Category Archives: BEER PUB

DAVE’S BAR & GRILL

BEER PUB

  

WARWICK, RHODE ISLAND
 
Inside an inconspicuous one-storey red brick edifice across from TF Green Airport on busy Post Road, DAVE’S BAR & GRILL competes favorably with nearby neighborhood joints, Shannon View Inn and Track 84. An affable beer-centric sportsbar, Dave’s is geared towards the local Blue Collar working crowd with its fine pub fare, multiple draught taps and casual atmosphere.
 
On St. Patrick’s Day ’13, my wife and I grab a table next to the sheet metal-based, granite-topped rectangular bar and grab a robust cornbeef and cabbage sandwich. Multiple TV’s regale the entire space while New England Patriots, Boston Bruins, Red Sox and Celtics paraphernalia line the busy walls. A billiards table in the front and several centered booths are packed to the hilt with patrons dressed to the hilt with green Irish clothing, fake tattoos, face paint and top hats. While the large back bar features 60 craft, international and macro brew taps, the front side smaller bar contains a few more taps and TV’s.   
 
I settle into local Massachusetts libation, Pretty Things American Darling Pale Lager, a stylishly complex medium body crowding zesty lemon peel bittering next to dark floral perfumed hops and mineral-grained herbal notions.
 
A few weeks later, we reconvene late at night to try the sales-priced bottled version of Harpoon UFO Pumpkin Ale while watching Major League Baseball’s opening day showcase squaring off the Houston Astros with the Texas Rangers. Several craft brew enthusiasts imbibe Mayflower IPA, Narragansett Summer Ale and Newport Storm Hurricane Amber (indigenous New England offerings). We take advantage of the free popcorn before heading out.
 
Ate fish and chips plus Greek pizza during dinner time stopover, June ’13, trying sessionable ESB-like Red Hook Audible Ale (with its peated malt earthiness and honeyed lemon tea likeness) for first time.
 
Those looking to sample a few brews should check out the 5-ounce servings of any four draughts for a reasonable price.

SHANNON VIEW INN

BEER PUB

Shannon View Inn - Warwick, RI

WARWICK, RHODE ISLAND

Across TF Green Airport at a grayish Old Victorian edifice in the sprawling southern Rhode Island city of Warwick, SHANNON VIEW INN may be the best local party spot with its bustling sportsbar atmophere, capacious rectangular main bar, large outdoor patio and affordable pub menu (featuring ‘Create Your Own Burgers’). A fine craft beer establishment in the tradition of a loud Irish pub, a blackboard at the back door lists all the currently available tapped libations for the growing number of Warwick beer enthusiasts.

When my wife and I first pass Shannon View on the way to settling in at nearby Holiday Inn Express, there are four police cars with cherries flaring directing traffic to the widely attended St. Patty’s Day party (ad is at top right).  Lasting long into Sunday evening, we join the ceremonies just after six for a few twilight elixirs.

Loaded with celebratory St. Patty’s Day regalia, several outside booths and a large tent have been set up in the parking lot for greater access to food, brews and merchandise. Cool cover band, Those Guys, entertain the friendly local minions and everyone sings along to renditions of Bon Jovi’s cheesy anthem, “Living On A Prayer,” and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s timeless ode, ”Sweet Home Alabama.” For the occasion, they also break out a few traditional Irish tunes as we stand on one of the many picnic tables brought into the tent so everyone could avoid the unseasonably cold weather.

I get to try local Pawtucket offering, Foolproof Raincloud Porter, while enjoying the oncoming nightfall. Its murky black coffee-roasted smoked chocolate entry and dryest black licorice spell match the cloudy dark skies that’ve come upon us.

Besides the great local, national and international brew selection (Murphy’s Irish Stout is always available), Shannon’s Sunday brunch, 32-ounce Bloody Mary and Mimosa pitches and 5-ounce beer flights are recommended.

www.shannonviewinn.com

 

JULIAN’S RESTAURANT

BEER PUB

I Totally Lost Control at Julian's in Providence, RI | Dirtybeerguy.     

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND

In the Federal Hill section just west of downtown Providence lies cozy cafe-styled neighborhood bar, JULIAN’S RESTAURANT, one of the most amazingly eclectic cocktail and food joints any hipster collegiate or beer geek could imagine. Its fabulous all-around vibe starts with its trendy New York-styled art gallery intimacy, creative menu offerings and ever-changing Belgo-American-dominated tapped-bottled selections. Perfect for a hearty brunch (Eggs Benedict and enormous French Toast are recommended) as well as dinner, dessert and homemade ice cream, Julian’s gets packed quickly.

 

Inside a historic red brick building on Broadway (listed in the National Register), its right side red-lettered EAT sign, glass-windowed frontage, maroon awning and 10-cent pony ride greet lucky patrons through the black door. In springtime, a few tables get set up for outside dining.

 

Established in 1994, Julian’s was an early morning breakfast hotspot before its passionate management decided to also become a respected craft beer bar around 2007. Julian’s Double Decker Omnibus (pictured above) is an entirely mobile restaurant used for special events and a traveling smoker makes catering easy for backyard barbecues.

