Archive for the 'Restaurant/Bar Reviews' Category

FLYING SAUCER LANDS IN AUSTIN!

Published by Josh on January 11, 2008 in Restaurant/Bar Reviews. 7 Comments

Very exciting news in Austin last night. No, we weren’t visited by little green men from outer space, but we did get a new swanky beer bar. The Flying Saucer was always one of the few places that I liked going to in Fort Worth when visiting friends. In the land of cheap American swill, I loved being able to step into another world of beer geekdom and order a pint of Old Peculiar.

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.

WHAT THE HELL IS VEGGIE QUE???

Published by Josh on December 5, 2007 in Restaurant/Bar Reviews. 3 Comments

The list of things that I love about Austin is nearly endless. Somewhere near the top of the list though is how easy this city makes it to be a vegetarian. Perfect example. New barbeque restaurant opens. I check it out for several reasons, one of which is that they’re also brewing their own beer and the other is that lots of people in my life appreciate good que.

The place is getting quite a bit of attention, so I pull up their fancy new website to check the menu. As I read through the various types of smoked meats available, I notice something I’ve never heard of. Veggie Que? We need to check this place out.

First let’s talk about the beer. I found out about Uncle Billy’s Brew & Que from an email from the Austin Zealots group of homebrewers. Turns out part of the reason for all of the hype surrounding this new restaurant from the founders of Austin Java, is that they managed to secure local celebrity brewmaster Brian Peters to man the kettles. Brian developed quite a cult following due to his involvement with The Bitter End and Live Oak Brewing. This was a smart move to bring him on board, as great beer can make up for average food. I was greeted by the bartender and informed him that I was there to try their sampler. Here’s the lineup.

From left to right we have the Back 40 Blonde Ale, Haystack Hefeweisen, Uncle Billy’s Organic Amber, Ax Handle Pale Ale, Uncle Billy’s IPA and the seasonal Black Sabbath.

Back 40: Blegh! Tastes like I’m out in the back 40 right now, chowin’ on same hay. Granted, this is not one of my favorite styles, but I’m not crazy about this version, at all. Very dry and little going on the flavor or aroma departments. Won’t be ordering this one again.

Haystack Hefeweisen: Now we’re talkin’. This is a one of my favorite styles, and I approve of this attempt. Plenty of banana and clove in the nose and the mouth. Also, an interesting subtle flavor of bubble gum on the finish, must be their yeast? Very interesting hefe and I see myself drinking more of these once it gets hot again.

Organic Amber: In the glass this beer looks just like Fat Tire. The taste is much more robust. Very nutty, nice malty finish. Nice creamy feel in the mouth, goes down easy.

Ax Handle PA: Is this a Sierra Nevada PA clone? Starting with the nose and traveling over the palate this beer screams Cascade hops. Citrusy start, evergreen finish with plenty of sweet malts to balance it out. Not an original beer, but quite good for sure.

IPA: Pretty standard American IPA. Menu says they used Simcoe and Ahtanum hops both in the boil and for dry hopping. Pleasant mix of big malts, followed by the bitter bite of hops. Nothing to write home about, but it’ll cure your hankerin’ for an IPA, as it did this night.

Black Sabbath seasonal: Whoa! There’s that bubble gum flavor again! I’m betting they used the same yeast for this one that they did for the hefe. Beautiful black color, creamy brown head. Earthy yeast aroma. Smoky malt flavor with coffee and chocolate undertones. Slight hop presence way in the background. This was the star of the evening for sure. This is what I wish Shiner’s black beer tasted like.

Just as I finished the sampler, Lady J arrived to join me for dinner. After being seated at a table, I scan the menu for the mysterious veggie que, check. It says I can get it as a sandwich, I like sandwiches, we’ll go with that. Our friendly server arrives to take our order and promptly informs me that they’re “out of veggie que”. I give him a blank stare as if to say “what do you mean? That’s the only reason this vegetarian came to this here bbq joint.” After some prodding we get him to admit that actually, the veggie que has been removed from the menu due to lack of interest. Shocker. Not the end of the world, there are plenty of homestyle sides to combine as a meal. I create a plate o’ starch out of mashed potatoes and mac n cheese, with a salad on the side. My wife ordered the baby back ribs.

