvocate to look up your check-ins and identify patterns. Do you consistently rate higher ABV (alcohol by volume) beers? Are you drawn to breweries that use local ingredients? This self-awareness becomes your personal filter as you explore Long Beachs offerings.

Dont be afraid to experiment. Many breweries offer tasting flightssmall pours of multiple beersthat allow you to sample a range of styles in one visit. Use these as a learning tool. Take notes on what you taste: bitterness level, aroma, mouthfeel, aftertaste. Over time, youll develop a refined sense of what you like and why.

Step 2: Research Local Breweries

Long Beach is home to more than 25 active craft breweries, each with its own identity, focus, and signature offerings. Start by compiling a list of the most prominent ones. Some standouts include:

• Long Beach Beer Lab Known for experimental brews and a rotating tap list that changes weekly.
• Firestone Walker Brewing Co. Though technically based in Paso Robles, its Long Beach taproom offers exclusive releases and a curated selection from their flagship lineup.
• Alibi Ale Works A Long Beach staple with a strong focus on hop-forward ales and a lively taproom atmosphere.
• Beachwood BBQ & Brewing Combines smoked meats with barrel-aged sour ales and Belgian-style brews.
• Beachwood Blendery A dedicated sour and wild ale brewery, one of the few in the region focused entirely on fermentation artistry.

Use online directories like BeerAdvocate, RateBeer, and Google Maps to filter by location, ratings, and recent reviews. Look for breweries with consistent 4.5+ ratings and recent activitythis indicates a healthy, evolving operation. Avoid places with outdated websites or no social media presence; they may be closed or inactive.

Also pay attention to brewery size and philosophy. Some are production-focused with limited taproom access, while others are community-centric with events, live music, and food trucks. Your ideal experience depends on whether you want a quiet tasting or a vibrant social scene.

Step 3: Visit Breweries During Optimal Hours

Timing matters. Many Long Beach breweries operate on limited hours, especially during weekdays. Most open between 12 PM and 3 PM and close between 9 PM and 11 PM. Weekends are the busiest, so if you prefer a relaxed atmosphere, aim for weekday afternoons between 3 PM and 6 PM.

Additionally, check for Taproom Tuesdays or Flight Specialsmany breweries offer discounted tastings or exclusive releases on slower days. Some even host Brewers Nights, where the head brewer is present to answer questions and pour limited-edition batches.

Always call ahead or check the brewerys Instagram or website for daily updates. Tap lists change frequently, and popular beers can sell out by early afternoon. You dont want to show up excited for a citrus IPA only to find its gone.

Step 4: Master the Taproom Experience

Once inside, dont rush. Take your time to read the menu. Most taprooms display their current offerings on chalkboards, digital screens, or printed sheets. Look for key details: style, ABV, IBU (International Bitterness Units), and any special notes like dry-hopped with Citra, aged in bourbon barrels, or fermented with wild yeast.

Ask questions. Staff at reputable breweries are passionate and knowledgeable. Dont hesitate to say, I usually like hoppy beerswhats your most aromatic IPA right now? or Im curious about sourswhats your most approachable one?

Order a flight. Most places offer 46 ounce pours in sets of 46 beers. This is the most efficient way to sample widely without overindulging. Use a tasting order: start with lighter styles (pilsners, wheat ales), move to medium (amber ales, pale ales), then to heavier (stouts, barleywines), and finish with sours or high-ABV specialties. This prevents palate fatigue and lets you appreciate each beers complexity.

Take notes. Use your phones notes app or carry a small journal. Record the beer name, brewery, flavor profile, and your impression. Over time, this becomes your personal beer journala valuable reference for future visits and gift ideas.

Step 5: Explore Seasonal and Limited Releases

Craft beer thrives on seasonality and scarcity. Long Beach breweries often release special batches tied to local events, harvests, or holidays. For example:

• Spring: Citrus-forward IPAs using Valencia oranges or blood oranges from nearby groves.
• Summer: Light, refreshing lagers and fruited sours with mango, passionfruit, or guava.
• Fall: Pumpkin ales, brown ales, and barrel-aged stouts infused with local coffee or chocolate.
• Winter: Strong, warming barleywines, imperial stouts, and spiced holiday brews.

Follow breweries on social mediaInstagram and Facebook are the most active platforms. Many post Tap List Drops 2448 hours in advance. Sign up for email newsletters; they often include early access to bottle releases or reservation systems for special events.

Some breweries host Release Parties for limited batches. These events may require RSVPs and often include food pairings, live music, or collaborations with local artists. Theyre not just beer tastingstheyre community experiences.

Step 6: Engage with the Community

Craft beer is as much about people as it is about flavor. Attend local events like the Long Beach Beer Week (held annually in June), where over 40 breweries participate in tastings, brewery tours, and collaborative brews. Check out the Long Beach Brewers Guild website for event calendars.

Join online forums like Reddits r/LongBeach or r/CraftBeerCA. Local beer enthusiasts often share insider tips: The new hazy IPA at Alibi is selling out fast, or Beachwoods barrel-aged sour with apricot is backget it before Friday.

