Slashfood http://www.slashfood.com Slashfood http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.slashfood.com/media/feedlogo.gif Slashfood http://www.slashfood.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/The Avenue Pub, New Orleans - What's On Tap?http://www.slashfood.com/2010/09/02/the-avenue-pub-new-orleans-whats-on-tap/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/09/02/the-avenue-pub-new-orleans-whats-on-tap/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/09/02/the-avenue-pub-new-orleans-whats-on-tap/#commentsFiled under: ,

Bar area of The Avenue PubPhoto: The Avenue Pub


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

New Orleans is a city that is known for its parties and its drinking. But for a place that loves alcoholic beverages, craft beer has been conspicuously underrepresented in their landscape of libations.

Polly Watts, owner of New Orleans' The Avenue Pub, pointed to people's preference for other drinks. "Louisiana is a big liquor consumer," she explains. "Lots of vodka and rum." It makes sense: Bourbon Street is more than just a catchy name. And The Big Easy's penchant for fine dining plays a role as well. "We're a really big wine state too," she told us.

Not to say that beer didn't exist. It just wasn't always the drink of choice. And it was rarely ever craft. "For decades, the only beer you'd see was generic macrobrews," said Watts, before adding, "maybe an occasional Abita," referencing one of Louisiana's few well-known craft breweries.

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]]>beercraft beerdraft beerNew OrleansNewOrleansThe Avenue PubMike PomranzThu, 02 Sep 2010 16:00:00 ESTRevolution Pizza & Ale House, Charlotte - What's On Tap?http://www.slashfood.com/2010/08/19/revolution-pizza-and-ale-house-charlotte-whats-on-tap/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/08/19/revolution-pizza-and-ale-house-charlotte-whats-on-tap/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/08/19/revolution-pizza-and-ale-house-charlotte-whats-on-tap/#commentsFiled under: ,

Photo: Revolution Pizza & Ale House

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

For almost two years now, Charlotte, N.C.'s Revolution Pizza & Ale House has had a mission: offer up the largest selection of North Carolina draft beer anywhere in the country.

For Revolution, that typically means dedicating around 15 of their 44 draft lines to beers from in-state, providing a one-stop shop for patrons to try local brewers that can be tough to hunt down elsewhere -- names like Catawba Valley, Duck-Rabbit, Foothills and Pisgah. Basically, breweries that sound like they are from North Carolina.

That's why, as bar manager Christine Ferguson points out, her bar is especially popular with out-of-towners: "A lot of people from out of state will come and say, 'What is your favorite North Carolina beer?'" Luckily, she has a system that makes answering that question especially easy: she stocks what she likes.

Read more about Revolution Pizza & Ale House and find the most recent draft list, after the jump...

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]]>beerCharlottecraft beerdraft beerfeaturedRevolution Pizza Ale HouseMike PomranzThu, 19 Aug 2010 15:00:00 ESTMy Local Pub - What's On Tap?http://www.slashfood.com/2010/07/22/my-local-pub-whats-on-tap/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/07/22/my-local-pub-whats-on-tap/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/07/22/my-local-pub-whats-on-tap/#commentsFiled under: ,

Photo: Washington Commons


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

A good local pub is something special -- a place where you can hang out with friends and meet neighbors by socializing the old-fashioned way... in person. Blogs and social networks and webcams are great, but one of the most traditional ways people have connected isn't with a computer, it's with a pint.

My neighborhood has a number of spots I love, but when it comes to that classic pub setting -- with a fantastic beer selection to boot -- my favorite watering hole is Brooklyn's Washington Commons.

When people think friendly bar, the show Cheers often comes to mind: a place where "everyone knows your name." This point isn't lost on Kirk Struble, one of Washington Commons' owners. When asked what makes a bar a great local hangout, he immediately points to the staff.

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]]>beerBrooklyncraft beerdraft beerlocalWashington CommonsMike PomranzThu, 22 Jul 2010 17:00:00 ESTResurrection Ale House, Philadelphia - What's On Taphttp://www.slashfood.com/2010/07/09/resurrection-ale-house-philadelphia-whats-on-tap/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/07/09/resurrection-ale-house-philadelphia-whats-on-tap/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/07/09/resurrection-ale-house-philadelphia-whats-on-tap/#commentsFiled under: ,

Photo: Resurrection Ale House


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

The Fourth of July has come and gone, but What's On Tap wanted to continue a tradition of celebrating Independence Day in the city where it all started -- one of America's greatest craft beer destinations -- Philadelphia!

