485676 Sat Feb 02 12:20:10 -0800 2008 181 35 Beer 0 3358888 Mine personally is the Raleigh Times Bar in North Carolina. I visited on business for six days and spent almost all of my times at that bar. I travel 200 days a year and try to find my place where ever I go. Many places either have great beer, great food, great staff or great atmosphere. Rarely does a place have it all. The Times, as locals call it, has all of it and more. They only have six taps however I have never had fresher and more interesting selections. No Guinness, no macros except 20 ounce PBR for $2. You will get a Blanche or an amazing Belgian amber, how about a Frambozen that doesn't taste like it has been in the line for a week. Bottle selections are extensive however no beers are on there just to be. Management explained no matter the brand or honor the beer has to be great to make it. What an idea? The food is all scratch bar food and possibly the best burger I have ever had. The meat is ground everyday and I saw it with my own eyes when I peeked in the kitchen. The staff are simple, fun and no fluff. They don't where any uniforms and it feels like your neighbor is hanging out with you. When that place gets busy it's amazing to watch them move with composure and purpose. And it gets so busy. I got in early on a Friday and managed a bar seat. At eight o'clock it was packed. I mentioned that and Bobby the bartender laughed and shrugged it off. At ten o'clock there was this sea of people inside and out. I have never seen so much draft beer poured anywhere of the 94 cities I have been to. If you ever get into Raleigh make a trip happen downtown. I wish I lived in Raleigh. Sat Feb 02 12:20:10 -0800 2008 162743 Justincase 1 3359037 Since you travel so much could you run down some other Beer Bars that come close to the Raleigh Times Bar? We'd love to know. Sat Feb 02 13:29:38 -0800 2008 3358888 26180 Chinon00 1 3359386 I travel mostly east of the Mississippi and I have been to most of the top-rated places in Boston, NYC (Manhattan only), Philly, Baltimore, DC, Atlanta, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Chicago. For me, the top place is the Capital Ale House chain in Richmond. They have a very large tap selection, a nice bottled selection, a "secret" list of vintage bottles and a nice menu. There are some places that have a small, but excellent selection and others that area specialty (brew pubs or Belgian bars) but Capital Ale house has the best combination of all key elements without making unsatisfactory compromises. Sat Feb 02 15:36:50 -0800 2008 3358888 10395 brentk 2 3359487 Hands down... the Map Room in Chicago. Greatest selection of great microbrews of all styles, European ales, etc. etc. Here's an example of their current beerlist: http://www.maproom.com/beer.htm If it's not fresh on tap, then 99% they have it in the bottle... The place is real short on amenities... one pool table, a dump really, but the beer selection is the best. Sat Feb 02 16:15:14 -0800 2008 3359386 42549 Chicago Mike 3 4837632 Love the Map Room in Chicago. Also love Blue Bird in Chicago. Tue Jul 07 16:19:19 -0700 2009 3359487 1089508 JFarah 1 3359731 The Brickskeller and RFD in Washington, DC. Sat Feb 02 17:45:53 -0800 2008 3358888 18385 CDouglas 2 3455788 I hope Brickskeller has improved over the years. I lived in DC for about 12 years, moved away 9 years ago. Back then, Brickskeller was famous more because it was there. Yes, they had an amazing collection of beers, but overpriced, often skunky, and bad food to go with it. We preferred the Ram's Head in Annapolis. Mon Mar 03 13:22:39 -0800 2008 3359731 13136 Loren3 3 3648926 the "beer bible" was nice but overall the brickskeller wasn't my favorite either (maybe all the pre-hype skewed my expectations)...honestly, i like "kramerbooks" just across the circle, the selection isn't as extensive but what they do have is great including the food! Thu May 01 20:36:17 -0700 2008 3455788 188538 cellar_door77 4 4068656 Was at the Brickskeller about a month ago, impressive collection but the place was pretty dumpy otherwise. I much preferred The Saloon, next to Ben's Chili Bowl. Not as large of a selection, but no loud music and not much of a scene, which is just how I like it. Sun Sep 28 19:22:09 -0700 2008 3648926 15507 Rick 2 4886469 The Brick would definitely win the "most overhyped good beer bar" category. I can't remember them, or RFD's for that matter, ever having half of the beers that I've actually asked for. The food is marginal, the waitstaff subpar, etc. etc. Fri Jul 24 05:40:13 -0700 2009 3359731 206445 thecheeseisblue 3 4926204 ha, when i order there, i give the waitress a list of 7 beers and i usually find one to be available..... Fri Aug 07 10:36:47 -0700 2009 4886469 264146 kubasd 1 3359757 spuytenduyvil in brooklyn has one of the best bottle selections i've ever seen. akkurat in stockholm is also outstanding (everything from rare belgians to loads of u.s. micros and oddball english stuff). in toronto, beerbistro has A: an outstanding bottle selection and some well-chosen taps, and a damned good beer-focussed kitchen. they also do their own charcuterie, have their own smoker, and the chef/owner has competed in the bocuse d'or. beerbistro.com, if you're ever in town. Sat Feb 02 17:54:06 -0800 2008 3358888 11796 tuqueboy 1 3364707 Toronado - San Francisco, CA Mon Feb 04 14:59:54 -0800 2008 3358888 27514 shellshock24 2 3413717 I agree, the Toronado. The best beer bar EVER. Hands down. Not that some of the other places mentioned are not great. Not only is the sausage next door good....but go on Hamburger day on Tues...I think of this place often with envy for the locals Tue Feb 19 12:33:58 -0800 2008 3364707 19466 lyn 3 3413837 I am curious have you been to O'Briens in San Diego? Tue Feb 19 12:58:08 -0800 2008 3413717 42572 Eat_Nopal 4 3414121 Does O'Briens have the belgian selection or the casks that Toronado does? I've never been and am curious. Tue Feb 19 13:59:17 -0800 2008 3413837 25266 PaulB 5 3414155 Read 'em and weep: http://www.obrienspub.net/index.php Actually... I am sure Josh & the other locals are hating me right now for promoting this place... the three times I have been there its been no problem to get seated during prime time. Tue Feb 19 14:06:17 -0800 2008 3414121 42572 Eat_Nopal 5 3415476 I've been to Toronado a few times now, nowhere near as many times I've been to O'Brien's, but I will say that their selections are pretty similar in spirit, if not specifics. IIRC, Toronado has more handles than O'Brien's, and seems to always have casks available. The bottle selection is a little harder to gauge, as the times I've been to Toronado there were a good number of beers on the bottle list that were out of stock. One night, I think I went through 4 different orders before hitting one that was in stock. O'Brien's has cask beer at least one night per week, sometimes more often. Their draft selection typically includes at least two Belgian offerings, with the rest made up of craft brews, many local. O'Brien's bottle selection is really impressive. Probably 2/3 of the list is Belgian, some very obscure. Another thing that O'Brien's does that's pretty cool is special event nights, where they hook up with a brewer or something along those lines. Recently, during their anniversary week, they had a sour ale night with a huge lineup of sour and barrel aged beer from all over the US, plus a couple of Belgians. All that said, I would much rather hang out at O'Briens. a) They take plastic, b) there is plenty of room to sit, c) there isn't music played at deafening volume, d) they have food. Tue Feb 19 21:28:08 -0800 2008 3414121 10809 Josh 4 3414226 O'Briens in SD: it that the one near the NBC studio? If so, yes Tue Feb 19 14:19:43 -0800 2008 3413837 19466 lyn 5 3414355 Kearny Mesa to be specific Tue Feb 19 14:49:29 -0800 2008 3414226 42572 Eat_Nopal 5 3415483 NBC studio is downtown at Horton Plaza. So I guess that's a no. Tue Feb 19 21:30:57 -0800 2008 3414226 10809 Josh 6 3415551 Oh no she is thinking that crappy Irish pub in the Gas Lamp.... no THIS Obriens is a completely different animal. Tue Feb 19 22:02:14 -0800 2008 3415483 42572 Eat_Nopal 3 3415496 Sorry, didn't see the original post. One of my pet peeves is "[fill in the blank] is the best ever." That would imply that you've been to every beer bar in existence, throughout history. Pedantic, I know, but it still bugs me. I couldn't pick such a thing, from the ones I've been to, including Toronado. As much as I love O'Brien's, they don't see as many of the Russian River beers as Toronado does because of proximity. But does that make Toronado better? There are beers I've had at O'Brien's that I didn't see at Toronado, plus I don't have to battle my way to the bar to order and shout to be heard. I have yet to check out Spuyten Duyvil, Map Room, or Brickskellar, but they're all supposed to be awesome. I've been to Ginger Man in Austin, TX, and they had some great beers that I'd never seen anywhere else. Heck I even went to a little place in Waco, TX that had stuff on draft from England I'd never seen elsewhere. Blind Tiger in NYC rivaled O'Brien's and Toronado in terms of selection, and kills both on atmosphere. If I lived in NYC, I'd probably be there every night. Tue Feb 19 21:38:01 -0800 2008 3413717 10809 Josh 4 3415737 One of the the things I love about Toronado is that they offer so many different Russian River beers. Their beer list is ever changing and many of the RR beers they offer are unique sour belgians in style. I cant find those beers outside of Northen Cal. I was there a few weeks ago and they had six different Belgian Noells on tap!!! You can eat brats from next door, Plantain burritos from across the road and food