Craftsman Brewing Company

Never use these guys for any event or make any kind of contact with them.:the owner is literally a madman, and more the villain of a made for TV movie than he is a business owner or even a caring human being… really one of the rudest people I’ve ever talked to and one you may expect to see featured on the 11pm news.

I’d like to preface this review with the fact that I’m generally a very positive person with years of service industry experience working with customers of all sorts of temperaments. As a result, I generally am very understanding that employees maybe being off tone due to feeling «overwhelmed» or «exhausted» and don’t let it affect the way I behave in response. Anyway, on to my review…
I’ve had Craftsman’s beer before and enjoyed it – so when I was put in charge of getting beer for an event, I thought they’d be a wonderful company to associate with. Totally wrong– such outrageously rude and completely uncalled for phone manner. I called inquiring sponsorship for our film event, and before even asking what the event was about, the guy on the phone, who sounded like he really would rather be anywhere else, launched into a tirade about how «You film guys make your own money!» and «How dare you ask us for help– I though you were actually out there to change the world or something! This is utter bullsh*t». I was totally stunned and before I could utter words explaining that we are a non-​profit and holding a film-​screening fundraiser where the proceeds are all donated to an diversity-​embracing at-​risk shelter, I just decided that the place clearly wasn’t somewhere that we wanted people associating our name with, thanked him for his time, and got off the phone. This knee-​jerk nose turning is absolutely abhorrent and that dude needs to loosen his man-​bun and learn to, at the very least, just say «no, thank you, we aren’t interested» and hang up. I truly found his behavior viciously inexcusable.

5 stars to the nice business owner who has to turn away beer seekers. Unilocal,we need to fix this page.
It is a small brewer, in a business park. But no food trucks, no tasting room… Never has been, never will be, according to the proprietor.
One day, the city of Pasadena will allow Craftsman to do a tasting room. But not anytime soon it seems like…

Brett, you’re a homie. Thanks for the great service!
The smartass was delicious… If you like whiskey.

.Awesome tasting brews that my hometown brewer makes and he keeps it real by not selling out to the man. I had someone tell me he could make real money I think he knows what he is doing. Great work

Edgars Ale! FIVE STARS! Really outstanding: if you like Russian Imperial Stouts, you’ll love this one! This is my new favorite beer, at Blind Lady’s Ale House in San Diego.

Wow. This is straight up the most rude conversation I have had with anyone in a long time.
I want a locally brewed beer for my wedding. This should be a good thing. I also want to know an approximate price range. This is because I am trying to keep my wedding under 15K. Maybe that’s crazy, but I don’t want to go into debt for a one day event. I just want to know whether a keg of your beer (half barrel, quarter barrel, etc.) is in the $ 100 – 200 range or $ 400 – 800 range. I know locally brewed beer can be expensive. But if it’s too high end, I can’t afford it. I think that’s fair.
So I call Craftsman because they have excellent Unilocal reviews. Granted, I don’t know much about their beer, but I’m trying to find out more. I did this with another local brewery. I called and found out some information, and then after I learned more, my friends and I started trying the beer and picking our favorite flavors.
So here’s how it went down. I’m so annoyed I’m transcribing my best approximation.
So the call begins with on a rude note. Some guy who sounds half asleep answers. Him: Hello. (Long pause.)
Me (unsure): Is this Craftsman Brewing?
Him: (Pause.) Yeah.
Me: So I’m working on my wedding and I saw you had great Unilocal reviews. I want to get a locally brewed keg for my wedding. Does your company sell kegs for weddings?
Him: (Long pause, sounds like he’s chewing gum) Yeah. Sometimes.“
Me: Great! Can you give me a price list?
Him: (Pause.) Nope. Don’t have one. (Pause.) I need to know what kind of beer you want. And if you can’t tell me the name of even one of my beers, this isn’t going to work out.
Me: Well, I’m just getting familiar with your beer, so I don’t know the name yet. Can you tell me pricing for one of your most popular kinds?
Him: (Long pause.) I don’t know about this. You don’t even know the name of our beers.
Me (astonished): That’s why I’m calling. I’m trying to find out about it.
Him: (Long pause) What size?
Me: Well, I’m still learning these things. What’s usually standard?
Him: (launches into a tirade about how I don’t know anything about half gallons, quarter gallons, all in a very snarky, condescending tone. Then he concludes with) You know what, this isn’t going to work out. You are just looking for a cheap beer.
Me (now pissed): I would go to a local liquor store if I wanted cheap beer for my wedding. I’m looking for something locally brewed, but that can often be expensive. I just want to know if you’re remotely in my price range before I go with my friends to try out your beer. I’m willing to pay a lot more than an average keg or I wouldn’t be calling local breweries.
Him: We don’t have tastings. We only deliver to restaurants. This definitely is not going to work. You can go get your cheap beer somewhere else.
Me (actually shocked): I’m just trying to learn about your company. I’m not sure why you are so angry.
Him: Goodbye. (hangs up)
So the moral of the story is this. Craftsman may have great beer. I will never know because they have terrible customer service. But if you act too good for potential customers, and you insult them and call them cheap, that makes your beer automatically taste like crap to me.

I’ve lived in SD, Bay Area and Portland. I’ve visited over 100 breweries and tasted over 1000 different beers. I haven’t tried the other but I gotta say, Craftsman 1903 is a 5* beer. If one of your beers is awesome, that’s all that matters.

Beer is not bad 4 star, but they they occasionally have some duds. I’m also not quite sure why people are reviewing this place. It’s not like you can walk up here and order a beer and get something to eat.
They also have an arrogant attitude towards their brewing. They don’t answer phone calls or email, won’t sell bottles, won’t sell kegs to individuals, etc –1 star. It’s really a take or leave it kind of brewer.

