R.I.P Harold Ramis, and a beer connection

I enjoyed many of Harold Ramis' movies over the years. He had a genius for satire that brought out the talents of comedians and actors on screen.

We were fortunate to watch him in action, when the opening scenes of the movie Bedazzled with Brendan Fraser and Elizabeth Hurley were filmed at our brewpub, the Crown City Brewery in Pasadena, CA. We were closed for five days in 2000 as the crew set up the shoot, filmed for three days, and then put everything back together.

It took them a long time to figure out how to roll the cue ball down our stairs and up to Brendan's feet. But the sight of Elizabeth Hurley standing at the top of the stairs in a red jump suit was enough to bring the whole place to a standstill.

Harold was very cool to talk to, but of course he was very busy. Some of crew had beers with us.

The best thing about the movies is that actors and directors never really leave us. We can always experience their talents on the screen.

If you know of anybody who needs help finding space for a brewery in the Los Angeles or Orange County, please let me know.
mikelanz81@gmail.com     626 826 5586

From Craft Brewing Business: Writing a Business Plan

Good info on how to create a Craft Brewery Business Plan, which you will need to present to investors, the City Planning Office, your landlord, and others.

Craft Brewing Business - Craft a Brewing Business Plan

Thanks Craft Brewing Business!

If you know of anybody who needs help finding space for a brewery in the Los Angeles or Orange County, please let me know.

mikelanz81@gmail.com     626 826 5586

Comments on starting or expanding a Brewery from experienced brewers themselves

A great blog called MICROBREWR.
Read comments from experienced brewers on starting and expanding a brewery. Yes, it takes twice as long and costs three times as much, but you end up with a working brewery!

http://microbrewr.com/what-i-wish-id-known-before-starting-a-brewery/#comments

Thanks Joe from MICROBREWR

If you know of anybody who needs help finding space for a brewery in the Los Angeles or Orange County, please let me know.
mikelanz81@gmail.com     626 826 5586

Industrial rental rates are trending upward in Los Angeles County

After years of low industrial rental rates, I am seeing increases in asking rents of 20% in the last few months. Spaces that would come on the market at $0.80 or even $0.70 are now being marketed for $0.95 to $1.00 a square foot. Even spaces and buildings in not so desirable areas. A clean building with no major upgrades needed is in much demand right now.

You can thank or blame the creative office movement for causing rent increase pressure.
The preference for Industrial spaces to build out for tech and production companies has caused a shortage of low rent industrial spaces. Add in the lack of new construction and you have landlords smiling all the way to the bank.

Look for more developers to remove old industrial buildings and build new shiny flex spaces and creative offices.

There are still bargains out there, but landlords smell blood in the water, and are anxious to recoup years of lower than historic rental rates.

If you know of anybody who needs help finding space for a brewery in the Los Angeles or Orange County, please let me know.
mikelanz81@gmail.com     626 826 5586

Boomtown Brewery get City of LA approval

I attended the zoning hearing for Boomtown Brewery, a new and very large brewery in the Arts District of Los Angeles. It went very well for Boomtown, which is being started by the people behind the Stout Burgers collection of restaurants.

The zoning officer accepted the off site parking proposed for the 20,000 sq ft brewery, and did not have any other objections. There was nobody else at the hearing except a rep from the councilman's office. It was over in 10 minutes.

The brewery is located at the corner of Vignes and Jackson, 700 Jackson St, in Los Angeles, north of 1st street. It is 1/3 of a mile walking from the Little Tokyo/Arts District Gold Line station.

Good luck to Alex Kagianaris and Boomtown Brewery.

If you know of anybody who needs help finding space for a brewery in the Los Angeles or Orange County, please let me know.
mikelanz81@gmail.com     626 826 5586