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Slashfood http://www.slashfood.com Slashfood http://www.slashfood.com/media/feed_logo.gif Slashfood http://www.slashfood.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/What's On Tap, Oakland - The Trappisthttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/19/whats-on-tap-oakland-the-trappist/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/19/whats-on-tap-oakland-the-trappist/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/19/whats-on-tap-oakland-the-trappist/#commentsFiled under: Beer, Lists, What's On Tap?

A weekly look at the draft selection in beer-friendly bars across the country.

Turning beer-fueled trips through Belgium and Amsterdam into the inspiration behind owning a bar may sound like a lot of guys' dreams. But for Aaron Porter and Chuck Stilphen, the dream came true in December of 2007 when they opened the Trappist in Oakland, Calif., attempting to bring that Belgian feel and Belgian brews to the Bay Area.

"We went to Belgium and Amsterdam for beer festivals," says co-owner Chuck Stilphen, recalling those trips he took with Porter. Upon their return, they would lament that there was "no good place to drink beer around here where we lived."

The Trappist combats that problem. The idea was "modeled around beers we like," so it's no surprise that their primary focus is on Belgian beers. But realizing that California is no small player in the world of making great beer either, they also stock plenty of brews from their home state as well.

Origins aside, one thing is always consistent: "Small brewers stuff," Stilphen says. "No InBev or even giant Belgian brewers."

See the Trappist's draft selection as of Tuesday after the jump. ...

Continue reading What's On Tap, Oakland - The Trappist

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]]>BelgianBelgian beerBelgiumCaliforniadraft beergeo:37.800299+-122.274012OaklandThe TrappistTrappistWhere:460-8th-Street-Oakland-CaliforniaMike PomranzThu, 19 Nov 2009 15:00:00 ESTWhat On Tap, Hoboken - The Mile Squarehttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/12/what-on-tap-hoboken-the-mile-square/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/12/what-on-tap-hoboken-the-mile-square/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/12/what-on-tap-hoboken-the-mile-square/#commentsFiled under: Beer, Lists, What's On Tap?

The front of Hoboken's The Mile Square

Photo: themilesquarehoboken.com

A weekly look at the draft selection in beer-friendly bars across the country.

Hoboken, N.J. spends a lot of time in the shadow of New York City. For many people, Hoboken is best recognized as "the last place your frat brother who was planning on going to business school" resided. But though many of its residents travel across the Hudson for work, Mike Farley, manager of Hoboken's the Mile Square, believes people shouldn't have to travel into the Big Apple to find a good beer.

"We have 30 taps," says Farley, speaking with pride about Hoboken's largest tap selection. "And we rotate about 17 of them constantly with all craft beer." He admits they have to keep on some of the standards -- Miller Lite, Guinness, Stella -- Hoboken is still a somewhat conservative place compared to, say, Brooklyn. But Farley believes their selection stands up to even some of the best bars in New York.

"Last month, we had 11 different Octoberfests," Farley points out. "People are already coming in asking for Christmas beers."

See the yesterday's complete draft list after the jump. ...

Continue reading What On Tap, Hoboken - The Mile Square

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]]>draft beerDraftBeergeo:40.73898+-74.030424hobokenjerseymile squarenew jerseyNew York Cityseasonalseasonal beersthe mile squareWhere:221-Washington-Street-Hoboken-New-JerseyMike PomranzThu, 12 Nov 2009 17:00:00 ESTWhat's On Tap, Savannah - The Distilleryhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/05/whats-on-tap-savannah-the-distillery/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/05/whats-on-tap-savannah-the-distillery/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/05/whats-on-tap-savannah-the-distillery/#commentsFiled under: Beer, Lists, What's On Tap?

Image: www.distillerysavannah.com.

A weekly look at the draft selection in beer-friendly bars across the country.

Ben Volen, general manager of the Distillery, agrees: Savannah, Ga., is a very traditional city. "For a long time there was nothing on at any of the bars besides Bud draft, Miller draft, Yuengling had just come into town ... Corona in a bottle," Volen reflects. So when the Distillery opened around this time last year, the idea of a craft beer-centric bar was certainly a change of pace.