Dont underestimate the value of brewery staff. Many brewers started as servers or baristas. Strike up a conversation. Ask about their brewing philosophy, favorite ingredients, or what theyre working on next. You might walk away with a personal recommendation no online review could match.

Step 7: Take Home the Experience

Many Long Beach breweries sell their beer in cans and bottles for off-site consumption. Look for 4-packs, 6-packs, or growlers (refillable jugs). Some even offer crowlerssingle-use aluminum cans filled and sealed on-site, preserving freshness better than traditional growlers.

When purchasing, check the packaging date. Craft beer is best consumed fresh, especially hop-forward styles. IPAs and sours should be drunk within 36 weeks of packaging. Stouts and barleywines can age well for months or even years.

Store your beer properly: upright in a cool, dark place. Avoid temperature fluctuations. If youre planning a beer tasting at home, chill bottles slowly and serve at the recommended temperature (e.g., 45F for IPAs, 55F for stouts).

Best Practices

1. Prioritize Freshness Over Brand Recognition

Just because a brewery is popular doesnt mean its beer is fresh. Always ask when a beer was brewed or canned. A New Release from two months ago may be past its prime. Prioritize breweries that clearly label packaging dates and rotate their taps frequently.

2. Support Local Ingredients

Long Beach breweries that use California-grown hops, local coffee, or citrus from the Inland Empire often produce more nuanced, terroir-driven beers. Look for labels that mention locally sourced or partnered with [local farm]. These beers not only taste better but support the regional economy.

3. Dont Judge by the Name or Label

A quirky name like Tropical Thunderstorm or a bold label doesnt guarantee quality. Focus on the style, ingredients, and reviews. Sometimes the most understated beerslike a simple pale ale or a clean lagerare the most expertly crafted.

4. Pace Yourself

Craft beer often has higher ABV than mass-market beer. A 7% IPA can hit harder than a 5% lager. Sip slowly, drink water between pours, and never drive after tasting multiple beers. Use ride-sharing apps or plan ahead with a designated driver.

5. Respect the Space

Brewery taprooms are communal spaces. Keep noise levels reasonable, dont monopolize tables, and be mindful of others. If youre with a group, dont order more than you can reasonably consume. Many breweries charge for wasted beer or excessive waste.

6. Leave Reviews (Responsibly)

Platforms like Google, Yelp, and Untappd rely on honest, detailed reviews. Instead of saying Great beer! write: Tried the Blood Orange Hazy IPAbright citrus aroma with a soft mouthfeel and subtle bitterness. Perfect for a summer afternoon. Will return. Specific feedback helps other beer lovers and encourages breweries to maintain quality.

7. Explore Beyond the Taproom

Many Long Beach breweries distribute to local bottle shops, restaurants, and grocery stores. Visit places like Total Wine & More, BevMo!, or independent shops like The Beer House in Downtown Long Beach. You might discover a favorite beer you didnt know was available nearby.

Tools and Resources

Untappd (App & Website)

Untappd is the most comprehensive tool for tracking and discovering craft beer. It allows you to check in to beers youve tried, rate them, read reviews, and see whats trending locally. Use the Nearby feature to find breweries within walking distance and filter by style, ABV, or rating. You can also join the Long Beach Beer Lovers group to see real-time updates from locals.

BeerAdvocate & RateBeer

These sites offer in-depth beer ratings, brewery profiles, and style guides. While less social than Untappd, theyre invaluable for understanding technical aspects like IBU, SRM (color), and FG (final gravity). Use them to compare similar beers across breweries.

Google Maps & Yelp

Search craft beer Long Beach and filter by Open Now and Highest Rated. Read recent reviews (within the last 30 days) for accurate information on tap rotations, food availability, and crowd levels. Googles photo feature lets you see the taproom ambiance before you arrive.

Brewery Websites and Social Media

Always check a brewerys official website for their current tap list, hours, and events. Instagram is particularly usefulmany breweries post daily updates with photos of new releases. Follow hashtags like

LongBeachBeer, #LBBeerScene, or #BeachwoodBrewing for user-generated content.

Long Beach Brewers Guild

The official nonprofit representing Long Beach breweries, the Brewers Guild, maintains a comprehensive directory and hosts annual events. Visit longbeachbrewersguild.org for maps, event calendars, and brewery partnerships.

Beer Apps for Local Distribution

Apps like Drizly and Minibar allow you to order beer for delivery from local retailers. Use them to find specific beers youve tried and loved, or to explore new ones without leaving home.

Beer Journal Templates

Download free printable beer journal templates from sites like BeerSmith or CraftBeer.com. Record beer name, brewery, date, appearance, aroma, flavor, mouthfeel, and overall impression. This builds your personal database of preferences and helps you identify patterns over time.

Real Examples

Example 1: Discovering a Hidden Gem at Long Beach Beer Lab

On a quiet Tuesday afternoon, a visitor checks in to Long Beach Beer Lab, drawn by its minimalist taproom and glowing reviews. The bartender recommends a flight: a Kveik-fermented pale ale, a black lager with roasted coffee, a passionfruit sour, and a barrel-aged stout.

