The Ultimate Guide to Torrance Breweries You Need to Know
- Suzanne Schalow
- 6 days ago
- 7 min read
Torrance Breweries You Need to Know
Torrance is the undisputed hub of the Los Angeles craft beer scene, boasting the highest concentration of breweries in the county. The must-visit spots include the community-focused Smog City Brewing, the hype-worthy Monkish Brewing Co. for its hazy IPAs, the award-winning HopSaint Brewing Company, and the city's original pioneer, Red Car Brewery & Restaurant.Why Torrance is LA's Craft Beer HeavenWelcome to brew heaven. If Los Angeles has a craft beer capital, it’s Torrance. This working-class South Bay city, once known more for its industrial parks than its nightlife, has transformed into a hallowed ground for beer lovers. With the highest concentration of breweries in the entire region, Torrance has rightfully earned its reputation as a premier beer destination. This didn't happen overnight. The scene was sparked by pioneers like Red Car Brewery & Restaurant, which opened its doors in 2000 when Torrance had no breweries to speak of. A few years later, production breweries like Strand Brewing arrived, proving that the city's industrial spaces were perfect for large-scale brewing and distribution. This early success created a business-friendly environment and a reputation that attracted more brewers. The result was a craft beer explosion, creating a critical mass of breweries that now draws enthusiasts from all over Southern California. This density is so pronounced that locals have affectionately nicknamed one cluster the "Beer-muda Triangle," an epic crawl-worthy zone where some of the best taprooms are just a short walk from each other.
Our Must-Visit List of Local Breweries in Torrance
Ready to explore? Here’s our list of the essential Torrance breweries that define the city's incredible craft beer culture.
Smog City Brewing: The Community-Crafted PintsThe Vibe: Smog City is the heart of the Torrance beer community. Family-owned and operated, their main taproom is set in a minimalist warehouse where you can sip a pint just feet from the gleaming barrels and brewing equipment. It’s an authentic, industrial-chic space that’s as welcoming as it is cool, focused on bringing people together over a shared love of great beer.
The Beer: The brewery’s motto is "creatively inspired and exceptionally balanced beers," and they deliver on that promise across a wide range of styles. While they make fantastic IPAs, they truly shine with their diverse lineup. Don't miss their iconic Coffee Porter, a Great American Beer Fest Gold Medal winner that tastes like a chocolate-covered espresso bean. Other fan favorites include the hoppy amber ale Sabre-Toothed Squirrel and the crisp, clean Little Bo Pils. For the adventurous, their "Rarest of the Rare" events showcase incredible bourbon barrel-aged sours and experimental one-offs.
Good to Know: Smog City is deeply committed to the planet. As a member of 1% for the Planet, they donate 1% of their sales to environmental non-profits, often brewing special collaboration beers to support the cause. Best of all, the taproom is proudly dog-friendly and hosts a rotating schedule of excellent food trucks.
Love Smog City's Coffee Porter but can't make it to the taproom? Let us bring the brewery to you.
Monkish Brewing Co.: For the Hazy IPA and Belgian Ale FanaticsThe Vibe: If Torrance has a brewery with national hype, it's Monkish. Tucked away in a warehouse district, this is the spot where you'll find dedicated fans lining up for the latest can release. Inside, the family-operated brewery has a focused, almost reverent atmosphere, with beer barrels playfully named "Hope" and "Love". It’s a place that takes its beer seriously, and the quality shows.
The Beer: Monkish is a story of evolution. They famously opened in 2012 with a sign that read "No MSG. No IPA," dedicating themselves to perfecting Belgian-style ales like tripels, saisons, and sours. After mastering those complex styles, they quietly took the sign down and became the first brewery on the West Coast to truly perfect the New England-style Hazy IPA. Today, they are legends in the haze game, producing an ever-changing lineup of juicy, aromatic, and incredibly smooth Double Dry Hopped (DDH) IPAs that are worth the hype.Good to Know: The Torrance tasting room is both kid-friendly and dog-friendly, with indoor seating and an outdoor patio. They host food trucks regularly, so you can check their online calendar to see who’s serving.
Skip the line for the latest can release. Sign up and let the haze come to you.
HopSaint Brewing Company: The Award-Winning BrewpubThe Vibe: HopSaint is a classic American brewpub in the best way possible: a lively, comfortable spot where world-class beer and delicious food share the spotlight. The main brewery and restaurant has a cool, loft-like feel, making it the perfect destination for a full meal or a casual pint after work.
The Beer: These folks really, really love great beer, and they have the awards to prove it. Their trophy case includes Gold medals from the prestigious LA International Beer Competition for their Kolsch Enough Kölsch and their Pure Intention Pale Ale, as well as a silver medal from the Great American Beer Festival. The tap list is impressively diverse, covering everything from crisp German Pilsners and Mexican Lagers to a full spectrum of IPAs, including West Coast, New England, and everything in between. They even craft their own hard seltzers and ciders.
The Food Situation: This is a full-service restaurant with a menu focused on killer BBQ and southern-style comfort food that pairs perfectly with their handcrafted beers.
Good to Know: HopSaint has a second, taproom-only location called HopSaint at the Ditch, which is dog-friendly.
A gold-medal beer deserves a gold-medal delivery service. We'll bring HopSaint's best right to your door.