Earlier this year, the Resurrection Ale House made national news after a controversial run-in with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. But like the Patriots who built this country, they've fought the good fight, and in the end, continued to do what they do best: serve craft beer.

Resurrection Ale House opened in September 2009, one of three bars in which Brendan Hartranft is part owner. Though all of his locations feature amazing draft selections, he believes that Resurrection's list is the one that's currently most exemplary.

Read on about Resurrection Ale House and find their most recent draft list, after the jump...

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]]>beercraft beerdraft beergeo:39.94294+-75.18342philadelphiaResurrection Ale HouseWhere:2425-Grays-Ferry-Avenue-Philadelphia-PA-19146Mike PomranzFri, 09 Jul 2010 17:00:00 ESTWhip-In, Austin - What's On Tap?http://www.slashfood.com/2010/06/24/whip-in-austin-whats-on-tap/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/06/24/whip-in-austin-whats-on-tap/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/06/24/whip-in-austin-whats-on-tap/#commentsFiled under: ,

Photo: roxannejomitchell, Flickr


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

How does a business go from a "straight up, honest-to-goodness, white trash convenience store" to one of the best beer destinations in the state of Texas? Well, bringing in a little outside perspective and a personal touch never hurt.

When Austin's Whip-In opened up back in 1986, now General Manager Dipak Topiwala would have used the quote above to describe his family store -- selling "crappy foods" and gasoline, competing for business with the Texaco across the street.

During those early days, though, one major deal helped seal Whip-In's fate. "Gas wasn't doing us any good," explained Topiwala. So his family made an agreement with their cross-street rival: "We'll give up gas, but you don't sell any beer."

Read on about Whip-In and find their recent draft list, after the jump...

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]]>austinbeercraft beerdraft beergeo:30.238211+-97.738953texasWhere:1950-S-I-H-35-Austin-TX-78704-3628whip inMike PomranzThu, 24 Jun 2010 17:30:00 ESTSmoke 'Em If Yous Got 'Em, Philly Beer Week - What's On Tap?http://www.slashfood.com/2010/06/10/smoke-em-if-yous-got-em-philly-beer-week-whats-on-tap/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/06/10/smoke-em-if-yous-got-em-philly-beer-week-whats-on-tap/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/06/10/smoke-em-if-yous-got-em-philly-beer-week-whats-on-tap/#commentsFiled under: ,

beerPhoto: Bert Heymans, Flickr


For many, smoked beers (also commonly known by their German name -- Rauchbiers) are an acquired taste. Though some favorably describe these brews as a delicious mix of the flavors of beer and bacon, others lean towards the suspicion that someone may have ashed a cigar in their pint.

Though the Yards Brewing Company's second annual Smoke 'Em If Yous Got 'Em event for Philly Beer Week did offer up a cigar tent, most patrons paid their admission to pair a healthy selection of professional and amateur barbecue with a world class selection of smoked brews.

The self-described "one-of-a-kind event (translation: there's absolutely, positively nothing else like it in the world)" definitely delivered on the beer front, offering up an exotic mix of 32 drafts (not to even mention the sizable bottled selection) from across the country and around the world, as well as extremely rare selections and one-offs, and one 34-letter beer from Stewart's Brewing that drinkers would be hard-pressed to discuss on Twitter.

After the jump, read more about Smoke 'Em If Yous Got 'Em and check out the amazing selection of smoked beers from this year's event...

Continue reading Smoke 'Em If Yous Got 'Em, Philly Beer Week - What's On Tap?

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]]>beercraft beerdraft beergeo:39.96299+-75.13604philly beer weekrauchbierSmoke Em If Yous Got Emsmoked beerWhere:901-N.-Delaware-Ave-Philadelphia-PAyards brewing companyMike PomranzThu, 10 Jun 2010 17:00:00 ESTEl Bait Shop, Des Moines, Iowa - What's On Tap?http://www.slashfood.com/2010/05/27/el-bait-shop-des-moines-iowa-whats-on-tap/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/05/27/el-bait-shop-des-moines-iowa-whats-on-tap/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/05/27/el-bait-shop-des-moines-iowa-whats-on-tap/#commentsFiled under: ,

Photo: el Bait Shop


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

Who says Iowa can't be home to a beer haven?

