Oxidizer Double IPA – Rock Bottom, LBC

Look: Looks like royalty in that goblet… but it was Golden yellow

Taste: Very sharp and hoppy that takes over the senses

Conclusion: This was a solid offering by Haley. You can smell the hops in this baby as you lift the goblet to your mouth. I was sold after that. It has a great crisp flavor, but alas, it washed away all too quickly. Its beers like these that I wish the flavor lingered on the tongue a while longer. That hoppy aroma was music to my… um, nose.
Any way, at 9%, you really don’t feel it right away, which was surprising. It kind of sneaks up on you as you get up to use the potty. I had some finger food with it, and it paired up great with my sampler plate. The only major draw back was it cost double the normal price to fill up my growler with some Oxidizer… blasted hops shortage!!

I give Oxidizer a solid 7 out of 10. It was not the best IPA, but an above average, solid IPA never the less.

Raspberry Stout (Cask Conditioned) - Rock Bottom, LBC

Look: Pitch black with a dark brown 1/2 head(Dog face means picture not available)

Taste: Light mouthfeel with roasted malt and chocolate flavors and overriding raspberry

Conclusion: This is one of Rock Bottom Brewery's seasonal brews at their Long Beach location. My wife and I hit the place up for lunch yesterday so I had to try this one out.

It essentially tastes like a slightly thicker Guinness initially as it has that light mouthfeel uncommon to stouts. The roasted malt and chocolate flavors are very strong and come through the raspberry flavor that's there from start to finish. The wife said the raspberry was to "mediciney". I'd tend to take her word since I was already two deep into their beers. Still it wasn't too bad and almost was like a dessert treat. You know those Sees Candy chocolate nuggets with the raspberry nougat filling? It takes exactly as if someone dropped one of those in here. Not bad at all. I'd definitely go for another of these in the future.

6 Brews!

ROCKTOBERFEST – Rock Bottom, LBC (seasonal)

Look: Brown-ish red with foamy white head

Taste: Slightly hoppy with a strong yeasty aroma

Conclusion: This was a good take on a traditional German Oktoberfest brew. It was a bit yeasty for my liking, but still refreshing. It went really well with the appetizers I ordered, and I’d imagine it would pair well with most of their menu. As a stand alone beer, it was good, but not great. At 5.4% alc., you can put down a few pints and not worry too much about stumbling out of the establishment.

A 4 out of 10

Great White Wheat – Rock Bottom (LBC)

Look – Hazy golden color, small white head – lemon wedge on rim

Taste – Very refreshing citrus flavor that is not overwhelmingly acidic. A little sweetness before the slight bitter bite hits ya.

Conclusion – This is a good beer I enjoy from time to time. Unlike many hefeweizen beers, this one tastes good with or with out the lemon juice squeezed into it. Its flavor is not over powering and leaves a very good after taste on the tongue.

A 6 out of 10

IPA - Rock Bottom, LBC (seasonal)

Look – Golden, with a small head

Taste – Initial very sharp taste, but it does not last.

Conclusion - This beer has a hoppy bitterness to it, but it washes away almost immediately. I wish the flavor lingered a little longer so that I could savor the flavor of the hops, but alas.
At 7.5%, it is a strong beer and you feel it after every sip. At the end of my “Mug Club” half liter, I was feeling happy. Not buzzed quite yet, but well on my way.
I enjoyed the beer, but it pales in comparison to Rock Bottom’s “The Hammer” IPA they had a few seasons ago. I hope that one returns soon!

6 out of 10 brews

Chai Stout – Rock Bottom, LBC (seasonal)

Look: Black, with a foamy white head.

Taste: Chai Stout has a strong smoky flavor to it, but also a little sweetness. It is not over powering, but very, very noticeable. I get a subtle hint of roasted nuts, like Black Seal, but not as bitter. You can definitely taste the sweet honey flavor in it, but the smoke is what stays with you.

