Dark & Roasty Winter Beer Fest

Winter in Southern California means a cold snap that lasts about a weekend, and Long Beach Beer Lab is not letting it go to waste. On Saturday, December 5, the brewery's Wrigley taproom hosts Dark & Roasty, a winter seasonal beer festival built around the beers people actually want when the temperature drops: stouts, porters and other bold, toasty pours. The organizers promise that "the weather's chilly (on purpose)," which tells you how seriously they take the theme.

For anyone sorting through LA food festivals and drink events on the December calendar, this is a fun, specific one. It is a beer festival with a point of view rather than a generic tasting.

When: Saturday, December 5, 2026, 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM Where: Long Beach Beer Lab (Wrigley), 518 West Willow Street, Long Beach Tickets: From $23.18 on Eventbrite

What to expect

The event page leans into a winter-lab joke, promising that "your exothermic reactions are highly encouraged." Read that as an invitation to sip something rich and warming. The flyer shows a pair of cartoon rats bundled in parkas under a string of hop-shaped holiday lights, so expect a playful, seasonal mood rather than a stuffy tasting room.

The page does not publish a full tap list, so treat the specific pours as a surprise. The name points toward dark beers: coffee, chocolate and caramel notes, roasted malt, and the kind of heavier styles that suit a cool evening. If you like those flavors, this is built for you. If you usually drink lighter beers, it is still a decent excuse to try something new in small pours.

Getting there

The taproom sits on West Willow Street in Long Beach, close to the Wrigley neighborhood and a short drive from the 710 and the 405. Parking and transit details are not listed on the event page, so check the Eventbrite listing before you go, and plan a rideshare or a designated driver if you intend to taste your way through the afternoon.

Ticket prices start at $23.18 and may vary by tier, so confirm the current options on the official page. Age limits and what the ticket includes are also set by the organizer, so read the listing before you buy.

Make a day of it

An afternoon event leaves the evening open. It makes a good addition to a list of things to do in Los Angeles County this winter, especially if you are already planning a trip down to Long Beach for the waterfront or a holiday stroll. Browse more food and drink events or see what else is happening around Long Beach.