Category Archives: BEER PUB

DRAUGHT INDUSTRIES

BEER PUB

Draught Industries - Takeout & Delivery - 202 Photos & 127 Reviews - Gastropubs - 394 Main St, Beacon, NY - Restaurant Reviews - Phone Number - Yelp

BEACON, NEW YORK

Utilizing a state-of-the-art Flux Capacitor to adjust pressure and provide the proper carbolic gas blend (and to compensate for damaged kegs), Beacon’s diminutive Main Street pub, DRAUGHT INDUSTRIES, is strictly a mod-styled beer joint (with specialty wines). Opened September 2014, this narrow red brick-walled room retains a quaint feel as its 20-seat community table and 20-seat bar (with 20 stainless steel beer taps, 2 wine taps and 2 casks) allow for ample drinking space. A blackboard lists the quickly revolving selections (mostly sixtels of rare and hard-to-find brews) and beautiful wormwood outlines the front and back door area while the black tin ceiling tile and exposed pipes recall Old World sophistication.

Originally owned and operated by Nick Forlano, Draught Industries is the highly regarded centerpiece of Beacon’s trendy craft beer universe. A few local startup breweries are readied to go as I visit June ’15.

During my 2-hour stay, I go for three fantastic hybridized ales. Olde Saratoga Death Wish Coffee IPA spread smoky dark-roasted black coffee across orange-peeled pineapple and grapefruit tang while tropical Olde Saratoga Coconut IPA brought toasted coconut shavings to sharp-hopped pineapple, grapefruit and orange bittering. Better still, Westbrook Mexican Cake made for an exemplary dessert treat with its chocolate-spiced vanilla bean influence, persistent habanero peppering and cinnamon stick sweetness.(Complete reviews at Beer Index).

At the moment, only kettle chips and a draught platter (with olive-oiled provolone cheese, sour pickles, salami and bread flats) are available to snack on.

In 2020, revisited Draught Industries on a few occasions with wife and dog after exploring Hudson River walking trails. Met up with current owner, Greg Colon, then had lunch and beer samples. Fine Mexican food menu included yummy fish tacos, ensaladas and quesadillas.

POUR HOUSE

BEER PUB

NYACK, NEW YORK

Making no bones about their American heritage, Nyack’s POUR HOUSE prides itself on unwavered nationality as ubiquitous United States flags, Americana food and stateside beers welcome local denizens and curious travelers. Based in a historic bohemian community just up the hill from the Hudson River and 20 miles northwest of the Big Apple, this amiably cozy two-room sportsbar features TV’s at every conceivable corner, 20 tap handles and 100 bottled beers (mixing well-known craft offerings alongside several reliable macrobrews).

Founded in 2010, Pour House soon became the #1 sportsbar and grill serving ‘innovative entrees,’ burgers, pizzas and salads to go with its well-chosen brews, creative cocktails and lively spirits. Its windowed blue awning frontage, hardwood floors, acoustic ceiling tiles, potted plants and stooled tables fill the interior alongside the 20-seat bar.  

My wife and I first visit Pour House for Monday dinner in early June, 2015. As we enter, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s celebratory “Sweet Home Alabama” is playing. Upon leaving, the Southern rockers’ cheeky barroom tale, ”Gimme Three Steps,” blares from the jukebox. In between, Creedence Clearwater Revival, ZZ Top and several classic rock gems receive airtime.

Though I was already well acquainted with the tapped beer selections, the refrigerator near the checkout register provided the previously untried Full Sail Original Amber Ale, a brisk citrus-hopped medium body with pale-malted yellow grapefruit and orange rind bittering. Loaded Fries with cheddar-cheesed bacon and scallions made for a filling appetizer while Pastrami Reuben and Cheesesteak hoagie also sufficed.