Conclusion: I am sad to say I am not impressed with this seasonal beer offering. Is was a good idea, but the execution did not turn out all that well. It tastes like a modified Black Seal, and nothing more. I wish they would have started out with a new stout recipe and had the chai stand out more. The majority of the black tea and honey flavors were lost in the bitterness of the Black Seal recipe. Had they started from scratch, I think they could have come up with something better and more original.
I am sad to say that this is the first time I was not impressed with Master Brewer Haley’s efforts. I know she is capable of much better and creative beers.

I give it a 4 out of 10 for lack of creativity.

Black Seal Stout – Rock Bottom, LBC

Look: Black, with a brown foamy head

Taste: Black Seal has a strong smoky flavor to it. It is not over powering, but very, very noticeable. I get a subtle hint of roasted nuts, and a little sweetness as well, but the smoke is what stays with you.

Conclusion: I enjoy this beer from time to time. It is probably my number three or four favorite beer of the lot. It goes great with a steak or burger, even their nachos or other appetizers, but would not compliment any of their fish, pasta, or salad dishes very well.
Although it is a stout, it does not sit heavy in your stomach like a lot of other stouts. It coats the tongue slightly, but the feeling and taste does not last long. Also, I am sad to say, the Black Seal does NOT float… I asked for a floater, but I was informed that they had tried this a while back, and it did not go according to plan. The beers just mixed up and pretty much killed the flavor of the concoction. Alas, it was a good idea in theory… I recommend trying this beer, especially if you want to get into drinking stouts and heavier beers. It is a sort of gate way beer to the lovely world of thick, Guinness style stouts.

I give it a 6 out of 10

Long Board – Rock Bottom

Look: brown, not too dark, small white head

Taste: It has a roasted nutty flavor. Slight hoppyness, but not much. It is not too bitter, yet not too sweet. It has a nice balance and a nice after taste.

Conclusion- Long Board is my favorite beer of the lot. It is great any time, especially at night or cool days. It warms the soul. At just over 7% alcohol, it will hit you eventually, but it is most enjoyable in the mean time. When visiting RB in the LBC, I always get my Long Board fix in, then switch it up to another beer or just stick with it all night. This beer also compliments the majority of their menu items, including their pasta dishes and their fish items. I know what you are thinking, “A dark/ brown with fish? Wont it kill the flavor?” The answer is NO. Its roasted nutty flavor is not very overpowering, so it will add to the flavor of your fish, pasta, or salad.

Definitely a versatile beer, so it earns a 7 out of 10.

Rock Bottom – LBC

Rock bottom is one of my favorite local micro-brews. While the ambiance inside leaves you wanting, the quality beer more than makes up for it. They have a set of 6 home brews that are always on tap, and have two “seasonal” brews that, well, change with the seasons.
The home brews range from Cyclone Light Lager, which is your traditional blond beer, all the way to Black Seal Stout, a Guinness like creation. The in between beer, and my personal favorite, is Long Board Brown. To this day, I have yet to meet the person who tries this beer and has anything negative to say about it. Their stout is also great, which finishes smooth and creamy. Their Great White Wheat is another favorite and tastes good with or with out the provided lemon wedge.
The real treat, however, is their seasonal selection brewed up by Hayley Meagher. In the past, she has brewed up such treats as The Hammer, a great, bitter IPA, and American Dream, another IPA reaching 7.6% alcohol. Both beers were well worth taking home in a growler (jug). There is also a special brew created for the Long Beach Grand Prix every year, a light, blond beer that is very refreshing in the mild heat of So. Cal.
They also offer an array of finger foods such as nachos, calamari, and wings as well as a selection of great burgers, pastas, and more if you are looking to dine in while enjoying your brew.
If you ever find your self in Long Beach, California, I highly recommend stopping by and having a brew. If you are unsure of which of their 8 brews to try, get the sampler and try them ALL.


All in all, I give Rock Bottom-LBC 8 brews
(you can find a link to their site in our links section on the right side of the page)