Since 2006, El Bait Shop has housed over 100 draft beers (and plenty more in bottles) smack dab in central Iowa, making this "shop" not only a Des Moines beer mainstay, but a national beer destination as well, finding its way onto best bar lists in publications like DRAFT Magazine and Esquire.

Why does the U.S.'s 112th largest city need 105 draft lines? Well, where better than in middle America to feature American-made beers? That's the goal at El Bait Shop, according to bar manager, Charles Johnson. "We have the largest selection of American craft beer in the world," said Johnson, explaining what makes their draft selection unique.

It's hard to have more than 100 draft lines without delving into the large array of imported beers that a lot of bars lean on. By sticking with mostly American "micro" brewers, El Bait Shop not only supports smaller brewers, but has also found a way to separate their draft selection from the crowd. It also gives the bar the opportunity to show off some local Iowa brewers who's products don't always find their way to the coasts, like Great River and Peace Tree.

Find the giant beer list that gave El Bait Shop their niche after the jump...

Continue reading El Bait Shop, Des Moines, Iowa - What's On Tap?

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]]>beercraft beerDes Moinesdraft beerEl Bait Shopgeo:41.58325+-93.618349IowaWhere:200-SW-2nd-St-Des-Moines-Iowa-United-States-50309Mike PomranzThu, 27 May 2010 17:00:00 ESTBittercreek Alehouse, Boise, Idaho - What's On Tap?http://www.slashfood.com/2010/05/13/bittercreek-alehouse-boise-idaho-whats-on-tap/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/05/13/bittercreek-alehouse-boise-idaho-whats-on-tap/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/05/13/bittercreek-alehouse-boise-idaho-whats-on-tap/#commentsFiled under: ,

Photo: JustEatLocal


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

The website for Boise, Idaho's Bittercreek Alehouse is JustEatLocal.com, and it's not just a catchy URL. The bar has been around since 1995 and has always striven to offer the best craft beers, but about two years ago, it underwent some even bigger changes.

Bittercreek not only cut out wine, but all of their domestic bottled beers as well. "We've been really trying to cut down our waste," says bartender and 7-year Alehouse vet, Tate McCullough. "We had so many bottles, recyclers couldn't keep up." The owners realized that by only offering beers on tap, they could cut their glass waste dramatically.

One of the primary themes of the craft beer scene is keeping an eye towards conservation and local consumption, a lesson this establishment has focused on for years now. Of their 39 draft lines, all of them are regional, and outsiders might be surprised to learn that 12 of those brews are from right inside the Idaho state borders. "Our primary goal was to pump all of our money back into the Northwestern economy," McCullough explained.

Read on about Bittercreek Alehouse and find its recent draft list, after the jump.

Continue reading Bittercreek Alehouse, Boise, Idaho - What's On Tap?

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]]>beerBittercreek AlehouseBoisecraft beerdraft beergeo:43.616725+-116.202353IdahoWhere:246-N-8th-St-Boise-Idaho-83702-5816Mike PomranzThu, 13 May 2010 17:00:00 ESTJames E. McNellie's Public House, Oklahoma City - What's on Taphttp://www.slashfood.com/2010/04/29/james-e-mcnellies-public-house-oklahoma-city-whats-on-tap/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/04/29/james-e-mcnellies-public-house-oklahoma-city-whats-on-tap/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/04/29/james-e-mcnellies-public-house-oklahoma-city-whats-on-tap/#commentsFiled under: ,

Photo: Jeremy Charles


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

First, Kevin Durant came to the NBA. Then, the NBA came to Oklahoma City. Now, Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder are making waves in professional basketball by giving the reigning champion L.A. Lakers a run for their money in the playoffs.

Suddenly, the 31st largest city in the U.S. isn't so small anymore. Not to say that a half-million people is chump change, but for the first time, professional sports fans are looking in Oklahoma City's direction. And true fans know that nothing goes together like sports and beer. So it's time to take a look at one of the city's most notable beer bars -- James E. McNellie's Public House.