from good Indian restaurants on the same block in the Toronado. Plus the Tamale lady makes regular appearances there. The great location & beer combined with an awesome staff makes the Toronado my favorite beer bar in California. Wed Feb 20 01:12:22 -0800 2008 3415496 158356 porky pine 4 3430127 Blind Tiger is nowhere near as awesome as Toronado or O'Briens!!! My Top 6- 1)Toronado 2)O'Briens 3)Liar's Club 4)Pizza Port(Carlsbad) 5)The Publick House 6)Blind Tiger or Spuyten Duvil 7)Monks(in Philly) Sun Feb 24 13:02:39 -0800 2008 3415496 14743 Trumpetguy 5 3430275 For me, what raises Blind Tiger up is really the ambience. It's dark, dimly lit, and wood paneling, wood floors, etc. It feels like being in a really old pub with a lot of history to it, plus they have great beers from both the East and West coast. For example, when I was there they had bottles from Weyerbacher *and* Lost Abbey. Plus their food is really top notch. Sun Feb 24 14:10:11 -0800 2008 3430127 10809 Josh 6 3430424 Yes, Josh--nice vibe there! Love that they serve food late-- until 2am? Keep in mind beers are $6-$7 easily--I can drink Pliny for $3 at Toronado happy hour; as cheap at O'Briens and Liars Club...As much as you wanna try east coast IPA's very few compare to what is available in SF & SD.So a $7 Weyerbacher or a $3 Pliny? Easy! Heck, I'd easily pay $7 for a Pliny out here:) Sun Feb 24 15:03:59 -0800 2008 3430275 14743 Trumpetguy 1 3366231 The Brick Store- Decatur (ATL), GA Summits Wayside Tavern- suburban ATL (sports bar, but tons of taps) Map Room- Chicago Sheffields- Chicago dba- NYC or N'awlins Falling Rock- Denver Toronado- San Fran Gingerman- Austin, Chicago, et al Lovejoy's- Austin Flying Saucer- Raleigh, Nashville, et al Abbey Brewing- Miami Leon Pub- Tallahassee All are subject to varying levels of crowdedness, some to potentially fratboy crowds. Sometimes the server isn't great or the list doesn't match what's available. But all have the potential to be a great beer experience. Honorable mention to The Garages in Birmingham, Le Tub in Hollywood (FL), and Backstreet Pub in Beaufort (NC) for being cool bars without necessarily having a great beer selection. Tue Feb 05 07:17:20 -0800 2008 3358888 12626 ted 1 3366263 Ginger Man in NYC Tue Feb 05 07:29:00 -0800 2008 3358888 18654 mitchell25418 1 3366841 Kulminator in Antwerp. Monk's in Philly. Blind Tiger in Manhattan. Tue Feb 05 09:52:13 -0800 2008 3358888 24211 Ralphus 1 3367330 1. Toronado - San Francisco 2. Horse Brass Pub - Portland, Oregon 3. dba - NYC Tue Feb 05 11:50:44 -0800 2008 3358888 147752 Moonshine717 1 3367366 Toronado - San Francisco Great beer and you can get great sausages next door to accompany it. Tue Feb 05 12:00:14 -0800 2008 3358888 56784 lanersg 1 3368454 How about the two best beer bars in the US that are within walking distance of each other--Spuyten Duyvil and Barcade in Williamsburg, Bklyn. Tue Feb 05 17:11:51 -0800 2008 3358888 63942 Psychobabble 1 3368485 The best overall time I had at a Beer Bar was at Johnny Brenda's in Philadelphia for the following reasons: 1) The softest, most buttery octopus and rich hummus I've had in the city at the bar downstairs. 2) Probably the most extensive local beer selection (Victory, Dogfish Head, Stoudt's, etc) in the city on draft. 3) "Mean" decor. 4) Tremendous lines of sight for bands upstairs (I recall having several Victory Prima Pils at the bar upstairs with a great view of a band that were totally ripping off Black Sabbath [i.e. they were great!]) Tue Feb 05 17:27:10 -0800 2008 3358888 26180 Chinon00 1 3380244 Toronado - San Francisco Bier Circus - Brussels Kulminator - Antwerp White Horse - London Some that haven't got their props here so far: Brouwers - Seattle Uber - Seattle Rogue - Newport Oregon (mostly because the apartments upstairs are available for lodging) Stuff'd Sandwich - San Gabriel (Los Angeles) Naja's - Redondo Beach O'Brien's - San Diego Publick House - Boston Hop Leaf - Chicago Sat Feb 09 09:25:32 -0800 2008 3358888 20858 Kevin B 2 3392296 I second O'Briens... most impressive bar I have ever been to... well its really a small dive with 2nd hand office furniture ripped out of the 50's... in a strip mall surrounded by divergently tidy Asian places (boba, yogurt, noodle houses etc.,)... but that beer selection.. are there any bad beers there? 20 or so hard to find beers on Tap... lots of great bottles... served at a good temperature, in proper glassware, for good prices, and a good crowd of people that know what to drink... its the real deal. Tue Feb 12 22:52:19 -0800 2008 3380244 42572 Eat_Nopal 1 3389401 Mahars in Albany NY 1000 different beers everyday, including a pretty extensive cask conditioned selection. Love it! Tue Feb 12 08:59:02 -0800 2008 3358888 94635 adventuresinbaking 2 3425529 I loved the lights over the tables that would signal them to come over when you were ready for the next beer. It was so much nicer than wading through the crowds at the student bars I usually went to. Fri Feb 22 15:29:23 -0800 2008 3389401 23771 JRSD 3 3455395 Wow, they stopped doing the light system, but it is still a great place. I got my t-shirt for drinking my 50th beer last week. I was so excited I wore it out of the bar. :) Mon Mar 03 11:56:12 -0800 2008 3425529 94635 adventuresinbaking 4 3469585 I was able to find a couple of other things to like there besides the lights... Congrats on the shirt, mine fell apart a while ago. Fri Mar 07 09:39:54 -0800 2008 3455395 23771 JRSD 1 3390538 I have to second The Map Room in Chicago. The selection is outstanding, and I actually don't mind the dive-y bar aspect of it. It's my favorite beer bar in the city. I also frequent the Hop Leaf quite a bit-- it has a lesser selection than the Map Room (though it's still excellent), but really great atmosphere and food. Tue Feb 12 13:21:43 -0800 2008 3358888 106935 ShikaSfrn 1 3392267 Toronado, SF- This place rules, reasonable prices, good selection of local micro brews and beers from around the world, great staff and killer brats next door. A must visit in San Francisco. Brouwers, Seattle- Awesome beer bar with a ridiculous selection of Belgians on tap, Horse Brass, Portland- Old school brew pub with an impressive selection of local and international beers. Smokey though. Green Dragon, Portland- A new brew pub with 25-30 rotating taps. My new favourite haunt. Jake's Bar and Bistro, Steilacoom WA- A gem located between Tacoma and Olympia. 35-40 beers on tap with an emphasis on rotating Belgians. Tue Feb 12 22:34:40 -0800 2008 3358888 158356 porky pine 1 3401717 I'm a big fan of The Great Lost Bear, in Portland, ME. Tons of bottle selections, and about 50 beers on tap, the majority from Maine and other New England breweries, but some good foreign draughts as well. Great pub food to boot, and they are always having tastings of new and great beer. Support your right to arm bears! Fri Feb 15 12:44:21 -0800 2008 3358888 150096 jackbauer 1 3408647 My favorites in order are as follows: The Moan and Dove in Amherst Spuyten Duyvil in Brooklyn Blind Tiger in NYC Toronado in SF Drafting Room in Exton, PA (good food, smoke sucks) Mon Feb 18 06:18:22 -0800 2008 3358888 155169 amini1 2 3415480 Blind Tiger rocks. Tue Feb 19 21:29:42 -0800 2008 3408647 10809 Josh 1 3410967 I third the Map Room in Chicago, as well as the Hop Leaf (which has excellent food as well as great beer). Also, t' Brugs Beertje in Brugge, Belgium is pretty spectacular too - although you can't really go bad when it comes to drinking beer in Belgium! Mon Feb 18 18:02:49 -0800 2008 3358888 163375 jazspin 2 4966705 I only got to spend a day in Bruges, but that place was on the top of my list. It was closed that day, I was so disappointed. Guess I'll just have to make it back some day. Fri Aug 21 15:20:25 -0700 2009 3410967 292456 micreynolds 1 3424277 Dudas in Fells Point, Baltimore Fri Feb 22 10:13:22 -0800 2008 3358888 12234 hon 2 3537898 also Mahaffeys Pub in Baltimore http://www.mahaffeyspub.com/beers.php Fri Mar 28 12:52:51 -0700 2008 3424277 12234 hon 1 3425657 Dutch Bar and Lounge, Jackson, MS (RIP)...Most exotic thing in the cold box was a PBR longneck and the "lounge" was an old vinyl sofa in the corner. But a great juke box, coldest beer in town, a couple of pool tables and pin ball machines, and forty year old dust on the college pennants adorning the walls- isn't that what a beer bar is all about? Fri Feb 22 16:11:16 -0800 2008 3358888 96658 Clarkafella 2 3425692 "coldest beer in town" Not for me... beer snobery aside... find me the bar with the warmest beer in town =) Fri Feb 22 16:24:00 -0800 2008 3425657 42572 Eat_Nopal 2 3427108 Well, when it comes to beer, I guess what matters most is what you grew up on. But on a hot, sweaty, muggy night when the air is so thick that you can cut it with a knife, I'll take an ice cold PBR- I know this is a horrible thing to say, but it's even better if just a tiny bit of ice is starting to form in it- over some luke warm ale made in a cave by a Trappist Monk somewhere... Sat Feb 23 09:00:52 -0800 2008 3425657 96658 Clarkafella 3 3427659 I'd like to think that people are capable of evolving beyond what they grew up on. If not, I'd still be eating American cheese sandwiches on white bread with ketchup (fact). Beer is a thousands-of-years old beverage. Relative to its history, industrial light lager like PBR is a historical footnote. When I was growing up, my dad and his friends drank Coors, or something like St. Pauli Girl or Henry Weinhards if they were really feeling fancy. In college, everyone drank Hamm's, Natural Light, Keystone, and MGD. For many years I thought beer was crap, and couldn't understand why anyone drank it. Then I had my first Chimay, and was amazed by how it tasted. And as it warmed up, the