Whether serving friends, family or business associates, Pour House will satisfy hunger and thirst with blue-collared workmanlike efficiency.  

www.nyackpourhouse.com

NEW YORK WING FACTORY

BEER PUB

New York Wing Factory - Wings Joint in Fort Lee

FORT LEE, NEW JERSEY

Just across the George Washington Bridge across from the Whiteman Park Plaza in Fort Lee, New Jersey, NEW YORK WING FACTORY gained high praise since opening, January ’14. The red-bricked roadhouse sportsbar serves as a unique gastropub featuring battered and double-fried Factory Wings and impressive Korean-styled dishes alongside a light Americana menu and some of the finest quickly-rotated draught and bottled beers in the area.

Rustic wood fixtures, exposed pipes, hanging fans and spotlights fill the large one-room open space with TV’s at every angle. The rustic hardwood bar (with 20-plus seats) stationed alongside the back wall gets served by the open kitchen near the entrance and two blackboards list the bottled selections (including several limited edition elixirs such as Brooklyn Hand & Seal Bourbon Barleywine, Bruery Rueuze Oak-barreled Lambic and Lagunitas Gnarlywine).

On my initial two-hour March ’15 weekday visit, several dining tables fill up in the mid-afternoon while the bar meshes local businessmen with serious beer geeks. Wings, pizzas, tacos, burgers and salads top the Americana items. Korean fare includes Kimchi Kroquetas (rice-balled mozzarella with marina and scallions) and the delicious Pickle Jar (jalapeno-radish-carrot-tomatillo). I grab a half-dozen hickory barbecue wings while the guys nearby chew on hotter versions (Jalapeno BBQ, Salt & Pepper and Angry).

A few previously untried Belgian-styled Stone ‘Stochasticity’ brews get quaffed alongside the sweet wings. Stone Quadrotriticale brought treacle rye breading to raw-honeyed dried fruiting while Stone Hibiscusicity pushed the envelope with its floral hibiscus tea likeness overriding the sour-doughed lemony hop spritz.

On second visit during April ’15 at noon, several post-grunge artists (Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Offspring) play in the background while I munch on Salt & Pepper Wings and down a few previously untried IPA’s (Angry Erik Hop-N-Awe/ 902 Heaven Hell or Hoboken) and saisons (Ommegang Calypso Hennepin/ Bolero Snort Tabull) alongside a witbier (Free Will Mango Wheat), cream ale (Carton Pumpkin Scobeyville Wood) and mocha ale (Boulevard Chocolate Ale).

www.nywingfactory.com

BURGER LOFT

BEER PUB

See the source image

NEW CITY, NEW YORK

Perched just off the main drag in Rockland County’s affluent county seat, New City (just an hour north of NYC) got a lot cooler when BURGER LOFT went ‘craft’ three years ago. On my March 15 stopover, the pristine beer pub celebrated Long Island brewery, Barrier, dedicating all 12 stainless steel tap lines to the superfine suds.

Inside a colonial-styled, red-bricked mini mall, Burger Loft is not only a fine burger joint, but also a damn fine beer-centric hideaway and roomy sportsbar (with several widescreenTV’s).  Its wide windows shine sunlight on the tile floor of the wood-furnished pale blue interior. Right side dining’s fine for family and friends while the two 15-seat wood counters at the bar spread across the entire left side. Made of maple, oak and zebra wood, the sturdily thick counter tops stretch far and wide, allowing many brewhounds to converge in one spot and still have plenty of room to rove.

All weekend long, Barrier Brewing’s been featured. And on this early springtime jaunt, I quaffed a lofty eight new Barrier offerings that would’ve easily satisfied even the most hardened connoisseurs. Served in lofty 5.5 ounce samplers, each well designed elixir hit its mark, especially my initial libation, Barrier Icculus Kolsch, a tantalizing light-bodied pilsner with a spritzy lemony orange splash and doughy cracker backup that’s as crisply clean as it gets.