I LOVE CRAFTSMAN! What’s with the caps you ask? I love craftsman so much that if I were to tell you about it in person I would yell it at the top of my lungs, so yes all caps are necessary and appropriate.
Craftsman has an amazing selection of beers and everything I’ve tried has been delicious. My favorites are 1903 and poppy fields. You can only get their beer on tap, so head over to Lucky Baldwins in old town and be prepared to sample some tasty beers.
Perhaps one day craftsman will begin to bottle beer and my world will be forever changed, until then I can only thank god that I live within walking distance of Lucky Bs.

Went to the brewery to retrieve a keg for the company party. Oh, that smell! My friend and I were welcomed warmly and treated to a sampling of Aurora Borealis and their Plum Ale. Rediculously fine brews! The Plum ale was so pleasant and clean. More body and character than any brew I’ve tasted. Highlight of the week for sure!

Craftsman Beer, I used to work next door, and was a Pasadena Bartender. I loved this beer, and it was a local favorite. The Orange Grove, and their Hef was popular, and their porter was a strong beer that People who worked at Guinness tried, and said was great. They have a selection of seasonal brews as well. But I always loved going next door for some ice cold tastings and smelling the strong hops brewing. If you see this beer at your local pub, give it a try, you won’t be disappointed.

Craftsman Brewing Company creates some of the best beers, bar none. Amazing quality and taste! When Unilocaler Mot Y. called it «Nectar of the Gods», he wasn’t kidding. Craftsman beers truly are a treat!
I’ve had their Heavenly Hefe and their Edgar’s Ale. Both are extremely delicious! The Edgar’s Ale is my favorite. I can’t get enough of it. The last time I had it, the keg ran out and I got the very last pint. My heart nearly broke.
The only problem with Craftsman brews are that they can be difficult to find. They’re only poured on tap at select locations in Southern California. It’s a bit of hassle to drive to the closest bar (which is about a 15 mile drive for me), just to get a taste. But it’s definitely worth the trip.
As many other people have already lamented, I wish Craftsman’s Brewing would start bottling their beers so that people could enjoy them in the comfort of their own homes. Until that day comes, I’ll be hunting down bars that have it on tap.
Do yourself a favor and seek out one of the establishments that pours Craftsman’s beer on tap. You won’t regret it. And if you’re asking yourself, «Is the beer really that good?»… YES IT IS!

I always make a bee line to their booth at the Mammoth Bluesapalooza & beer fest. They made beers using turn of the century formulas, others aged in burnt barrels, one with sage, very creative and all great! Some of their beer is available at the Oinkster, in Eagle Rock also at Lucky Baldwin’s in Pasadena.

When I go into a bar and I see that they have Craftsman Brewing on tap. well then, now that’s a bar I’m at least spending 10 to 20 more minutes drinking a pint or two in.
While I wish I could tell you some of my favorite beers were locally made, I can’t. But that’s mainly because while L.A. is a place that attracts a lot of actor wannabe’s, it doesn’t really attract too many brewers for some reason.
Which is why Craftsman brewing up out of Pasadena is something like mana from heaven. Finding it at a bar is always a pleasure. Especially if it’s the Real Ale. it’s pumped manually and actually making the bartender work for that $ 1 tip you leave them.
Their Heavenly Hefe is a nice Bavarian Weizen/​Wheat beer that goes down smooooth. Oh yes, the wonderful and their cabernale. now that’s one that will knock you on your ass without you realizing it.
Most places get an extra star if they have this on tap. There’s a reason. It’s some of the best stuff on earth.

I’ve had many Craftsmen’s beers and all have been excellent. It’s a shame they don’t sell their beer in bottles! But then again, maybe it’s a good thing so I don’t blow all my money on 100 cases of their beer!
The La’ Luz, Heavenly Hef, and Orange Grove are some of my favs…

Fantastic brews and an accessable and open staff.
They really need to start distributing or more widely or (gasp) bottling their beers.
I’ve been lucky enough to try some of their experimental brews… watch out!

Oh! I wish they would bottle their beer! I’ve considered ordering a keg from them and having a kegger, but that really is a shocking amount of beer, and I don’t have many friends :(
I love their Triple White Sage, and 1903 ale. The Smoked Lager is also amazing. But to be honest, I’ve never sampled anything from Craftsman that hasn’t been fantastic.
Craftsman is part of my top three favorite things about LA, and I can’t remember the last time I had any microbrew I thought was so well done.
Cheers!

«Homer no function beer well without.»
— Homer Simpson
I couldn’t have said it better myself.
The 1903 is my favorite, it’s a great lager. Triple White Sage is a wonderful full flavored Belgium beer. I’ve also had the Abbey, and that knocked me on my ass at 10% alcohol by volume (ABV).
You can get their beers at various bars throughout LA. Their website hasn’t been updated in years, so don’t look there. I’ve had it at Village Idiot and the Smoke House.
Read the interview by Andy S below, it’s a wonderful piece. They talk about Craftsman bottled beer! I would love to know where they sell it, if they do have it.

Much respect to Craftsman Brewing. LA is the worst major city in the country for beer. It’s a barren wasteland in a state that makes some of the best in US. Craftsman is the glimmer of hope in this area.
Thankfully, their beers are popping up more. They run the gamut of beers from the hoppy IPA to the tart Lavender Sour. All are well created with precision and passion.
I support quality local products as much as I can and I drink a shitload of beer. Therefore I fucking love you, Craftsman.