Though Lucky Lager is excellent (sadly, I can't find it ANYWHERE in LA. Is it still brewed?), recently I've been a major fan of the following beers:
Double Bastard (once a year, they pour out the bottom of the fermenting barrels for arrogant bastard. 20 proof of hoppy ale goodness!)
Reverend Ale - another 10%-er bottle of magic.
Rogue's Shakespeare Stout - It's supposedly the stout world champion. It tastes like chocolate!
Other than beer? Cutty Sark is the bomb for a cold night.