Volen had attended school in New York when the craft beer trend was gaining momentum. Upon returning south, he brought his love of New York brewers like Brooklyn and Captain Lawrence back to Georgia, looked at the burgeoning beer scene in nearby Atlanta and constructed a plan for his bar.

Savannah reacted appreciatively. "We've been welcomed with open arms," Volen says. "We've completely changed this town and how they look at beer." Since their opening, according to Volen, most restaurants now carry at least a couple of craft brews.

Read more about the Distillery and see yesterday's entire draft list after the jump.

Continue reading What's On Tap, Savannah - The Distillery

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]]>Distillerydraftdraft beerGAgeo:32.075702+-81.098088GeorgiaSavannahThe DistilleryWhere:416-West-Liberty-Street-Savannah-GA-31401Mike PomranzThu, 05 Nov 2009 16:00:00 ESTYour Draft Pick Says It Allhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/05/your-draft-pick-says-it-all/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/05/your-draft-pick-says-it-all/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/05/your-draft-pick-says-it-all/#commentsFiled under: Beer, Business, On the Blogs, Lists

Photo: Symic, Flickr.

Earlier this week, Advertising Age ran a story entitled "What Your Taste in Beer Says About You."

Citing researched compiled by Mindset Media -- a "market researcher specializing in psychographics" -- the article discusses how the beer a person drinks can be a strong indicator of his or her personality. For instance, Bud drinkers are "sensible, grounded and practical," Bud Light drinkers can have "frat boy-like personalities," and Michelob Ultra drinkers "think highly of themselves and can be a little bit conceited."

The concept is interesting, but why spend all that money on "research"? Most people could come up with those same assumptions on their own. In fact, the list can be extrapolated even further... massive research grant hopefully forthcoming.

Pabst Blue Ribbon drinkers consider playing bass in a punk band "gainful employment" and have handlebar mustaches.
Miller Lite drinkers consider the consumption of 20 beers "moderate drinking" and include beer bongs on their list of "proper glassware."
Sam Adams drinkers love wearing the same Red Sox hat for their entire adult life and believe there's nothing wrong with hitting on someone else's girlfriend.
Guinness drinkers think the best football team is Manchester United and consider a fist fight a "night out on the town."
Busch drinkers think the best bar in America is their porch and consider a proper food and beer pairing to be "a pounder and a bag of Hardee's."

And snobby craft beers drinkers tend to be people like beer writers who think they have a right to make fun of others!

What other beers bring to mind distinct personality types? And what does your favorite beer say about you? Let us know in the comments!

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]]>advertising ageAdvertisingAgebeer personalitiesbeer personalityBeerPersonalitiesBeerPersonalitybudbud lightbuschguinnessmichelob ultramiller litepabst blue ribbonpersonalitiespsychographicssam adamswhat your beer says about youWhatYourBeerSaysAboutYouMike PomranzThu, 05 Nov 2009 14:00:00 ESTWhat's on Tap, Louisville - Nachbarhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/29/whats-on-tap-louisville-nachbar/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/29/whats-on-tap-louisville-nachbar/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/29/whats-on-tap-louisville-nachbar/#commentsFiled under: Beer, Lists, What's On Tap?

The Nachbar sign

Photo: myspace.com/thenachbar.

A weekly look at the draft selection in beer-friendly bars across the country.

Kentucky might be better known for its whiskey distilleries than its beer prowess, but like most cities with more than a million people in its metropolitan area, Louisville has seen growth in its specialty and craft-beer market over the past few years due to the average American's increased awareness of the variety of beer available.

Louisville's beer scene is "getting better," says James Donald Gunnoe, co-owner of one of the reasons that scene has gotten better: the small beer outpost known as The Nachbar. "There are about five microbreweries in town and I think there's room for more."

About two and a half years ago, Gunnoe and his wife, Heather Burks, opened Nachbar with the intention of creating a "place we'd want to go to ourselves." Working from faith in their own tastes and desires, they focused on stocking the beers they drank and loved, attempting to offer the beer at prices they knew people could afford. Gunnoe puts it best when he states, "We cater to ourselves, and from there we're just really fortunate that people appreciate what we like."

