Liquid Tuesday: The Beginning of Summer, or the End of the World?
In need a few drinks this week? Who could blame you, what with people fist-fighting on the freeway and temperatures rising all across Southern California. At this rate, we'll all be in a dustier version of The Road by Halloween, so you might as well enjoy this side of the apocalypse while you can. Thankfully, there are plenty of great alcohol-infused events to get you through another weekly slog.
Cocktail connoisseurs need not apply, but for the everyman (or everywoman) looking to add a little something extra to their summer parties, Planet Dailies is offering up a Mixology 101 course. Hosted by ballyhooed bartender Salvatore Calabrese, the $30 class gives newcomers the opportunity to learn the basics from a cocktail master. You'll get the opportunity to spend a few hours stirring and sampling, while plates of appetizers slowly encircle you. Oh, if only college were like that.
Elsewhere, Firestone Walker Brewery is stalking the streets. First, they're planning to strike in North Hollywood at the posh Federal Bar. Rumor has it they're planning on a six course beer pairing dinner, devised in-house and meant to compliment a selection of Firestone Walker's best beers. But that's not all. On Friday night, the nefarious Firestone Walker folks are letting you take your pint glass home with you, assuming you show up early enough. They'll be at West Pico's Steingarten LA, pouring some of their rarest creations to date, including Parabola 2012 and Sucuba Barrel Aged Barley Wine.
If you prefer to keep your beer hyper-local, Echo Park's Sunset Beer Company is letting the Eagle Rock Brewery people man their taps for the night. With only a few miles separating the two, there will be no shortage of Manifesto and Populist kegs to tap. And when it's summer time in Echo Park and the local craft beer is flowing, suddenly the future doesn't look so bleak.
Photo by imjongabriel, courtesy of Flickr.