Red Car Brewery & Restaurant: The Historic PioneerThe Vibe: Meet the "godfather of Torrance micro-brews". Opened in 2000, Red Car is the city’s first-ever brewery, and it remains a beloved institution in historic Old Town Torrance. Named after California's famous Red Car trolley line, it has a laid-back, timeless pub atmosphere that feels both historic and welcoming.
The Beer: While newer breweries chase trends, Red Car stays true to its roots with a focus on classic, handcrafted English-style ales. It’s a refreshing change of pace, offering well-made, traditional beers that are flavorful and balanced. It's the perfect place to appreciate the foundations of the craft beer movement.
The Food Situation: Red Car is a full-service restaurant with a crowd-pleasing menu of wood-fired pizzas, hearty burgers, pastas, and salads. Many dishes even incorporate their signature ales for extra flavor.
Good to Know: The spacious outdoor patio is dog-friendly, making it a great spot to enjoy a sunny afternoon with your furry friend.
Taste a piece of Torrance history without leaving home. We deliver the classics from Red Car.
Project Barley Square: A Taste of British Pub CultureThe Vibe: Formerly the beloved Yorkshire Square Brewery, Project Barley Square has seamlessly taken the reins, preserving the authentic British pub feel while adding its own signature energy. This is the place for a proper pint, live music, trivia nights, and a friendly, communal atmosphere.
The Beer: Project Barley Square is a champion of a rare and beautiful thing: cask-conditioned "real ale". These beers are hand-pulled from the cask, served at a slightly warmer temperature, and have a softer, natural carbonation. It's a time-honored tradition that produces incredibly smooth and flavorful ales, from classic Pub Bitters to Golden Ales. They also serve a range of their own popular West Coast styles on traditional draft lines.
The Food Situation: The kitchen serves up killer pub fare that perfectly complements the beer. The menu features classics like Firkin's Fish & Chips, burgers, and wings.
Good to Know: Well-behaved dogs are welcome on the back patio but are not permitted inside due to health department rules for restaurants.
Craving a proper pint? We'll bring the pub to you, one perfect pour at a time.
The Brews Hall: The Ultimate Food and Beer MashupThe Vibe: Can't decide between a brewery and a food court? The Brews Hall says, "Why not both?" Located at the Del Amo Fashion Center, this is the first multi-concept brewery and food hall in Torrance. It's a bustling, energetic space with something for everyone, featuring two breweries, four food concepts, a full bar, and a massive, game-filled outdoor patio.
The Beer: The primary in-house brewery is Buzzrock Brewing Co., a family-owned operation with a state-of-the-art system and a constant rotation of over 20 beers on tap. Their tap list is incredibly diverse, covering everything from the crisp Li'l Mexi Mexican Lager to the juicy, fan-favorite Space Brain Hazy IPA and the classic Rock Sugar West Coast IPA.
The Food Situation: This is the main event. The four food stalls offer a huge variety of choices, including gourmet burgers from Colin Cowherd's The Herd, fried chicken sandwiches from Chicken TWILI, and fresh seafood from Rock'N Fish Grill.
Good to Know: The Brews Hall is exceptionally dog-friendly. Pups are welcome on their two spacious patios, and they even offer a special dog menu featuring chicken or burger patties.
Can't decide what to eat with your beer? We deliver the best of Buzzrock, you handle the food pairing.Torrance Brewery Cheat Sheet
## Frequently Asked Questions about Torrance Breweries
### How many breweries are in Torrance, CA?
Torrance is home to over 10 craft breweries, giving it the highest concentration of breweries in all of Los Angeles County. This density makes it the perfect destination for a day of brewery hopping.
### Are most breweries in Torrance dog-friendly?
Yes! Torrance is a very dog-friendly city for beer lovers. Most breweries, including Smog City, Monkish, Red Car, and The Brews Hall, welcome well-behaved dogs on their patios. It's always a good idea to check a specific brewery's policy before you go, but you'll find plenty of places to enjoy a pint with your pup.
### Which Torrance breweries serve food?
For a full restaurant experience with a dedicated kitchen, head to Red Car Brewery & Restaurant, HopSaint Brewing Company, or Project Barley Square. The Brews Hall is a unique option that offers multiple food vendors under one roof. Most other breweries, like the popular Smog City and Monkish, host a rotating schedule of excellent food trucks.
### What happened to The Dudes' Brewing / Cosmic Brewery / Yorkshire Square?
The Torrance beer scene is always evolving, which is part of its excitement. Some older names you might have heard of have changed. The Dudes' Brewing Company and Cosmic Brewery have permanently closed their Torrance locations.. Yorkshire Square Brewery, a local favorite for British-style ales, has been rebranded and is now the fantastic Project Barley Square. The good news is they are still serving up delicious cask ales along with a full lineup of Project Barley beers. Directly addressing these changes ensures visitors have the most current information and don't make a trip to a closed location, reinforcing this guide as a trustworthy and up-to-date resource.
## Your Fridge Fills Itself
Done with the brewery crawl? Keep the tap flowing at home. Brwtxt delivers the best of Torrance's craft beer scene. Directly to your fridge.
Sign up to Brwtxt and your fridge fills itself.
Comments