The ribs looked pretty standard, not falling off the bone, but she says they were pretty good. My taters were pretty heavy on the salt, but still edible. The mac and cheese appeared to be made with “cheese product” rather than the real thing, and they had some nice crispy breadcrumbs that seemed to be used as a garnish rather than having been baked with the noodles. The salad was a salad, nothing fancy, but what one would expect at such an establishment.

All in all, this was a pleasant experience. The atmosphere was good with that rustic, chic barnyard feel to it. Servers were all very friendly and attentive. Most of the beers were above average, with one that was a touch under perfect. While the food was pretty meh, I have a tip for those wanting to check this place out. Go during happy hour and order some beers. Then mosey on over to the steaming chaffing dishes on the side of the bar and fix yourself some free soft tacos with brisket or chicken to soak up the brews. You’ll be glad you did.

Please, support your local brewpub.

Published by Josh on November 28, 2007 in PSA's and Restaurant/Bar Reviews. 6 Comments

Draught House

Still buzzed from an after-work trip to one of my favorite local pubs, I feel inspired to preach a little. Consider it a PSA. Deal with it.

I’m just sayin’, without places like The Draught House in beautiful Austin, Tx… being a beer geek would be a much more reclusive hobby. If I could only find beers like Bear Republic’s Racer 5 or Stone’s IPA at my local beer store, I’d never leave the house. I love browsing the aisles of any of my favorite beer stores and then enjoying the fruits of my labor at home, in my own glassware, on my own couch. But there’s still something really special about throwing back a few craft brews at your local pub.

Less than an hour ago, I enjoyed free pizza and the two beers mentioned above (on tap, mind you.) in what is arguably one of the coolest “neighborhood bars” in the country. When you pull into the parking lot at the Draught House, there will be people standing in the lot enjoying a beer discussing current events or the buggy javascript that they’re dealing with at their job (as was the topic next to me tonight). Inside, you may find free pizza, bratwurst or cheap house beers that they’ve made on site. There’s at least one dog, if not several, hanging out on the patio. Behind the bar is the best part though. There you’ll find 50 or so taps proudly displaying their respective brewery’s handle. This is one of the few times that I truly feel like that kid in the candy store. There are beers from everywhere from California all the way to Belgium. IPA’s, stouts, brown ales, seasonals, you name it.

Let’s face it, most of the beer drinking population is perfectly happy drinking watered down piss. The likes of Anheuser Busch have taken everything that’s fun and good about beer and stripped it all away. With their gargantuan maketing budgets, their front row seats at every major American sporting event and their shiny models they’ve somehow convinced most of the people that consider themselves “beer drinkers” that their products are acceptable. I say it’s time we start telling people otherwise.

Even tonight, at a place where you’d expect to find only craft beer drinkers I witnessed a couple of middle aged guys that came in and were immediately troubled by the selection behind the bar. They sort of looked at each other and then one of them sheepishly asks the friendly bartender “which one of these is going to be your lightest beer? We’d like two of them.” It was kinda like watching a couple of housewives shopping for a hammer drill. I could tell that they could see no reason why there would be so many damn choices up there. There’s supposed to be the token 2 or 3 name brands and their lighter counterparts along with that one tap of the dark stuff that only the aficionados drink. What in the holy hell could all of these other choices be?

I wish that I’d just taken a minute to stop by their table and suggest a couple of choices. They looked like nice enough guys. They probably would have appreciated the advice and it probably would have made them feel a bit more confident about branching out and trying some new beers. It would have given them something to brag to their other buddies on the golf course about, that Bellhaven’s Scottish Ale they were drinking the other night.

So, here’s my challenge to everyone, including myself. Let’s take every available opportunity to plant that seed and spark that curiosity in someone to explore the world of craft beers. I promise, you know at least one of these people right now. The ones who call themselves beer drinkers, but don’t like their beer to taste like beer. Take them under your wing and buy a few rounds at your favorite local brewpub. Or give the guy next door one of your homebrews and show him how easy it could be for him to make his favorite style of beer. You get the idea, let’s spread the word. We’ve got our work cut out for us. I mean, look at that hot chick in the magazine that’s going to like me if I’m carrying a six pack of Budweiser next time I’m at the beach.