Category Archives: United States Brewpubs

BLACK BEAR

United States Brewpubs,

Black Bear Burritos announces closure of Pleasant St. location - Dominion Post
MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA

Easily one of the greatest party towns thanks to the cool West Virginia University students cheering on their Mountaineers. Them ‘Eers beat Penn State for the first time in the mid-‘80s when the Nittany Lions were ranked second in the nation. I was there. The goalposts came down while my WVU friend, Dave Delia, and I, finished the last of our four Bacardi rum bottles in celebratory fashion.

On two hazy trips to this pleasant retreat in the ‘90s, I realized hilly antediluvian industrial village had more cheap-priced dingy basement bars and rustic saloons within walking distance than anywhere else. And I salute them. But their one fair brewpub closed ‘round ’07, and the agrarian state of West Virginny is a bit slow on the take when it comes to brewing laws.

Nevertheless, during post-Christmas ’08 trip, hit campus sanctuary, 123 Pleasant Street, draining bottles of imported St. Druon French Abbey Ale as underground legend Hobo Jack kept my family entertained with dinner time road tales.

Across the street at Black Bear, a green and tan cafeteria-styled tavern with laid-back Appalachian atmosphere, L-shaped bar, and appealing Rogue, Bear Republic, and Great Lakes bottled selections, found Mountain State Miner’s Daughter Oatmeal Stout, a nutty bitter with rich hop-charred black coffee souring and recessive black chocolate reticence.

As of 2008, only Mountain State Brewing (forty miles East in Thomas) and its neighboring Blackwater Brewing, exist as microbrews in bucolic “Take Me Home Country Road”-inspired territory.

LE CHEVAL BLANC

United States Brewpubs,

MONTREAL, CANADA

A few blocks west of St. Lawrence River on Ontario Rue, a lonely black sign with white lettering illuminates uncompromising LE CHEVAL BLANC, a tiny, elongated lounge packed to the rim with young sophisticates this frigid April ’05 eve. Its green marble walls and terrazo floors offer parlor-styled decor. Ceiling fans and a fluorescent clock adorn thinly lit café.

Thick wood-blocked sampler trays contained eye-opening lemongrass-spiced floral-hopped leather-skinned Blonde and tangy grapefruit-fronted coriander-spiced, vanilla-banana sugared, curacao orange-tinged Blanche for mild starters. 

Barley-toasted dark-fruited fig-dried Ambree, polite fruit-spiced fungi-musted Saison and malt-honeyed lemon-peeled alcohol-licked India Pale Ale were fine medium-bodied fare.

Better still were buttery rum-soaked, orange-bruised, banana-mango-kiwi-centered, tangerine-peach-backed Triple, tart orange-apricot-fronted, white grape-soured, cherry-tannic Cassis Belgian Blonde and creamy black coffee-espresso-centered, wood-burnt, walnut-dabbed stout, Noire.

www.lechevalblanc.ca

DIEU DU CIEL!

United States Brewpubs,

Dieu du Ciel!: A Bar in Montréal, QC - Thrillist
MONTREAL, CANADA

On the corner of Laurier lies terrific café-styled brewpub, DIEU DU CIEL!  Friendly diminutive saloon, visited April ’05, had a well-selected beer bottle collection displayed across the bar area, appeasing connoisseurs of all stripes. Wood stools and tables line the smallish interior with stainless steel brew tanks situated by the front window and bagels, cheese, tortillas, nachos, and pan pizza filling out the terse menu.

Best brew may have been excellent Corne Du Diable American IPA, a deeply embittered red-orange-fruited dry-hopped quencher with currant tinge belying herb-roasted peppery-floral nuance.

Also enticing: buttery orange-bruised peach-syrupy grapefruit-embittered Abbey-styled Rigor Mortis Blonde; raw-honeyed red-fruited wheat-biscuit-y hop-dried Fumisterie Rousse; and lemon meringue-dried orange-peeled bubble-gummy Blanche Du Paradis.

