Tuesday 27th of August 2013 03:56:16 PM

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Downtown L.A. used to be a place, long ago where the action was...where the stars went to blow off steam, drink and debauche, make us all envious of their life-styles -- BUT it was NOT a place for the common folk.

Downtown L.A. eventually became a part of the megalopolis to avoid at all costs. There simply was nothing there! And if you had to venture into the heart of the city (legal adventures, etc.) you did so in the daylight hours and probably packing heat.

Downtown L.A. is changing however....back to those halcyon days of excitement...and leading the way are small, intimate, eclectic restaurants and breweries.

Angel City is right there. Since 1997, they've been brewing their beers and after several changes of ownership over the years, they've settled into an historic building, renovated it (Complete w/slide!) and kept right on serving. Just a coupla miles from Union Station, so it's easy access although parking is a bitch and that problem will have to be addressed before downtown L.A. could really attract the business the city fathers are targeting.

But it's still getting an East Coast feel about it; people living in lofts and apartment homes above a wide variety of businesses so they are always within walking distance of their needs.

Angel City brought us a 10-taster rack and at $15, that's about average. Scanning the brews that warm summer day (August 2013), my son & I were struck that among the 10, only one could be consider a "dark" beer...a Schwartzbier claiming to be light-bodied (it was!) with hints of dark chocolate and coffee (nope!) The rest were either bland in both taste and smell, or tart enough to melt brass door handles. Some smelled of women's deoderant while others tasted like the little cardboard air freshener shaped liked a pine tree you hang from your rear view mirror. The only passable brews were the Pomegranate saison (also the highest ABV) and believe it or not, the Avocado Ale (although we didn't taste avocado, it was getting quite warm and that might have influenced our decision.)

The place is huge....on a Sunday afternoon, perhaps a dozen people were imbibing and for the life of me, I can't determine why.

Downtown L.A. has got some growing to do but they appear to be on the right tract. Angel City still has some big bugs to spray and kill.