Whittier Brewing Company

The inspiration

Whittier Brewing Company sits inside the historic Nixon building in Uptown Whittier, a 1923 tower that the brewery's own site describes as Whittier's tallest and a certified National Historic Landmark¹ . The plan took years of work, with the brewery finally opening in 2019 as Whittier's first brewery, sharing the space with the Poet Gardens food hall² .

Who's behind it

The brewery was co-founded by Chef Ricardo Díaz, a chef whose Mexican restaurants helped put Uptown Whittier on the food map, and who was once dubbed The East LA Emperor by LA Taco³ . The beer program is led by head brewer John Kennedy, who was sampling beer from the new tanks alongside head brewer Ed Hernandez even before the doors opened^3,2 .

What to order

• BBQ from Pit and Bull: sauced barbecue specialties to pair with a pint .
• Cena Vegan tacos: plant-based tacos, plus pastries from Providence Bakehouse and crepes from Crepes Bonaparte if you want to keep grazing .

What people are saying

Hopped praises the brewery's solid and approachable lineup of beers and notes the family- and group-friendly space with indoor seating, food stalls and outdoor picnic tables under trees and bistro lights² . The brewery describes itself as family friendly on its own Instagram, and its official site leans into the historic building as a place for the community to gather¹ .

Why you should try it

If you're staying nearby, this is a chance to drink beer brewed on the premises inside a landmark 1923 building, with five food vendors under one roof so everyone in your group finds something^1,2 . Grab a table in the indoor hall or the outdoor beer garden and settle in² .