Dry-honeyed low-carb wheat-sweet sedation McAuslan Cream Ale, gentle coffee-dried black cherry-sniped McAuslan Stout A L’Avoine, sullen yellow-fruited wheat-dried Paienne Blonde Ale and softly carbolic resin-hopped citrus-finishing cask-conditioned Vaisseau Des Songes IPA ain’t bad either.

www.dieuduciel.com

BRUTOPIA

United States Brewpubs,

MONTREAL, CANADA

Fascinating midtown pub, BRUTOPIA, with its ancient ornamental exterior brackets and live nightly entertainment, boasted English-styled libations on Crescent Rue. Right next to Irish pub, Hurley’s (great draught selection: Murphy’s, Guinness, Harp, Bass, Kilkennys as well as local Canadian faves), this busy bistro served quality food and draughts to my family one brisk April ’05 afternoon.

Open since 1996, Brutopia’s busy brick-walled wood-floored bar features front porch and upstairs lounge (with hidden rear-situated brew tanks). Its rustic appearance afforded a dank inner city appeal and the middling hummus, sausage, and quesidillas went down fine alongside excellent handcrafted beer.

Nut-grained clover-honeyed wildflower-bloomed Honey Beer; lilting cereal-grained honey-glazed yellow-orange-fruited Maple Rousse; sour yellow-fruited rye-dried Golden Wheat; soft-watered wheat-grained grape-vinous Scotch Ale; and mild walnut-imbued cocoa-sugared Nut Brown Ale were decent preliminaries for more interesting fare.

Woody Centennial-Chinook-hopped, grapefruit rind-embittered, lemon-zesty IPA and berry-kiwi-blanched rye-pumpernickel-soured Brutopia Extra Blonde should please bitterer swiggers.

Lively raspberry-wheat-fronted, passion fruit-aided, cereal-malted honey-dried Brutopia Raspberry Blonde will appease fruit ale lovers.

www.brutopia.net

RESERVOIR

United States Brewpubs,


MONTREAL, CANADA

Just off St. Laurent on Duluth, small smoke-filled 100-capacity brick-exterior brewpub, RESERVOIR, gets busy with 5 o’clock crowd. Visited April ’05, main bar area included open backside ovens offering calamari, fromage, salads, and oysters, plus table seating near front window. Brew tanks, an extra bar, and more seating are available upstairs.

On tap were three easy plowing beers and four more exquisite choices. Soft-fizzed lemon-candied grapefruit-soured Blonde, delicately buttered floral-perfumed lemon-orange-faded hefeweizen-styled Ambree De Ble and soapy light-spiced stone-fruited lemongrass-hinted Blanche suited light-bodied drinkers.

More engaging fare included terrific Belgian-styled raisin-prune-soured cherry-sweet banana-bruised fig-juiced Triple, piney malt-smoked hop-charred Bitter and lactic coffee-roasted hazelnut-toasted soft-tongued stout-styled Noire.

Mild hop-spiced, lemony grapefruit-embittered, peach-pitted Pale Ale was both light-bodied and distinguished.

www.brasseriereservoir.ca

SERGENT RECRUTEUR

United States Brewpubs,

MONTREAL, CANADA

On St. Laurent, the former ‘new’ location for SERGENT RECRUTEUR, brick-walled left side dining area and a cozy back bar with stainless steel brew tanks infiltrated this soon-to-be highbrow pub.

Unfortunately, as of April ’05, a brewpub license hadn’t been granted. Yet the selection of tapped brews took pride offering fine Canadian line of Le Cheval Blanc, Mc Auslan’s St. Ambroise Rousse and Griffon Blonde, plus Belgian staple Liefman Framboise and Denmark’s Tuborg Blonde. By 2007, the brewpub had closed.

