On MacLeod Nine

MacLeod Ale Brewing Company is gaining notoriety for its tasty dark ales, but it's bright green that dominates the scene as you bike towards this beer haven. The 8-mile (round-trip) pedal to the brewery starts from Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area and its 2,000 acres of green parkland, sports fields, and a golf course surrounding Lake Balboa. Leave the park and roll up to the Orange Line Busway Bike Path to connect to the brewery. As its name suggests, the bike path parallels the busline, and a nice long strip of trees en route offers a little seclusion. The lime green bike rack outside MacLeod is a beacon for beer enthusiasts on two wheels. Order a flight of their fine session-style English ales or skip right to an imperial pint. (The current seasonal brown ale and porter should not be missed.) The taproom has the ambience of a British pub. Grab a basket of peanuts and chuck the shells right on the floor or play some darts. After wetting your whistle, pedal back through the park around Lake Balboa, a 26-acre gulp of tranquility in the San Fernando Valley. Ale good!

TIP: Bike rentals are available next to Lake Balboa from Wheel Fun Rentals.

Take the 101 Fwy. to exit 21 in Encino. Drive north on Balboa Blvd. for 0.5 mile and turn left into a parking area just south of the LA River. Use the bike trail along the river to pass under Balboa Blvd. and take the trail north along the park for one block. Turn right on Orange Line Busway Bike Path and go 2.7 miles to Kester Ave. Turn left and make the second right to find the brewery at 14741 Calvert St. in Van Nuys. On the ride back, leave the Orange Line at Woodley Ave. Go south and make the first right to loop back through the park around Lake Balboa. Bike path is dog-friendly. MacLeod Ale Brewing Company is dog-friendly.