 

Upon entering, Julian’s tight space features several dining tables and an open kitchen behind the 10-stool bar. Much of the colorful decor, such as the big Reagan’s Opium banner and Impressionist art, get credited to Nate Nadeau, a local artist friend. The admirable world cuisine retains a casual country comfort perfect for family-style dining.

On the Monday after St. Patty’s Day ’13, I stop by and grab a seat next to the tap stand for an eye-opener at 11 AM. Available to curious connoisseurs this day are several great Belgian brews, two of which have their own separate mounts (Huyghe’s Delirium Tremens and Van Steenberge’s Gulden Draak) and a few more equally impressive libations (Dupont Avec Les Bons Voeux, Monk’s Cafe Flemish Sour Red, Lindeman’s Framboise Lambic and Dilewyns Vicaris Winter Ale).

Several local Northeast favorites such as Sixpoint 3Bean Stout, Berkshire Coffeehouse Porter and Grey Sail Leaning Chimney Porter sit alongside Britain’s JW Lees Harvest Ale 2011 and Michigan’s Founders All Day IPA. A cooler full of hard-to-find brews is stationed at the front of the bar.

I settle for a delightful newfangled Pawtucket-based dark ale, Bucket Brewery’s Thirteenth Original Maple Stout (with its dark chocolate and black coffee overtones given maple-sugared sinew and dried cocoa powdering). But alas, I’m curious to hit Warwick’s Track 84 (closed on St. Patty’s Day) before making the trip back to Jersey ahead of nightfall.

Within two weeks, I’m back at Julian’s for April Fool’s Day. And they’ve pulled off a great prank. As I walk in, all the tap heads have Bud, Coors and Miller handles. I’m shocked until the waitress tells me it’s a joke. I settle in with a delicious fruit-hopped Goose Island Imperial IPA, salmon poached egg and Monster French Toast (shared with my wife). The brunch time college crowd fills the place up by 11 AM and most of the local students settle into Bloody Marys instead of beers.

During October ’13, took wife and youngest kids to this increasingly popular Providence pub for tasty front-porch 9 AM breakfast. I settle for the excellent Du Buccaneer Omelet (smoked salmon, red onion and capers) while the family splits Jedi Mind Trick Omelet (baby spinach, mushroom, red onions, Swiss cheese) and powder-sugared pancakes.

A small breeze hangs in the autumn air as I quaff a few tremendous and contrasting one-off brews. Exquisite collaborative affair, 10 Barrel/Bluejacket/Stone Suede Imperial Porter, drapes honeyed chocolate malts atop calendula-flowered jasmine and syrupy maple. Wonderful red zinfandel-aged Hofstetten Zymatore Granitebock layered its red-wined sweetness with buttery Chardonnay and cherry-soured oaken vanilla.

Beer enthusiasts should look forward to Julian’s exquisite Beer Pairing Dinners in warmer months.

RATTLE N HUM

BEER PUB
 
 
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK
 
Reminiscent of a roadhouse-styled Irish sports pub, RATTLE N HUM opened for business, July 2008, and quickly became one of New York City’s premier beer-centric bars. A narrow wood-paneled, black-walled dive at a 33rd Street boutique spot with flashy banners, painted brewery insignias, strewn tap handles and other beer-related paraphernalia, Rattle N Hum is the brainchild of respected beer impresario (and original owner) Patrick Donagher. A bright green, yellow and red sign boasting Rattle N Hum New York City welcomes thirsty patrons at the wooden entrance.
 
Finally getting to visit this highly regarded beer haven for Happy Hour (11 AM to 7 PM weekdays) on a slushy Thursday afternoon in March ’13, I was thoroughly impressed with the magnitude of passion and commitment towards developing craft beer appreciation. Daringly parading the nifty slogan “No Crap Beer On Tap,” this relished hotspot features 40 draughts, 2 hand-pulled casks and 120-plus bottled selections. On the back of the beer menu is a thorough event listing and worthwhile ‘how to taste beer’ section. Flights of four 4-ounce beers for $10 allow customers to sample new brews they might not otherwise experience.
 
Sitting across the right side 15-seat bar (with four TV’s and large chalkboard listing tapped selections), my wife and I settle into the largest booth before the place gets really crowded. Several businessmen grab the front benches while a few couples sit at the rear and side community tables. Behind our heads along the wall are several hand-painted beer insignias promoting Founders, Speakeasy, Lagunitas, Boulder and BrewDog. On the rear wall, a map of the United States contains several flags denoting where today’s current tapped beers originated.
 
As Etta James’ eternal lovestruck ballad “At Last” plays in the background, I dive into two previously untried libations (Singlecut Billy Full Stack IPA and Bronx Black Pale Ale) while my wife sips Sierra Nevada Kellerweiss (reviews in Beer Index). We split the enormous Taco Tower appetizer and hope to try artisanal cheeses, quesidillas and sandwich wraps at a future date.
 
On top of the nearly religious dedication to well-crafted beers, there’s a certain intimacy prevailing over this big town Beer Mecca. Tourists, beer enthusiasts and NYC’s notorious bridge and tunnel crowd all find a home at Rattle N Hum. Just get there early ’cause it does get filled ’round dinnertime and weekend evenings.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

CAPITAL ALEHOUSE – RICHMOND

BEER PUB
 
mike may
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA
 
Right along Main Street in downtown Richmond, CAPITAL ALEHOUSE may be the city’s best beer pub. With franchised Virginia locations in Innsbrook, Midlothian, Fredericksburg and Harrisonburg, the statewide chain does a great job promoting a host of exceptional newfangled indigenous brews. 
 
