As an avid aficionado of craft beer, I’ve long been a fan of Simmzy’s (229 Manhattan Beach Blvd.) in Manhattan Beach, CA. I mean, how could you not? It boasts one of the widest selections of microbrews in this part of Southern California, backs that up with some of the most creative, mouth-watering menu selections, and then offers all of it just about a block away from the beach. The winning combination was such a hit that last year they opened a second location in the Belmont Shores section of Long Beach. The newer space is even bigger and has even more beer on draft. It might sound like it can’t get much better. But it can. More like, ‘canned.’ 

The craft beer scene in Los Angeles continues to flourish and 2013 is off to an awesome start.

Ninkasi Brewing Company, based out of Eugene, Oregon, is high on my shortlist of best microbreweries in the nation. In just six short years since coming on the scene they’ve managed to electrify the discerning palates of craft connoisseurs up and down the Pacific Coast. Although their distribution is largely concentrated in the Northwest, this weekend Southern Californians are afforded the rare opportunity to experience these sensational suds at a special tasting at Mohawk Bend (2141 Sunset Boulevard) in Echo Park.

Long overshadowed by well-established craft scenes to the north and south, Los Angeles county is catching up with a handful of microbreweries worthy of recognition. Just beyond the crowded runways of LAX, you’ll find one of these pioneering outposts right along the quaint downtown stretch of El Segundo, California.

Tickets are still available to the 4th Annual Savor the Flavor Beer and Spirits Extravaganza being held this week at the Four Points Sheraton LAX (9750 Airport Blvd) in Los Angeles, CA.

If you call Southern California home, make sure to hit up Sunset Beer Company (1498 West Sunset Boulevard) this Friday afternoon. Beginning at 4PM, they’ll be hosting a Lagunitas Tap Takeover featuring several favorites from one of the nation’s most popular microbreweries.

Good burgers and great beer. There really isn’t that much more to life. At Simmzy’s (229 Manhattan Beach Blvd.) in Manhattan Beach, California, they excel at both. And for good measure they throw in the scenic backdrop of one of the country’s most impressive beachscapes.

The annual BAM Fest returns to the 18th Street Arts Center (1639 18th Street) in Santa Monica, CA this Saturday from 1-6PM. Celebrating the local music and craft beer scene, its sure to be an action-packed afternoon showcasing more than 35 breweries and 4 live bands.