Though Barrier Simple California Common Lager couldn’t compete, its phenol citric astringency proved smooth (if soapy). Barrier Delicioulus Extra Pale Ale  meshed perfumed citric hops with tropical fruiting while the even better Belgian 1 Pale Ale brought sour lemon-candied orange and pineapple tang to delicate banana-clove spicing.

As usual, India Pale Ale’s dominated the menu. Evil Giant IPA let rye malts deepen the stylish white-peppered, pine-needled grapefruit bittering while spruce-tipped Atypical IPA showcased lemony grapefruit. Soft-toned Money IPA placed orange-rotted yellow grapefruit bittering atop yellow wood tones. Best bet: sweet fruit-juiced Daddy Warbucks Double IPA, a sunny tropical-fruited beauty with honeyed malts and piney herbal respite.

For dessert, Morticia Russian Imperial Stout brought lusty dark-roasted smoked mocha malting to bourbon-tinged dark fruiting. (Full reviews in Beer Index).

In between beers, my wife and I chomped on a ciabatta-breaded Turkey Club (with avocado, bacon and tomato) while watching the Sweet Sixteen tournament. Burgers, Fish Tacos and Mac  & Cheese lead the American-styled pub menu.

On future endeavors during May and June 2017, discovered Burger Loft’s District 96 brews – currently crafted next door. Delectable fare seemingly inspired by highly recognized microbrewery, Hill Farmstead, the tight range of beers so far includes several India Pale Ales, pale ales and one kolsch (reviewed separately).

theburgerloft.com

 

 

 

KEG & KESTREL

BEER PUB

keg_kestrel

SUFFERN, NEW YORK

Right across from the railroad station in the bustling village of Suffern lied KEG & KESTREL, a Greek-related restaurant and beer pub refurbished and re-established as a craft bar during September ’14. Owned by the Roussos family since 2011, its cool beer-centric transition came with an updated food menu featuring both genuine Greek dishes (gyros, lamb shank, sauvlaki, falafels) and traditional American pub fare (burgers, seafood, salads).

However, by 2016, it was closed for business. The rest of the review follows:

Inside a snug mahogany den with olden 15-seat bar, twin private booths and opposing dining area, this rustic saloon features 14 bronze-stationed tap handles, copious liquor selections, two TV’s, one Touchtone jukebox, a whiteboard beer menu and elegant wood decor. Along the maroon walls are promotional Flying Dog, Sierra Nevada, Goose Island, Bells and Troegs banners.

Upon my initial visit in late March ’15, the diminutive bar fills up with mostly twenty-something denizens while Red Hot Chili Peppers. Offspring, Green Day and Nirvana play on the back-walled jukebox. My wife and I order the robust Ale House Burger, busy Greek Pizza (with feta-cheesed gyro meat and kalamata olives) and Trata Piato & Tzatziki (fried eggplant, zucchini chips and yogurt sauce with cucumber, dill and parsley) alongside two previously untried libations. Stuffed grape leaves with rice and lemon is also recommended.

Bar manager Patrick Reynar serves the newly discovered New York-based suds as we munch on dinner. Broken Bow Chinook IPA’s easygoing wood-dried floral citrus serenade contrasted Southern Tier 2Xpresso Stout’s coffee-sugared espresso theme. The next evening, I quaff Roscoe Trout Town Amber, a pleasurable mainstream moderation with laid-back orange-apple fruiting, spicy hop respite and leafy earthiness.

