Author: Megan

The craft beer craze has taken Los Angeles by storm, and DTLA has played a key role in our local brewery boom. Thanks to the success of pioneers such as Angel City Brewing, Arts District Brewing Company, Highland Park Brewery, and Boomtown Brewery, downtown has become a magnet for entrepreneurial brewers from around the Southland and beyond, who are attracted to DTLA’s creative atmosphere and suds-loving clientele. In every corner of downtown, from Chinatown to the Arts District, South Park, and more, you’ll find microbreweries, beer gardens, and industrial-cool taprooms serving great lagers, awesome ales, sumptuous stouts, and hoppy IPAs. A chilled brew is the perfect summer thirst quencher. So let’s hoist a cold one in DTLA!

Audio Graph Beer Co. 1203 S Olive St. Los Angeles, CA 90015

Located in South Park, near Crypto.com and the Convention Center, Audio Graph Beer is just a hop away from Circa. These passionate brewmasters take pride in crafting award-winning beers, embodying the precision of audio engineering fused with the seasoned craftsmanship of a dedicated brewer—a true autograph of exceptional quality and unwavering commitment to the craft. The brewery’s goal is to be a cheerful gathering place for the community, serving locals and visitors alike. And it’s pet-friendly!

Angel City Brewery 216 S Alameda St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

In a city known more for its glitz than its grit, Angel City Brewery is proud to rough things up a bit and work beneath the shiny surface. Their home in the Los Angeles Arts District is both brewery and canvas, the center of a revival for the city’s artists, musicians, hustlers, and craftspeople. From monthly gallery showcases to can art collaborations, since 2016 they’ve worked with Art Share L.A. to give local artists a platform and to be paid fairly for their work. Purchasing outside food from local restaurants is encouraged, and Angel City has an eclectic schedule of food trucks pulling up daily.

Boomtown Brewery 700 Jackson St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

In the mid-1800s, the boomtowns of California were points of convergence for those lured by potential riches and discovery. Today, Los Angeles maintains a similar allure for those who move here every year to pursue their dreams. Located in DTLA’s Arts District, Boomtown Brewery aspires to speak to that audience by serving as a venue and showcase for artists and galleries. Boomtown Brewery crafts old world, unfiltered, full flavored beers with integrity and quality ingredients sourced from vendors and farmers who align with their principles, honoring time tested methods and embracing classic styles of beer that have contributed to our shared brew culture.

Highland Park Brewery 1220 N Spring St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

From their original space in Highland Park as a production-only facility, Highland Park Brewery has expanded into Chinatown, housing their first tasting room. Highland Park Brewery has a simple goal of making excellent beer in Los Angeles. Their journey in beer focuses on good people, discovery, adventure, and, quite simply, fun. Their world of fresh hoppy beers, crisp lagers, bold stouts, and adventurous mixed culture fermentation is accompanied by unique processes, wacky microbes, and local ingredients.

Arts District Brewing Company 828 Traction Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Arts District Brewing Company opened December 2015 in Downtown LA’s historic Arts District. With a 15-barrel brewhouse that produces an average of 2,100 barrels each year, their brewers craft a variety of beer styles ranging from wheat ales to stouts to IPAs. Beers on tap are brewed on-site by their award-winning team. The hearty food menu offers a beer-appropriate selection of wings, burgers, fires, salads, fried calamari, fish tacos, and nachos. Arts District Brewing also offers beer to-go, including Crowlers™, 6-packs, and limited edition bottles from their barrel-aging program.

Homage Brewing 1219 N Main St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Pomona-based Homage Brewing opened a taproom near Highland Park Brewery in 2021. The establishment is inspired by the many breweries, musicians, and artists who push forward, by taking risks and experimenting to help keep our world innovative. Beer is their passion, and their hand-crafted ales are an homage and direct representation of their contribution to the on-going pursuit of creating meaningful art that defines a generation. To enhance your drinking experience, Homage serves a beer-friendly menu of burgers, fish tacos, chicken wings, sandwiches, and salads.

Arrow Lodge Brewing 950 E 3rd St. Unit 1A, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Another newcomer to the scene, Covina-based Arrow Lodge Brewing opened a taproom in the Arts District in 2022. Owned and operated by a cast of characters, Victor, Andy and Elias’s objective is to make our community proud while creating a unique beer drinking experience, always staying true to the craft one batch at a time. At Arrow Lodge, they understand the importance of not only making great beer, but also providing a beautiful and relaxing space to enjoy it. The tasting room combines an old world feel with a touch of modern that makes for a warm and welcoming lodge environment. Pictured: Head Brewer Nick Pellegrino

Native Son LA 832 S Olive St. Los Angeles, CA 90014

Continuing the trend to settle in DTLA, Santa Ana brewery Native Son recently took over the Modern Times Dankness Dojo space in South Park. With craft beer as their roots, Native Son’s owners felt they could not pass up on the opportunity to expand into their new Downtown location, noting that they have always loved the atmosphere and feel of the Dojo and wanted to preserve its unique style. Join them for house-brewed beers, creative seltzers, and unique seltzer cocktails. Specials include daily Happy Hour, Weekend Brunch, and Downtown Events.

Creature Comforts Brewing Co. 1124 San Julian St. Los Angeles, CA 90015

In 2023, Georgia brewer Creature Comforts Brewing Co. expanded into LA with a downtown operation located in the bustling City Market South community. Founded in 2014, Creature Comforts is a purpose-driven, B-Corp certified craft brewery based in Athens, Georgia. With a mission rooted in human connection, they are committed to giving back to both the local and craft beer communities. Impact initiatives range from their sustainability efforts, which recently led to TRUE Zero Waste certification, to impact programs including Get Comfortable and Brew for One, and their industry support through partnerships with the Giving Kitchen and involvement in the Brewers Association.

Karl Strauss Brewing Company 600 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA 90017

Karl Strauss Brewing Company is a San Diego-based chain with an interesting story. Born in 1912 in Minden, Germany, Karl Strauss was immersed in the brewing world from an early age, playing among beer barrels and hops at his father’s brewery. He attended the Technical University of Munich-Weihenstephan and earned a Master Brewing certification at age 19. After emigrating to America in 1939, he embarked on a consulting career. Flash forward to 1986, when San Diego was void of the thriving beer scene it has today. Chris Cramer (Karl’s cousin) and college buddy Matt Rattner dreamed of bringing local, handcrafted beer back to San Diego. With the help of Brewmaster Karl Strauss himself, in 1989 the first Karl Strauss Brewing Company opened in downtown San Diego. Today, Karl Strauss Brewing Company has nine locations. The DTLA outpost is a popular happy hour spot, serving American bar food with a gourmet twist, alongside house-brewed craft ales.

Photo Credits:

Photo #1: Arts District Brewing Company

Photo #2: Audio Graph Beer Co.

Photo #3: Angel City Brewery

Photo #4: Boomtown Brewery

Photo #5: Highland Park Brewery 

Photo #6: Arts District Brewing Company

Photo #7: Homage Brewing

Photo #8: Arrow Lodge Brewing

Photo #9: Native Son LA

Photo #10: Creature Comforts Brewing Co.

Photo #11: Karl Strauss Brewing Company