Impromptu Bar Review: 326 Beer & Wine

In the heart of Los Angeles at Third and Fairfax is The Grove, which features several high-end stores and restaurants. The rich and beautiful clientele that frequently occupy The Grove practically make you feel like a Chimney Sweep from Mary Poppins. If you’re able to resist the crowds ogling over Mario Lopez filming Extra, get past the Yorkie Terriers with monocles, and dodge people pushing around parrots in mesh cages, then you can discover the historic Los Angeles Farmers Market. In the middle of the market is 326 Beer and Wine Bar, which to my delight has a rotating tap of local LA craft beers. Open since 1986, 326 has served plenty of husbands trying to kill time and their livers as their wives shop.

I was out with the fam at the market on a 78 degree January day, contemplating getting frog legs or a Philly Cheese Steak for lunch, when I came across EB’s, a beer and wine bar serving non-local beers. There I enjoyed a fantastic Deschutes Chainbreaker White IPA, a delicious combination of a Belgian Wit and an IPA. I originally had no intent to interview anyone when I’d left the house that day, but fortunately, bartender Tammy, an 18-year EB’s vet, pointed me to the other Farmers Market bar, 326, which was about 150 feet away, sandwiched between some baking vendors.

Lucky, the 17-year veteran bartender of 326 was pouring drinks, and the man was pulling taps like a 1930’s operator working a switch board. The bar had ten craft beers on tap (I’m not including the cider) and three of those were local crafts: Farmers Market Honey Blonde brewed by Angel City Brewery (326 goes through four barrels a week), Bootlegger’s Hefe from Fullerton, CA, and Firestone Wookey Jack Rye IPA from Paso Robles, CA. They also carry Stone IPA and Arrogant Bastard Ale. The 326 Bar rotates their beers every two months and they get more local crafts during the summertime. I interviewed Lucky, but he was so busy I felt like I was interviewing a driver during the Indianapolis 500 and I was in the grand stand. Fortunately, Lucky was extremely accommodating and answered all of my questions.

Lucky provided that the bar wasn’t even that busy, and that 326 Bar is busiest during the summer months (which are April to November in LA). I’m assuming that the man grows multiple arms and develops telepathy during this time to deal with the rush, but he assured me that he loves the people and the energy. The 326 Bar has its regulars, but also tourists and visitors make up a large percentage of the clientele. The place also picks up during sporting events and several Europeans come to watch soccer, so if you are ever walking down Fairfax and you hear an angry mob chanting “Oh Manchester is wonderful,” then you’ll know a bunch of blokes are watching the Manny U game at 326.

That week, I called the manager of the Farmers Market Bars, Gary Twin, and he put me in contact with his beer purchaser, Christine. She added that they’ve had Eagle Rock Brewing and Golden Road beers in the past and that they will rotate these beers in again in the future. Christine is also planning to get some crafts from the El Segundo Brewing Company, and the Mucho Aloha Imperial IPA from Butcher’s Brewing in Carlsbad, which she claims is the best IPA she’s ever had. I’ll trust her on this because her taste in beer is pretty fantastic. She tries to introduce new crafts to see if they stick, but she also has to satisfy the clientele so I’m assuming that means warm Bass Ale for soccer hooligans.

The next time you need locally grown heirloom tomatoes for your Panzanella Salad and you have to make a trip to a farmers market, try heading out to 326 at the original LA Farmers Market and get your local craft beer fix on as well!

326 Domestic Beer & Wine and EB’s Beer & Wine From Far Away at the Original Farmers Market

6333 West 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90036
www.farmersmarketbars.com
326 Hours: 9 am-11 pm Mon-Sat; 10 am-9 pm Sun