"washington" news and stories

Über Tavern in Seattle. Photo: uberbier.com.

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

Even at the best beer bars, boredom can occasionally set in. Sometimes the draft list just doesn't feature brews that fit the day's mood. Or maybe a keg of your favorite suds just got kicked.

Well, world-class beer bars, like Seattle's Über Tavern, are always looking to remedy such afflictions. Smack dab on the front of their website, patrons can check out what's recently been added as well as an extensive selection of "kegs in the cellar" featuring what's about to come. "We update every time there needs to be a change," said manager Charlie Wedbee. "It works out to about four times a week."

Über's been doing this "forever," says Wedbee (in real time, about three years). They seem to have their act together, so don't worry about trekking all the way to this tavern just to find a slew of unfamiliar taps. It'd be swell if similar craft concoction-proffering pubs could offer this sort of full disclosure about what brews to expect upon arrival.

Which of your favorite watering holes are web-savvy with their draft lists? Let us know in the comments! After the jump, Über's Monday draft list.

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

When is a beer store more than a beer store? When you can drink in it, of course!

Many people from the Seattle area sing the praises of Redmond's Malt & Vine because of their exceptional craft beer (and wine) selection. But what really sets this beer store apart is that they have their tavern license, meaning those 10 taps you see aren't just for growlers: You can grab yourself a glass of beer while you do your shopping.

Don't feel like browsing? Malt & Vine has table seating as well. And nothing is really off limits here. Patrons can hang around and drink anything in stock for a small corkage/crackage fee. Even bring your own food for a private beer and food pairing. Here's a store that really carries through on the "make yourself at home" credo.

Malt & Vine also holds regular beer tastings every Friday night, as well as other beer-centric events when the fancy strikes them. (A full schedule of events is available on their Web site.) The owners and staff have a reputation for being both knowledge and friendly, so you know these events will be worthy of your time and your questions will be ready to be answered.

Let's take a look at what Malt & Vine currently feels is worth serving to their beloved beer drinkers (after the jump). ...

• Washington, D.C. is experiencing a restaurant revival, especially in neighborhoods that were once shady places to tread.
• President-elect Obama loves to eat out and many D.C.-area restaurateurs are hoping that will mean increased business and attention.
• Parisian food critic François Simon is known for his sharp tongue and highly observant reviews (some think he was the model upon which Ratatouille's Anton Ego was based).
• Frank Bruni reviews two new Upper West Side restaurants, West Branch and Barbao, and contemplates which will weather the economic downturn and which won't.
• Want to alter the taste of your table red? Harold McGee checks out an assortment of wine enhancement devices.
• Wine prices are dropping, which means good news for collectors with a few bucks to spare.
• Mark Bittman turns leftovers - bread, rice and pasta - into fresh desserts with little effort and much deliciousness.
• Melissa Clark roasts shrimp with broccoli for an tasty and easy-to-clean dinner.

Breakfast Sausage in Washington State. From Flickr user ramparts54s Flickr.

I'm posting images of sausage counters the world over each weeknight (and occasionally weekend) witching hour until I run out. Please use the comments section to post links to your Flickr or personal site faves, and perhaps you'll see 'em posted here late some evening.

Previously-- Midnight Sausage: Minneapolis, MN

It's so exciting when carry-out pizza arrives at your doorstep, and terribly dissapointing if the pizza became smushed or the cheese slid to one side or some other disaster occurred. The Washington Post tested out various pizza parlors in the area to see which pizzas withstood the delivery process the best, and found seven that fared pretty well. Though the actual list applies mainly to those of us hanging out in the D.C. area, I'm wondering if there are any national chains notorious for delivering pizza that has fallen apart? And similarly, which service provides pizza that looks like it came straight from the oven?

For more on the Post's recent pizza kick, check out Ellen's recent post on The Washington Post in 60 seconds.

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