Want to join an L.A. craft beer guild? Here’s how

The Los Angeles County Brewers Guild, a nonprofit created to foster craft beer in Los Angeles County, has just introduced a Consumer Enthusiast membership program. What does that mean for craft beer lovers? Well, the new program offers early access and discounts to events such as the L.A. Beer Week Kickoff Festival, a monthly newsletter covering the local beer scene and a membership card that nets you discounts at select local breweries and beer businesses.

Frances Michelle Lopez, executive director of the guild, says that the Enthusiasts membership is patterned after KCRW’s Fringe Benefits program, but with benefits focused on local breweries, bars and beer events.

“The fun thing about this program is that we’re not limited to one static deal,” said Lopez. “Members reap the benefit of deals such as a dollar off your first pint, access to specialty growler fills and even extended happy hour specials or early bird access to bottle pre-sales.”

There are nearly three dozen participating breweries, from Lancaster to Long Beach. Local favorites such as El Segundo Brewing Co., Smog City, Kinetic Brewing and Three Weavers are confirmed participants in program, and more breweries and retailers will be announced in the coming weeks.

Beside the discounts and early access to annual events, the Brewers Guild is also developing programs such as smaller educational events, exclusive tastings and home-brewing courses for Enthusiast members. The goal, Lopez says, is to “bring the [local] brewers closer to the consumers and support L.A’s burgeoning beer community through education and engagement.”

Joining the Enthusiast program will set you back $45 for the year, but the Guild is running a 10% discounted introductory special through the end of the year. Gift memberships are available, and all members will receive a special L.A. Beer glass early in the new year.

Membership benefits begin in January 2016, and the included glassware will be distributed in February.

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