An increasingly popular Rockland County hangout drawing rush hour train commuters, curious brewhounds and young folk alike, Keg & Kestrel’s casual intimacy (and convenient 4 to 6 PM Happy Hour) keeps ‘em coming. Along with Craft House, one mile east up Lafayette Avenue, Suffern now has two exciting microbrew options.

www.kegandkestrel.com

CRAFT HOUSE KITCHEN & BAR

BEER PUB

Image result for CRAFT HOUSE KITCHEN BARImage result for CRAFT HOUSE KITCHEN SUFFERN

SUFFERN, NEW YORK

Just up the hill from the center of town, CRAFT HOUSE KITCHEN & BAR joined the microbrew revolution in January ’15 (but closed down during 2018). Located at a green colonial homestead on Lafayette Avenue, this quaint Suffern pub’s Old World design comes straight out of the pre-Prohibition Roaring ’20s. With its retro-styled mahogany setting, Edison bulb lanterns, sturdy wood shelving and stainless steel-handled refrigerators, Craft House’s ambiance truly recalls a vintage alehouse.

Accessing the back door entrance near the side patio, I grab a seat at the charming 8-seat bar mid-afternoon March ’15. Featuring a private banquet room and spacious dining area, the homey confines suits families, brew crews, booze hounds and food lovers. Salmon Salad is highly recommended alongside various Americana dishes (burgers-sandwiches-pasta).

The quickly revolving 12-tap setup on this day includes two previously untried Empire State libations. The first, soft-toned Captain Lawrence Frozen Flowers, offers botanical elderflower sugaring, polite citric-quince fruiting and dry-spiced nuances. For a resounding changeup, briskly citric-embittered Long Ireland Balor IPA brought lemony grapefruit-peeled orange rind sharpness to pungent hop astringency.

Happily, two Saranac reps walked in before I departed, offering the fabulous Saranac Immortality Imperial Amber, likable Imperial IPA and sessionable Summer Pils (all reviewed at Beer Index).

Craft House’s initial beer dinner showcased Captain Lawrence and the next highlighted new Wappingers Falls brewery, North River. Happy Hour is Monday thru Friday from 4 to 7 PM.

www.crafthouseny.com

 

POOR HENRY’S PUB & RESTAURANT

BEER PUB

MONTVILLE, NEW JERSEY

Definitely one of Jersey’s best beerpubs, POOR HENRY’S PUB & RESTAURANT has been in business since 1975. In a fieldstone-bricked ranch (with aquamarine trim and sidewalk cafe), this Old World tavern on Route 202 could be defined as an Irish-styled pub, dive bar, gin mill or family restaurant. Each description fits the otherwise inconspicuous establishment well.

Founded by Kenny Garrity, Poor Henry’s originated in nearby East Hanover and served Guinness Stout to experimental palates. But while that Irish bar ceased to exist, the newly established Montville gastropub continues to flourish. During 2011, Garrity’s son, Jesse, expanded the draught selection and brought craft beers onboard.  

Featuring outstanding pub fare (prime rib, burgers, pasta, fish) and a quickly revolving 23-tap selection, Poor Henry’s is divided into two distinct sections. To the left, a home-styled dining area with 4-seat tables serves lunch and dinner while the rectangular right side bronze-topped bar (with multiple TV’s and blackboard tap listing) maintains a bustling sportsbar appeal.

On the side walls, several road signs and auto licenses mix with several craft beer banners from Dogfish Head, Full Sail and Ithaca (plus a green-clover neon sign promoting Heineken and a Guinness ad). The extraordinary bottled specialties on this February 2015 sojourn included Brooklyn K Is For Kriek, Victory Oak Aged Horizontal Barleywine, Clown Shoes Peace Money Can’t Buy, Lost Abbey Inferno Belgian Golden, Guinness 1759 Amber Ale eith Smoked Peat, Epic Elder Brett Saison and Allagash Midnight Brett.

Grabbing a seat at the bar for a short mid-afternoon jaunt, I down fudgy dessert treat, Neshaminy Creek Coconut Mudbank Milk Stout (reviewed in Beer Index). Afterwards, I return for dinner with wife in tow and the bar has gone from practically empty to completely crowded. So we took a dining table and order two delicious mainstay menu items: Faroe island dilled salmon and Pizza with bacon, sauteed onions and mozzerella. Alongside the food, I consume four samplers of previously untried libations including sessionable Green Flash Jibe IPA and collaborative Du Claw/ Cigar City Impey Barbicane Moongun Amber as well as  Wild Beer Induna Cru Saison (with apples) and Du Claw Hell On Wood Bourbon-aged Barleywine.

