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Hawthorne Concert Nights: Which Craft Beers to Bring Along

  • Writer: Jason Hargrove
    Jason Hargrove
  • Nov 19
  • 6 min read
Concert at night with a large, cheering crowd under purple lights. Confetti falls as a band performs on a brightly lit stage. Energetic mood.
The crowd revels in live music at an outdoor concert.

The best Hawthorne concert beer is a sessionable, canned craft style like a Pale Ale, Helles Lager, or Session IPA. These low-ABV options are perfect for enjoying live music at events like the Hawthorne Memorial Park Concerts in the Park series.

Summer nights in Hawthorne just hit different. The City of Hawthorne has kicked off its "Concerts/Movies in the Park" series, and Hawthorne Memorial Park is the place to be. You’ve got a blanket spread out, food trucks are serving up dinner, and a disco funk or Selena tribute band is about to take the stage. It’s a whole community vibe, and it’s quickly becoming a new city tradition.

The only thing missing from this perfect picture? A cold, crisp craft beer.

But what pairs well with live 80s music? And more importantly, what are the rules? Don't worry. We did the homework so you can focus on the music.


The First Rule of Hawthorne Concert Beer: Check the Rules

We have to get the legal stuff out of the way first. When it comes to enjoying your Hawthorne concert beer, the city has some specific rules.

According to Hawthorne Municipal Code § 8.38.020, drinking alcoholic beverages in a public place (like a park) is generally prohibited.

But here is the important exception. The city can issue a special permit for events that allows for "beer and wine only" to be served in a "confined area".

So, what does this mean for you?

  1. Always check the city's event page or on-site signage to see if a permit has been issued for a confined "beer garden" area.

  2. If not, it’s best to keep your craft beer at home. Open container laws are not to be messed with, and they are enforced statewide. You can find the full text of state laws on the California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Act (https://www.abc.ca.gov/law-and-policy/legislation/abc-act/) website.

Honestly, navigating permits and confined areas can be a hassle. The real pro move is to stock your fridge before you go. Have a cold one while you get ready, then have the perfect nightcap waiting for you when you get home. It’s 100% legal, zero-stress, and you get to pick your own music for the after-party.


The Best Beer for Concerts in Hawthorne: Sessionability is Key

Whether you're enjoying one in a permitted area or having a pre-game at home, the type of beer matters. A concert is a marathon, not a sprint. You don't want a 12% ABV Imperial Stout. You’ll be asleep before the encore.

What you want is a "session beer."

A session beer is a flavorful craft beer with a low alcohol by volume (ABV), usually 4.5% or lower. The term comes from the idea that you can drink several of them over a long "session" (like a concert) without overdoing it. These styles are the champions of outdoor events:

  • Pilsner

  • Witbier

  • Kolsch

  • Blonde Ale

  • Pale Ale

  • Session IPA

And always, always opt for cans. They are lighter, chill faster, and are the required format for almost any outdoor venue or event.


Crisp & Clean: The Case for Canned Lagers

When it’s warm outside and the music is playing, nothing beats a lager. Forget the mass-market stuff you grew up with. Craft lagers are having a serious moment.

Look for a Helles-style lager, which is a German classic. It’s mild, slightly bready, and incredibly clean.

Even better, grab a craft Mexican-style Lager. This style is built for California weather. Brewers aim for a "clean fermentation profile" and a "light body with dry finish". They are the ultimate refreshing, crushable, food-friendly beer.

Juice vs. Pine: California’s Favorite IPAs

You can't talk about craft beer in Hawthorne live music settings without talking about IPAs. It’s the defining style of California craft beer. But "IPA" can mean two very different things these days.

  • Classic West Coast IPA: This is the style that started it all. It’s crystal clear, delivers a "powerful hop punch," and has a "pronounced bitterness". If you like flavors of "pine, resin, grapefruit," this is your jam.

  • Modern Hazy IPA: This is the new-school champ. It’s "cloudy and opaque," with a "sensory explosion of juicy, fruity, and tropical flavors". Hazy IPAs have a "soft, velvety mouthfeel" and a much lower perceived bitterness, making them super approachable.

For a concert, a full-strength IPA (Hazy or West Coast) might be a bit much. The perfect compromise? A Session IPA. These pack all the "juicy hop flavors" of their bigger siblings but keep the ABV low and sessionable.


Light & Approachable: Blondes and Wheats

Not a hop-head? No problem. If you’re just dipping your toe into craft or want something everyone can enjoy, these are your go-tos.

  • Blonde Ale: There’s a reason Firestone Walker's 805 is one of the most popular beers in all of California. It’s a Blonde Ale. This style is balanced, lightly malty, and supremely easy to drink.

  • Wheat Beer: A fantastic introductory craft style. A Belgian-style Witbier (like Allagash White) is light, a little spicy from yeast, and often has notes of orange peel and coriander. A German Hefeweizen is all about banana and clove flavors. Both are hazy, refreshing, and great with or without food.

Where to Find Craft Beer Near Hawthorne Live Music

So, you know what you want. Now, where do you get it? Hawthorne's craft beer scene is small but mighty, with some of LA's best just a short drive away.


Hawthorne’s Homegrown Breweries

First, support your local brewers. Hawthorne has two of the best in the South Bay, both perfect for a pre-concert visit or to-go cans.

Great Bottle Shops and Breweries Nearby

If you need a wider selection, the area is packed with world-class bottle shops and neighboring breweries.


Or, Just Have Your Fridge Fill Itself


That’s a lot of options. And a lot of driving.

Parking at Hawthorne Memorial Park is already an adventure. Why add a separate beer run to the list? You could be listening to music, but instead, you're standing in an aisle trying to decide between 400 different IPAs.

There’s a better way.

Let the beer come to you. Brwtxt is Los Angeles's craft beer delivery service. We learn your tastes and automatically stock your fridge with the best local, independent craft beer. See how Brwtxt works and check our Hawthorne delivery zone. You get all the latest hazy IPAs, crisp lagers, and new releases from local breweries. No lines. No parking. Just a fridge that’s always ready for the pre-game or the after-party.


FAQ: Your Hawthorne Craft Beer Questions Answered


Can I drink beer at Hawthorne Memorial Park concerts? Only if the event has a special permit from the city and a designated, confined area for alcohol consumption. Otherwise, public consumption is prohibited by municipal code. Always check the city's event page first.


What is the best Hawthorne concert beer? The best beer is a "session" style, which is low in alcohol but high in flavor. We recommend canned lagers, pale ales, and session IPAs for enjoying long sets of live music.


Where are the concerts in Hawthorne? The main city-run series is the "Concerts/Movies in the Park" held at Hawthorne Memorial Park, often on Friday evenings during the summer.


What local breweries are in Hawthorne, CA? Hawthorne is home to two fantastic craft breweries: Common Space Brewery (https://www.commonspace.la/) and Los Angeles Ale Works (https://www.laaleworks.com/).


What is a "session beer"? A session beer is a flavorful craft beer with a low alcohol by volume (ABV), usually 4.5% or lower. This makes it ideal for drinking over a longer "session," like a concert or barbecue.


Sign up to Brwtxt, and your fridge fills itself.

 
 
 
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