Entering thru the brown wood-paneled front door to a narrow bar space on a snowy February ’13 evening, the crowded public house clearly deserves some credit for expanding the horizon of young beer-centric Virginians. Thirty taps plus two coolers filled with handcrafted beer provide a wide stylistic variety for any and all beer enthusiasts.
 
Celebrating its 10th Anniversary, Capital Alehouse not only serves some of the best Virginia-made beers, but also hosts many local musicians in its right side Music Hall. In the main area, several booths oppose the elongated 40-seat walnut bar (which utilizes two ice rails to keep frosty mugs cold). Downstairs, a gameroom with 16 taps and 2 casks keeps sports-minded patrons busy. 
 
I had the Capital Cobb Salad (with big chunks of ham and chicken and a side of bleu cheese) to go alongside five pints of previously untried brews while seated at the front corner of the bar. Cool Blues music played continuously in the background while I conversed with Frank, whose band the Lost Satellites, recently played here. Several people nearby recommended Prince Edward Mussels as well as the specialty burgers and sandwiches.
 
For openers, the moderate-bodied fare, including Devil’s Backbone Vienna Lager, Wild Wolf Hunny Blond and Wild Wolf Alpha Pale Ale, proved highly sessionable, if not completely special.
 
Better were the rich bourbon barreled ales, such as the oak-charred, berry-soured, chocolate-fudged Blue Mountain Dark Hollow Imperial Stout and dark-roasted coffee-fronted Williamsburg Alewerks Bourbon Porter (full reviews at Beer Index).
 

TAPHOUSE GRILLE – WAYNE

BEER PUB

Image result for taphouse grille wqayne

WAYNE, NEW JERSEY

In a haunted colonial-style edifice given landmark status as the French Hill Inn, Wayne, New Jersey’s tan-blocked TAPHOUSE GRILLE opened as a casual upscale gastropub-sportsbar during 2010. Nowhere near as beer-centric as Shepherd & Knucklehead’s, Andy’s Corner Bar, Cloverleaf or Copper Mine, its more trend-conscious, family-friendly, and classically decorated, concentrating on good pub fare but not at the expense of a well-selected tap selection. Visited during a vibrant Friday evening Happy Hour on  a snowy January (2013), the comforting warmth of the low ceiling bar area gave it the neighborhood feel of a British tavern as I soaked up five previously untried brews.

At the cozily intimate 10-stooled left side bar there are three tap reservoirs stationing 24 tap handles that serve mostly limited edition microbrews. Multiple TV’s keep sports fans entertained. To the right and rear, quaint dining areas seat large and small parties. Up the central staircase, a private party room and lounge area exist. 5-ounce 4-beer sampler trays are available for those trying to pick ‘n choose their poison.

Tonight’s rare choices included lemon-aided IPA Stone 16th Anniversary; slow sippin’ whiskey-barreled chocolate-charred Epic Smoked & Oaked; nutty dried-fruited peculiarity Anchor Zymaster #2 Mark’s Mild Dark  Ale; piney citric IPA-derived winter warmer Fish Tale Winterfish; fruit-musked Dieu Du Ciel Corne Du Diable and chocolate-draped holiday fruitcake Mikkeller Santa’s Little Helper.     

The following Friday, I revisit the Taphouse Grille before heading to a Hasbrouck Heights Beefsteak Dinner. I converse with house zymurgist, Matt Cinotti, the bar’s beer buyer, who generously gives me two tickets for tomorrow’s New Jersey Beer Expo at the Meadowlands (where I’ll try over a dozen new beers). At this one-hour jettison, soothing India Pale Ale, Captain Lawrence Re-Intro NJ, captures my attention. Its grassy-hopped perfume musk and zippy citric sparkle wake up the senses (full review at Beer Index).

During a brisk March ’13 Happy Hour session on Burgers ‘N Beer Tuesday, enjoyed excellent Crispy Fried Eggplant appetizer with three rangy IPA’s, an epic stout and a nutty chocolate-fruited strong ale. Kane Empower boasted a bitterer orange-peeled grapefruit rind prominence than wood-lacquered citric-pined Thomas Creek Class 5 IPA and marzipan-sweetened melon-fruited Speakeasy Double Daddy. Soft-toned bourbon-whirred chocolate-browned Goose Island Big John Imperial Stout nicely contrasted creamy peanut, raisin and black chocolate-affixed Carton G.O.R.P.  (full reviews in Beer Index).

Serving great burgers and appetizers to go alongside finely hand selected beers and well-made cocktails, this multi-faceted pub challenges the area’s best beer bars. And there are plenty of specials to excite a wide variety of clientele.

www.taphousenj.com

IRISH PUB – CENTER CITY

BEER PUB
 
 
PHILADELPHIA, PA.
 
Being a few minutes early for Sunday’s brunch at Farmer’s Market two doors down, my wife and I settled into IRISH PUB this cold and blustery December ’12 morning. With locations in Atlantic City and down the road a half-mile at Rittenhouse Square (Walnut and 20th), this generic-named prohibition-styled Center City saloon opened December ’80 across from the historic Forrest Theatre. Offering ‘Irish soul and American attitude,’ the charmingly rustic watering hole brings affordable drink specials and good pub fare to urban hipsters, local denizens and thirsty out-of-towners.
 