As much a friendly neighborhood hangout as a great destination spot, Poor Henry’s warm, rustic charm will please everyone with its fresh food, interesting brews and cozy atmosphere. 

www.poorhenrys.com

AMBULANCE BREW HOUSE

BEER PUB,

Image result for ambulance brew house

NANUET, NEW YORK

Since its Grand Opening, June 12, 2014, AMBULANCE BREW HOUSE has fascinated local beer geeks and curious out-of-towners. Located at a refurbished red brick ambulance facility on Main Street in the bohemian village of Nanuet, this amiable small tavern relies on fabulous rotating taps, take-out growler fills and light pub food to attract its avid followers.

Inspired by Taps Bar & Lounge (a busy beer pub near the Tampa Convention Center) during a 2011 business trip, entrepreneurial electrical contractor Denis Maher decided to start his own pub up north. A native of Ireland who came to “the land of opportunity” during the ’87 Irish recession, Maher wanted a “cold look” for his craft beer haven.

Ambulance Brew House’s charmingly vintage stone-walled interior creates a dank cave setting with its caliginous dungeon likeness and composite tile floor. On the other hand, its antique wood decor, Dutch-doored rear kitchen, arched love booth and ample serving station provide simple Country Inn rusticity.

A closed-in front deck with four tables offers a street side view while the backyard Biergarten features five picnic tables, stringed lighting, shady trees and a gray shed (with chalkboard beer list). At the kiln-dried white pine bar, twenty taps serve rare, one-off, seasonal and locally popular fare.

On my initial August ’14 afternoon jaunt, my daughter and I (with Roscoe the dog in tow) grab a table at the front deck  to consume five previously untried libations. The Rolling Stones’ maddeningly malicious “Gimme Shelter” plays in the background as I settle into a well-rounded selection including Italy’s Del Ducato Nuevo Mattina saison, Astoria, New York’s Singlecut Kim Hibiscus Sour Lager and three California offerings – Knee Deep Simtra Triple IPA and Speakeasy’s Metropolis Lager and Syndicate #2 Strong Ale (all reviews in Beer Index).

On a two-hour dinner visit two days hence, my wife and I shared vegetable quesadillas, ricotta-cheesed pizza (with pesto) and nachos while getting knocked out by six outstanding elixirs crafted by Rushing Duck – a local Chester, NY brewery celebrating its 2nd Anniversary. First up, Rushing Duck’s Bauli Saison was a soft-toned farmhouse ale with white peppercorn herbage, kaffir lime tartness, mild coriander spicing and subtle citrus zest. Next, Honey Seeker Belgian Strong Ale brought abundant honey sinew to sugary fruit juicing and gin-like alcohol burn while Kroovy’s tangy fruiting contrasted sharp juniper hop bittering and resinous pine needling. 2nd Anniversary IPA, a bold medium-full body, brought sharp piney fruiting to wafting perfumed cologne.

For dessert, outstanding Dog’s Bullocks, a bourbon barrel-aged barleywine, fortified its soft-toned honeyed fruiting with mild oaken vanilla. And the distinctively hybridized Count Koala Chocolate Quad combined fruity Belgian yeast spicing with heavy mocha profundity.  (Full reviews at Beer Index)

Mid-September ’14, traipsed over to Ambulance once again. This time, five superb bourbon barrel-aged elixirs from Massachusetts’ Jack’s Abby were really impressive as I munched down Pecan Orange Salad,  a refreshingly crisp lunchtime snack featuring goat-cheesed mesculin greens, pecan, orange, cranberry and orange ale vinaigrette.

