Just in time for the weekend, Filling Stations is a weekly post that highlights one of Los Angeles’ destinations for craft beer, be it a bottle-shop with a great selection, a restaurant with great food to go with their beer list, or a bar serving excellent beers.

Library Alehouse

• Neighborhood: Santa Monica View Larger Map
• Type: Tavern
• Yelp Page
• Selection: 3/5 Price: 3/5 Staff: 5/5  Food: 4/5

Situated south of the 10 on a very walkable stretch of Main St. Library Alehouse is a welcome respite from the more tourist-focused restaurants further up the street. Parking can be a little tricky in the area, but check the signs on the side-streets and you can nab a spot. And Library is certainly worth the hunt as it combines a nice tap-list with an inventive menu covering everything from Cali-Mex classics to sandwiches to classic pub-fare.

The beer selection is curated by Library’s General Manager and Certified Cicerone Alex P. Davis, and his selections cover many style bases ensuring you are always going to have a tough time picking what beer to order first.

A couple dozen taps line the wall behind the bar, and a full bottle-list is also available. Library highlights a lot of locally produced beer, and they often have taps from the likes of El Segundo Brewing Co, Cismontane, Beachwood BBQ, and Smog City Brewing.

Mix local treats with classic craft beer favorites, and skew the list towards the hoppy IPAs, and you’ve got a selection that begs you to stick around for one more pint. The food is tasty and fresh, if a little slow to come out of the kitchen at times. The great staff more than makes up for any qualms you have with the kitchen, and all the servers and bartenders know beer, and they are happy to recommend a pint if you can’t make up your mind or just chat without about favorite brews.

We love the interior space that features lots of exposed wood and a gorgeous L-shaped bar. There is also covered patio seating available in the back of the small space. It can get crowded in the evenings, and we prefer the more laid-back atmosphere around lunch. It’s one of our favorite lunch spots on the Westside.

Just north of Venice Beach in “downtown” Santa Monica, Library Alehouse is one of the Westside’s premier craft beer venues. The folks behind the tavern are active on social media; their Twitter and Facebook feeds are informative and worth following.

What’s your favorite spot to grab craft beer on the Westside?