Read more about Nachbar and see this past weekend's draft list after the jump...

Continue reading What's on Tap, Louisville - Nachbar

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]]>craft beerCraftBeerdraft beergeo:38.230522+-85.736281germankentuckylocal beer selectionsLocalBeerSelectionslouisvillenachbarWhere:969-Charles-St-Louisville-KY-40204Mike PomranzThu, 29 Oct 2009 15:00:00 ESTWhat's On Tap, Boston - Deep Ellumhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/22/whats-on-tap-boston-deep-ellum/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/22/whats-on-tap-boston-deep-ellum/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/22/whats-on-tap-boston-deep-ellum/#commentsFiled under: Beer, Lists, What's On Tap?

Photo: deepellum-boston.com.

A weekly look at the draft selection in beer-friendly bars across the country.

No need for a double take. Yes, Deep Ellum is the name of a neighborhood in the Dallas area. And yes, this week's What's On Tap features a Boston bar. But don't worry, Deep Ellum co-owner Max Toste has an explanation: "My business partner, Aaron Sanders, was born and raised around the Dallas area, and Deep Ellum was always his favorite place to go."

Toste describes the Dallas neighborhood as an area teeming with tattoo parlors and rock joints -- the kind of place with "people who don't wear suits to work." "We always thought it would be a cool name for a bar," he recalls. Toste and Sanders found a similar feel in the Boston neighborhood of Allston, so about three years ago, when opening their own bar, the name was a perfect fit.

"I love beer," Toste states proudly. "I wanted to have a bar that was awesome."

What exactly is his idea of awesome? "Our plan was to be very artisanal. Everything we sell and promote is handmade stuff." And that ideology goes beyond just beer into the realm of their cocktail selection and food. Toste's explanation for such strong demands on what Deep Ellum serves is simple: "I don't do anything half-assed."

Read more about Deep Ellum and its complete tap list, as of this Tuesday, after the jump -- and for future draft lists, check out its Web site. Drafts update whenever they're changed.

Continue reading What's On Tap, Boston - Deep Ellum

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]]>AllstonartisanalBostondallasdeep ellumdraftsgeo:42.35376+-71.13687MassachusettsWhere:477-Cambridge-Street-Allston-MA-02135Mike PomranzThu, 22 Oct 2009 15:00:00 ESTWhat's On Tap, Kansas City - Grindershttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/15/whats-on-tap-kansas-city-grinders/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/15/whats-on-tap-kansas-city-grinders/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/15/whats-on-tap-kansas-city-grinders/#commentsFiled under: Beer, Midwest Cities, Lists, What's On Tap?

Grinders in Kansas City

Photo: www.grinderspizza.com.

A weekly look at the draft selection in beer-friendly bars across the country.

Laying claim to land in both Missouri and Kansas, Kansas City might conjure up thoughts of boring grasslands or Midwestern conservatism. But with nearly a half million residents in the Missouri side's city limits alone (making it the Show Me State's largest city), Kansas City is certainly more metropolis than cornfield. And at Grinders, patrons can expect a less-than-conservative draft selection and some not-so-Midwestern fare.

Just under five years ago, Grinders opened with the plan to offer residents of KC a restaurant/bar with an East coast flair. Both owners were from Pennsylvania (one from Philadelphia, one from Pittsburgh) and they planned to serve up cheesesteaks and New York-style pizza.

"We wanted a place that would be friendly to everybody that came in," says owner Anton Kotar. "No class barriers." Even money wasn't an obstacle: "If we could just make it break even, we'd be happy."

Kotar and his partner had never run a restaurant. "He's an artist by trade and I'm a contractor," Kotar admits, retelling the story of their troublesome first few months. But from the brink of going out of business, they turned Grinders into one of Kansas City's most popular destinations.

Read more about Grinders and see the current draft list after the jump...