Gorgeous walnut furnishings provide interior comfort and the forest green ceiling (with exposed ducts) features stenciled emblems in the front barroom and embossed copper tin tiles in the Wain’s-coated walnut dining section directly behind. A large wood mural with mirrored midsection, three tap fountains (with 18 total taps) and a lively assortment of booze center the left bar. Multiple TV’s and old posters line the walls as Thin Lizzy’s classic rocker “The Boys Are Back In Town” blasts from the speakers.  
 
I settle into the tapped version of lemon-soured, peach-molded, orange-bruised, Belgian candi-sugared Flying Fish Winter Cru Grand Cru just as Edgar Winter’s emphatic “Free Ride” begins playing. My wife grabs a coffee and starts chatting with a world traveling Philly native while bartender Isaac Rose reminisces about favorite libations.
 
Though we didn’t get to sample the food, Rose recommended the nachos, burgers and buffalo wings. Buried right in the heart of downtown Philly, Irish Pub makes for a fine sportsbar or casual dining experience.
 

THE MALTED BARLEY

BEER PUB
Westerly's Malted Baley
WESTERLY, RHODE ISLAND
 
Tucked into the rustic High Street downtown area of Westerly, Rhode Island, THE MALTED BARLEY opened its doors May, 2011. A swell local beer joint featuring excellent freshly-made gourmet pretzel sandwiches that pair well with the 40-plus tapped selections at the left side bar, this moderate-sized wood-furnished craft beer establishment is the pride of owners Colin and Stephanie Bennett (who met at a Honolulu brewery).
  
As my wife, daughter and I take a seat at the front windowed table, old Blues music blares on this sunny Saturday afternoon in mid-December ’12. The pale blue-walled interior (with red brick sides and exposed pipes) houses twenty bar stools and approximately ten strewn tables. A small TV at the rear of the bar catches the attention of a few customers and eight empty wooden pony kegs at the bar reinforce the beer-centric theme. A midsize back deck with green awning is situated along the Pawcatuck River, providing calm splendor to outside guests.
  
Alongside four local New england brews, I enjoy the pretzel-breaded bratwurst and sauerkraut while my daughter munches on the creamy havarti-cheesed turkey pretzel sandwich and my wife consumes the roast beef with red onions, cabbage slaw and garlic. Beforehand, we all shared a simply delicious apricot-buttered grureye-cheesed pretzel.
  
Today’s previously untried beers include two of Westerly’s own Grey Sail selections, coffee-fronted habanero-heated Leaning Chimney Porter and spicy yellow-fruited 1st Anniversary Imperial Pilsner. Nearby Massachusetts’ Revival Larkin’s Dry Irish Stout retained a pleasant black coffee-stained charred oats roast and New Hampshire’s Woodstock Inn Pig’s Ear Brown brought dark-spiced floral hops to peanut-shelled walnut.
 
During June ’13 lunchtime session, ate summer spinach soup (with chickpeas), Cannellini pretzel (with goat-cheesed walnut, cranberry, sliced pear and arugula) and a spinach artichoke-dipped pretzel with wife. Alongside, quaffed two saisons, a Flanders Red and a wheat ale.
 
Lemony banana-clove-coriander-fronted Green Flash Saison Diego added a white-peppered herbal respite and botanical grains of paradise briskness to the ‘golden farmhouse ale.’ Summery strawberry-aided Cape Ann Fisherman’s Sunrise Saison brought soft hop spicing to banana daiquiri, bruised peach and cherry rhubard illusions. Peak Organic Pomegranate Wheat invited yellow-fruited cranberry and raspberry tang to the fold. Intimidatingly sour Grey Sail Rouge A Nuit put forth oaken cherry tartness, vinous green grape tannins and balsamic vinegaring for a mouth-puckering eye squinter only a Sour Ale lover could fully appreciate. (Full reviews in Beer Index).
 
A wonderful upscale saloon in a friendly New England post, The Malted Barley is a sheer delight. Count it alongside Wakefield’s Mew’s and Warwick’s Track 84 as one of the best beer bars Rhode Island has to offer.
 

COALHOUSE PIZZA

BEER PUB,

COALHOUSE PIZZA

STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT

One mile west of downtown Stamford in the Bull’s Head Shopping Center, COALHOUSE PIZZA not only offers the greatest and widest selection of coal-fired pizzas, but also 50-plus tapped beers alongside 50 bottled selections and a whole lot of Blues and Jazz music.

On my initial dinnertime visit, the recommended pizza joint (open 2009) is hopping at 8 PM on a Wednesday in mid-December ’12. The Main Room community tables are packed so I head into the cozy left side dining area with my wife and youngest son. Two TV’s sidling the doorway to a backroom (where karaoke singers wreak havoc and kids play shuffleboard) show the Nets game and the Madison Square Garden Hurricane Sandy concert while I order 16-ounce Mason-jarred beers such as previously untried Allagash Yakuza Tripel, Blue Moon Caramel Apple and Clown Shoes Miracle IPA (reviewed in the Beer Index). A fabulous beer bottle collection runs across the overhead shelving and several homemade stringed instruments line the far wall above a gorgeous mural featuring many famous Blues, Jazz and rock artists.

