Let it be known: Beachwood Brewing’s LBC IPA is the new unofficial official beer of Long Beach.
To be fair, this classic West Coast-style IPA kind of already was, since it’s one of only two alcoholic beverage (besides the Long Beach Tea–ugh) to even bear the name of the misunderstood beachside metropolis – not to mention, the beer’s near-constant presence on tap at the Beachwood BBQ and Brewing brewpub in downtown means this sturdy, dank brew has long been the go-to for after-work pints and porch-party growler fills.
But this Saturday, LBC IPA’s dominance as Long Beach’s craft beer of choice will become unofficially official when it gets its own day party in the parking lot of the unofficially official new best dive bar in town, The Hawk. The event comes just as the 7.1% ABV beer starts to flood the retail market in $9.99 canned six-packs, but the party is really meant to celebrate Long Beach beer as a whole, with a few other area breweries (Ten Mile, Long Beach Beer Lab, Brouwerij West) pouring, local DJs, live silk screening and more. Hawk owner Kyle Flavin says he’ll keep cans of the city’s new unofficial official beer in stock until the city slides into the ocean. It’s also on happy hour with a shot of bourbon every day for $8. Don’t get the appeal? It’s a Long Beach thang.
The Hawk, 468 W. Anaheim St., Long Beach, (562) 337-8373.
Sarah Bennett is a freelance journalist who has spent nearly a decade covering food, music, craft beer, arts, culture and all sorts of bizarro things that interest her for local, regional and national publications.