Continue reading What's On Tap, Kansas City - Grinders

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]]>BoulevardBrewingcrossroadsdraft beergeo:39.091638+-94.578762grinderskansaskansas citymissouriWhere:415-E-18th-St-Kansas-City-MO-64108Mike PomranzThu, 15 Oct 2009 15:00:00 ESTWhat's On Tap, Albuquerque - Two Fools Tavernhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/08/whats-on-tap-albuquerque-two-fools-tavern/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/08/whats-on-tap-albuquerque-two-fools-tavern/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/08/whats-on-tap-albuquerque-two-fools-tavern/#commentsFiled under: Beer, Lists, What's On Tap?

Two Fools Tavern

Two Fools Tavern. Photo: 2foolstavern.com.

A weekly look at the draft selection in beer-friendly bars across the country.

Finding two English-speaking cities more different than Dublin and Albuquerque, N.M., would be a pretty tough task. So some four years ago, when Two Fools Tavern opened its doors proclaiming to be "Albuquerque's only authentic Irish Pub," one can assume it was an ambitious undertaking.

"There was a need for it," says Russell Reid, general manager of Two Fools Tavern, explaining why they tried to bring a touch of Emerald Isle to the American Southwest. The gamble (if you can call opening an Irish pub a "gamble") has paid off: "We've been very successful."

Part of that success comes from having a solid beer selection, including nineteen draft lines. "We have Irish and English beers that are staples of what you'd need in a pub and then have a rounded balance."

Included in that balance are a number of American craft products. Via Full Sail, the bar has two exclusive Two Fools selections: a pale ale and a house cider. They're also proud to provide the beers in Sierra Nevada's Imperial series on tap, as well as other unique brews from around the country (particularly Colorado).

Reid knows his customers appreciate the additional selections: "Albuquerque is a great beer market. A lot of people don't realize that. It's much more of a beer town than other spirits." Still, despite continuing to evolve the draft list, Two Fools always keeps the Irish pub standbys. As Reid reminds us, "We're the largest seller of Guinness in the state."

Check out the current draft list at Two Fools Tavern after the jump.

Continue reading What's On Tap, Albuquerque - Two Fools Tavern

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]]>draft beergeo:35.080493 -106.609401Guinnessirelandirish pubtaverntwo foolstwo fools tavernWhere:3211-CENTRAL-AVENUE-NE-Albuquerque-NMMike PomranzThu, 08 Oct 2009 15:00:00 ESTWhat Do Vending Machines Say About Corporate Culture?http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/24/what-do-vending-machines-say-about-corporate-culture/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/24/what-do-vending-machines-say-about-corporate-culture/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/24/what-do-vending-machines-say-about-corporate-culture/#commentsFiled under: Snacks, Business, Trends, America

A peak inside a vending machine.

Peek inside a vending machine. Photo: salimfadhley, Flickr.

What do AOL's vending machines look like? "White Castle burgers, five different varieties of Hot Pockets, Klondike bars and Oreo ice cream bars next to a sign offering a discount for Weight Watchers. I think it's safe to say that our vending machine area is being used as a Skinner box," reports Kristyn, a fellow AOL employee.

One employee's behavioral experiment is another's paradise. "I'm really, really jealous," says Jon over at MTV Networks, after being informed of AOL's snack excesses. Featuring far more pedestrian fare like Rice Krispies Treats, Nacho Cheese Doritos and Reese's Pieces, MTV's vending options won't turn any heads. Jon laments that the only real stand-out is the 25-cent can of Coke. "I guess that proves that international conglomerates are in cahoots!" he says. Or it's just a ploy to keep people awake and alert for optimum productivity.

Other big companies aren't faring much better. Jen gave us the scoop on IBM's snack selection, which was similarly standard, with plenty of chips, candy bars and the like. Still, they do try to push some healthier options. "There's a green leaf next to anything that is considered a 'balanced choice,' " says Jen. "It shows IBM's effort in trying to bring about some healthy options to a typically unhealthy way to get food." Don't expect to see any quarter Cokes, though. "The prices are really high, almost $2 for a small bag of chips," she notes. "Price alone would be the reason I wouldn't purchase from the vending machines." Maybe this is IBM's way of discouraging vending machine snacks in favor of fresh fruit or brown-bagged options?

Continue reading What Do Vending Machines Say About Corporate Culture?