flavors kept blossoming and unfolding. And this was on a sunny, warm afternoon in Southern California. Still, your point is well taken. I don't think I'd want a trappist ale on a hot, muggy night, either. But there's a vast universe of great beers for that kind of weather. Sat Feb 23 12:41:19 -0800 2008 3427108 10809 Josh 3 3427936 As I've asked a million times probably, what doesn't quench one's thirst on a on "hot, sweaty, muggy night when the air is so thick that you can cut it with a knife"? When judging food and beer we must eliminate extreme thrist and hunger or this whole thing means very little ya know? Sat Feb 23 14:35:00 -0800 2008 3427108 26180 Chinon00 2 3428164 Well, the title of this thread is "Favorite Beer Bar Ever"- I gave *my* favorite, and gave *my* reason- there is nothing that says anyone else has to agree with either. My definition of a "beer bar" might be different from most. I think of a beer bar as a place where they either don't serve cocktails, or if they do, a person would look really foolish ordering one- with the possible exception of an occasional shot- *not* a shooter... I understand that the criteria of what makes a good beer bar for others might be variety of product, freshness of the product, food served, or even the view. I'm ok with all of that- just feel differently. I haven’t had an ice cold PBR long neck in a long time- I try to buy local whenever possible, and currently that happens to be products from Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company. But I still prefer to keep it in the refrigerator! 8-P Sat Feb 23 16:09:37 -0800 2008 3425657 96658 Clarkafella 3 3433768 In the current parlance 'beer bar' is a bar you go to for their selection of beer so you and they are comparing apples to oranges. Warm beer is a semi-myth. Different beers are served at different temps, with 50 or so being the warmest they get. Since your mouth has a temp of 98 and change, the beer is plenty cold. Mon Feb 25 14:44:52 -0800 2008 3428164 87015 bigchow 4 3434078 Not sure about 50 being the warmest. 50 is considered cellar temperature, which is generally considered the coldest temperature that beer should be served at. Some beers though, especially barleywines, old ales, and abbey ales, don't really blossom until they get up into the 60s or 70s. Good beer should taste good even when warm, that's a surefire way to tell if what you've got on your hands is swill. Mon Feb 25 16:05:39 -0800 2008 3433768 10809 Josh 5 3434346 I definitely like my beer in the high 60's to low 70's... not just Trappist Ales but even more pedestrian beers like Negra Modelo are substantial better at 68 degrees than they are at 50 degrees. Mon Feb 25 17:39:14 -0800 2008 3434078 42572 Eat_Nopal 5 3455859 Not to digress into a different thread (beer temp vs. best beer bar) but: Blech! Blah! HOT beer? Cloying. Oppressive. Why not just leave them in the car on a hot summer day and totally skunk them? And I just love statements like "generally considered... should be served...". By whom? You? Everyone in the world? Self-proclaimed beer experts? Sorry for the rant, but this one just kills me. It's just like serving something in the "proper" glass, or that steak "should" be a certain rare. For you maybe, but please spare the rest of us. The whole point of chowhound is to avoid common misconceptions of what "experts" say "should" be, and give the rest of us a forum for fun ideas on other options. You need to try sitting on a beach in Singapore with a big frosty mug of Tiger on the rocks, just for perspective, just for a different point of view, if only to realize that, in Singapore at least, beer on the rocks is "generally considered to be the warmest beer should be served at." And I know Tiger is no Belgian, but even in Brussels none of the beer I had was over 50, and most was colder. Ok. Rant over. Sorry for the digression, but I feel better now. Mon Mar 03 13:39:59 -0800 2008 3434078 13136 Loren3 6 3455989 I hear what you are saying but it still sort of depends. I recently purchased a case of Belhaven Scottish ale. I grabbed one right out of the refrigerator. I was a bit disappointed because I really couldn't taste much. But by the time that I finished it I could taste more of it and enjoyed it more. The next time I drank one I let it sit out for about 15-20 minutes and it was glorious. Please do whatever pleases you with your beverages. I can't tell you different. But I can tell you that you are capable of tasting more when the beer is not ice cold. Again, I'm NOT prescribing that YOU do this (your mind seems made up) but flavor is simply more apparent when the beer isn't ice cold. Not suppressing flavor is something that I think would be worth a mention on chowhound even if it isn't everyone's preference. Thanks Mon Mar 03 14:06:21 -0800 2008 3455859 26180 Chinon00 7 3456057 I agree with Chinon00. When you drink good beers ice cold, it really dulls the flavours. Allowing good beer to warm up a little after being removed from the fridge brings out nuances that would have otherwise been masked by the cold. Mon Mar 03 14:19:03 -0800 2008 3455989 158356 porky pine 6 3456092 While its true that there is quite a range of good taste.... there are also some "truths" in taste. For example... take blue cheese. Not a lot of children like it, they think its gross and vastly prefer Velveta... but then you try it as an adult when your palette has become more sophisticated & experiences... and you think its the best thing ever, while Velveta is only marginally preferable to eating your own defecation. Same with beers & temperature... drink a craft beer & a mass produced beer everyday for a year... I will be suprised if after 2 months you don't become enamored with the craft beer & the mass produced crap holds no appeal. Same goes with temperature. I still my Mexican beers.... but after have some great Scottish & Belgian Ales... Negra Modelo tastes thin & simplistic to me even though I still think it has good flavor... and my taste buds just normally prefer that bigger bodied Ales. Still if I am in Mexico, in the sub-tropical heat... I crave a Mexican beer.... and I have now discovered that even a Negra Modelo or Dos Equis Ambers tastes much better at 65 degrees than it does at 40 degrees... its just a matter of trying things with an open mind. Mon Mar 03 14:27:19 -0800 2008 3455859 42572 Eat_Nopal 6 3456167 You said: "The whole point of chowhound is to avoid common misconceptions of what "experts" say" How many places do you go that serve beer at cellar temperature? Anywhere I go, when I get served beer not only is it ice cold, but it's served in a chilled glass. I'd say the only common misconception here is the idea that beer is supposed to be served ice cold. Comparing drinking a 60 degree beer to leaving beer in the car until it gets skunked seems to indicate a pretty big misunderstanding on your part about the role temperature plays in flavor perception. Flavors are hard to perceive at cold temperatures, that's not a matter of opinion. You can easily see this is true by observing people who drink swill: they only like it when it's ice cold, and as soon as the beer gets warm they no longer want to drink it. That's because the warm temperature allows you to taste just how awful these beers are. When I say "generally considered", I mean by people like professional and home brewers, and certified beer judges. You may scoff at such a thing as beer judge certification, but it's very real, and those who do it take classes and have to pass tests where they demonstrate their ability to identify specific flavor components by taste and smell. I myself have participated in several beer judging events, and the beer is always served at a temperature in the low-to-mid 60s. I'm not surprised that people in Singapore think Tiger should only be served ice cold, it's not a beer I'd want to taste either. Mon Mar 03 14:47:45 -0800 2008 3455859 10809 Josh 7 3456257 Actually, pretty much anything that you can drink will have more flavor at or near room temperature- coca-cola, milk, water, orange juice, etc. But that doesn't always make it more enjoyable. Sometimes I like for things to be really cold, sometimes not... At any rate, when I first responded on this thread, I didn't realize that it was in the "beer" forum, for some reason I thought that it was in "not about food". Even though I still have my own opinion about this and guess that I have the right to share it here, I would have *never* have given my opinion had I seen that this was the beer forum. My posts (those still on here and those thankfully removed by the moderator) certainly must have appeared pretty trollish- talking about the virtues of ice-cold PBR in the realm of people for whom beer is a passion is certainly not my style- I really wasn’t trying to start an argument! I apologize to anyone who might have been offended, but ask that you understand that had this topic (favorite beer bar) been brought up in a more general forum, there would have been many others who shared my opinion- I was actually pretty surprised to be challenged on it! Mon Mar 03 15:10:59 -0800 2008 3456167 96658 Clarkafella 7 3462905 Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that ice cold is the only way to go either. And I do like my beers at "cellar" temperature. On the other hand, I'm also saying is the 60-70 degrees is just as extreme (and to me as extremely biased) as ice cold, but instead of no flavor, you're getting cloying and overwhelming. There is no one-size fits all, and sometimes we go overboard in pursuit of an ideal. Wed Mar 05 12:04:11 -0800 2008 3456167 13136 Loren3 8 3463336 Sure, and there are some beers I've had that I wouldn't really want in that warmer temperature