2 O'Clock Tasting: 
Eagle Rock Brewery

Updated on April 05, 2016

As the first brewery to open in Los Angeles in close to 60 years, Eagle Rock Brewery was established in 2009 and has become go-to Southern California beer, found in numerous bottle shops and restaurants across the bottom half of the state. Started by Jeremy Raub, his wife Ting Su and his father Steven Raub, Eagle Rock has a popular taproom connected to its brewery and have planned a soon-to-open Public House serving pub fare. Eagle Rock’s bottles are distinctly adorned with graphic barley plants and modernist-style typography, adding to the mid-century inspired names.

In addition to an informative blog that offers tips on starting your own brewery, Eagle Rock co-founder Ting heads up a Women’s Forum every month to get beer-loving ladies together to try new styles.

Of it’s four core beers and several seasonals, we tried Solidarity, a Black Mild Ale; Manifesto, a Belgian-style Witbier; Unionist, a Belgian Pale Ale; Revolution, an Extra Pale Ale; and Populist, an American IPA. If you’ve been able to try any of Eagle Rock’s offerings, we’d love to hear about it in the comments section!

1. Solidarity

   3.8% ABV

   Our Eagle Rock tasting started with a Black Mild Ale, Solidarity. Also described as an English Mild, Solidarity was cola-colored and had a unusually thick, tan head. Made with more roasted malts than traditional ones, its aroma had a good deal of chocolate and coffee, as well as hints of anise. Raspberry and plum were the dominant flavors in Solidarity, and the ale had a light mouthfeel with a slightly nutty, bitter taste.

2. Manifesto

   5.7% ABV

   We really enjoyed Manifesto, a Witbier brewed with the traditional additions of coriander and citrus peel, as well as the delightful supplement of rose petals. The beer had a lively, clear color described as lemon jello or prosecco, and had the scent of lemon peel, roses, lavender, and a bit of spice. The rose petals really came through in Manifesto's taste, with a mouthfeel that was silky and heavy.

3. Unionist

   5.4% ABV

   Hazy with plenty of head retention, the seasonal Belgian Pale Ale Unionist had colors of amber and unfiltered honey, as well as golden hues. Brewed traditionally with Belgian yeast, the beer was fairly fruity on the nose, with notes of juicy pear, orange blossom, and cinnamon-baked apples. Flavors ranged from orange and orange zest to apple and cinnamon.

4. Evolution

   5.2% ABV

   Evolution, an Extra Pale Ale, was a light, dry-hopped beer that was the color of daybright, sunshine and banana. Strongly aromatic, Evolution had a varied scent that included lemon oil, meringue, pinecone and wet limestone. A bitter taste was prevalent in the ale, and it had a great mouthfeel with no sweetness at all.

5. Populist

   7% ABV

   This fresh, bright West Coast-style IPA was cloudy and yellow in color, with brown sugar and orange marmalade hues throughout. Populist was full of tropical aromas of pineapple, grapefruit and a little coconut on the end. The full-bodied beer had a strong bitter flavor at the very end, and tasted primarily of pineapple and grapefruit with very little carbonation or acidity.

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