The OKC location -- opened in 2008 -- is the second McNellie's in the state and craft beer fans couldn't be happier as the pub quickly established itself as one of the best beer destinations in the city.

Read more about McNellie's and find their April 2010 draught beer list, after the jump.

Continue reading James E. McNellie's Public House, Oklahoma City - What's on Tap

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]]>beercraft beerdraft beerfeaturedgeo:35.478951+-97.521328James E McNellies Public HouseMcNelliesOklahomaOklahoma CityWhere:1100-Classen-Drive-Oklahoma-City-OK-73103Mike PomranzThu, 29 Apr 2010 17:00:00 ESTFalling Rock Taphouse, Denver - What's On Taphttp://www.slashfood.com/2010/04/15/whats-on-tap-falling-rock-taphouse-denver/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/04/15/whats-on-tap-falling-rock-taphouse-denver/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/04/15/whats-on-tap-falling-rock-taphouse-denver/#commentsFiled under: ,

Photo: Falling Rock Taphouse


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

What?! What's On Tap has never visited Denver, Colo.?!? That's practically Beer City, USA.

So this week, in an effort to make things right, What's On Tap looks at what both BeerAdvocate and RateBeer.com -- the two largest online beer communities -- rate as the best beer bar in Denver: Falling Rock Taphouse.

Bartender Jason Quinn helped explain why Falling Rock has garnered such a great reputation while serving the Denver community. "Chris Black [one of the three owners] has been in the beer business for almost 30 years," Quinn pointed out. "He worked for Red Hook a long time ago. He's known everybody forever."

Read on about Falling Rock Taphouse and find their most recent draft list after the jump...

Continue reading Falling Rock Taphouse, Denver - What's On Tap

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]]>beerColoradocraft beerDenverdraft beerFalling Rock Taphousegeo:39.75362+-104.99517Where:1919-Blake-St.-Denver-ColoradoMike PomranzThu, 15 Apr 2010 17:00:00 ESTHow Do I Know If My Beer's Gone Bad?http://www.slashfood.com/2010/04/02/how-do-i -know-when-my-beers-gone-bad/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/04/02/how-do-i -know-when-my-beers-gone-bad/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/04/02/how-do-i -know-when-my-beers-gone-bad/#commentsFiled under: ,

Photo: william couch, Flickr


Every day, new beers hit the market. And not just the latest take on American lagers like Budweiser or Miller Lite: More likely than not, the newest draft at the neighborhood pub is a craft beer, often times in a style or from a brand that patrons aren't familiar with.

Ironically, drinkers who are already converted craft beer snobs are even more likely to encounter beers of which they have little knowledge. Beer geeks seek out these unique experiences, hunting down a draft from the newest brewery or clamoring to try a non-traditional style so they can be the first to ponder these products' worth.

Most beer drinkers fall somewhere in the middle: familiar with some craft beers and occasionally want to try something different. The question becomes, though, if you don't know exactly what you're ordering, how do you know if what's in your glass tastes right?

How do you know when a beer has gone bad? And how should you handle it?

Continue reading How Do I Know If My Beer's Gone Bad?

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]]>barsbeercraft beerdraft beerquality controlMike PomranzFri, 02 Apr 2010 15:00:00 ESTWhat's On Tap - San Antonio Homebrew Supply and Barhttp://www.slashfood.com/2010/04/01/whats-on-tap-san-antonio-homebrew-supply-and-bar-san-antonio/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/04/01/whats-on-tap-san-antonio-homebrew-supply-and-bar-san-antonio/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/04/01/whats-on-tap-san-antonio-homebrew-supply-and-bar-san-antonio/#commentsFiled under: ,

Photo: familynight, Flickr

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

Growth in the craft beer market has naturally increased interest in the process of brewing beer, and recently, more and more people are making their own brews at home. New homebrew shops are popping up and existing homebrew mainstays are seeing new customers.

For the past 10 years, San Antonio, Texas has been home to one of the country's more unique brewing supply shops -- the aptly-named San Antonio Homebrew Supply and Bar. Those last two words are what give this store its character.

"When we moved to this space it had a long bar already in it," said owner Todd Huntress describing the former restaurant that became his homebrew store. "It just seemed like the perfect fit."