range, like lagers, lambic, and IPAs. But I just had a great example recently - it was Great Divide's Yeti barrel-aged Imperial Stout. It was served ice cold, with cold glassware, and all you got from it was hop bitterness. Once it warmed up to room temp, all kinds of flavors emerged. In general though, I think that American pubs serve beer too cold, and people get used to that, without knowing what they're missing. Wed Mar 05 13:31:59 -0800 2008 3462905 10809 Josh 6 3457847 Did you notice when in belgium that beers came in specific glasses? The Belgians are very insistant on this, and after experimenting, I agree. Just like using different glasses for different varietals of wine, the beer glasses are designed to highlight and release the flavors, aromas and mouth feel of each particular beer. Would you serve champagne in a pint glass? No, the bubbles would not work. Ice cold beer is usually served that way because it tastes like crap. The colder it is, the less you taste. I NEVER drink out of a frosty mug. Some beers are best room temp, some a little lower. The people who say this are "beer experts" who have years of experience, such as Micheal Jackson (RIP) and his contemporaries as well as the dang brewers themselves, who know their beers through and through. Don't knock thousands of years of knowledge, dude! Play with it, and you'll find out what you're missing! Tue Mar 04 06:24:41 -0800 2008 3455859 11201 Diana 7 3458310 Champagne can be really good when served with the proper glassware- it can also be good (or at least fun) to drink it right out of the bottle on occasion. As the saying goes, I've done both and will again... And if one happens to be in Belgium or any of the wonderful beer bars that people have listed here then I agree that the taste of a really good beer served at whatever temperature is proper for it (whatever that is- seems like it is pretty hard to come up with a consensus), in glassware that is made for that particular style of beer, would be about as good as it gets. But some of my favorite "beer bars" are juke joints and honky tonks where the chances of getting anything other than an ice cold tall boy, quart, or long neck from a major domestic brewer are slim to none- is it really "proper" to miss out on that experience just because of the beer that they serve and the way that they serve it? I enjoy a good beer here and there, even at 50-60 degrees. But I hope that I never lose the ability to enjoy an ice cold "swill" when the time and/or place call for it. Tue Mar 04 08:38:13 -0800 2008 3457847 96658 Clarkafella 8 3458320 I'm not sure what experience you're missing out on. I just had the opportunity to experience my choice of Bud, Miller, Coors, or Lone Star at a honky tonk. I opted for Makers instead. Drinking those beers in a honky tonk setting isn't going to magically convert them into appealing beverages, it's just going to make me more annoyed about my surroundings. YMMV. Tue Mar 04 08:42:11 -0800 2008 3458310 10809 Josh 9 3458547 I aovid honkey tonks, mostly becuase there are always guys there who remind me of the men in "Roadhouse". I do enjoy a few of the So Cal "motercycle bars" like the rockhouse Tue Mar 04 09:26:38 -0800 2008 3458320 11201 Diana 10 3458707 I was there under duress. Tue Mar 04 09:56:18 -0800 2008 3458547 10809 Josh 9 3460932 Hey Josh next time you are up in Sonoma County tasting wines... you should hit Red's Recovery Room its as honky tonk & road house as it gets with the toothless, truck driving patrons and so....but what is interesting is that most of the locals also enjoy decent Nor Cal beers served at a moderate temperature.... even the honky tonk's know what is good once they are exposed to it. Tue Mar 04 20:27:07 -0800 2008 3458320 42572 Eat_Nopal 7 3458326 The other thing, too, is that when a bottle is brought out at 50 degrees, it's not with the understanding that you're going to chug it down quickly so it never warms up. It sits out on the table, and is drunk from room temp. glassware, and as the session progresses gets warmer and warmer, allowing all those wonderful flavors and aromas to come forth. Tue Mar 04 08:43:50 -0800 2008 3457847 10809 Josh 3 3439129 Back, I guess in the '80s, there was a group called the Bar Tourists of America. I think you would have liked that bunch. They were very much into ambience and traditional bar culture. They would organize tours from tme to time. I never attended, but did read reports on the tours. Years later two of the principals won the Wynkoop beer drinker of the year contest. Wed Feb 27 05:10:10 -0800 2008 3428164 10998 Jim Dorsch 1 3425724 The Porterhouse in Temple Bar district of Dublin is among my favorites. Huge selection of beers from around the world, plus many great home brews. Their Wrasslers stout is amazing. And for a chain, the Bishops Arms pubs in Sweden are pretty good. Great beer selections, with very knowledge staff. And also incredible single malt selection! Fri Feb 22 16:34:21 -0800 2008 3358888 144892 Dan G 1 3428216 Gritty Mc Duffs in Portland Maine, Great beer, good pub food, downhome atmosphere, friendly staff that won't call the cops when you get rowdy.and above all, tables you can carve your name with that pocket knife you just got on sale at LL BEAN 2hours before. Sat Feb 23 16:35:32 -0800 2008 3358888 151072 currymouth 1 3428423 Don't know about favorite ever... but favorite currently is The Sharp Edge in Friendship Heights, Pittsburgh, PA - 28 Belgian beers on tap, all at correct temperature and in proper glassware, plus hundreds more Belgians, imports, and micros in bottles. Smoke free, daily happy hour with half of all Belgian drafts - heaven, really. Sat Feb 23 18:07:55 -0800 2008 3358888 108125 addiegirl 2 3428769 That sounds incredible. Sat Feb 23 21:30:25 -0800 2008 3428423 10809 Josh 3 3429571 It is, actually - with a great, low key atmosphere to boot. I'm surprised there aren't more Pittsburgh folks in this post - it's a hell of a beer town. The beer list at the Sharp Edge: http://www.sharpedgebeer.com/html/beer_selection.htm#emporium Sun Feb 24 09:37:25 -0800 2008 3428769 108125 addiegirl 4 3429759 That's an amazing draft list. How's the Pink Killer? Is it a witbier? I'm surprised a Belgian place would have so few bona fide lambics. In bottles they only have the Lindeman's and one Cantillon. Still, quite a list. I'd be broke and fat if I lived near a place like that. Sun Feb 24 10:45:29 -0800 2008 3429571 10809 Josh 5 4068671 I've been to the Sharp Edge a few times, it really is a great place, and low key and not super trendy to boot. Fat Head's is another fun place in Pittsburgh. Sun Sep 28 19:31:14 -0700 2008 3429759 15507 Rick 6 4899295 Not only is Sharp Edge one of the best beer bars (belgian in particular) I've ever been to, they also have amazing food. They get pomme frites right, even do them in a sweet potato version, and have a burger (called the 'Belgian Burger') that is the only burger I'll ever order in a restaurant. Unfortunately I don't live in Pittsburgh anymore (I live in the Middle East which has one distribution store who's "gold standard" beers are Leffe Blond, Franziskaner Heffe Weizen, and Sapporo) and I miss Sharp Edge (and Fat Head's too!) dearly.... Wed Jul 29 03:24:12 -0700 2009 4068671 322957 darbi.roberts 7 4899457 To veer off-topic for a moment, what's a Belgian Burger? Wed Jul 29 05:47:11 -0700 2009 4899295 10998 Jim Dorsch 1 3437816 Having lived in NYC and SD I have to say my favourites would be the Blind Tiger and OBriens. BT always has cask and gravity offerings and wins for me just for that. Still Obriens does get casks so I cant fault them. BOrth have great bottle selections with good vintage offerings. BT wins on decor and food again and on top of things I dont have to drive there. You can get over the limit fairly quickly with a couple of Youngers. Other good NYC beer bars are the afforementioned Spuyten Duyvil, the Diamond, Mugs which are alll in Bklyn and DBA in the East Village. Travel wise the Toronado was great but I only went once so it was too hard to get a feel. Tue Feb 26 15:45:02 -0800 2008 3358888 12484 MVNYC 2 3438400 I miss Joe King's Rathskeller. The oldest bar in NYC. Its where I learned what a piano bar was and think of it every time I hear Billy Joel's song. I loved drinking underage w/ my dad and uncles in my NJ home town. When dad was dying, a few years ago, my bro and I took took our underage kids to the same places that served us and no one batted an eye and served them. I remember the Czech pavilion at Expo '67 and my first experience w/ Pilsner Urquell (and trying pretend we were not blitzed for my mom). At college we used to drink $.15 draft Heinikens at the Neff's Hotel or Yuengling at Gust Bold's Buffalo Inn in Schnecksville, Pa. (Great roast beef & ham sandwiches.) In New Mexico, I learned to drink Snappy Tom poured into a draft Coors (in retrospect, a good idea) at the Frontier Bar in Grants and got to listen to icons of 70's music (Townes Van Zandt) in a great college bar, Okie Joe's and learned the joy of Anchor Steam Beer. In Stavanger, Norway, we used to hit Den Rodde Sjohus(The Red Sea House) and drink Tau and eat shrimp. In Helsinki there was a great pub, the Ukkumunki (the Old Monk), with the bouncer dressed in a monk's robe and my Finnish friends would sing Born in the USA when I walked in, Drank Karlja. In Bolivia I learned fluent Spanish in Chopperias, beer pubs, drinking Ducal, and picking up the groups bar tab It did a lot for Bolivian-American relations. In Maine, we used to hit Mai Dee's classic bar and drink stouts while waiting for the kids to get out of scouts. Now we hit the Thirsty Whale in Bar Harbor and drink Bar Harbor Real Ale while throwing darts. Last week we learned the pleasures