Los Angeles Magazine's Burgers, Bourbon + Beer 2018
Los Angeles Magazine showcased three of my favorite things yet again with their third annual Burgers, Bourbon, and Beer event. Ten of LA’s best restaurants brought their top grade meat for a slider showdown. This epic burger battle came to a head on the gorgeous grounds of The Victorian on Santa Monica’s Main Street. Four each burger was a different bourbon from ten quality distilleries.The evening’s beer was provided by Kona Brewing with a few delicious brews to help cool down by the beach.
It was difficult to choose a favorite burger with so many delicious choices offered up. There was Oinkster’s Royale burger was loaded with Angus beef, pastrami, and bacon. Mikkeller DTLA’s Lamb Burger with caramelized onion, challerhocker, arugula, and aioli. BOA’s juicy prime beef patty with a crunch from crispy onions. Malibu Café added a creative twist to their burger with a beef and chorizo patty, roasted garlic shrimp, and chipotle tomato sauce, which was as delicious as it was unique. Umami Burger’s Harajuku Umami BBQ Burger had the perfect kick from their sweet and spicy bourbon BBQ sauce. For those seeking a vegan option, The Victorian’s Quinoa Vegan burger was packed with flavor.
However, Woodley Proper’s Prime Beef Burger, stood out just enough to win my vote. Their burger melts in your mouth with the perfect combination of housemade triple cream cheese, tomato jam, roasted beet mustard, and a juicy beef patty all on brioche bun.
If you’ve never paired a burger with bourbon before, this is the place to change that habit. Almost a dozen of top distilleries presented their go-to concoctions to pair with the evenings unique sliders. Makers Mark served a refreshing summer mashup with triple sec, orange, pineapple and grenadine. Knob Creek served an excellent ice cream float with their rye whiskey. But as far as straight shots go, Blanton’s Single Barrel bourbon is the perfect well balanced bourbon to accompany a juicy burger.
Here is the list of this year’s burger battle winners:
Tastiest Sauce: Oinkster
Best Patty: Belcampo
Most Creative: Malibu Café
People’s Choice: Woodley Proper
Critics’ Choice: BOA
Burgers, bourbon, and beer are three of life’s greatest pleasures. Los Angeles Magazine has paired them together to create an unstoppable event for those who seek the finest of life’s little luxuries. One bite and sip at a time.
Check out some awesome photos of the evening provided by photographer Ben Z!