Club Review -- Westwood Brewing Company

Tomm Carroll

It's a no-brainer. A university campus (UCLA) nearby a trendy shopping-dining-and-movie-going area (Westwood) practically cries out for a brewpub/club. Those cries were finally answered a few years back by the Westwood Brewing Company.

The Buzz: Brew and Bruins. With the passing of the erstwhile and ersatz brewery-cum-pub, Main Line Brewing Company, a while back, WBC remains the brewpub/club of choice among the local and campus communities, creating its wares on the premises and featuring live entertainment on tap as well.

The Roots: From the ashes of the charred Chart House on that famed rounded corner of Glendon Ave rose the Westwood Brewing Company nearly five years ago. Live music was added to the menu in 1998.

The Look: Basic brewhouse -- minimally appointed with lots of brick, glass and blond wood, plus those obligatory stainless steel vats. It's light and airy, if a bit noisy. The long bar is surrounded by several dining areas, including an open patio in the center of the building.

There are two more rooms, complete with another bar, upstairs where the area is carpeted. Dubbed the "Mill Room," this space is where the bands perform and is also used for overflow crowds and private parties.

The Clientele: Largely UCLA students, although there is a smattering of other Westwood whistle-wetters and beer aficionados. Most of the staff is young, hip and college-aged itself. And they know their beer.

Where There's Smoke: On the patio area or outside the front door on Glendon Avenue -- unless of course you're discussing the Smoked Scottish Ale frequently on draught at the WBC.

On Tap: I thought you'd never ask. Ben the brewmaster concocts over a dozen different tasty microbeers, a good five or six of which are usually on tap at any time. Several of the beers have won awards in national microbrew competitions.

Favorites include a hefeweizen, a pale ale, a honey porter, and the Wee Heavy, a dark, sweet barleywine-style brew with a weighty alcohol content of 12.5 percent. Hoo-boy! Better leave your car keys behind the bar after a couple of those. Wine and full bar libations are also available.

The Eats: The full-service menu is loaded with spicy pub grub and features such fine beer-accompanying fare as apple and rock shrimp salad, smoked salmon pizza, Cajun lamb chops, fish and chips and a spicy chicken sausage sandwich. A special late-night menu of appetizers is also offered daily.

The Entertainment: While there's frequently sports programming on the TV monitors (look for a packed house for this weekend's start of the 2000 World Series), including a big-screen projection model, and a CD jukebox in the main room, the live music and occasional comedy takes place Thursdays through Sundays upstairs in the Mill Room.

Double bills of mostly local rock and pop bands as well as stand-up comedians begin at 10 p.m. and continue on through the night, frequently filling up the place. Call the brewpub for the mosyt up to date listings. And with no cover, there's more money left for beer. If brewpubs like this existed when I was going to college, I may never have graduated.

Club Facts: Westwood Brewing Company, 1097 Glendon Ave, Westwood, 209-2739, live music Thursday-Sunday, no cover.