Rad Beer Company is a new-to-Anaheim brewery located in the old Legends Brewery. The address is 1301 S Lewis Street. I went there on a whim and was disappointed to find out Legends had closed but I was eager to try this new local hot spot. Rad Beer is on Lewis just off of Ball Road. Look for the flag with the cool art and turn there.
DRINK OR DIE
In my research, I found a press release on brewbound.com about Rad Beer. Rad Beer Co. is the latest endeavor by the partners who created Rad Brat, a casual eatery in Dana Point, CA. It is supposed to have opened in April of this year. It sounds like they have big plans for the place like a kitchen that will serve the brats and dogs made famous at Rad Brat. I had to go there twice to get a good perspective and the first day I was there, they had a Smash Burger food truck serving up the most disgusting smelling burgers this vegetarian has ever inhaled. The second day I was there, they had just opened up for the afternoon and no food truck was available. Hopefully, they will have that in-house kitchen going soon and hopefully they will have a vegan option.
The first thing you notice when you walk in is the mural on the wall. It is 1990’s skater-style with some Rat Fink influence and icons of Anaheim like the Big A at Angels Stadium and Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at Disneyland. It encourages you to “GET RAD” & “Drink Local.” I’m in! That sounds like a good time right there!
The mural is signed by the artist, Tocayo. I call him Juan Marante and you can too.
Here is a picture of the menu board. There are 2 of them but they are duplicates.
RAD BEER MENU
Both occasions that I visited, my order was the same. I had a Cloud Bottom, a hazy IPA with a 6.1% ABV. It was definitely cloudy throughout, a bit “New England” as they say. The Old Man had a U112. This was a hoppy West Coast IPA that contained a woozy 7.2% ABV. The total was $15.08 so I think the beers cost $7 each and then they charge tax.
NEW ENGLAND ON THE LEFT, WEST COAST ON THE RIGHT
There is plenty of indoor seating as well as the outside patio area with 6 picnic tables with umbrella’s to block out that horrible California sun. It has a turf rug underneath, giving it a funny white-trash-on-vacation feeling.
OUTDOOR DRINKING AT IT’S FINEST
Next to the bar is where you will find the Rad merch. They have t-shirts, hats, gift cards, and glassware for sale.
LIMITED STOCK, CAN’T WAIT TO SEE THAT RACK AND THOSE BASKETS FULL OF NEW MERCH!
The prices are average for a brewery. I would maybe buy a shirt just so I could remember them when they close down. Just kidding! But the glasses being $10? Wow, why would I pay for something that fits in my purse? Also just kidding!
THE PRICE IS….ON THE EXPENSIVE SIDE. YOU THOUGHT I WAS GONNA SAY “RIGHT,” RIGHT?HATS OFF, DUDE
Well, that’s about it for the review. It’s not that long because there is not too much to say about Rad Beer. It is pretty rad in my opinion with friendly brewtenders and a diverse selection. The only complaint I would make is that I wish they didn’t charge tax, maybe put that cost into the price on the board. No customer wants $0.92 change from a brewery and the staff doesn’t want it as a tip. Keep it to dolla bills y’all and maybe quarters if you must involve coins.
I hope that Rad Beer takes off and gets a good local following of semi-regulars like Legends had. I will definitely be going back as it’s the closest brewery to my house. But also because they have enticing beer offerings. Check them out next time you are driving on the 5 or the 57, Rad Beer is about a mile away from both freeways just off Ball Road. Drink Local!
It has been a long time since I’ve reviewed a brewery and so much has changed in those 3 years. But BrewBroad is back! Modern Times in Anaheim, or “Leisuretown” as they call it, is one of the first brewery experiences I have had since the pandemic in 2020. I have a fair review but I have to say upfront that I really love the 2 Modern Times’ locations I’ve been to before.
Hours of operation for Modern Times is the featured image. I went back on a Tuesday to find out they were closed that day. So learn from my mistake and don’t go to Modern Times on a Tuesday. You will be disappointed. Plan ahead!
LEISURETOWN ENTRANCEON ANAHEIM BLVDCAFE NEXT TO MODERN TIMES ENTRANCE GATE
So… Leisuretown. It looks like some corporate guys had a meeting and said, “Let’s make our new brewery as “eclectic” as we can and they really tried to. But I know it wasn’t a corporate thing; Modern Times is an employee-owned brewery so I assume employees plotted the interior. It is like walking into a mishmash-designed clusterfuck. Is it a 1960’s, Madmen vibe they are going for? Or a post-apocalyptic recycled shipping containers feel? It’s hard to pinpoint the artistic theme of the place.
Leisuretown in located at 549 S. Anaheim Blvd. in Anaheim. There is a lot on the side of the building and a few spots behind the building that provides about 25 parking spots. Great for a local brewery!
LOT BEHIND LEISURETOWN, ACCESSIBLE FROM ANAHEIM BLVD
Parking is an issue at the San Diego Modern Times so this is much better. There is a designated space for Uber and Lyft pick-ups and an area set up for the FRAN, or “Free Rides Around the Neighborhood.” To find out more about FRAN, get the app called TripShot.