Continue reading What's On Tap - San Antonio Homebrew Supply and Bar

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]]>beercraft beerdraft beergeo:29.451319+-98.486119San AntonioSan Antonio Homebrew SupplyTexasWhere:2809-N.-St.-Marys-San-Antonio-TX-78212Mike PomranzThu, 01 Apr 2010 17:00:00 ESTWhat's On Tap - Matt the Miller's Tavern, Dublin, OHhttp://www.slashfood.com/2010/03/19/whats-on-tap-matt-the-millers-tavern-dublin-oh/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/03/19/whats-on-tap-matt-the-millers-tavern-dublin-oh/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/03/19/whats-on-tap-matt-the-millers-tavern-dublin-oh/#commentsFiled under: ,

Photo: Matt the Miller's Tavern

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

Dublin isn't just the capital and largest city of Ireland. A number of Dublins exist right here in the United States. One of the largest is Dublin, Ohio, a growing suburb outside of Columbus. It also boasts one of the best places to grab a craft beer, Matt the Miller's Tavern.

Since opening in October of 2008, Matt the Miller's has prided itself on offering great food, wine and beer, and Dublin has reacted enthusiastically. Even more so than owner Craig Barnum expected. "[Craft beer] is huge these days. If I could do it over again, I would have put in more draft lines."

Barnum tries to keep the average drinker content by keeping five standard choices on tap, leaving just 9 spots to venture into the craft world. They had their system custom-made in Italy with a beautiful backlit display, otherwise he'd consider expanding to 21 or even 28 taps. Barnum helps make up for the paucity of lines with a strong bottle selection as well. He knows that having the better beer selection gives him the edge.

Read on about Matt the Miller's Tavern and its recent draft list after the jump...

Continue reading What's On Tap - Matt the Miller's Tavern, Dublin, OH

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]]>barsbeercraft beerdraft beerDublingeo:40.0954+-83.1536Matt the Millers TavernOhioWhere:6725-Avery-Muirfield-Drive-Dublin-Ohio-43017Mike PomranzFri, 19 Mar 2010 16:00:00 ESTWhat's On Tap - Three Penny Taproom, Montpelierhttp://www.slashfood.com/2010/03/04/whats-on-tap-three-penny-taproom-montpelier/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/03/04/whats-on-tap-three-penny-taproom-montpelier/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/03/04/whats-on-tap-three-penny-taproom-montpelier/#commentsFiled under: ,

Photo: Speed-Light, Flickr

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

Despite being the second least populous state in the nation (ranking just below Wyoming), Vermont is well-known as a craft beer haven. The state ranks #1 in craft breweries per capita and is home to recognizable brewery names like Magic Hat, Long Trail and Harpoon. So as the state capital, Montpelier, Vt. really has no choice but to represent!

But for years, the minuscule capital (with just over 8,000 people) didn't have a craft beer bar to call its own. Three Penny Taproom came to the rescue.

"We're our country's smallest state capital," says owner Scott Kerner. "The only one without a McDonald's." Now, since May 1, 2009, the city finally has a top-flight beer bar. And though representing this beer-friendly state from its capital might seemingly create some pressure, Kerner believes they've risen to the task, "In our nine months, we've created quite a stir in not just Vermont, but in New England."

Read more about Three Penny Taproom and find their recent draft list after the jump...

Continue reading What's On Tap - Three Penny Taproom, Montpelier

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]]>barsbeercraft beerdraft beergeo:44.260719+-72.574936MontpelierThree Penny TaproomVermontWhere:108-Main-St.-Montpelier-Vermont-05602Mike PomranzThu, 04 Mar 2010 17:00:00 ESTWhat's On Tap - Blue Palms Brewhouse, Los Angeleshttp://www.slashfood.com/2010/02/18/whats-on-tap-blue-palms-brewhouse-los-angeles/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/02/18/whats-on-tap-blue-palms-brewhouse-los-angeles/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/02/18/whats-on-tap-blue-palms-brewhouse-los-angeles/#commentsFiled under: ,

photoStone is recognized as an industry leader in California.
Photo: arkusa, Flickr


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

California has always been known as a great craft-beer state. Back in 1977, San Francisco's Anchor Brewing received some of Michael Jackson's highest praise in his seminal book, The World Guide to Beer. Over the past decade, Sierra Nevada took hopped up craft beer mainstream before it was mainstream, making their Pale Ale one of the few ubiquitous craft brews. More recently, breweries such as Stone and Firestone Walker have been recognized as industry leaders and international award-winners.

