Great Beer, likely 40 years at it. Always and distinguished. Marching to its own. A challenge to find but when fresh truly worthy

Jennifer was amazing, she couldn't have been better, made the whole experience one to remember. Definitely coming back soon.

These are some of the best craft beers anywhere, so the fact that they are made right here in Pasadena is pretty incredible. I first met the owner in 1979, we went to college together. His beer making is the same as his dye transfer printing--excellent taste and perception combined with technical mastery. This is a guy who does it 110%. So, hearing his voice in my head while reading the transcription of a phone call in another review had me cracking up, but probably not for the reason that the reviewer intended. I completely understand why he wants to keep the operation at a scale that he can control, and is not interested in retail sales. The fact that there is a Yelp page for a "wholesale only" operation is kind of interesting, probably flattering, but maybe a bit misleading and frustrating to someone who is thirsty. If you want to drink a 1903 Lager, go to Lucky Baldwin's. read more

"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. read more

Craftsman Brewing Company - mmmm, beer - Breweries Near Me - Pasadena, California

I wish there was a negative, I was trying to plan an event and dealing with this owner is a royal pain. Not the best customer service to say the least. You would think He would be helpful to someone that was trying to by his product. I went by to see for myself and couldn't believe how unkept and dirty his facility. read more

Fantastic beer from one of the oldest breweries in Los Angeles, but they don't have a tasting room attached. Maximiliano Italian restaurant in Highland Park is their official tasting room with 4 permanent handles and 3 rotating taps. Lucky Baldwins is also a good place to find their latest experiments. read more

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. read more

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. read more

5 stars to the nice business owner who has to turn away beer seekers. Yelp, 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... read more

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! read more

Craftsman is the best locally produced microbrew bar none. The trick is finding one of the 30 or so select retails that pour Craftsman on draft. Word is, however, that they may be bottling by fall '07. Their best beers: Smoked Black Lager IPA Hefeweizen 1903 Prohibition Ale Pale Ale Bars pouring Craftsman (there are over 30 in LA metro, including the following): Yard House, Barbara's at the Brewery, Redwood 2nd Street Saloon, Father's Office, The Other Room, The Village Idiot, The 3rd Spot, Lucky Baldwin's, Old Town Pub, Barney's, Crocodile, the Ritz Huntington, the Rancho, Delirium Caf, Matt Denny's... Interview I did with the brewmaster: http://www.laist.com/2007/05/04/laist_interview_craftsman_brewmaster_mark_jilg.php read more

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. read more

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. read more

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! read more

Craftsman is the best brewery in the LA area and has been for years. Pretty much every beer from them I've ever had has been excellent. The Heavenly Hefe is probably the best Bavarian Hefeweizen I've had outside of Munich. Their Berlinerweisse is top notch. Even their 1903, despite being distributed pretty widely, is a very solid beer. The owner is quirky but a super nice guy if you talk to him in person. Believe the hype--this place is legit. read more

Read the reviews but still called the owner just to ask him about local beers around Pasadena that he stocks...MAN THIS GUY IS SO NICE. Maybe whoever is approaching him is too demanding? Anyway, he spent about 8 minutes telling me about his beers and i'm going to go to kings row and get some tonight. Thanks! -J read more

Best brewery in Los Angeles, bar none. Don't call them, don't try to get beer for your wedding or your birthday party etc. just find your local watering hole that's carrying the stuff and drink it. Enjoy it because it's made with love. Mark isn't a sales man, he's not made for customer service, hence no tasting room, he was a JPL man who happens to really be passionate about making simple beers really beautifully and if you can't appreciate that, kick rocks. read more

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.... read more

Fortunately, one of the best things about living in Pasadena is having access to this beer for years and years. I usually it drink at Smitty's, Lucky B's or MIssion wine...and would give anything to be able to get this retail but that just isn't the case. Stories (legends?) about the owner have been passed around town for years...so good luck if you reach out, you've been warned. But hey, as long as they keep churning out Poppyfields he can be as eccentric as he wants. They were doing craft brew before it was The Thing, so don't expect them to be like all the other breweries that have popped up in past 5-7 years. Just find a good spot in town that carries it and settle in. read more

Love Craftsman Brewing Company. I met the owners mother years ago... she is a fun lady who is very proud of her son and she should be. His Poppy field ale is delicious! I also like the Orange grove ale. Good stuff! I've had the poppy field ale at Lucky Baldwin's. Enjoy! read more

One star for being a terrible businessman! This place is not open at this time and he does not answer his phone. He just needs to let people know what is going on. read more

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 Yelp 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 Yelp 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. read more

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. read more

The beer is amazing. You cannot drink beer at this location. THIS IS NOT A TASTING ROOM! But the beer is amazing when you find it at your local craft spot read more

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. read more

Tipsy Cow in Sherman Oaks and Woodland Hills has their Heavenly Hefe on tap and it truly does taste heavenly! They may carry others I just didn't look. read more

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! read more

One of those beers you've probably never heard of unless you've been to the brewery or sampled it on draft at Father's Office, Blue Palms, Naja's or anywhere else where beer snobs hang out. They've got some amazing stuff and it's probably one of the best of a bad lot of locally produced beers in the LA area. Unfortunately, it's not available at all (to my knowledge) in the Santa Clarita Valley. I even discussed that with the brewmaster at the Stone Anniversary Party in 2007 about just that. Great stuff. Just too bad you can't get it at BevMo to take home. read more

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.. read more

Thank you baby Jesus for bringing the nectar of the gods to earth. We spend a lot of time together. Mark is a genius and always makes a creative brew. Try the cabernale if you get a chance. Not my favorite, but it sure is a crazy medicinal blend. read more

Best brewery in LA no question! I Love their beers, coming from the east coast where beer culture is much more advanced then LA, I was happy to find such a good beer. I wonder if I can get a keg for my birthday. read more

Oh yes, we finally got Craftsman. 1903 Lager and its a hit. We are turning more people on to it. Also, we got their Oktoberfest and it is really good. i am told that in 3 weeks we will finally get Poppyfields. This is really imprtant to us. Cross your fingers!!!!!!!! read more

.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 read more

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. read more

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. read more

Thank God this owner doesn't have a tasting room. He is a complete jerk. I have never talked to someone so rude. It started off with hello and went down hill from there. Many other brews I can get that are much better from people that appreciate your business. Not one dime. read more

Big ups to the craftsmen at Craftsman, LA needs more quality small brews! 1903 is a great drinking beer, and the IPA is hoppy happiness! My favorite places around town to grab a Craftsman: The York, Father's Office... read more

Lucky Baldwins' British Pub in Pasadena has several brews on tap!

1903 is truly delightful. I can only find it at the Bottle Room in Whittier. If I didn't care about contributing to the obesity epidemic in this country, I would drink it all day everyday. read more

Such a great place! How I'd like to come here with my friends, like the old good times when we were young. I think that the best brewery in LA read more