Public Beer Wine Shop in Long Beach has been open since 2013, but a new team of owners took over this taproom and bottle shop in April with intentions to create a top shelf gastropub. Gino and Annaliese Espinosa, along with Chef Eduardo Ruiz (of Corazon and Miel fame), are close friends with a passion for craft beer, outstanding food and an extensive wine list. Currently, the menu is served Thursday through Sunday, but the plan is for a seven-day menu including a Sunday Brunch, all created under the watchful eye of Chef Eduardo. Some of the menu selections right now: Coconut and Cherry Shrimp Ceviche, a Cuban Sandwich, Biscuits and Chorizo Gravy and Tacos de Mi Abuela. Chips and Salsa Flight are served every day with three mouth-watering salsas: Tart Habanero, Smoked Chilies w/Sherry and Salsa Casera w/Saffron.
Walk into Public Beer Wine Shop and you'll find a cozy lounge area that leads to the store part. Bottles and bottles of craft beer fill the room, including beer from Baja California still celebrating its brewery renaissance. Board games are available to play with as you enjoy a movie projected on a wall. Pieces of art for sale adorn another wall, as are the many bottles of wine. Grab a seat at the bar and enjoy some of the 12 craft beers on draft. They're constantly rotating the eclectic, impressive list.
I started off with Sirena 5.24 % ABV Pilsner from Ensenada brewery Agua Mala. Smooth, great flavor with no aftertaste, it's a quality pils that compliments just about anything (the kitchen was closed the night I went so let me recommend the Long Beach Jerky Co. Spicy Teriyaki! Yum!). Stone Enjoy By 09.05.16 is the latest in its series of intense IPA's at 9.4% ABV and unfiltered—it gives you everything right at the front, with stone fruit, hops, light malt. Smooth AF! Meanwhile, MO from Maine Beer Company is a Pale Ale 6% ABV will have you saying MO! MO! MO! after the first sip (sorry, couldn't resist). Slight citrus, smooth hops and malts make this pale one of the most enjoyable, flavorful beers in LBC.
Public Beer Wine Shop offers Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 5 to 8, and Saturday late night from 10 pm to close….are you there yet??!!
Public Beer Wine Shop, 121 W. Fourth St., Long Beach, (562) 499-0415; publicbeerwineshop.com