So why for so many years has California's largest city, Los Angeles, lagged behind as a home to great beer bars?

A newcomer on the block, Blue Palms Brewhouse, opened on July 8, 2008, with aims to rectify the situation. "My girlfriend and I were tired of driving to San Diego and San Francisco for great beers," says owner Brian Lenzo. "L.A. was an empty market. Now since we've opened, about eight other places have followed."

More on the Blue Palms Brewhouse -- and its recent draft list -- after the jump...

Continue reading What's On Tap - Blue Palms Brewhouse, Los Angeles

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]]>barsbeerBlue Palms Brewhousecraft beerdraft beergeo:34.10165+-118.323151los angelesMike PomranzThu, 18 Feb 2010 16:00:00 ESTWhat's On Tap - The Old Toad, Rochesterhttp://www.slashfood.com/2010/02/11/whats-on-tap-the-old-toad-rochester/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/02/11/whats-on-tap-the-old-toad-rochester/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/02/11/whats-on-tap-the-old-toad-rochester/#commentsFiled under: ,

Fuller's London Pride, one of the many beers on tap at the Old Toad. Photo: Anders Adermark, Flickr

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

As the mid-Atlantic region gets buried under its second major snowstorm in the past week, people have been tossing around words like "snowmageddon" and "snowpocalypse," but in parts of New York state a foot of snow or more a day is just business as usual. So for this week's What's On Tap, we took the opportunity to explore America's second snowiest city (according to NSIDC.org): Rochester, N.Y.

For the past 20 years, the Old Toad has been a mainstay in the Rochester area and even has a regional claim to fame as the first bar in the eastern U.S. to serve cask ale. "We're a British-inspired pub," says bar manager Kevin Roman, explaining the reason for selling beer the way they do across the pond. "The Rochester community has taken to it. We see a lot of demand for cask."

But what do Rochesterians drink in snowy weather? The rest of the East Coast wants to know!

"During this time of year people are really interested in porters and stouts," Roman explains. "Maltier, heavier beers. Darker stuff." Turns out in cold weather, patrons demand a little more oomph from their brews. Stouts seem to be the logical selection, but IPAs are also popular, with their added hoppy bite.

See what the Old Toad keeps on draft for their snow-fairing drinkers after the jump...

Continue reading What's On Tap - The Old Toad, Rochester

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]]>barsbeercask beerdraft beernew yorkrochesterWhere:277-Alexander-Street-Rochester-New-York-14607Mike PomranzThu, 11 Feb 2010 16:00:00 ESTWhat's On Tap, Salt Lake City - The Bayouhttp://www.slashfood.com/2010/02/04/whats-on-tap-salt-lake-city-the-bayou/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/02/04/whats-on-tap-salt-lake-city-the-bayou/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/02/04/whats-on-tap-salt-lake-city-the-bayou/#commentsFiled under: ,

Photo: Wickenden, Flickr


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

Where's the best place to grab a beer in Salt Lake City, Utah? Despite its unexpected name, many would suggest a bar known as the Bayou.

"The whole idea of the Bayou, people gathering together and the mix of different cultures -- that's what we had in mind with the name," says Mark Alston, who owns the bar with his wife. Speaking with him, his philosophy seems to boil down to one word: "different."

To create a great beer bar in Utah, owners have to be different. Law prohibits the Bayou from carrying any draft beers over 4% alcohol. Bottles, on the other hand, can have any ABV, a rule that Alston finds ironic. "Yesterday we sold a bottle of [Sam Adam's] Utopia to a table of four guys," he uses as an example. Utopia can clock in at upwards of 27% alcohol by volume -- ridiculously high by beer standards, and fine in Utah since it's served in the bottle -- but when it comes to draft beer, that would never fly.

This odd discrepancy in the rules partly explains why the Bayou has focused so much on bottled beer, not draft, since opening in 2002. "That's why our bottled beer selection has 230 beers," Alston explains. "We can sell whatever we want."

Read more about the Bayou and check out its recent draft list after the jump.