of The Continental in Austin, drinking Guiness and watching great acts. Whew! What next? Tue Feb 26 18:54:31 -0800 2008 3437816 93538 Passadumkeg 1 3442721 Monk's (Philly) Blind Tiger Capital Ale House (Richmond) Toronado's O'Briens RFD is OK I don't like the Brickskeller in DC - I've been disappointed every time I've been there - between the selection and the service, I'll just pass on that experience..... Thu Feb 28 04:14:10 -0800 2008 3358888 124908 jeanmarieok 2 3443967 The Brickskeller was THE beer bar. In the 80's...I used to go in the mid 80's and then moved out of the area. Then a few years ago I returned for a visit. I was heartbroken it had changed so much and the service was rude. Thu Feb 28 10:35:06 -0800 2008 3442721 19466 lyn 1 3442998 My three favorites: Cafe Gollem in Amsterdam: http://www.cafegollem.nl/ The afore mentioned Sharp Edge in Pittsburgh (the Friendship location is best in my opinion). The Muddy Pig in St Paul, MN: http://www.muddypig.com/ Thu Feb 28 06:33:37 -0800 2008 3358888 123103 JC65 1 3443568 Pizzeria Paradiso in Georgetown on M Street (Washington, DC) Brasserie Beck (Washington, DC) Duda's in Fells Point (Baltimore, MD) Thu Feb 28 08:56:59 -0800 2008 3358888 79562 MarcDC 2 3446721 I forgot about Duda's - I didn't even know they were still around. I'd bet it's been 20 years since I was there. They had a great beer selection, and a great crabcake sandwich. Fri Feb 29 07:17:17 -0800 2008 3443568 124908 jeanmarieok 3 3448077 youll be happy to know they still have fantastic crabcakes Fri Feb 29 15:17:33 -0800 2008 3446721 79562 MarcDC 2 4161878 Good choices. PParadiso is such a cool place. If only you could park anywhere near it. And Brasserie Beck has outsanding beers available but you have to take out a second mortgage if you want to have a meal there. Dont forget Max's in B-more! Certainly one of the best beer bars on the east coast. Mon Nov 10 09:52:46 -0800 2008 3443568 238787 Insidious Rex 1 3444406 I'd say (in no particular order): Toronado (SF) Barclay's (Oakland) City Beer (SF) Map Room (Chicago) Brickskeller (DC) Hamilton's (SD) Stone Brewing World Bistro (Escondido) Pizza Port (Solano Beach) Trappist (Oakland) Papago Brewing (Scottdale) Cooter Brown's (NOLA) Need to go: Hop Leaf (Chicago) O'Brien's (SD) Pizza Port (Carlsbad) Thu Feb 28 12:22:45 -0800 2008 3358888 14367 The Dive 2 3967507 Need to update my list (it’s been a good year for beer drinking/traveling). I would gladly spend the day—and have—enjoying beers at any these places: Blind Tiger (NYC) Ginger Man (NYC) Delirium Café (Brussels) De Garre (Brugge) Eramus (Brugge) Café Gollem (Amsterdam) Pour Judgement (Newport, RI) Graduate Center Bar—yes, really (Providence, RI) Moe’s Tavern (Lee, MA) Moan and Dove (Amherst, MA) Mon Aug 18 17:29:58 -0700 2008 3444406 14367 The Dive 3 4069818 Oh, the GCB. That really takes me back to the college days! Go Bears! I recently had a great experience at the other belgian place in Philly, Eulogy. The bartender was super educated and helped us choose some funky, delicious pours. Mon Sep 29 09:50:38 -0700 2008 3967507 92744 invinotheresverde 1 3447395 I think my favorite is Park Tavern in Denver, CO. Saturday is $1 draft, and they actually have a huge selection of beers on tap (including, but not limited to my personal favorite, Arrogant Bastard Ale...which I can never seem to find anywhere!) Fri Feb 29 10:32:23 -0800 2008 3358888 161635 wildfire 1 3447441 Great thread... independent of the pissing contest with all the Hand's Down Best of the Entire World even though I have never traveled outside of neighborhood type comments... it seems to me we have put together the Koran of beer bars for those who commonly travel to new places etc., Very valuable! Fri Feb 29 10:41:19 -0800 2008 3358888 42572 Eat_Nopal 2 3451568 E_N I travel for work frequently and use the beerfly feature on Beeradvocate.com Very helpful to any travelers looking to stop off and get a decent local brew. Sun Mar 02 07:35:46 -0800 2008 3447441 12484 MVNYC 2 3455313 Yeah this is nice, but it seems too heavily weighted towards the Northeast and CA. Perhaps some more folks in flyover could list their faves. Mon Mar 03 11:39:50 -0800 2008 3447441 87015 bigchow 1 3455608 Naja's Place-Redondo beach Lucky Baldwin's Pasadena 99 Bottles-Santa Cruz Mon Mar 03 12:41:36 -0800 2008 3358888 11201 Diana 1 3455826 Brasserie Beck in Washington DC. If you like Belgian beers, this is the place. Rustico in Alexandria, VA. They always have a cask conditioned ale in addition to an extensive list of both drafts and bottles. Mon Mar 03 13:33:48 -0800 2008 3358888 18184 BrianD 1 3456219 25 years ago, when my husband (who has since died) and I first met he used to take me to a great beer bar in Boston that had terrific beers on tap (including Belgian, but also really good local beers -- and this was before the microbeer revolution). I don't know where we were -- Roxbury, South Boston?-- but I remember a subway ran over our heads or at least very nearby. It had an Irish name. Does anyone know what I'm thinking of and does it still exist? Mon Mar 03 15:02:05 -0800 2008 3358888 120945 ccferg 2 3463634 No one answered my question so I did a little research on my own. I think it was Doyle's, and it sounds like it got discovered since I was last there 25 years ago. It was a neat spot back then; is it still OK or has it become a theme park? I don't remember the food being anything special -- we were just there for the beer. And I liked the feel of the place. Wed Mar 05 14:49:04 -0800 2008 3456219 120945 ccferg 3 3509850 Yeah, Doyle's never really changes. Wed Mar 19 22:58:04 -0700 2008 3463634 17548 BarmyFotheringayPhipps 1 3456427 Now everyone can compare their favorite beer bars to what Forbes thinks: http://www.forbestraveler.com/food-drink/american-beer-bars-story.html?partner=fp_beer-bars Mon Mar 03 15:53:56 -0800 2008 3358888 27514 shellshock24 2 3458437 I have to admit this article gave some great suggestions. I have been to a lot of those save a couple and would whole eartedly agree. Usually when non beer magazines list articles of americas best "whatever" they usually are poorly researched. This one however was excellent. Tue Mar 04 09:07:00 -0800 2008 3456427 12484 MVNYC 1 3459985 I have to plug my favourite beer bar ever: The Eastside Club Tavern in Olympia Washington. They have 35 micro taps with a focus on Washington and Oregon beers, most of them constantly rotating. They also have a rotating cask. All beers $2.50 on Thursday. The place has been there forever and it's like the heart of Olympia IMO. Tue Mar 04 14:57:22 -0800 2008 3358888 158356 porky pine 1 3461617 While I haven't been to many in the states (of which the Map Room & Toronado are on my wishlist), my top three hands down are: 1. De Garre - Brugge 2. Volo - Toronto 3. Cafe Gollem - Amsterdam The beer lists at all three are very respectable, however it's the atmosphere that does it for me overall. Wed Mar 05 07:03:43 -0800 2008 3358888 170988 CriolloLover 1 3469164 My beer bar experience is limited, but I consider myself lucky to live near Rich O's Public House in New Albany, IN. Fri Mar 07 07:44:23 -0800 2008 3358888 48876 mamaciita 2 3470504 Legendary place, but it's not in CA or NY, so it does not get the love... Fri Mar 07 13:21:05 -0800 2008 3469164 87015 bigchow 1 3471579 When in Cleveland visit The Beer Engine, in Lakewood on Madison Ave. Great food, great selection of beers on tap, low key friendly vibe. Fri Mar 07 19:13:52 -0800 2008 3358888 151640 PartyGirl43 1 3478739 Ebenezer's - Lovell, ME Cafe t'Arendsnest - Amsterdam Barley Pub - Dover, NH Pizza Port - Carlsbad, CA Moan and Dove - Amherst, MA The Publick House/Monks' Cell - Brookline, MA Sunset Bar and Grill - Brighton, MA Mon Mar 10 13:13:00 -0700 2008 3358888 46700 Truh 1 3485344 When I was in Grad School in Seattle I loved the Big Time Ale House (a brewpub) in the U district. Of course the fact that it had over a dozen great, award winning brews on tap; were 1/2 a block from my apartment, and I worked their part-time so beers were free didn't hurt. When they first opened until a year ot two ago, d.b.a. in the East Village in NYC was my home away from home. I drove 40 minutes in from the 'burbs to hang out there every friday night. Great beers, great vibe... but now they basically suck. I really liked Gingerman in NYC, with 65 beers on tap and hundreds of bottles. I would go on a sunday when it was practically empty except for a few European tourists, usually pretty girls, who invariably showed up in the early afternoon. Some hotel in the area must recommend the place to pretty tourististas on a regular basis. It was like my own private hunting ground for awhile. Now I drink my beers at In Good Company in Rockland, Maine. A wine bar / cafe, but with 2 dozen great bottled beers from all over the US and the world. Every beer on the list is excellent and it changes pretty frequently. Wed Mar 12 09:49:50 -0700 2008 3358888 10732 JMF 2 3511457 Raleigh Times was my old stomping grounds! Great selection, reserves and all..only place that good in Raleigh! I lived there for 7 years and finally the Times was the answer to beer loving Southerns & hipsters alike, the bartenders are even blogging their knowledge, fantastic descriptions!. I'm also a fan of the Hopleaf in Chicago. 