The open kitchen in the Main Room serves pizza as well as burgers, pulled pork and several salads (named after popular Blues or Jazz tunes or musicians). I order the delicious red-peppered honey-glazed Ma Rainey Chicken Wings while my wife goes for the half Favorite Things (ricotta-cheesed mozzarella, rosemary, prosciutto and garlic pesto) and half Kind Of Blue (goat-cheesed mozzarella, pancetta ham, goat onions, capers and balsamic reduction). My son settles on the equally fine Freddy Freeloader (Monterey Jack-cheesed mozzarella, chicken, scallions and sour cream).

During May ’16, revisited ambitious pizza-beer joint to try three fabulous dark ales alongside two mixed pizzas. By this point, Coalhouse Pizza had added an exquisitely upscale sportsbar in the rear with sapele wood-adorned top shelf liquor and 100 draught taps. Featuring a 14-stool laminated wood bar, multiple TV’s, compact 4-seat tables, one large booth and a beautiful Blues-collaged mural, it’s the pride of hands-on owner/ manager Gerard Robertson.

As for the pizza and beer, my wife and I enjoyed stout-marinated Sunny Side Of The Street (goat-cheesed figs, prosciutto and parmesan), cherrystone-clammed Shake Your Money Maker (bacon, pesto, mozzarella, parmesan and garlic), roasted pepper-sauced Minnie The Moocher (eggplant, mozzarella, onion, poblano and garlic) and goat-cheesed Hoodoo Man (arugula, onions, almond and balsamic reduction). On the liquid side, New England Coup Beans Coffee Oatmeal Stout, Singlecut More Cowbell! Chocolate Milk Stout and Meantime Naval College Old Porter proved to be tremendous finds (fully reviewed in Beer Index).

Several cool specials run daily, including Wednesday’s trivia night and Thursday’s 50 cent mini-wings (plus occasional tap takeovers). Week day Happy Hours run from 3 to 5 PM, offering $5 select drafts and half-price mixed drinks.

Wonderfully affordable for families and absolutely perfect for parties, Coalhouse Pizza may well be Connecticut’s best pizza-beer hotspot.

www.coalhousepizza.com

381 MAIN BAR & GRILL

BEER PUB

Image result for 381 main bar

LITTLE FALLS, NEW JERSEY

An exquisite upscale sportsbar, 381 MAIN BAR & GRILL sure knows how to throw a great autumnal Saturday beer bash. Inviting every Jersey microbrewery to bring sixtels, kegs or bottles of their finest offerings for a sunny October 2011 afternoon shindig proved to be quite successful, as local patrons, eager beer geeks, and a host of brewers enjoyed the clean ambience and friendly interaction of this former martini lounge.

During November 2010, owner Steve Baskinger converted his hitherto fluffy white parlor into a sandstone-trimmed ruddy maroon tavern. He’d already run Woodland Park’s flourishing Bask Bar & Grill for a decade and though he owned 381 Main’s capacious one-room space since ’05, the martini lounge idea ultimately proved limited in its appeal, especially the restrictive nighttime consumer base. The Little Falls native, experienced in all aspects of the bar business, worked as a dishwasher, busboy, and waiter before becoming a cruise ship activities director and then taking a job in the entertainment biz.

“The challenge of making money in this business keeps me going,” Baskinger snickers as I indulge in an easygoing pumpkin-spiced, pie-crusted, crystal-malted River Horse Hippo-Lantern Imperial Pumpkin.

“The difference between the martini bar and my new place is we do food, we’re open seven days per week, and it’s a more lucrative business. We have better hours of operation and better clientele. Even the music’s changed. We have a jukebox now and fresh draft beer,” Baskinger says of his totally redesigned space.

Across from an elevated DJ booth, Addams Family’s black-suited Mortimer welcomes patrons through the front entrance of this pristinely adorned nightclub-like pub. Several hi-definition TV’s enliven the left side bar, where several college football games capture my attention between conversations.

The beautiful bronze-glazed rusted steel countertop complements ample mahogany wood furnishings and liquor shelving. Two ‘Big Ass’ airplane-winged fans hang from the midst and seasonal pumpkin lanterns light the front two window tables while low-voltage track lighting brightens the 15-seat bar area.

Ruddy-hued walls are brought to life by painted sharks, gold record plaques (Jimi Hendrix/ Aerosmith/ Motley Crue/ Limp Bizkit), Rangers and Yankees surfboards, and a Jets stingray. For those seeking an outdoor retreat, a gray-partitioned back patio with pre-cast concrete-tiled floors contains a large enough awning to cover a widescreen TV and a few speakers.

Though Coors and Miller Lite regularly outsell Guinness Stout and the four varied craft beers on tap, there has been an increasing awareness of microbrewed product. An efficient food menu includes reasonably priced brick oven pizza, massive burgers, amazing wings and hearty sandwiches. I got to try the bratwurst with sauerkraut while imbibing the tapped version of ethanol-fueled, clay-hopped, peach-orange-fruited Cricket Hill Colonel Blides Altbier.

“Sometimes we might have a daily special for one micro beer,” Baskinger claims. “And we may tweak the aesthetics. But we already have top-of-the-line sound and video systems, high quality liquor and good beer.”