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]]>candycandy barschipscorporate cultureCorporateCulturesnacksvendingvending machinesMike PomranzThu, 24 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EST11 Secret Fast-Food Menu Itemshttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/23/11-secret-fast-food-menu-items/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/23/11-secret-fast-food-menu-items/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/23/11-secret-fast-food-menu-items/#commentsFiled under: How To, Comfort Food, Fast Food

animal style burger at in-n-out

The In-N-Out Animal Style. Photo: kaba, Flickr.

It is the stuff of fast-food chain legend: a secret menu known only to those insiders brave enough to order outside the listed menu. Tales of "animal-style fries" and Starbucks' secret "short" size abound, but which of these are real and which will merely earn you a quizzical stare from the cashier?

Ditch the risk of disappointment and become a fast-food insider with Slashfood's list of some top-secret menu items at well-known restaurants near you.

Continue reading 11 Secret Fast-Food Menu Items

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]]>animal styleAnimalStyleburger kingBurgerKingchipotledairy queenDairyQueenfat burgerFatBurgerin-n-outin-n-out burgerIn-n-outBurgerjamba juiceJambaJuicepopeyespopeyes chickenPopeyesChickensecret menusecret menu itemsSecretMenuSecretMenuItemsstarbuckssubwaytaco bellTacoBellwendysMike PomranzWed, 23 Sep 2009 15:00:00 ESTWhat Does the 2009 St. Pauli Girl Really Know About Beer?http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/23/what-does-the-2009-st-pauli-girl-really-know-about-beer/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/23/what-does-the-2009-st-pauli-girl-really-know-about-beer/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/23/what-does-the-2009-st-pauli-girl-really-know-about-beer/#commentsFiled under: Beer, Eastern Europe, Celebrities

2009 St. Pauli Girl Katarina Van Derham

Photo: St. Pauli Girl.

Earlier this year, model and actress Katarina Van Derham was named the 2009 St. Pauli Girl spokesmodel via an online vote. Van Derham has roles on shows including "Entourage," "Monk" and "CSI," and has graced the covers of dozens of magazines. But for brew fans, Van Derham's gig filling in as the famous St. Pauli Girl icon may be their first encounter with the actress.

Beyond getting to know Katarina's very pretty face, we were interested in finding out about her beer knowledge. Van Derham is a native of Slovakia and speaks five languages, including English, Slovak, Czech, Russian and Polish. Eastern Europeans are world-renowned for their love of beer and beer-centric culture. Does she have the knowledge to back up her esteemed position?

We gave her a five-question beer quiz to see just how up-to-speed she was. ...

Continue reading What Does the 2009 St. Pauli Girl Really Know About Beer?

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]]>beer quizCzech RepublicCzechoslovakiaKatarina Van DerhampilsnerPurity LawReinheitsgebotSlovakiaSt Pauli Girlst. pauliSt.PauliMike PomranzWed, 23 Sep 2009 13:00:00 ESTWhat's On Tap, Rhode Island - Doherty's East Avenuehttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/16/whats-on-tap-rhode-island-dohertys-east-avenue/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/16/whats-on-tap-rhode-island-dohertys-east-avenue/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/16/whats-on-tap-rhode-island-dohertys-east-avenue/#commentsFiled under: Beer, Lists, What's On Tap?

Doherty's East Ave

Photo: dohertyseastave.com.

A weekly look at the draft selection in beer-friendly bars across the country.

When is an Irish pub not your typical Irish pub? Well, when the bar has 48 taps featuring some of the best craft beers America has to offer, it certainly sets itself apart.

For the past three years, Doherty's East Avenue in Pawtucket, R.I., has continued to look the part, but don't be fooled by the facade. "When we bought the place, it had a very Irish theme. The building's been here for 60 years," says owner Jack Doherty.

It also had only 12 taps, which was quickly expanded to 48 to accommodate the owner's love of craft beer.

So why keep the Irish angle? "To have a great time on St. Patrick's Day," Doherty happily responds.

Get a glimpse of Doherty's sensational seasonal selection after the jump. ...

