Build-Your-Own Beer Flights

PHOTO by ROSHEILA ROBLES

The success of a sports bar, it seems, is far more dependent upon the dimensions of its TVs than the breadth of its bar, a misplaced priority that leaves drinkers with few choices other than the usual watery lagers. But when pitchers of the same old brews just won’t do, there’s Shipmates in Cerritos. Shipmates has a particularly impressive selection of draft beers, a cast of 34 imports and crafts that far surpasses typical sports-bar standards. Paulaner’s Oktoberfest is an essential, occasionally hard-to-find import, while the more-common Smithwick’s is a welcome option, as well. Still, the bar’s domestic craft-beer selection is what makes Shipmates so formidable. It’s an extensive list that includes Dogfish Head’s best-in-class 90 Minute IPA, Rogue’s excellent Dead Guy Ale and Stone’s famous Arrogant Bastard Ale. Pints are fairly priced, but as you inevitably end up ordering more than your liver can handle, fatigue is bound to set in after the first few brews. Shipmates, however, has a supremely smart remedy for that: build-your-own beer flights. You can choose either five six-ounce pours for $10 or 10 for $14, totaling 30 or 60 ounces of beer, respectively. There aren’t any restrictions, either; you can pick freely from that extensive selection of drafts. All that quality (and, frankly, more potent) beer will spoil you. You’ll never want a simple pitcher again.

SHIPMATES 11424 SOUTH ST • CERRITOS 90703 • 562.924.3211

Tags: beer, cerritos, dogfish head, Drink of the Week, rogue brewery, shipmates, stone brewery