In fact, this initial New Jersey Craft Beer celebration proved to be a very memorable experience. At 1 PM, 381 Main was filling up. By 2 PM, the bar was two-deep with enthusiastic guzzlers. The party reached fruition in quite a hurry.

As Michigan State upsets Michigan on TV, I get poured Hoffmann Oktoberfest, an autumn-spiced, leafy-hopped moderation with light citrus illusions crafted by long-time Climax Brewery owner, Dave Hoffmann. In comparison, Flying Fish Oktoberfish (10th Anniversary edition) preferred up-front pumpkin spising to citric leanings. Its astringent grassy-hopped oats toasting embraced the dsweet pumpkin pie frontage as well as the ripe apricot-orange glaze.

Some people started gathering at the six windowed side tables across from the bar as I began quaffing impeccable seasonal, Ramstein Double Platinum. On tap, its advertised apple-clove spicing takes a backseat to brisk orange-fruited brightness.

Then came creamy caramel malted, Belgian yeast candied, white-peppered delight, River Horse Tripel Horse and another worthy River Horse selection, German dark wheat-styled Dunkelweizen, which brought orange-oiled banana-clove spicing to wintry gingerbread notes. Loaded with just as much creamy caramel-malted dried fruiting was Boaks Two Blind Monks, a Belgian-styled dubbel overlaying candied yeast with fig, prune and raisin imprints.

Originally from North Arlington, internet marketer John Fladung was key in promoting 381 Main’s craft beer event. Throughout the afternoon, the diligent busybody stopped by the tables and bar to make sure everyone was happy and well served. A long-time beer lover, Fladung boasted about this years’ version of Cricket Hill Nocturne, a peat-smoked, cocoa-powdered, black chocolate-chalked Munich dunkel (dark ale) premiered on tap this crisp autumn day.

Before 3 o’clock arrived, the most anticipated beer of the session was tapped. Since there was only a sixtel of this one-time seasonal available, nearly everyone had their eyes on the three bartenders because they didn’t want to be left out in the cold not getting the chance to investigate the delicious elixir. But the wait was worth it as Carton Pumpkin Cream Ale made quite a splash for the new Atlantic Highlands nanobrewery. A special limited edition brew just right for the fall, its pearly white meringue head covered the gold-hazed body of this creamy pumpkin-spiced sensation. Cotton candy, lemon meringue, bruised banana and light herbs provided subsidiary illusions above its wet-papered clay hop plasticity.

Whether amassing the working class for after work ‘pops’ or serving the family crowd for early dinners, 381 Main has a lot to recommend. Let’s not forget the symmetrically placed multi-TV’s sprawling across the bar encouraging sports fans of all stripes to come on down and have a few nightcaps.

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There’s something to be said about the calm solemnity and relaxed solitude of being the only patron at the bar during its pre-noon opening. After stopping by nearby Totowa’s excellent Wine & Beverage Depot (buying Climax Tuxedo Stout), I hit Little Falls pristine cocktail bar, 381 MAIN, once again.

Owner Steve Baskinger’s made this lounge-y hangout the perfect sportsbar for craft beer enthusiasts. Beer enthusiast-promoter John Fladung boasted, “There’ve been a few brewery events like this, but this type serves all Jersey brewers in one spot.”

On this crisp and sunny November 2012 jaunt, I hit the one-room hotspot for some excellent wintry seasonals featured on tap. But it proved to be only a convivial warmup for the November 29th Chimay Beer Tasting.

Settling in at a seat in the middle of the bar across from the tap handles, I dip into the first, and arguably foremost, winter ale. Though exalted beer snobs may dismissively smirk at the thought of Boston Beer Company’s Samuel Adams line making new libations that aren’t as worthy as a host of independent local brews, there’s no denying the rich Christmastime luxuriousness of Samuel Adams Merry Mischief Gingerbread Stout. As the college games begin and owner Baskinger sets up his latest hanging surfboard (featuring a modern day pin-up girl), I sip the frothy gingerbread cookie-like dark ale. Soaked in brown-sugared dark chocolate malts and speckled with cinnamon-nutmeg spicing, this veritable holiday treat really benefited from its creamy nitro gassing, bettering the bottled version by a wispy bourbon nip.

Argent’s cryptic “Hold Your Head Up” blasts in the background as a few customers straddle in adn i notice the new Giants Super Bowl 2012 surfboard regaling the maroon ceiling. My friendly head waitress, Jess, pulls my next draft, a richer version of Cricket Hill’s Nocturne Dark Lager. This years’ model deepened its dark-roasted nuttiness and hop-charred dark chocolate malting while the peanut-shelled walnut bittering contrasted the vanilla hazelnut sweetness more efficiently.

As I began to chill, Fladung joined me for the astonishing Southern Tier 2 X-Mas, a full-bodied winter solstice bringing pumpkin-pureed autumn spicing to yuletide gingerbread-snapped cinnamon-nutmeg as well as fig-sugared stewed prune, golden raisin and bruised cherry dried fruiting.

Boaks Brewing entrepreneur Brian Boak then strolled in, tried a few brews and explained his upcoming ventures.