LES 3 BRASSEURS

United States Brewpubs,

MONTREAL, CANADA

Since 2002, St. Denis corner pub, LES 3 BRASSEURS, has served brewer Louis Philippe’s likable assortment. The busily crowded cement-floored joint with cordial right side bar, upstairs terrace, and interior balcony served sandwiches, wraps, and pizza plus cappuccino and espresso drinks on April ’05 stopover.

Though Wheat and Brown Ales were out, sampled laid-back lemony grapefruit-fronted, perfume-spiced, wheat-husked Blonde, honey-malted hop-toasted pepper-snipped L’Ambree and sinewy lemon-hopped, banana-dried, orange rind-embittered, coriander-spiced La Blanche (the most expressive choice this rainy springtime day).

www.les3brasseurs.ca

L’AMERE A BOIRE

United States Brewpubs,

L'amère à boire - Le Quartier Latin
MONTREAL, CANADA

I’m convinced the best place to buy Canadian brews as of February ’04 is tiny grocery store, De Panneur Laurier, at 1420 Laurier off Papineau Boulevard. Bought Belle Gueule, Bieropholie, Boreale, Breughel, Du Lievre, La Barberie, Les Brasseurs RJ, Le Cheval Blanc, Nouvelle, Schoune, Saint Antoine Abbe, and Saint Arnould brews at marvelous oasis. Walked to nearby Rahman’s to get more previously unfound brews.

On April ’05 brewpub excursion, stayed at midtown hotel near respected Mc Gill University for three nights. I managed to quaff two local independent brews on tap at refined first floor bar: mild lemony-whiffed prickly-hopped grapefruit-soured wheat-dried Old Montreal Blonde and barley roasted sweet tea-like Old Montreal Red Ale.

L’AMERE A BOIRE, in arty St. Denis section, offered burgers and quesadillas alongside brewer Greg Rossel’s fine beers. High ceilings, a small back loft, oak stools and tables, sundry hanging plants, and rear brew tanks inundate the interior with six seats consuming the small right side bar.

Wheat-soft banana-bubblegummy coriander-cloved Blanche, mild lemon rind-softened spice-nipped Danoise, peppery-hopped honey-lagered Munich-styled Montreal Hell, lemony white-peppered currant-embittered Cerna Hora and floral citric pale ale Amere A Boire proved light and effervescent.

Malt-sugared orange-bruised grapefruit-surged Fin De Siecle (Red Ale), chocolate-malted cherry-ripened Cognac-warmed Boucanier Porter, raisin-greened cherry-tart dessert-like Maibock, mocha-chalked cappuccino-milked Kozak Dark Lager and mellow vanilla-chocolate-centered, crème de cocoa-like Stout Imperial suited connoisseurs.

www.amereaboire.com

MISHAWAKA BREWERY

United States Brewpubs,

Mishawaka Brewing Company, Mishawaka IN | Brewery, Mishawaka, Brewing company

MISHAWAKA, INDIANA

Tucked into the Indiana prairies and mere miles from Notre Dame University, MISHAWAKA BREWING has been in operation since ’91. Next to the corner malls off Main Street, this freestanding tan-brown-bricked facility had front garden deck and dark interior with left side dining and rear bar storing brew vessels, August ‘06. Pub fare was offered alongside upscale dishes: Beef Wellington, porterhouse steaks, and ossobuco pork.

Brewer Rick Schmidt poured sun-bright, lemony orange, coriander-spiced Shag Bark Belgian Wheat, vivacious piney-hopped orange-grapefruit-spiced Lake Effect Pale Ale, leather-grassed hay-dried honey-buttered citric-dashed Mishawaka Kolsch and corn-sugared raw-grained Wall Street Wheat. Slick raspberry-sweet citric-licked grassy-hopped wheat-bottomed Raspberry Wheat Ale was OK as dessert fodder.

At least as consistent were barnyard-wafted, honey nut-sweetened, wild oats-toasted, rye-fig-backed Four Horsemen Irish Ale, dry red-orange-fruited, grassy-floral-tinted Indiana Pale Ale and black coffee-roasted, black cherry-dried, cocoa-powdered, nut-roasted Founders Stout.