200+ beers, brilliant bartenders, Dr. Granville's in DC has a fun selection of Belgians. Thu Mar 20 11:32:59 -0700 2008 3485344 107769 antdistrict 2 3511691 Why does d.b.a. suck now? I've only been a couple of times- once at night when it was packed w/ a too-frat-ish crowd for me; then in January I caught it right as they opened on a weekday and the beer certainly was still good (I was the only customer). Thu Mar 20 12:29:31 -0700 2008 3485344 12626 ted 3 3519078 Like you say, too fratish. Also the beertenders aren't as friendly as they were in the past. A bit too 'withit' and 'cool', but actually just more off-putting. The garden is nice with a group of friends, but the bar can be a real hassle lately. It used to be you could sit at the bar by oneself or a buddy, chat with folks around you and the beertenders, and feel welcome. Not so the last 2-3 years. I have been a long time regular since they opened back in 1994 so these are just my thoughts on a place I have been to hundreds of times over 14 years. I haven't been more than once every two months since I moved to Maine last May, and not once this year, so things may have picked up. I will have to check in there next week on my next visit to town. Sun Mar 23 06:20:41 -0700 2008 3511691 10732 JMF 1 3521123 As a fourth generation San Franciscan, I have to go with the Toronado. On my last few trips, I have enjoyed Drake's Denogginizer, Pliny the Elder and Younger, Racer X, Moonlight Toast and Reality Czech, Hop Stoopid, and Green Flash West Coast IPA. This place is great if you can cut out early during a weekday and enjoy their happy hour prices without dealing with the weekend throngs asking about the style and taste of every beer on the board. They also have a nice bottle selection and you can't beat the sausages or cheapy Indian food in the neighborhood. I also have to give love to the folks who work at the Brickskeller in DC for turning me on to Avery, Dogfish, and Ommegang a few years back. These beers are still slowly showing up in CA. Sun Mar 23 23:15:20 -0700 2008 3358888 28834 pininex 1 3554870 I have to say, I really enjoyed the Sunset Bar in Allston, MA (outer Boston) http://aqueousphase.org/2008/02/paradise-is-in-allston/ One of the more local places for me (Upper East Side, NYC), is David Copperfield's. Great selection & very down to earth attitude. http://www.davidcopperfields.com/ Wed Apr 02 16:30:30 -0700 2008 3358888 172557 dandandan 1 3564333 I second Great Lost Bear in Portland, Me. I believe it made the Forbes list. Sat Apr 05 09:36:26 -0700 2008 3358888 84674 merrvally 2 3565041 What Forbes list? Sat Apr 05 14:45:48 -0700 2008 3564333 93538 Passadumkeg 3 3566182 http://www.forbestraveler.com/food-drink/american-beer-bars-story.html ...mentioned earlier in the thread Sun Apr 06 05:07:34 -0700 2008 3565041 84674 merrvally 1 3567348 Croxley Ales in New Hyde Park, NY is one of the best bars I have ever been to. 60 beers on tap. They have a sign on the wall that says "We dont server Bud, Miller or Coors. Check out the beer menu. http://www.croxley.com/pdf_files/fsbeer.pdf Sun Apr 06 13:55:26 -0700 2008 3358888 181213 dereklaw 2 3570523 used to be ruby's tap room in manhattan. in my 'hood - the upper east side, is david copperfields... not the best ambience, but a nice varied selection of beers and ales that is constantly rotating including one cask ale at all times Mon Apr 07 13:11:48 -0700 2008 3567348 135229 thew 3 3580863 The crown & Anchor in Las Vegas!? Ask for a Bud, Miller or Coors and you get thrown out! Good fish & chips too. Thu Apr 10 09:17:17 -0700 2008 3570523 93538 Passadumkeg 4 3581218 "Ask for a Bud, Miller or Coors and you get thrown out!" Huh? Seems awfully inhospitable seeing as they've got all 3 of their light beers on tap- http://www.crownandanchorlv.com/barmenu.html (And not one good UK beer, either.) Thu Apr 10 10:34:48 -0700 2008 3580863 11059 JessKidden 5 3582821 OOPs! That's what my niece told me when she carted me off there to meet her friends. Sorry, no kidden. I had a great time from what I remember. Thu Apr 10 18:35:01 -0700 2008 3581218 93538 Passadumkeg 6 3617419 The Kulminator in Antwerp Belgium. Very small (seats maybe 20-25 people), run by an old man and his wife and two cats, with an absolutely unbelievable beer selection. No flashing neon signs, no blaring music, no televisions, no people dancing drunk on tables etc. Just the best darn place to drink the best darn beer in the world. Mon Apr 21 21:40:25 -0700 2008 3582821 185685 Whisper 1 3651488 Spike's in San Luis Obispo, CA. Great beers in a friendly place. Years since I've been there.... Agreed with dba and Monk's. Avoid the bathrooms at dba and the food at Monks. Fri May 02 15:19:21 -0700 2008 3358888 50333 tomishungry 2 3653900 Why is Monk's food to be avoided? Sat May 03 16:35:45 -0700 2008 3651488 26180 Chinon00 3 3717830 Poorly executed. Had some chicken there that was obviously frozen and then deep fried to thaw. Wow, was that incredibly nasty. They move a lot of mussels and frites, so that's probably safe due to volume, but I've eaten there 3-4 times and it was mediocre to terrible each time. Sat May 24 13:24:21 -0700 2008 3653900 50333 tomishungry 4 3717865 Whenever I am in Philly and stop at Monk's for dinner, I always have the mussels with a veal cheeks appetizer. I have never been disappointed. Sat May 24 13:40:02 -0700 2008 3717830 10395 brentk 1 3653392 Sayner Pub, Sayner Wisconsin. Not the greatest selection, not the best food, and when it has live music it is invariably terrible. But it is the classic Northwoods bar and some of my favorite memories have been forgotten there. Goes to show selection, food, and ambience don't have a scratch on memory and connection. Sat May 03 12:33:53 -0700 2008 3358888 165774 felixjongleur 1 3674756 Hands down and without a doubt, The Old Bay in New Brunswick, NJ was my favorite. The bar at this Creole themed restaurant in this college town (Rutgers University) was a true pioneer in the multiple specialty tap category, and I remember when they made the almost unheard of move of banishing Bud, Coors, and the like from their taps in 1988 in favor of what became an ever expanding list of specialty brews, many of which made their NJ or East Coast debut at the Old Bay (a few even made their US debut there). For many years, it was THE destination place for beer within a 100 mile (or more) radius. Can't think of a single other bar in the early 1990's that was serving cask conditioned ales direct from Young's and Fuller's from an authentic beer engine. The hand pumps haven't been in place for a while, and when bar manager Chris Demitri (R.I.P.) left the Old Bay some years back, the beer selection and especially the thought put into it suffered quite a bit. Still a lot of great choices, but a bit more mainstream, though it could be argued that craft and specialty beer itself has finally become more mainstream. Old Bay is still a great place though, and any beer afficianado will still find something to his liking. Sat May 10 11:40:23 -0700 2008 3358888 116047 The Professor 1 3802878 The York on York Blvd. in Los Angeles. I love their Telegraph white ale on tap. www.theyorkonyork.com Lucky Baldwin's in Pasadena, CA for their great selection of Belgian beer. www.luckybaldwins.com The Red Lion in Los Angeles for German beer and food. Yum. http://www.redliontavern.net/ Sun Jun 22 14:32:40 -0700 2008 3358888 57689 katkoupai 1 3804469 I've just returned from my first trip to Pittsburgh and have to add to this list a bar. We went to Fatheads on the Southside. Great Beer bar with 36 quality offering on-tap, sandwiches that are off the hook and a great staff who were helpful and well educated on the different beers being offered. I'm from the Philly area and Monk's was at the top of my list with Capones a close second, now I'm adding Fatheads. Mon Jun 23 07:26:00 -0700 2008 3358888 186590 Chefmonty 1 3808954 The 10 Best Beer Bars Ever: (in no particular Order) Wildeman, Amsterdam t Brugs Beertje, Brugge Chez Moeder Lambic, Brussels T’POATERSGAT, Brugge O'Briens, San Diego The Trappist, Oakland Map Room, Chicago Spuyten Duvil, NY Monks, Philly Publick House, Boston Tue Jun 24 10:07:33 -0700 2008 3358888 203557 monkeyhead 1 3811125 No disrespect to Raleigh Times (I love the joint) but in North Carolina, it has to be Taylor's in Durham -- good bar food, great tap selection (40) -- and Horniblow's in Raleigh, the home of Big Boss Brewing and a pretty kickass bar, handpump and all. In Baltimore, it's the Brewer's Art where you can still get great beers from a great brewpub (sort of) for about $5 a pint, and Max's Taphouse, which has the best tap selection in the D.C.-Baltimore area and a very respectable bottle selection. And in London (why not?), it has to be Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, the only bar in the world I've ever been to with a selection of Sam Smith's on tap. Tue Jun 24 20:08:21 -0700 2008 3358888 184376 FlaHopper 2 3813783 Delirium Cafe in Brussels, Belgium best.place.ever. Wed Jun 25 16:49:55 -0700 2008 3811125 203400 sarawithanh 2 4162775 You probably mean Tyler's in Durham. Mon Nov 10 14:41:40 -0800 2008 3811125 124299 nekst 1 3818886 If you are in NYC, to add to the list are Zum Schneider an indoor german bier garten, East Village Tavern, a new place with rotating American craft beer lines, Cherry Tree Bar in BK, Mugs Ale House in BK, and many others. A new site BeerMenus.com recently launched that lists beer menus at the best beer bars. You can see their most popular bars here: http://www.beermenus.com/bars?order_by=views Fri Jun 27 08:06:04 -0700 2008 3358888 204426 Pintwell 1 3879574 Ginger Man - NYC The Chapter House - Ithaca, NY Thu Jul 17 23:24:16 -0700 2008 3358888 66556 Solstice444 2 4161869 Wow havent heard that name (Chapter House) in a long time. Used to go there when I was in school there but I graduated a good 15 years ago. The place is still going strong? I know since Ive left they now have a powerhouse microbrewery in Ithaca (Ithaca Brewing Co.) that Ive heard great things about. Mon Nov 10 09:50:06 -0800 2008 3879574 238787 Insidious Rex 1 3883024 I'll second The Brick Store Pub in Decatur (Atlanta), GA. Sat Jul 19 07:22:54 -0700 2008 3358888 209906 joshlane4 1 4061547 Sunset Grill in Allston, MA... over 100 beers on tap! And over 300 in bottles! Thu Sep 25 13:10:22 -0700 2008 3358888 228042 sadiefox 2 4064316 And yet, it's one of my least favorite "beer bars" in Boston. Fri Sep 26 13:50:05 -0700 2008 4061547 111910 jgg13 3 4065792 Haven't been there but unless the place is crazy busy I would wonder about 100 taps...since most bars use a mix of co2 with air rather than just gas in order to cut costs, it would seem to me that unless those 100 kegs are all getting emptied quickly, there's going to be a lot a stale beer crossing that bar. Give me a place with 12 or 15 well selected taps, and I think it will be a more satisfying experience. Sat Sep 27 09:20:11 -0700 2008 4064316 116047 The Professor 4 4067157 And that is exactly one of the reasons why the Sunset is completely overrated. Sun Sep 28 04:45:31 -0700 2008 4065792 111910 jgg13 5 4069725 Well, geez, I thought that place was fun. I must have bad taste. My real favorite local beer bar is Standard Tap in Philly. They feature an interesting selection of regional microbrews on tap. Well, plus Yeungling. They always have Yards Philly Pale Ale too, yummy. The newer Memphis Taproom (also in Philly) also keeps quite an interesting rotation of taps. The best part is that the owner is very knowledgeable about the brews. As he should be. My favorite brew PUB is Dogfish Head in Rehoboth, DE. It's their smaller, "experimental" brewery so they have lots of neat stuff only available there on tap. Mon Sep 29 09:22:16 -0700 2008 4067157 228042 sadiefox 6 4099519 Oh, it has it's place - I just find that they don't take very good care of their beer stocks/lines/etc. Food-wise (not that that's key to the conversation), I think they pretty much suck. The crowd gets more annoying as I get older, but that's more a function of me getting older than anything else ;) But considering that it's essentially a college bar, it's pretty amazing that they have that sort of selection available to them. Sun Oct 12 13:27:19 -0700 2008 4069725 111910 jgg13 2 4884328 Wanted to weigh in on this one-even though its almost a year old. Sunset will always have a place in my heart for having lots of great beers-though pretty terrible food. This past weekend I found Mr. Pickwicks in Stowe VT-amazing beer selection, the barkeep was incredible, and the food was really delicious-though not as extensive a menu as Sunset- and considerably pricier :-) Thu Jul 23 11:14:35 -0700 2009 4061547 180029 fmcoxe6188 1 4067367 Saint-Bock in Montreal has an incredible selection of beers on tap, both brewed by the pub and by other local micros. They also carry a WIDE selection of Belgian beers by the bottle. Couple this with the great terrace and the scenic, people watching-tastic location on St. Denis (possibly the neatest area in Montreal, and thus, the world =D) and you have a killer destination. If you ever go, try thier house Blanche (#3, I think)... single best blanche I have ever had. Another great place for those not lucky enough to live in the wonderous Quebec beer scene is Pub Italia in Ottawa. They have something like 36 beers on tap and a selection of hundreds of different beers to choose from in their 'beer bible'. It has a fun and ironic catholic theme, 'friendly' waitresses and great terrace. Each beer also has a short description in the beer bible, which is often hilarious. Ie. "This is a very bad beer, order it for someone you really dislike." Aaron Sun Sep 28 07:57:35 -0700 2008 3358888 208595 The Chemist 1 4081803 The Bow Bar, Edinburgh Sat Oct 04 13:18:46 -0700 2008 3358888 125482 BeeRich 1 4104976 The Stope, Ambrosia Lake, NM; The Bluewater Inn, Bluewater Nm; and The Iron Blossom Saloon, Grants, NM. The gunfire made cheap beer taste great! Life is fleeting (No Kidding. All uranium miner's bars.). Tue Oct 14 20:09:43 -0700 2008 3358888 93538 Passadumkeg 1 4116473 I'm a new member, and this is my first post - notice the topic I chose...thank you. God Bless "Diana" back in March for mentioning Naja's in Redondo Beach, CA. Apparently no one else has been there or it would top most, if not all, of your lists. 70+ taps, 700+ bottles, casks, etc...I'd be surprised if any one of you asked for a beer they didn't have. Owner is present and involved. On the pier in Redondo, hidden a little in the corner, makes it perfect for sitting and enjoying everyone's favorite drink...beer heaven. A "must go" when you are anywhere near the area. Mon Oct 20 12:02:12 -0700 2008 3358888 233829 tedvh 1 4161906 My number one is the Brick Store Pub in Decatur, GA. About as close to perfect as it gets in my opinion. Great atmosphere. Great people. The upstairs Belgian bar is so nice and the main bar always has fantastic stuff on tap. After that you have a lot of the usuals… Map Room & Hop Leaf in Chicago. Toronado in San Fran (they need a kitchen to make it even better). Grey Lodge in Philly Max’s in Baltimore Roman’s Pub in Milwaukee And technically it’s a brewpub but I need to add Luna Brewing Company (Chicago) to this list. Because its truly a neighborhood dive bar that serves great beer and has great entertainment. Ive never been more at home in a place before… Not having been to a decent place outside the US I know my choices are fairly limited. But of domestic places those were my favorites for what its worth… Mon Nov 10 10:02:00 -0800 2008 3358888 238787 Insidious Rex 2 4962734 So a few weeks ago I finally made it to tiny Lovell, Maine and to the hallowed Ebenezer's Pub where I spent way too much money on some of the best Belgian tap options Ive ever seen (and a couple lobster rolls). Turns out its apparently been rated THE BEST beer bar in the US for the past few years running. No argument here. It appears like an oasis in a desert considering its remote hard to get to location. Add it to the list... Thu Aug 20 10:54:44 -0700 2009 4161906 238787 Insidious Rex 1 4163696 Falling Rock Tap House - Denver Sheffield's Beer Garden - Chicago Mon Nov 10 22:02:51 -0800 2008 3358888 188277 jcouts 1 4171267 Have to mention Papago Brewing in Scottsdale AZ. Thu Nov 13 13:04:49 -0800 2008 3358888 153214 chimay5 1 4185958 I adore Victory beers but the food is another story. I ordered a “Caprese” pizza which is comprised of mozzarella, tomato and basil. I’ve never tasted a more flavorless pizza in my life. The dough and cheese had no flavor what so ever. And I've completely given up on the bbq (they claim to have a geniune "smoker") because it comes out completely overcooked. Whenever this kind of thing happens to me I’m reminded of a book written by Paul Fussel titled “BAD”. In the book the author explains how things can be elevated from simply “bad” to “BAD” due to added pretension (i.e. “Caprese” and "smoker") on top of the complete lack of quality. Wed Nov 19 09:09:18 -0800 2008 3358888 26180 Chinon00 1 4830080 I travel a bit for work, and I don't know that I could name single favorite, but here's a list of some great ones I've been to in various cities. I know many have been mentioned already but I'll try to provide my take on each place and hopefully provide a little useful info. Atlanta - Brick Store Pub - (Decatur) as previous mentioned. This bar has great beer and some great relationships with local brewing. They tend to have some rare casks on tap from time to time which is really awesome. Vortex - (Midtown) Doesn't have the beer cachet of the Brick Store but a great atmosphere, very decent eats, and a very cool wait staff. Boston - Sunset Grill & Tap (Allston) - An extensive beer selection and some decent eats. I'd definitely hit this place again if I'm in Boston but I don't know if it would stack up against a lot of other bars nationally for lack of any real charm or unique atmosphere. Dallas - Ginger Man Pub - Cool layout with Biergarten out back, nice selection always includes a lot of great local brews, which is definitely my favorite part of the experience at this bar. I also went to the Fort Worth Location because they had Live Oak Hefeweizen on tap but didn't find the atmosphere to be on par with Dallas. I would love to make it to the Austin branch. Flying Saucer (Addison) - Cool bar, had a bunch of people every time I was in, good specials and a very nice spicy beer cheese soup. Also a killer waitstaff. I know there are some other locations and I hope to check them out as well as I become more well traveled. Denver - Falling Rock Tap House - Does this place sell food? I don't know. What I do know is that they have an outstanding selection of beer, including a few obscure one-off sour ales from New Belgium Brewing, which are in themselves worth the trip should you find yourself in the Mile High City. While you're in the neighborhood, do yourself a favor and make your way over to the Wynkoop brew pub for some nice BOP. Jacksonville - Kickbacks - Very good food, very good beer selection, very reasonable prices. This place is fast becoming one of the most popular hangouts in Jacksonville and deservedly so. If you're there, make the time and check it out. I used to talk a lot of trash about Jax but the rising popularity of Kickbacks and European Street Cafe have made me put my foot in my mouth. Stop by the Bold City brewery and grab a Growler or two. These guys can make beer even if they haven't yet figured out the business and distribution angle. Orlando - Where I currently reside Redlight Redlight - Serves a very limited food menu but has without question the best beer selection in town. Make sure you bring cash money and a high tolerance for scenesters. I would definitely go to this place more often if it weren't for those two requirements. If you want to go to a place that takes beer seriously, I'm not