Continue reading What's On Tap, Rhode Island - Doherty's East Avenue

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]]>dohertysdohertys east avegeo:41.869607 -71.387069irish pubpawtucketprovidencerhode islandWhere:342-East-Ave-Pawtucket-RI-02860Mike PomranzWed, 16 Sep 2009 13:00:00 ESTWhat's On Tap, Minneapolis - Stub & Herbshttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/09/whats-on-tap-minneapolis-stub-and-herbs/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/09/whats-on-tap-minneapolis-stub-and-herbs/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/09/whats-on-tap-minneapolis-stub-and-herbs/#commentsFiled under: Beer, Lists, What's On Tap?

Image: stubandherbsbar.com

A weekly look at the draft selection in beer-friendly bars across the country.

The passing of Labor Day means back-to-school season is officially here. Many college students have already landed on campus. Hopefully, they have a bar like Stub & Herbs to help them lament the end of their summer vacation.

Located at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Stub & Herbs is a campus icon, opened way back in 1939 with the plan to serve great burgers and drinks. Though their cheeseburgers are still a staple, a lot has changed in the drinks department, especially recently.

"Over the last two years, I got creative freedom to pick whatever we wanted," says general manager Jon Landers. "Our taps are now 100 percent all-American craft beer." He pushed college standbys like Coors Light and Bud Light onto the bottles list and began using their 32 taps to focus on independent breweries, especially local and "blossoming" ones. "The Midwest has a reason to be proud," Landers continues. "They're turning out some great stuff."

Have a great beer bar at your school or alma mater? Fill us in in the comments! And see Stub & Herbs' complete draft list, as of Tuesday, after the jump. ...

Continue reading What's On Tap, Minneapolis - Stub & Herbs

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]]>back to schoolcollegecraft beergeo:44.98 -93.263603Stub and Herbsstudentsuniversity of minnesotaWhere:Minneapolis-MNMike PomranzWed, 09 Sep 2009 13:00:00 ESTWhat's On Tap, Charlottesville, Va. - Beer Runhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/02/whats-on-tap-charlottesville-va-beer-run/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/02/whats-on-tap-charlottesville-va-beer-run/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/02/whats-on-tap-charlottesville-va-beer-run/#commentsFiled under: Beer, Lists, What's On Tap?

Image: BeerRun.com

A weekly look at the draft selection in beer-friendly bars across the country.

Central Virginia may not sound like the place to find a great beer bar. And as home of the University of Virginia, where thrifty college students are more apt to ask for inexpensive macrobrews, Charlottesville, Va., would seem to have two strikes against it for beer connoisseurs. Maybe that explains why Beer Run has stood out, earning national praise during the less than 2 years it's been open.

"The concept was originally just doing a bottle shop," says co-owner John Woodriff. But financial concerns led them to selling draft beer, which "opened a can of worms."

State laws required Beer Run to add food service and things quickly snowballed. "We were up early in the morning to make fresh bread for our sandwiches, so we morphed into an espresso bar and coffee shop," explains Woodriff. "Things got kinda wild."

Take a peek at the 14 beers Beer Run currently has on draft after the jump.

Continue reading What's On Tap, Charlottesville, Va. - Beer Run

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]]>beer runbottle shopdraft beergeo:38.0044 -78.4812university of virginiavirginiaWhere:Charlottesville-Virginia-22902Mike PomranzWed, 02 Sep 2009 15:00:00 ESTWhat's On Tap, Birmingham - The J. Clydehttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/08/26/whats-on-cask-birmingham-the-j-clyde/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/08/26/whats-on-cask-birmingham-the-j-clyde/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/08/26/whats-on-cask-birmingham-the-j-clyde/#commentsFiled under: Beer, Lists, What's On Tap?

The J. Clyde Hot Rock Tavern and Alehouse

Image: jclyde.com

A weekly look at the draft selections in beer-friendly establishments across the country.

This week's column could be more accurately called "What's on Cask." Why? Well, there are three types of beer drinkers in the world: people who love cask ale, people who hate cask ale, and people who have never tried cask ale. In America, the third group is by far the largest. One reason is that cask-conditioned beer can be nearly impossible to find here in the States.

