So when I heard that one was opening in Austin at the new Triangle at 47th and Lamar, I was very pleased. I was one of the first ten people through the doors last night. Actually, I had to stand outside for about twenty minutes while the staff put the final finishing touches on the place. For those familiar with The Flying Saucer, you will feel right at home when you walk in. The same signature tap display filled with shiny copper pennies greets you with a very impressive selection of brews. The staff is very friendly and educated in all things beer. The menu, which changes seasonally, includes pairing suggestions with various meats and cheeses next to their malty matches. There are several nice leather couches and big cozy armchairs scattered around the back room where the plates are proudly displayed on the walls. It’s all there, including the servers in too short catholic schoolgirl skirts.
While I will always welcome a new establishment in town that promotes the consumption of good real beer, this place is still a little too polished for my taste when compared to the Draught House just down the street. The selection is fantastic. I love the way they are trying to elevate the art of beer to the same level that wine has enjoyed for years. I won’t lie, I even grew rather fond of the snappy leather sofa I claimed as my own while I enjoyed a glass of 90 Minute IPA. That said, it all feels a little too calculated to me. I’ll probably stick to the old wooden benches of the Draught House, or a rickety old table on the sloped floor at the Dog & Duck. I like the grouchy goth girl dressed in black that serves me my pint with a scowl at the Dog & Duck. My server last night, while very friendly and knowledgeable, looked like she might be solicting Johns on Congress after the Flying Saucer closed. I’d rather enjoy a game of darts or pool than stare blindly at one of three big screen TV’s. Call me strange, but that’s the way I feel.
thanks for the review! sounds like it’s worth checking out but I no longer feel the need to make immediate plans to go there.
We went yesterday afternoon and were a bit boggled by the “uniforms” the beer goddesses had to wear - mini skirt kilts and knee socks and cleavage revealing blouses? Ick. The male servers were in jeans or Dockers and T-shirts.
The beer selection is excellent, though. Sunday’s are $2.50 Texas pints, so we may check them out again and try some bar snacks. This place won’t supplant The Draught House, but if we’re thirsty before 5 on a weekday, we have somewhere else close by.
Yeah, I get conflicted feelings over those waitress outfits. Well, maybe conflicted isn’t the right word, but I’ll put this way: As a red-blooded male, I love ‘em. But as an ardent feminist … well, if the ladies said “We’re sick of these and refuse to wear them any more,” I’d support them. Nobody should have to feel like a clown on the job. I mean, unless they’re actually a professional clown.
`There are so many good homegrown Austin pubs, why visit a chain? Well, for one it is a Texas chain. Since I also happen to support HEB Central Market, Chuy’s, and other “chains” it would be a little hippocritical to pass this place by. I stopped at the Flying Saucer on Sunday to catch the Cowboy’s game with my family. The place does have that clean upscale chain feel, but somehow not as bad as say BJ’s brewpub in Sunset Valley. The beer selection was great! I couldn’t believe it when I spotted Racer 5 IPA from Bear Republic, a little brewpub from Healdsburg (near Napa Valley in California). Downed a couple of those followed by a wonderfully malty spotted hen for dessert. Definitely a place to go see a game, just enough TV’s to make it enjoyable but not over the top like a sports bar. That said, for a more intimate evening with friends or just a place to hang out, I’ll be found at Opals, Draught House, Dog and Duck, spider house, and other find local Austin pubs.
OK, OK- I’ve read all of your guys “hipper than Jesus, just give me a cold pint and a bad attitude” comments. Chain shmain…these guys rock, and compared to the Tilted Kilt or hooters the girls are simply overdressed…and they should have no reason to be embarrassed. My food was good, more than I can say for the other want-to-be tap houses…and the selection rocked with the brews. I don’t see what all the hub-bub is about…it was comfortable, the chick serving me knew 10 times as much about my beer as anyone at the Draght House, the tunes were fine and THERE WAS A PLACE TO SIT DOWN!!! yippee…thank GAWD this place has arrived!!!
Two things about the staff which do matter a lot at a beerpub are attitude and knowledge. Does it seem like the staff at FS has been trained appropriately? Do they seem to care and know enough about beer to make recommendations? To welcome comments?
To be honest, even as a red-blooded male, I care very little about how the server looks. But I do care a lot about how s/he approaches beer.
Respect beer!
Ale-X
I visited again over the weekend and the little cutie that waited on us knew her shit..I grilled her at every visit and thought I could stump her, which i eventually did, but she excused herself and came back with the right answer and did not try to pass some bad BS off on us. That said, the most impressive thing that this beer bar brings to the talbe is the bartenders all rinse every glass prior to serving. i watched as each of them took the time to power rinse on the back bar every pint glass prior to use. You just don’t find that here in the states much.