sure there's a legitimate rival in the Sunshine State. Cricketer's Arms - noteworthy for having 4 or 6 cask ales at a time and without a doubt the best fish and chips in Central Florida. This place is on international Drive, which is the tourist trap of tourist traps, so be prepared for high prices and sometimes grouchy staff - you'd be grouchy too if you had to deal with all those tourists. If you're into watching soccer, you really have to go here. There's just nothing on par with it. The Ravenous Pig - good to outstanding food depending on what you order and what's on the menu, which rotates frequently, great beers, including some local standouts both on-tap (Cigar City!) and in the bottle (St. Somewhere), but very expensive. I go here once in a long while. A few other places worth checking out are Underground Bluez over by UCF, Odin's Den, if you're in the mood for a dive bar with a few decent beers, The Copper Rocket, cool bar that has a lot of Trivia Nights and Live Bands, but also has St. Bernardus 12 and Southampton Double white regularly on tap with guest appearances by other decent beers. Tallahassee - The Leon Pub - Bring cash, a tolerance for a lot of cigarette smoke, and if it's busy, no claustrophobia. This place is a hole in the wall but they have Liter nights and an amazing tap selection. I practically lived here when I was in College. Go 'Noles! Tampa - World of Beer - If this bar were a girl, I'd marry it. I'm glad I don't live in Tampa because I would be a homeless alcoholic bum begging for change and showering at the Y so I could go have a pint at this bar. They don't serve any food though but you can order from the Tijuana Flats next door. Datz - An awesome deli, the best Corned Beef/Pastrami in Tampa and a very decent beer selection. Anyway, that's my list. If you're going to be traveling, be sure to check out Beerfly on Beeradvocate.com That's definitely my bible when I go traveling. Sat Jul 04 17:55:24 -0700 2009 3358888 1090853 bizzy_geek 2 4830091 The Deerfield Inn, Sayreville, NJ. They served me underage when I was a teen and they served our kids underage while visiting when dad was dying. A lost art, drinking beer, when you are underage w/ your folks at the local bar. Sat Jul 04 18:06:55 -0700 2009 4830080 93538 Passadumkeg 3 4830401 My god...I haven't heard the name "Deerfield Inn" is ages....that one sure brings back memories. A great old local. If it's still there, I think I may have to pay a visit in tribute... Sun Jul 05 00:02:04 -0700 2009 4830091 116047 The Professor 4 4830462 No, it closed recently, just like the Sayrville Barr; both within walking distance to mom's house. I miss the slavic/italian/irish bar culture from Sayreville-South River and the coal mine town of McAdoo, Pa. When my bro and I visit, we play bar golf,; going from hole to hole; great food too. Sun Jul 05 03:23:42 -0700 2009 4830401 93538 Passadumkeg 5 4830507 There was a local bar in nearby iselin called the Pioneer Tavern. It was a neighborhood bar in a residential area that my parents used to go to. Occasionally I went with them to enjoy some of their wonderful pizza. At the age of 14 or 15 I had an interest in beer even though I was underage (the legal age in Jersey was 18 at the tie). I once saw a guy drinking a beer from Germany called Holsten which was advertised in a local paper. I asked him how it compared with the other imported beers (Heineken, Beck's, etc.). He told the bartender to give him a small glass and then proceeded to pour some beer for me! A few years later when I was 17 and looked even younger, they let me have beer when I was with my father who knew the bartenders. Sun Jul 05 04:51:37 -0700 2009 4830462 11964 hotdoglover 6 4830515 Our next door neighbor used to send his son and me to the local bar a couple hundred yards away through a field and return w/ full 2 qt. pitcher for him to watch the the Yankees game. We were maybe 12 years old. What ever happened to the white quart cardboard cylinders that you used to be able to fill w/ draft beer and take out of the bar in NJ? Sun Jul 05 04:59:05 -0700 2009 4830507 93538 Passadumkeg 7 4830646 The NJ "container" apparently died when the ABC laws changed to allow liquor stores to open on Sunday and to allow bars to sell "package goods" to go even during the hours when liquor stores were closed (early 1970's?). Even before the law changed, many bars had switched to plastic containers, which certainly didn't have the same cachet as the waxed cardboard ones. There are a few beer bars that sell "growlers"- 1/2 glass jugs- of draught beer to go in the state (and, of course, most brewpubs also offer growlers) but the classic "NJ container" seems to be dead. Current "open container" laws, in fact, would seem to be contrary to the old containers rules, which (at one point at least) forbade sealing the container (that was considered "bottling"). Most brewpubs now use a heat-shrink seal on their screw-on growler caps. Sun Jul 05 07:23:22 -0700 2009 4830515 11059 JessKidden 8 4838636 Prof & Kidd, do either of you remember the 2x4 Bar on the corner of French & Church streets in old Savreville's Tangletown area? A great clientele. Wed Jul 08 01:46:38 -0700 2009 4830646 93538 Passadumkeg 1 4835343 For SF, yes, Toronado rocks. For LA, naja's place; york is good too...lucky baldwins is excellent I need to check out O'Brians in SD. I enjoy visiting there For Toronto, Volo is good but there's also brewpub (brewhaus? - its near Jamie Kennedy's wine bar down near front street) I've enjoyed beer in other cities but can't say I found a great beer bar - some good bars with good beers. Mon Jul 06 21:13:05 -0700 2009 3358888 1083314 travelingmansoul 1 4835345 i forgot - other room in venice is good as is library alehouse. the latter rocks! Mon Jul 06 21:14:08 -0700 2009 3358888 1083314 travelingmansoul 1 4838442 Cafe Gollem in Amsterdam, without a doubt. Tue Jul 07 21:42:55 -0700 2009 3358888 223386 rknrll 2 4838638 Cafe Gollem is excellent. Also the Cracked Kettle is only a few steps away so you can grab some bottles on the way home. Wed Jul 08 01:47:30 -0700 2009 4838442 185685 Whisper 1 4926629 Of those previously mentioned, I have been to Duda’s and Max’s in Baltimore, Monk’s in Philly, The Ram’s Head in Annapolis, the Deerfield Inn in Sayreville, and even The Porterhouse in the Temple Bar. I have no quarrel that they are quality places to quaff. My favorite, however, no longer exists - in a way that kind of contributes to its myth. Does anyone else remember the Northeast Taproom on 12th & Robeson in Reading, PA? A beer only bar with 200 selections by 1987. Owner operated. Tapper, a basset hound, lying around all the time. The floor littered in peanut shells. A jar of beef jerky on the bar– “pick your own!” Giant pickles affectionately known as Martian Dix. $1.25 for a “Classic” – a bottle of Chesterfield Ale and a goblet of Yuengling Porter! Fri Aug 07 13:03:01 -0700 2009 3358888 141889 MGZ 2 4927329 Ditto, Gus Bold's Buffalo Inn in Schnecksville, Pa on Rt. 309. Buffalo paraphenalia all over from it's real, not fakey, early 19th century road house ara, Yuenglings, Horlacher and other Pa Dutch beers on tap and a huge ham and roast beef to cut thick slices for great sandwiches w/ pungent horseradish. I stood at the auction of all its great stuff (Boy, did I want a buffalo robe!) in '69 or '70, unable, as a poor college kid to buy anything. Fri Aug 07 17:19:34 -0700 2009 4926629 93538 Passadumkeg 1 4962299 my top 6 in order 1. Le Graslin - Nantes France 2. Hopleaf Bar - Chicago 3. Spytten Dyvil - Williamsburg Brooklyn 4. Bar Gray Harry – Carroll Gardens Brooklyn 5. Ginger Man - Manhattan 6. Blind Tiger - Manhattan Thu Aug 20 08:57:20 -0700 2009 3358888 177720 Asumnuthin 2 4962549 Isn't it Bar Great Harry? (was just there this weekend, really dug it) Thu Aug 20 10:00:38 -0700 2009 4962299 111910 jgg13 3 4962611 yes thanks for the correction Thu Aug 20 10:18:22 -0700 2009 4962549 177720 Asumnuthin 2 5054538 I have a new number 1 edition following my Italy Vacation MA CHE SIETE VENUTI A FA' in the Trestevere section of Rome. Cantillon St. Lamvinus on draft and a Eylenbosch Gueuze 1984 WOW!! Thu Sep 24 06:15:10 -0700 2009 4962299 177720 Asumnuthin 1 4966687 - Delirium Cafe in Brussels, Belgium (they won guiness world record for having the most beers in a bar - here's proof: http://www.flickr.com/photos/23236047@N07/2849992687/in/set-72157607243415406/) honorable mentions: Monks in Philadelphia, PA Theresa's in Wayne, PA Fri Aug 21 15:14:51 -0700 2009 3358888 292456 micreynolds 1 4966696 Doh! i posted before I was done. Also, need to give Spuyten Duyvil in Brooklyn it's credit, that place is incredible. Blind Tiger in Manhattan is top drawer as well. Fri Aug 21 15:18:08 -0700 2009 3358888 292456 micreynolds 2 5056147 I was in NYC about a month ago and really liked Blind Tiger. I love the backyard at Spuyten Duyvil but the beers are a bit overpriced Thu Sep 24 14:58:41 -0700 2009 4966696 27514 shellshock24 1 5074455 I'm happy to see two of my favorites already on the list - Gollem in Amsterdam and Delerium in Brussels. Both great places, great selections and great atmosphere. I actually had Westvleteren 12 in both places. I haven't been there in a while, but Andy's Corner Bar in Bogota, NJ has always had a great selection and a small, comfortable feel - although no food, boo. Also like Vol de Nuit in NY, Eulogy & Standard Tap in Philly. Fri Oct 02 08:29:52 -0700 2009 3358888 1113461 tbp 1 5206988 Just moved to Vancouver, BC, found the Alibi Room in Gastown...excellent Pacific Coast micro selection (IPAs, stout, dbl choc porter, lambic,etc) incl 3 cask-conditioned ales - haven't even looked at the bottle list! Wed Nov 25 03:01:53 -0800 2009 3358888 1101025 lachine