By December ’08, Mishawaka Brewing shutdown brewpub and restaurant operations, relocating at a Grape Street cornershop serving growlers, kegs, and 6-packs of its best brews to South Bend/ Mishawaka locals and Notre Dame fans.

MINNEAPOLIS TOWN HALL BREWERY

United States Brewpubs,

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA

Caught Twins ballgame at Metrodome after fishing at Coon Rapids Dam and Beaver Lake with Old Milwaukee Lite drinkin’ pal Doug Van Dell, purchasing August Schell, Aspen Meadow, and Founders brews at Surdyk’s Liquors, June ‘03.

Quaffed Dingo Red, a nebulous Aussie-styled beer with sinewy yeast, spiced hops, cereal grains, and dry flaked mocha, at Bloomington restaurant, Billabong. Though unvisited, MINNEAPOLIS TOWN HALL BREWERY is a sure bet I’ll get to at future date.

www.townhallbrewery.com

DELAFIELD BREWHAUS

United States Brewpubs,

DELAFIELD, WISCONSIN

Smack dab between Madison and Milwaukee, mighty DELAFIELD BREWHAUS simply offered Wisconsin’s most splendidly consistent, interesting beers, July ‘05. Opened in ’99 atop a hill off Route 94 in the town of Delafield, this green-trimmed, brick-solidified Far East architectural building features a large first floor deck, second floor balconies, indoor upper mezzanine, a right side oak bar, and proudly displayed dead center brew tanks.

A fine beer tray collection covers the walls, impressive brewpub insignias line the bar area, and a Sunday breakfast buffet is recommended. Woodstone pizzas and sandwiches solidify an expansive menu.

Glorious Bavarian-inspired brewmaster John Harrison shows great depth and technique crafting a few German beers and such complex liquids as 11% alcohol Belgian pale ale Millennium Tripel (with candi-sugared orange-spiced banana sweetness contrasting white peppered fungi) to summery clear blue malt-syrupy Bomb Pop! (a raspberry-blueberry ice pop-like concoction).

Light fare included raw-grained wheat-soured mandarin orange-tinged German bohemian Freistader Pils, perfume-hopped grapefruit-embittered lemon pith-induced Hops And Glory American Ale, raw-honeyed wheat-backed golden lager Dock Light, tea-like cereal-grained caramel shuffler Delafield Amber and soft clove-lemon-plantain-aided Summerzeit Hefeweizen.

Heartier thirsts are directed to syrupy raw-grained yellow-fruited Fruhlingzeit Maibock, soft-flowing cask-conditioned cologne-perfumed wheat-husked citrus hop-embittered Bengal Bay IPA, dry hop-toasted black coffee serenity Pewaukee Porter and special Einhorn Whiskey Barrel Aged Bock, a sweet Jack Daniels/ Chivas Regal-hinted intricacy imbuing overripe cherry, stewed prune, and scurried ambrosia illusions.

www.delafield-brewhaus.com

STONEFLY (ONOPA BREWING)

United States Brewpubs,

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN

Neighborhood bar STONEFLY (formerly known as ONOPA BREWING, then after 2015 as now-defunct Company Brewing), stationed in a rustic red brick street corner building (with maroon interior) across from a cool record store, supported hip café clientele with well designed beers, nightly live entertainment, lounge seating, and a large right side beer garden (visited July ’05).

Brew tanks are saddled behind billiard tables in separate backroom where brewmeister Jacob crafts a revolving assortment of beers.

On this stop, sampled whiskey-bound, orange rind-embittered, marmalade-fruited Bouzards Special Bitter, mocha-malted éclair-sweet alcohol-ridden Moustacheride Pale Ale, perfumed citric-cherry-induced medicinal warmer Fratney St. Flanders Ale and black cherry-softened, mocha-nutty, black coffee-finishing Oatmeal Stout.

www.stoneflybrewery.com