Continue reading What's On Tap, Salt Lake City - The Bayou

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]]>beercraft beerdarft listdraft beergeo:40.755319+-111.888229Salt Lake CityThe BayouUtahWhere:645-S.-State-St.-Salt-Lake-City-UtahMike PomranzThu, 04 Feb 2010 16:00:00 ESTWhat's On Tap, Seal Beach, CA - Beachwood BBQhttp://www.slashfood.com/2010/01/28/whats-on-tap-seal-beach-ca-beachwood-bbq/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/01/28/whats-on-tap-seal-beach-ca-beachwood-bbq/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/01/28/whats-on-tap-seal-beach-ca-beachwood-bbq/#commentsFiled under: ,

Photo: Matthew Wholderfield, Flickr.

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

Here's one to file under "Why doesn't every beer bar in America do that."

Seal Beach, California's much heralded Beachwood BBQ offers a live HopCam, offering prospective patrons a chance to peek at their big draft beer board anytime via the bar's Web site.

In the past, What's On Tap has heaped praise upon bars that keep their beer list current online, but eventually most establishments fall victim to the number one reason why Web sites go out of date: laziness. It ain't easy typing those beers up and publishing them on the Internet for all to see, especially for less Web-savvy business owners. Plus, any good owner knows having a current list up on the wall in person is top priority. Otherwise, customers wouldn't know what's available to order.

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]]>beachwood bbqbeercraft beerdarft listdraft beerfeaturedMike PomranzThu, 28 Jan 2010 16:00:00 ESTWhat's On Tap: The Power of Beer Flightshttp://www.slashfood.com/2010/01/21/whats-on-tap-the-power-of-beer-flights/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/01/21/whats-on-tap-the-power-of-beer-flights/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/01/21/whats-on-tap-the-power-of-beer-flights/#commentsFiled under: ,


Photo: House of Sims/Flickr

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

Imagine walking into a bar with 39 beers on tap, four more on cask. Limiting things down to your favorite style doesn't help: There are 10 IPAs available on draft alone.

As more and more establishments become beer-friendly and focus on offering up as many taps as possible, this scenario is not uncommon. It plays out at beer bars all across the country. In fact, the initial example is precisely what happened to this writer last night.

Luckily, this particular bar has drinkers best interests in mind. New York City's Rattle N Hum is one of many establishments that have taken to offering beer flights, small (yet reasonable) pours of a number of the different brews available. Rattle N Hum ups the ante by make their flights affordable. Patrons can procure 4 ozs. of any four drafts for the same price as a pint.

And why not? 16 ounces of beer is 16 ounces of beer. Flights might take a little more pouring and glassware to accommodate, but the bartender is still moving product at the same cost per ounce. And is it any more work than serving up an infinite number of free tasters many drinkers demand before investing in a full glass? Drinkers appreciate the effort, and those four ounce pours can go down pretty fast, causing big beer drinkers to go for more. Plus trying his new favorite brew might just be the reason a person buys that next drink.

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]]>barsbeerbeer flightscraft beerwhats on tapMike PomranzThu, 21 Jan 2010 17:00:00 ESTWhat's On Tap: The Porter, Atlantahttp://www.slashfood.com/2010/01/14/whats-on-tap-the-porter-atlanta/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/01/14/whats-on-tap-the-porter-atlanta/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/01/14/whats-on-tap-the-porter-atlanta/#commentsFiled under:

Photo: theporterbeerbar.com

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

When Molly Gunn and her husband, Nick Rutherford, served their first pint at The Porter fifteen months ago, they had done more than just open a new beer bar and restaurant: They were opening up a new part of Atlanta, GA, to delights of craft beer and microbrews.

"We're very lucky there is another bar near here called The Brick Store that is super committed to craft beer and small beers," says Gunn. "They paved the way for us, but they are in a totally different neighborhood."

Realizing the growing demand for great beer throughout the Atlanta area, The Porter seemed to fit a niche in their part of town. A number of local bars featured a few crafts on tap, but none offered a selection as robust as theirs, featuring over 30 taps and 300 bottles.

The response has fit their expectations: "It's been great. We've definitely found that beer is recession proof. People still want to drink and it's a less expensive option than wine." Then, with a laugh she adds, "You still want to drown your sorrows."

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]]>Atlantabarsbeercraft beerdraft beerMike PomranzThu, 14 Jan 2010 17:00:00 EST