The visitor notes the Kveik alefermented with Norwegian yeasthas tropical notes without excessive bitterness. The black lager is surprisingly smooth, with a subtle roast that lingers. The sour is tart but balanced, with real fruit flavor, not artificial. The stout? Rich, with vanilla and dark chocolate, and a hint of bourbon.

They buy a 4-pack of the Kveik pale ale to take home. A week later, they check Untappd and discover its a limited batch with only 200 cases made. They leave a detailed review, which gets liked by 37 others. The brewery sees the review, tags them in a post, and invites them to the next Brewers Night.

This is the power of curiosity and engagement.

Example 2: Finding a Seasonal Favorite at Beachwood Blendery

A local beer enthusiast follows Beachwood Blendery on Instagram. In late September, they see a post: New Release: Peach & Chamomile Wild Ale Fermented with local peaches from Oxnard, dry-hopped with Cascade, aged in neutral oak. The post includes a photo of the bottle and a QR code for pre-orders.

They reserve a bottle online. On release day, they visit the taproom and taste it alongside a flight of other sours. The beer is delicatefloral chamomile, ripe peach, and a clean acidity that finishes dry. Its unlike anything theyve had before.

They share it with friends at a picnic in El Dorado Park. One friend says, This tastes like summer in a glass. They post a photo on Instagram with the hashtag

LongBeachBeerScene. A local food blogger notices and features it in a roundup of top fall sours.

That beer becomes a local favorite. A month later, its listed as Best New Release of 2024 on a regional craft beer podcast.

Example 3: Rediscovering a Classic at Alibi Ale Works

A former Long Beach resident returns after five years and heads to Alibi Ale Works, which they remember as a college hangout. Theyre surprised to find the taproom expanded, with a full kitchen and live jazz on weekends.

They order the Alibi IPAa beer they used to drink regularly. Its still excellent: bold citrus, pine resin, and a clean finish. But now they notice the IBU is 72, and the label says dry-hopped with El Dorado and Mosaic hops. They ask the server about the recipe change.

The server explains they switched hop varieties to reduce bitterness and enhance aroma. We wanted it to be more approachable, they say. The visitor realizes the beer has evolvednot just in flavor, but in philosophy.

They leave with a 6-pack and a renewed appreciation for how craft beer grows with its community.

FAQs

Whats the best time of year to visit Long Beach breweries?

Spring and fall offer the most diverse beer selections, with seasonal releases tied to local harvests. Long Beach Beer Week in June is the peak event, but its also the busiest. For a quieter experience, aim for late September or early October.

Can I bring food into Long Beach breweries?

Most breweries allow outside food, especially if they dont have a full kitchen. Many partner with local food trucks or have rotating vendors. Always check the brewerys policy beforehand.

Are Long Beach breweries kid-friendly?

Many have outdoor seating and family-friendly hours, especially during the day. However, taprooms are alcohol-serving venues, so children should be supervised. Some breweries host Family Sundays with games and non-alcoholic options.

Do I need to make a reservation?

Reservations are rarely required for taproom visits, but theyre recommended for large groups (6+ people) or special events like bottle releases. Check the brewerys website for policies.

How do I know if a beer is still fresh?

Look for packaging dates on cans or bottles. IPAs and sours should be consumed within 46 weeks. Stouts and barrel-aged beers can last 612 months. If the beer tastes flat, papery, or overly sweet, it may be past its prime.

Are there non-alcoholic craft beer options in Long Beach?

Yes. Many breweries now offer low-ABV or non-alcoholic craft options, including hoppy session IPAs and roasted malt stouts with under 0.5% ABV. Ask for their NA or Session selections.

Can I tour the breweries?

Some offer guided toursespecially Firestone Walker and Long Beach Beer Lab. Tours typically include a tasting and behind-the-scenes access. Book in advance via the brewerys website.

Whats the difference between a craft brewery and a microbrewery?

Craft brewery is a broad term defined by the Brewers Association as small, independent, and traditional. A microbrewery is a subsetproducing less than 15,000 barrels annually. Most Long Beach breweries fall under both categories.

How can I support local breweries if I cant visit often?

Buy their beer at local retailers, leave positive reviews, share their posts on social media, and recommend them to friends. Word-of-mouth is one of the most powerful tools for small businesses.

Conclusion

Finding craft beer in Long Beach breweries isnt just about locating the nearest taproomits about embarking on a sensory journey through flavor, community, and creativity. Each brewery tells a story: of local ingredients, of experimentation, of resilience in a competitive market, and of passion that turns barley, hops, water, and yeast into something extraordinary.

This guide has equipped you with the tools to navigate that journey with confidence. You now know how to identify your preferences, research breweries with intention, engage with staff meaningfully, and recognize the value of freshness and seasonality. Youve seen how real people have discovered hidden gems and turned a simple pint into a memorable experience.

But the real work begins now. Put this knowledge into action. Visit a brewery youve never tried. Order a flight. Ask a question. Take a note. Share your experience. Let your curiosity lead you to the next great beer.

Long Beachs craft beer scene is alive, evolving, and deeply connected to the people who make it and the community that supports it. Theres always another IPA to taste, another sour to explore, another story to hear. The best way to find it? Step inside, raise a glass, and begin.