Photo Courtesy of Artisanal Brewers Collective

La Brea Avenue between Sixth and Eighth streets has a burgeoning new vibe. Little Bar started the trend 13 years ago. Next came Rascal and Met Her at a Bar, the popular coffee and waffle shop. Across the street is Commerson, a full service restaurant. Now a neighborhood brewery has opened at 6th and La Brea – and that’s its name. The brewery is part of the same group, Artisanal Brewers Collective, that brought The Stalking Horse, Mohawk Bend and Tony’s Darts Away to the L.A. brew scene.

“The La Brea Corridor is an incredible part of town. There is so much great energy along this stretch of La Brea with all the thriving shops and restaurants. We are inspired by the artistic and creative vision in this neighborhood and are looking forward to adding a new casual gathering place to the area,” said Tony Yanow, one of the founders of ABC.

The bright industrial-chic space with a brewery on-site offers a wide range of beer styles, from west coast IPAs and blonde ales, to English, German and Belgian-inspired varieties. Sixteen taps of house brews and additional guest brews make up the beer list. Craft cocktails using spirits and liqueurs from California distilleries, like Greenbar’s Grand Poppy and Grand Hops amaro liqueurs, and St. George’s Terroir gin and Baller whiskey, make their libations highly intriguing.

KFC – Korean
fried chicken,
is finger-lickin’ good! (Photo by emily jilg)

In keeping with the interesting beverage program, distinctive California wines are offered, like a Sonoma County Scholium Project Michael Faraday chardonnay. The grapes are left on the vine, producing the orange-hued wine with a smooth finish. A Bonofiglio Vineyard marsanne-roussanne  from Mendocino County comes from winemaker Subject to Change Wine Co. The name explains the wines offered at 6th and La Brea – or as General Manager Jesse McBride refers to them, “wacky winemakers.”  Both are very interesting and very good. Plus, they paired perfectly with the food.

Now before you say it’s “bar food at a brewery,” know that’s the opposite of what 6th and La Brea is serving. Chef Jihee Kim, formerly of Rustic Canyon and Michael Mina in San Francisco, brings her Korean-inspired cuisine to a new level of brewpub fare.

Pork-and-beef-stuffed betel leaf rolls are grilled and served with lettuce cups, mint, basil and cilantro. Dip the rolls into a fragrant sauce for a unique Vietnamese-Thai taste.

Sticky rice cakes with shiso pesto is a gnocchi-like dish, yet stickier, boasting a lemony, peppery flavor.

Sticky rice cakes
in shisto pesto. (Photo Courtesy of 6th and La Brea)

A must-try is the KFC – Korean fried chicken that has been brined and fried twice. The chicken from Petaluma Farms is fried, coated in potato starch, fried again and then tossed in a sweet chili sauce. The result is juicy, tender chicken with a finger-licking sauce. Please pass the napkins!

For a vegetarian option, try the hand-rolled mushroom dumplings with a lime soy sauce bursting with intense flavor. The spiced spuds – crispy Japanese yams – dusted in furikake seaweed powder and a garlic sauce have quite the “wow” factor.

Braised short rib with leek kimchi, glass noodles with tofu and a little gem salad with preserved lemon are more shareable plates. And if you are craving some pub fare, be sure to order the burger and fries.

Bring the family and sit on the patio. Or stop in after work for a beer and a bite and enjoy the lively scene and friendly servers.

Welcome to the neighborhood, 6th and La Brea.

We’re glad you’re here.

600 S. La Brea Ave.,  (323)998-8565. 6thandlabrea.com.