“Whoever sold the most Boaks beer will recieve first right of refusal to hold an annual party featuring sixtels of my first batch of Monster Mash Imperial Stout from ’07, plus three sixtels from ’08 and ’09. The flavor profile has changed over the years. The hop bite mellowed out and a Cognac-like mouthfeel ensued.”

Boaks’ standard fare (Double BW Witbier; Two Blind Monks; Abbey Brown) will also be available. Get definitive dates and times of these events at www.boaks.com

381 Main begins to fill up by 1:30. Chef extraordinaire, John Carlo Vitale, readies a bunch of delectable brick oven pizzas while several specialty burgers get served to the left tables across the bar.

I then slip into a fabulous non-seasonal full body from Michigan. Founders Breakfast Stout, a tantalizingly creamy chocolate malted Imperial with rich coffee bean roasting, molasses-sapped vanilla sweetness and sturdy hop-charred rye influence, brought oats-flaked Brazil nut, walnut, cola and hazelnut illusions to the milk chocolate core.

By 3:30, the Notre Dame game had begun and I retreated back home to watch the Fighting Irish move to Number One as Oregon and Kansas State both lost later that evening.

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Luc Bobo Van Mechelen“Bobo” Van Mechelen willLeuven Cafe & Restaurant

NOVEMBER 2012

I ventured once more into 381 Main’s main space on a chilly Wednesday ’round dinnertime for CHIMAY NIGHT. As a long-time fan of the Belgian Abbey brewery run by Cistercian Trappist Monks at Notre Dame de Scourmont in the southern Ardennes region, I couldn’t wait to meet the incomparable Chimay ambassador, Luc ‘Bobo’ Van Mechelen. Presently, there are only eight true Abbey breweries in the world including six in Belgium and one each in Austria and Holland. Each has received tremendous attention from spirited beer connoisseurs.

As I enter, Bobo’s hanging out with owner Steve Baskinger at the bar. An aged-in-the-wool veteran of the beer circuit, he came to Austin, Texas during 1979, joining Pierre Celis of Hoegaarden to help launch Celis microbrewery (later bought by Miller) after running Belgian-styled cafe, Gambrinus. He’d hook up with Chimay thereafter.

“The secret to Chimay is the well water and no pesticides being used. We don’t use any chemicals to alter our water. Some brewers use salts to change the quality of water,” he proudly explains over a bottle of the blue-labeled Chimay Grand Reserve, a Christmastime brew crafted approximately 100 years after 1862′s original maroon-labeled Chimay Premiere Dubbel.

A native of Leuven, one of the world’s renowned beer cities (located 25-minutes east of Brussels), his family owned a pub on the main drag since 1880. Originally, Bobo’s favorite beer was Duvel, a famous Flemish strong pale ale with a history nearly as old as Chimay’s.

“Leuven’s a better party town than Brussels. And my hometown has an old Catholic college that goes back to 1453. It used to be the only school where you could study about breweries,” Bobo recalls.

As we drown a few bottles of Grand Reserve, he says, “This particular yeast strain dates back to 1948 because everything got destroyed in World War II. It took four years after Patton’s army won the Battle of the Bulge and liberated Belgium to get restarted.”

Furthermore, he states, “There are no spices used (even though the hops attest otherwise). Most of Chimay’s flavor comes from the same yeast put into all three beers.”

We share a few wonderful Chimay cheeses alongside the white-labeled Cinq Cents, a peppery citric-spiced dubbel with honey-glazed candi sugaring. Grand Cru cheese maintained a soft-toned pasteurized milking while Trappist Ale cheese was bathed in Chimay beer, whole-milked Vieux cheese retained a light sharpness and Classic cheese had a hard-pressed natural rind.

Finally, we’d whet our whistle with Chimay Speciale Cent Cinquante, an elegant limited edition 150th anniversary celebrator based on the white-labeled tripel. Its champagne-sparkled fruity bouquet sashayed around a herbaceous pink peppercorn and lemongrass cluster, picking up Chardonnay-buttered honey mead nuances to contrast citric tropical fruiting.  (Full reviews are found at Beer Index).

As the clock struck ten, Bobo and I had satisfied our appetites. He had chatted with a few dozen Chimay admirers along the way and I got to spend quality time with Hunterdon Distribution rep, Cori Cornett, who brought me up-to-date with her company’s latest offerings. A perfect evening for all in attendance.

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During October ’13, stopped by to eat hearty bowl of creamy cheddar-cheesed potato soup (with scallions and bacon) while consuming three fine autumnal offerings (fully reviewed in Beer Index). Flying Dog Dogtoberfest scattered leafy foliage across yellow-fruited hop spicing and dewy earthiness while Flying Dog The Fear layered pumpkin pie sweetness above dark-roasted chocolate malts. The canned Wachusett Pumpkan contrasted vegetal squash-zucchini plainness with humble pumpkin pie-spiced brown sugaring.

With wife onboard, journeyed back two days hence for first pouring of nearby Cricket Hill’s Jersey Devil Red Ale, a bold  medium body with stylistic caramel-toasted fruit spicing. Brewed for New Jersey Devils hockey games in Newark, the tapped version went well with Sunset Pizza (mozzarella-cheesed sun-dried tomatos and pineapple) and moist barbecued chicken wings.