I doubt there was any better way to celebrate the start of autumn than with Jack’s Abby Barrel-Aged Framinghammer Baltic Porter Series, which included a Four Roses bourbon-barreled ale plus enticing vanilla, coconut, coffee and peanut butter and jelly flavored offerings. Each delightful brown-bodied porter provided elegant warmth, majestic mocha succulence, bittersweet vanilla luster and lilting bourbon nuances. (Full reviews at Beer Index).

Returned late September ’14 with pal, Dennis, for Sunday lunchtime round of five sour ales and one hybridized wheat ale. Chris, the affable barman, served us worthy fare such as The Bruery Tart Of Darkness Sour Stout (aged in oak), Gun Hill Barrel Aged Void Of Light Stout, Barrier Gosilla, Mystic Table (farmhouse) Beer and Swiss-made BFM 225 Saison as well as Westbrook White Thai Belgian Wit (reviewed in beer Index).

Since then, Ambulance has become my second home and over one hundred beers have been happily consumed here.

www.ambulancebrewhouse.com

JIMMY’S GRILL

BEER PUB

NAPERVILLE, ILLINOIS

Arguably Naperville’s best craft beer pub, JIMMY’S GRILL is situated down the hill from my alma mater, North Central College, and across the street from established downtown staple (and college hangout) The Lantern. An L-shaped black marble-topped bar welcomes brew hounds to this veritable sportsbar (with TV’s at all corners). Classical wood columns and pristine oak furnishings adorn the red brick interior while windowed doors lead to the umbrella-laden front deck. A rear dining area suits families and private parties.

On a hot Saturday afternoon in mid-July 2014, a few of my long-time college pals join me at a table near the side entrance to drain a few local suds emulating from the 16 available tap handles.  Happily, Jimmy’s revolving taps included a few previously untried libations (and the coolers were filled with well-selected bottled fare).

Hailing from Chicago, Half Acre Daisy Cutter, the brewers’ flagship offering, brought forth a sharper citric acidity than most pale ales, draping champagne yeast and bark-dried oak atop lemon-peeled grapefruit rind, pineapple, mandarin orange, tangerine and mango illusions.

Even sharper and woodier, Ale Asylum Hop-a-licious loaded resinous pine hop bittering inside floral-bound orange rind, grapefruit, tangerine and peach tones.

A bizarrely concocted collaboration between Colorado-based New Belgium and Indiana-based Three Floyds, Lips Of Faith Gratzer, revived an ancient Polish smoked dark ale style with its oak-smoked wheat, burnt wood char and dry mocha malting overriding wispy cola, walnut, Baker’s chocolate, cocoa powder, black coffee and crisp tobacco notions at the milk-soured lactic finish.

www.jimmysgrillnaperville.com

BAVARIAN LODGE

BEER PUB

Restaurant Review - Bavarian Lodge — Backyard Oktoberfest

LISLE, ILLINOIS

Exquisitely rewarding gastropub, THE BAVARIAN LODGE, may have the best beer selection in Chicago’s affluent northwest suburbs. Matching the elegant splendor of an Alpine hunting lodge with the cozily rustic warmth of an English pub, this genteel Ogden Avenue hotspot clearly puts the tiny village of Lisle on the map. Beautiful wood decor, vintage art deco, gold-foiled ceiling tiles, stain-glass tulip lamps and multiple beer plaques line the low ceiling pub area and a stone hearth reinforces the antique lodge-like setting. A separate intimate dining area suits families and large parties.

Serving an amazing selection of 38 rotating tapped beers and 150-plus bottles alongside generously portioned authentic German cuisine, The Bavarian Lodge blew away Du Page county’s craft beer competition on my initial visit, July 2014. Sitting at the U-shaped bar for dinner with my college pal, Scott, I ordered the delicious potato pancake appetizer and liver dumpling soup with the ample Roast Duck platter. Local denizens recommended the Weiner Schnitzel, Kassler Rippchen (wood-smoked pork chops), Schweins Hax’N (pork shank), Hungarian ghoulash and bratwurst.