In England, any good pub has at least a couple beer engines serving ales the way nature intended: unfiltered, with natural carbonation, and at cellar temperature (instead of being cooled by refrigeration). Though many Yanks' distaste for the cask comes from the stereotype that Brits enjoy warm beer, these cask brews actually allow for an entirely different drinking experience, bringing out nuanced flavors that are otherwise concealed at lower temperatures and with additional gas.

Continue reading What's On Tap, Birmingham - The J. Clyde

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]]>alabamabeerbirminghambirmingham albirmingham alabamacaskcask alecask brewCaskBrewgood people pale aleGoodPeoplePaleAlegreat divide titan IPAGreatDivideTitanIpaj clydej. clydethe j. clydewhats on caskwhats on tapWhatsOnCaskWhatsOnTapMike PomranzWed, 26 Aug 2009 11:00:00 ESTWhat Spirits Should You Never Bring to a Party?http://www.slashfood.com/2009/08/24/what-spirits-should-you-never-bring-to-a-party/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/08/24/what-spirits-should-you-never-bring-to-a-party/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/08/24/what-spirits-should-you-never-bring-to-a-party/#commentsFiled under: Parties, British Isles, Lists, Spirits, Liqueurs

Jagermeister in the snow. Photo: janeyesee, Flickr

Our counterparts over at AOL U.K. recently ran an article entitled "Comedy Booze" lamenting the unfortunate habit some guests have of using parties to re-gift hard alcohol they found unfit to stomach back when they received it. From Greek ouzo to French pastis, it's a multi-culti takedown.

Of course, sometimes that famous Brit wit doesn't cross the pond. We know some folks who adore pastis, and others for whom a bottle of Jagermeister might be considered quite a smashing (or quite funny) addition to a party.

That said, we can certainly sympathize with the sentiment. After the jump, three things we think you should never bring to a party. Tell us what we missed!

Continue reading What Spirits Should You Never Bring to a Party?

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]]>alcoholAOL UKboozebritishcomedyhard alcohollistsManischewitzspiritsTriple secwellMike PomranzMon, 24 Aug 2009 15:00:00 ESTFacebook, Twitter and Raging Foodieshttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/08/20/facebook-twitter-and-raging-foodies/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/08/20/facebook-twitter-and-raging-foodies/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/08/20/facebook-twitter-and-raging-foodies/#commentsFiled under: Beer, Trends

Facebook and Twitter logos

Logos courtesy of Facebook and Twitter

With the advent of Facebook and Twitter, everyone's a critic. Both social-networking sites are littered with "Just ate this -- amazing!" and "Just drank that -- delicious!"

Spreading opinions across the globe is easier than ever nowadays. But those posting bold proclamations in status updates -- such as declaring Heineken "quite possibly the best-tasting beer ever" -- shouldn't be surprised if they draw the (to our minds, hilarious) ire of a raging foodie, as this poor Facebook user did.

Although entering a "best beer" battle with a Heineken in hand may be the culinary equivalent of attempting to slice up a sirloin steak with a plastic knife, social-networking sites certainly do offer up a great new forum to wage culinary warfare. Just be careful what you type: This ain't your grandmother's dinner table.

Nowadays, the whole world could be watching. What if that cute girl from the laundromat Googles you and finds your deepest, bubbliest, Heineken-filled thoughts? We shudder at the notion. Still, the debate is half the fun. What's the one beer you'd go to battle for? Comment if we missed it.

[via Reddit]

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]]>beerbest beersbest tasting beerFacebookheinekensocial networkingstatus updatestwitterMike PomranzThu, 20 Aug 2009 14:00:00 ESTWhat's On Tap, Dallas - The Flying Saucer Draught Emporiumhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/08/19/whats-on-tap-dallas-the-flying-saucer-draught-emporium/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/08/19/whats-on-tap-dallas-the-flying-saucer-draught-emporium/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/08/19/whats-on-tap-dallas-the-flying-saucer-draught-emporium/#commentsFiled under: Beer, Lists, What's On Tap?

The Flying Saucer Draught Emporium's newest addition.

A weekly look at the draft selections in beer-friendly establishments across the country.

