ISM Brewing

This is a review of their beers and taproom. We did not get a chance to try their food because we got there right after their kitchen closed :( This is the old Beachwood Brewing tap room space. Still feels very much like Beachwood, except with different beers. Same layout! Plus some weird and amusing pinatas hanging above the bar. You order at the bar and then find a seat. We came here on a Friday night and they had a live old school DJ. He was... fine... and loud. I'm glad that he was wrapping up his set just as we arrived because I don't think I would have been able to handle listening to him, we could hear him even on the patio. We had a bit of trouble getting the bartenders attention, but it turned out to be a good thing because we started chatting with someone else who worked there (maybe the brewmaster? judging from his knowledge of the beers there). He made some great recommendations. I think that they really specialize in IPAs, as there are quite a few IPAs available. And their IPAs are DELICIOUS! Their double hazy is one of my favorites. Very drinkable, the right amount of haze without being milky. Western Standard Time is also a very drinkable Westcoast IPA! Low-key spot for some beers, but I only wish that their kitchen opened a bit later (and they didn't have the old school DJ).

Popped in to check out their first, monthly bike ride which was scheduled about 6:30pm. Took off about 7pm. I didn't join in but I'd say there were 15-20 cyclists of all varieties. Sure the group will get larger as we get more daylight hours. Had a couple of beers. Their Blonde is Rainbow Harbor was nice and crisp albeit I prefer dark beer so I checked out their Midnight in Druidia which was very good. Nice size pours. Happy Hour prices are $2 off in-house brews.Food wise we checked out Pro Tip #1 with thinly sliced tri-tip. Sandwich was great with their 'slaw' mix. Fries were disappointingly lukewarm. Still hungry we split their special Frites which also had the tri-tip. There is were I should have complained. Lukewarm fries again so HUGE disappointment. Also can't say thin sliced tri-tip is easy to manage as the slices were too long. Prefer chunks. If you have a dog, they are welcome to come inside.ISM has some good local ambiance. Music a tad loud for me. Good service.

My family alone with my BIL and his wife had just spent several fun hours at the Aquarium of the Pacific and afterward they wanted to check out a microbrewing within walking distance from the aquarium.It was a pleasant walk (seemed like almost a mile) to ISM Brewing.It's located amidst loft living building, eateries and other businesses nearby.We walked in to an industrial themed microbrewery with both indoor and patio seating. The booths looked more comfortable to this old fart, so I made the command decision where the family was going to sit and enjoy their beverages.My Bill and his wife are really into microbreweries and their IPA offerings and track their experiences at each one. My wife just enjoys a lighter style lager or fruit flavored wheat beer. Me, I now have to stay away from BIlany food or beverage that contains a lot of purines in it, so beer drinking is no longer something I can partake in.You place your order at the bar then self serve your seating location. My BIL and his wife, both had beers which they enjoyed. My wife ordered hard seltzer that was mildly flavored and refreshing (yea, I took a small sip). I ordered a berry flavored Cider, which was very tasty and refreshing as well. Our son ordered a Coke, which came bottled-nice! They also ordered a plate of nachos. The nachos were really good with the candied jalepenos. Since I was the only chili head in the group, they were all mine!We saw another couple order the wings. Those looked so good and huge, that we all decided we will be ordering these the next time we come to ISM Brewing.This microbrewing has a very mellow, laid back, vibe which created a very relaxed ambiance for all of us. It was a very nice way to chill out for a few hours on a pleasant Saturday afternoon.

3.5 starsThe beer is quite good here. The food not so much. Our table shared the following:-non-conformist ($15): mixed greens cucumber, cherry tomatoes, mandarin orange segments, toasted almond slivers, and pearl mozzarella tossed in a tangy jalapeño-honey vinaigrette-nacho standard nachos ($15): bed of smokey black beans, verticalized tortilla chips, salsa cruda, melty Monterey jack, pickled & candied jalapeño, diced tomato, and guacamole + smoked chicken ($5)-crustacean rhapsody ($18): blackened shrimp tossed in tatanka sauce, citrus slaw, tomato, chipotle mayo, melted cheddar cheese on a toasted French roll-Western burger special The menu is fancified bar food which I generally enjoy however I experienced a lot of misses the night I dined here.Of the things we ordered, the nachos tasted best, though at some point, all the toppings melded together. The smoked chicken was smoking - it was tender and had a distinct smokey flavor. Delish.However, everything else was no bueno. The salad and Western experienced kitchen mishaps - the salad dressing was too, too sour rendering the salad inedible and the burger was burnt burnt. Mistakes, but forgivable. I didn't love their crustacean po-boy. I prefer a battered shrimp, but the version here is grilled. And it could have stood for more sauce.I'll definitely be back to pick up beer. I may have to wait to give the food another go.

My uncle and I stopped at ISM for a quick beer or two, and both of us wished we could've stayed longer. We loved the laid back vibe and enjoyed talking about experimental hops and all sorts of other stuff with the beertender. The beers were really good. We had a mix of hazies and West Coast IPAs. The clear IPAs were crisp, bright, and hoppy. The food menu looked really good, so next time I'll have to come hungry. Parking in the street wasn't pleasant, but we found out afterwards that you can park in a nearby garage and get validated. I can't wait to come back for more beer and food!

Came here for a meetup event and happily devoured their Bahn Mi sandwich. I love breweries that make a mean Bahn Mi and this one was quite savory. You order at the counter and they'll bring it out to your table via numbered placard. It was a nice night so my group and I sat outside. It's a chill environment, definitely a good place to gather. Definitely check this place out as it's in a newer, more upscale part of downtown.

First visit to ISM and it was a good intro. I've enjoyed their beers I've had on draft or can out and about, and the brewery is worth a visit. This review is only for the beer but do note their food menu is extensive and looks really good. The beer lineup in Jan 20024 included several good IPAs both west coast hoppy and tropical hazy as well as a couple interesting stouts. I think Ian is cranking out some good beers and hitting his stride with some great collaborations with other great breweries. The beer tender was knowledgeable and friendly. Bar seating was comfortable and they had a TV or two to watch the games. I definitely will return when in the area. Parking is somewhat difficult and mostly metered but they have 3 hour validation in the Lofts parking according to the owner.

If something had to take over the old Beachwood location, I'm glad it was ISM. I love the spacious location with great bar seating and lots of outdoor seating with fire pits. Lots of people bring their dogs too which is fun. Staff is super friendly and helpful. Order at the counter and they will serve your beer right then, seat yourself and they'll deliver your food to your table.Both the food and beer are so good! I highly recommend the cubano sandwich, asada California taco, asada fries and nachos. They all go great with beer which are available in the three categories of light and easy, hop forward and malt forward. I haven't had a beer I didn't like here.

I stop by with my dog once or twice a week in the afternoon. Good, good, environment, good service; what more can you want?Oh, haha, live entertainment too!

What a gem! Great food, music and ambience. Well worth the drive from Los Angeles! Best Caesar salad I've ever had.