DOWNLOAD THE TRIPSTOP APP TO GET FRAN….IT’S FRAN-TASTIC!IF YOUR NAME IS FRAN, YOU HAVE FOUND YOUR PARKING BLISS
Most of the seating is outside, albeit covered, but outside nonetheless.
THE PATIO AREANORMALLY COVERED SEATING, BUT CLOSED OFF FOR INVENTORY
The bar and several tables are under one roof, while there are tables with umbrella coverings in the patio area. There is an upstairs seating area as well.
STAIRWAY TO SHIPPING CONTAINER HEAVENPLENTY OF UPSTAIRS SEATINGVIEW FROM THE TOP
There are only stairs to reach the upstairs seating so if you are unable to do stairs, you won’t be able to go up there. I only have pictures because I sent the Old Man up the stairs to take them.
POOL RULES IS POOL RULESTHE CALM BEFORE THE CROWDSPEEKING OVER THE FENCE AT THE LEISURETOWN POOL
Get this: there is a pool at Leisuretown. It’s not open as of July 19th but it will be soon. Not that I would wear my bathing suit to Modern Times and swim in their germ-soup as I sipped my getting-warm IPA along with a bunch of dirty fuckers out in the hot summer sun. But a pool in a brewery? Who would’a thunk it? I can see renting the pool space for a private party though, that might be fun. The possibilities are endless. I can just never picture myself using said pool and I feel like it might be a waste of space. It makes it feel like Leisuretown is a resort out in Palm Springs in 1963.
TOP MENU OF BREWSBOTTOM MENU OF BREW3RD MENU OF BREWS
For my first round, I went for the top of the menu and got a Full Size Pony West Coast IPA. It was $9 for a 16oz. It had an ABV of 6.0% and was so hoppy at the first taste that my mouth was shocked. I had forgotten how I like that bitter taste and that’s why I always get an IPA. And the higher ABV’s.
The Old Man went old school and had a Dungeon Map. Another West Coast IPA, it was a 7.2% ABV and was actually a dollar cheaper than my drink. A 16oz pour will run you only $8 for this tasty and hoppy brew.
SLUSHIE MENU
I saw people walking around with slushie’s and I had to try one. On the day this review is about, I neglected to write down the name of the slushie I had but I think it was called a “Barcalounger.” The slushies are alcoholic but the ABV’s are kind of weak. And they will run you $9. Modern Times provides paper straws to enjoy your slushie with. I went back another day (because I love this place) and took the picture that’s up above this paragraph. I guess they offer different flavored slushies depending on the day. The one I had was…interesting. I still don’t know if I liked it or not. It was weird tasting but refreshing and I finished it pretty fast.
Now for the bestest, most amazing part of Leisuretown…. the all-vegan menu! Here is a link so you can peruse the menu https://www.toasttab.com/modern-times-anaheim/v3. That is worth so much in my book. When I saw that everything was plant-based, I had to check again. Everything on the menu is vegan. Not one animal product in the whole shebang. Impressive, commendable, brave, and future-sighted are the folks who came up with the menu. I wish I could’ve tried everything! The selections are burgers, tots, wraps, and that kind of bar food. We started with the Monster Tots for $10. They are oversized tots mixed with soyrizo and other stuff and then deep fried. Cashew sour cream & poblano crema are the dipping sauces that come with said tots. They are wonderful, fresh out of the fryer but not greasy, they aren’t too spicy & 5 of them are a good snack between 2 people.
DOUBLE DELUXE & LARGE FRIES….HALF ENJOYED
Another time I went, the Old Man and I split a Double Deluxe smashed patty burger. It was $13. We ordered it and ten minutes later it was ready. It was so delicious! I don’t care for the vegan burgers at Carl’s Jr and Burger King but this was fucking unbelievable. It’s like a Double Double at In-N-Out but vegan. It comes with a spicy Siracha-like sauce that I didn’t try because it made the Old Man sweat and turned his face red. We also got a large order of fries for $7 and they were hot and crispy and hit the comfort food zone perfectly. I can’t wait to try Leisuretown’s entire menu of vegan delights!
When you order your beer, you can put in a food order as well & they give you one of those vibrating light up pagers. The food pickup station is off to the side and there is an employee standing there at all times to give you your order & napkins & single-serve utensils. It’s a hands-off process for the customer. Below is a picture of the food pick-up area and the lovely Modern Times employee who was staffing it that day.
FOOD PICK-UP: SERVICE WITH A SMILE
You can also get beer to go from the side bar. Here is a picture, they have a great selection.
BEER-TO-GO SIDE BAR
So…in Anaheim looking for some tasty brews? You have a lot of options and Leisuretown is near the top of my list. I was so impressed with the beer and the food and the parking situation. The hodgepodge decor and the lack of a real indoors building to chill in for the rare times it rains are perplexing to me. But overall, I would give Modern Times a decent 9 on a scale of 10. The food, the beer, the selection, and the staff are all reasons I like this place. Come check it out for a good time with your friends!
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