The Flying Saucer Draught Emporium has one aim: to be the place to go for great draft beer, especially in Texas, which boasts a neat half-dozen outposts of the watering hole. Residents of Arkansas, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee also sip suds at Flying Saucers. The newest landed in the suburbs outside Dallas.

Just over three weeks ago, the new Saucer on the Lake opened in a scenic spot overlooking Lake Ray Hubbard in Garland, Texas. "There's all these little communities out there," says Diane Willingham, director of sales and special events. "People working in Dallas drive 30 minutes to an hour to get home ... They want to go to the lake and hang out on a patio." Workers also want to drink beer, and Saucer on the Lake delivers, with more than 80 on draft and a diverse selection focused almost entirely on craft brews and imports.

But as the Saucer continues to expand, couldn't the company risk losing that independent spirit craft drinkers relish? Willingham doesn't think so: "We expand very slowly and don't franchise. Owner Shannon Wynne researches each location himself."

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]]>anderson valley hopAndersonValleyHopdallasFlying SaucerFlying Saucer Draught EmporiumgarlandGarland TXSaucer on the LaketexasThe LakeTXxinguMike PomranzWed, 19 Aug 2009 13:00:00 ESTWhat's On Tap, Indianapolis - Buffalo Wild Wingshttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/08/12/whats-on-tap-indianapolis-buffalo-wild-wings/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/08/12/whats-on-tap-indianapolis-buffalo-wild-wings/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/08/12/whats-on-tap-indianapolis-buffalo-wild-wings/#commentsFiled under: Beer, Lists, What's On Tap?

Photo: Buffalo Wild Wings

A weekly look at the draft selections in beer-friendly establishments across the country.

Craft beer at corporate chains? It may seem a bit like an oxymoron, but a lot of restaurants could learn a lesson from national eatery Buffalo Wild Wings.

Franchises in the Buffalo Wild Wings family are able to stock whichever beers they like, so when Sam Hookway took over as bar manager at the Indianapolis location back in February, he had one thing in mind: "to have the best draft beer selection in the city."

Since the restaurant is part of a large, nationwide chain, Coors, Miller and Bud Light will probably always top the Buffalo sales list, but Hookway saw opportunities in other areas: "I got rid of beers like Peroni and Molson, which aren't that different from the other light lagers we sell."

The plan has worked: About half the beer they sell is craft, enticing patrons who might otherwise not frequent such an establishment. And how about beer lovers who scoff at the notion of sipping indie suds on a corporate-controlled stool? "That's a battle I've been trying to fight," Hookway says.

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]]>buffalo wild wingschain restaurantschainscorporatecorporate restaurantsindianaindianapolisindianapolis inindianapolis indianawhats on tapWhatsOnTapMike PomranzWed, 12 Aug 2009 13:00:00 ESTWhat's On Tap, Long Island -- Bobbiquehttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/08/05/whats-on-tap-long-island-bobbique/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/08/05/whats-on-tap-long-island-bobbique/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/08/05/whats-on-tap-long-island-bobbique/#commentsFiled under: Beer, Lists, Summer, What's On Tap?

Photo: Bobbique

A weekly look at the draft selection in beer-friendly establishments across the country.

In New York City, August struck for real last Saturday. With the last bastion of summer upon us and only a few more weeks of heat before the weather starts to cool off, all the remaining weekends are "getaway day" musts!

For America's largest city, getting away often means heading to the shores of Long Island. In the waterfront village of Patchogue, patrons at Bobbique can grab great barbecue and great beer all in one spot ... and hear live blues music on the side. Brews, blues and barbecues: If those things don't say summer, what does?

Still, according to manager Jessica Higgins, "Business booms all year round. We have such a diverse selection of beers; we attract a lot of locals." And local patrons like local beers. "We try to stock at least one Blue Point on draft, which is extremely local," Higgins says, referring to the Long Island brewery located less than a mile from their door. "We keep some Brooklyns on too, but we also like to showcase a lot of beers you can't get anywhere else."

The draft list, after the jump.

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]]>AugustbarbecueBBQbluesbobbiqueBrookhavenlong islandnew yorknew york cityNYnycPatchoguewhats on tapWhatsOnTapMike PomranzWed, 05 Aug 2009 13:00:00 EST