It seems there are two types of beer drinkers: the snobs who only drink obscure craftsman brews and the drunkards who pound pints until the hairy shemale in the corner looks hot enough to…ahem.
For the snob: Ignore the corporate beers on tap. The 3rd Stop has more than 30 beers on tap and specializes in semi-rare Belgian treats (Chimay Cinq Cents and Delirium Tremens, for example) as well as local finds (like the Craftsman 1903, made in L.A. County).
For the drunkard: Who cares if the beer comes lukewarm and in a chipped plastic pitcher? Most of the jocks here are too focused on the game to worry about what they’re putting in their mouths. This could explain why their inner germaphobes don’t come out while playing quarters, the staple bar game during commercial breaks.
For the drunkard: This Mexican-style rock ’n’ roll bar loves its Tecate so much the owner built a shrine of out of old cans and stuck it in the men’s room.
For the snob: If you like to chug out of a bottle or can, you’ll be out of luck at El Prado, which specializes in obscure beers such as La Chouffe. The bar only uses small kegs so the beers on tap can change by the week.
For the snob: Everyone raves about the burger at Father’s Office, but it’s really all about the thoughtful beer selection. The pub only serves microbrews, many of which are rare and seasonal, but the novice need not turn away in fear: The bartenders love turning patrons on to new inebriants.
For the snob: Known as the Eastside’s tasting room, this Silverlake spot serves handmade beers from around the world. Africa, Vietnam, Croatia—you name a country, and the folks at Good have scoured the region for the best brew. Seeking a bit of an adventure yourself? Wednesdays are Mystery Beer Night: For $3 a pop, you can have a pint of whatever the bartender is pouring.
For the snob: Twenty-nine brews on tap and upscale bar food make this low-key pub a favorite of beer lovers and foodies alike. Ask for the alehouse’s Leo Stanton. He’s the resident beer guru and will recommend a good West Coast-style pale ale. Hey, when on the Westside…
For the snob: The folks at the classy-chic Library Bar hired beer sommelier Christina Perozzi to create the book-themed beer menu. The selection changes on occasion, but you can expect something along the lines of Stella Artois for sophisticated sippers, Craftsman biere du blanco for adventurous drinkers, and Lost Coast Brewing Company's Downtown Brown for chicks who like to support chicks—LCBC is an all-woman brewery in Eureka, Calif.
For the drunkard and the snob: If 62 selections on tap aren't enough enough to celebrate beer, perhaps the bar's four annual beer fests will do the trick.
For the drunkard: What kind of beer does Saddle Ranch have? Who cares, as long as it comes in a huge mug and helps you land tonight’s date? But proceed with caution: After a lot of beer, that 2 you saw at 10 p.m. often becomes a 10 at 2 a.m.
For the snob: At most bars, Chimay is an exotic delight, but at Sheddy’s, ordering a Chimay is like choosing the missionary option. There are three beers on tap—Murphy’s Stout (Ireland), Maudite (from Quebec) and Abita Amber (from Louisiana)—but if you’re in the mood for a brew you’ve never heard of, ask the bartender for a recommendation and rest assured you’ll receive a high-quality (though possibly high-priced) selection.
For the snob: Its name might translate to "executioner," but the only thing Glassell Park's Verdugo kills is your thirst for beer. Verdugo is serious about its beer and boasts a beer menu broken down by city/state (or country outside the U.S.), style, size and alcohol content. There are more than 22 beers on tap and the selection of bottled beer is so diverse and plentiful it could make a frat boy cry.
For the drunkard: This souped-up sports bar has more than 100 beers on tap and claims to have the "World's Largest Selection of Draft Beer"—and, after your first couple dozen, you'll take their word for it. Pints only cost $3.25 during the weekday happy hour, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., but take heed: Break a half-yard glass and you buy it.