Though I missed 381 Main’s Fall Fest, my wife and I returned the following day (Sept. 24, ’14) to enjoy three newly marketed New Jersey-based pumpkin ales by Carton, Bolero Snort and Cricket Hill (reviewed in Beer Index) plus a few delicious food items. Cheese-sauced pretzel bits and lobster bisque were fine appetizers for Nonna’s Pie (a parmesan-cheesed pizza with olive-oiled plum tomatos).

www.381main.com

 

THE PONY BAR

BEER PUB
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK
Packed to the gills on a Friday evening in late November 2012, Upper East Side Manhattan watering hole, THE PONY BAR, is a diminutive one-room saloon on the corner of 75th and 1st (with a second site in Hell’s Kitchen). Three rounded orange-colored Pony Bar insignias welcome the large contingent of post-collegiate minions to the front entrance as the Pac-10 football championship between Stanford and UCLA plays on the two TV’s sidling the left bar this cold winter’s eve.
Hanging growler lamps dimly light the 20-stool bar area where dozens of local denizens find space to get one of the limited edition or hard-to-find American indie brews served from 20 rotating draught lines. Two illuminating boards above the bar list tonight’s featured beers. Though failing to get the collaborative Bruery/ Elysian/ Stone Citrueilli Amber Ale one-shot, two tartly fruited libations were imbibed for the first time during my one-hour stopover.
A Latino waiter with a ‘Fuck Imports” t-shirt (celebrating this establishments’ commitment to American ales) clears the community table at the front window where I’ll be sipping some suds. Some pro-pot enthusiasts must run the operation since Happy Hour begins at the inauspicious time of 4:20 PM. Burgers, chicken, pulled pork, ribs and deep-fried pickles are available for the dinner crowd but at this witching hour all customers onhand are strictly drinking.
Though the tentative Lakefront Rendezvous Biere De Garde seemed a bit underwhelming with its murky fruit esters and tart IPA-like citric-peeled bittering, serviceable Bear Republic Wine Country Wheat co-mingled hefeweizen (tart banana), Berliner Weiss (salty coriander) and American wheat ale (lemon-rotted apricot and orange) stylings quite effectively. (Full reviews are in Beer Index)
Within walking distance of the larger David Copperfield’s House Of Beer, The Pony Bar’s one of the coziest pubs in New York City. Connoisseurs will appreciate the swiftly revolving draught choices and enjoy the friendly young-at-heart atmosphere.
During two-hour stopover with wife, Karen, March 2013, had soft pretzels with spicy farmhouse mustard alongside Goose Island’s Naughty Goose English Brown Ale and Bourbon County Coffee Stout as well as Chelsea Bourbon Barrel Blackhole Stout and Green Flash East Village Pils. Hung out with Stuart, host of
On a rainy April ’14 springtime jaunt, shared mouthwatering Tartine (honeyed pizza bianca with black-peppered ricotta and dried fig) with wife while quaffing three ‘big’ Uinta brews and 21st Amendment/ Elysian He Said Pumpkin Porter (a rich hybridized Baltic porter placing dried-fruited mocha malts above pumpkin pie-spiced anise, stewed prune, fig, caraway and cinnamon).
As for the Uinta triage, Detour Double IPA boasted orange-peeled grapefruit and pineapple bittering as well as sticky pine resinous pungency to contrast sweet pear-peach-apple tang. Similarly styled Anniversary Barleywine tossed tangy dry-hopped IPA fruiting at syrupy piney spruce sapping. And approachable beechwood-smoked Tinder Rauchbier brought Band-Aid astringency and black-peppered peat malt to apple-candied glazed ham sweetness. (All fully reviewed in Beer Index)
ues.theponybar.com

SMILING CHAMELEON DRAFT HOUSE

BEER PUB
LEWISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA
Nestled one hour north of State Capitol, Harrisburg, in a commercial farming center just off the West Branch of the Susquehanna River lies the pristinely detailed 19th century-styled town of Lewisburg. Home to Bucknell University and the famous Campus Theatre (a treasured Art Deco movie palace), this middle Pennsylvania suburb also houses Market Street’s rewarding SMILING CHAMELEON DRAFT HOUSE, opened for business September 2010.
 
Serving decent pub food and great drafts while mantaining a comfortable downtown atmosphere, the wood-paneled bar offers 30 tap handles plus a nice bottled beer selection. Its rustic interior features an antique mirrored right wall sidled by booths and tables across the stone-walled 20-seat bar (with 3 TV’s). A Bison insignia promoting Bucknell sports is above the tap handles. Fine local beers from Stoudt’s, Troegs, Victory, Yeungling and Elk Creek are interspersed amongst Guinness Stout, Boddington’s Ale and Moosehead Lager.
 
On this cold Saturday evening in early November 2012, my friend Paul and I grab a few seats at the bar to watch the Alabama-LSU college football game while consuming two previously untried beers. As Robert Johnson’s blues classic “Going Up The Country” plays in the background, our waitress brings over Old Forge T-Rail Pale Ale, a refreshingly soft-toned citric spritzer with a mild IPA bent. Afterwards, I down Elk Creek Johnson IPA, a richer offering displaying piney fruited juniper bittering. 
 
Though Smiling Chameleon may be small in stature, its friendly neighborhood feel will attract both locals and travelers. And the quickly revolving taps do a great job serving the community with some of the finest elixirs the Keystone State could offer.