On this busy Wednesday evening, one admirable cask-conditioned bourbon from Michigan’s famed New Holland Brewery (made in Dragon’s Milk beer barrels) is available to quaff along with special one-off ‘new arrivals’ such as Germany’s Alpirsbacher Klosterbrau Pilsner and Plank Heller Weizenbock, Belgium’s Dieu Du Ciel Rosee D’Hibiscus, Stone ‘Crime’ Bourbon Barrel Aged Ale (with dry-hopped chili peppers) and Three Floyds Backmasking Oatmeal Stout.

For starters, I order three previously untried brews from Indiana mainstay, Three Floyds. Renowned mild pale ale, Three Floyds Zombie Dust, brought beautiful floral-fruited IPA-like zest to mild resinous pine bittering, contrasting wheat-honeyed caramel malting with spruce-tipped ruby red grapefruit, orange rind and pineapple tartness. Three Floyds Space Station Middle Finger Pale Ale offered a dry-hopped floral citrus bouquet to honey-spiced pale malts. Three Floyds War Mullet, an enticing Imperial IPA, received an ultra-dry piney hop bittering and brisk juniper bite for its juicy citric tropicalia.

Dinnertime fare included Czech Republic’s Praga Dark Lager, a mocha-based medium body gathering burnt caramel, creme brulee, toffee, molasses cookie and honeyed pumpernickel illusions, as well as adjunct pale ale, Dogfish Head Rosabi, a mild wasabi-spiced elixir with red rice graining softening its hesitant horseradish heat. (Full reviews are in Beer Index).

bavarian-lodge.com

THE DOG & CASK

BEER PUB
  

Rochelle Park, New Jersey

An intimate gastropub replacing the ever-popular Bistro 55 during winter ’13, THE DOG & CASK provides Route 17′s busy Bergen County thoroughfare with its first serious beer-centric locale. Set inside a tan chalet-styled edifice, its high-ceiling interior features vintage reclaimed wood furnishings, a centralized yellow-wooded 12-stool bar, private left side lounge and right side dining room (with lodge-styled hearth). Pristine glass shelving, 6 TV’s and a blackboard beer list consume the pristine bar.      

 

Ambitious gourmet food, homemade desserts, fine wines and high-end liquors complement the revolving 16-tap/ 2-cask beer lineup (and more predictable 20-plus bottled fare). Sure the portions ain’t large, but each menu item is a culinary delight prepared by experienced chef, Jason  Ramos. Alongside four fine ten-ounce beers, my wife and I shared appetizing mason-jarred seasoned pickles (dill-pickled sourdough, carrot, onions and anchovies) as well as crostini-breaded Creamy Mozzarella (with fennel-jammed black olive oiling). The dinner selections looked equally as mouth-watering.

During our 2-hour April ’14 stopover, I quaffed two mocha-drenched dark ales, one sour-fruited saison and one amber lager. The latter brew, sessionable Neshaminy Creek Churchville Lager, brought pale-malted grassy hops to lemon-rotted raw honey and went well with our appetizers. Then, Sixpoint Seison brought orange-soured lemon-grapefruit rot to Belgian saison yeast and bold American hop pining.

As for the after-dinner elixirs, busy He’brew Death Of A Contract Brewer Black Ale contrasted stylish dark chocolate-coffee bluster with piney hop-charred grapefruit and pineapple tartness. Better still, exquisite River Horse Coffee Oatmeal Stout flawlessly loaded roasted coffee bean goodness all over sugary chocolate malts and clean-watered freshness. (Full reviews at Beer Index).

A relaxing upscale venue perfect for business meetings, local family functions and craft beer enthusiasts, The Dog & Cask sticks out like a sore thumb amongst its corporate-industrial suburban setting.

www.thedogandcask.com