| The
Quest for the Holy Grain |  |
| Best
Beer Bars |
| Baltimore | Maryland | Pennsylvania | Washington, DC | Rocky Mountain Region | Alaska | Austria |Slovak Republic | New Orleans | North Carolina | Georgia
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What
makes a great beer bar? It is not necessarily the number of taps, although
it's
enjoyable to walk into an establishment and see a long array of these
long-necked sentinels patiently waiting to serve you. It's more that beer must
be a priority. The taps should be well cared for, and the beer should
always be fresh. The proprietor should have a definite philosophy
that the beer is important, and a plan about what drafts are being offered. It's
nice to always see several local breweries represented. Some of the draft
beers should change on a rotating basis. A good bottle selection is also
a plus...one that takes the beer drinker along different paths; not simply a rehashing
of the draft selections. Ask questions of the bartender...is he or she knowledgeable?
See what other customers are drinking. Their choices and attitudes will
often reveal what type of place you're in. To summarize, consider:
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| We are aware that there are more great beer bars than those listed here. It is the Questors' policy to visit each one before posting it on the site. If you know of others, please email at walter@beerquest1k.com Download this Notesheet for evaluating a Beer Bar, Brew Pub or Retailer. |
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Taco Mac Taco Mac is a cross between a decent beer bar and a McDonalds. Founded by two guys from Buffalo who know something about chicken wings, it's a family-friendly place with a big enough beer selection to keep at least the casual drinker happy. There's a bunch of Taco Macs - 26 in the metro Atlanta area and one in Chattanooga (sadly, there are none in Savannah ). I've dined and drank in several, including most recently the Woodstock Taco Mac in the northern Atlanta suburbs. Here you'll find plenty of trucker dads, soccer moms, and nine-year olds. The food is typical chain family stuff, and, yes, the wings are tasty. Beers change frequently; Woodstock Mac had 50 on tap and 437 in the bottle when I was there. That's about what you'd find in a decent beer store, but don't go there looking for, say, Lagunitas' latest Zappa release. Even so, with several hundred beers at each location (and a slightly different list at each) you'll enjoy filling your Passport Club card while the family downs affordable burgers and fries. And wings of course.
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Royal Mile Pub Just off the main drag of Georgia Avenue in Wheaton, MD, lies the Royal Mile Pub. Friendly and unpretentious, Royal Mile offers 10 taps and about 60 bottles of beer. Although they offer delicious and interesting Scottish food and other pub fare, they are very serious about the beer here. The selection is well-chosen to reflect the best in German, British, and Scottish beers, and American microbrews as well. The staff was friendly and helpful, and, very importantly, the beers were served in their correct glasses. Royal Mile is also a haven for lovers of single malt scotch, but that would be a topic for another website. |
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Flying Saucer Draft Emporium If you're going to be anywhere near Raleigh, NC, say Savannah or Baltimore, you have got to stop at the Flying Saucer. With beer, brats, and beer goddesses it scores the beer bar hat trick.
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Route 66 Microbrewery The Route 66 Microbrewery is, despite its name, a beer bar at the Albuquerque Airport. One must go through security to drink there, but it is a good place for beer geeks to fill in their beer lists as the bar serves ten local craft brews as well as ten of the other usual suspects. Selections from the Tractor Brewing Company seemed popular. |
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| BRASSERIE PUB AU BUREAU 21 PLACE ST LOUIS, Advertised as a pizza place, The Bureau is actually a rather nice place to drink just off the busy shopping district in Metz, France. The bar area is dark and richly appointed, with about 15 seats at the bar and other seats for about 20 more. The dining area seats about 40 with benches, booths, and alcoves, and there is more upstairs. But we are here for the beer. They have 13 Belgian and French beers on tap, as well as bout 50 more bottles, sorted by style on the menu. The prices are resaonable for this area.
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O'Carolan's Harp O'Carolan's Harp is an Irish bar in Metz, France. It is the first bar one comes to enroute to the busy shopping district a block away. The bar is darkly paneled and has small lights, with about 10 tables and a large bar that seats about 20. A larger dining area is in the back. They have nine beers on tap including Guinness and Kilkenny as well as several Belgians and about 30 bottled beers. Beware: The tax is 20%, thus a E3.00 beer costs E3.60. |
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Cooter Brown's Tavern New Orleans is an alcohol-besotted town with very few good beer places. One of them, however, is Cooter Brown's . The dingy tavern is adorned with caricatures of 1950's to 70's-vintage celebrities. Each caricature is 60% head and holds a beverage in a tiny hand. Tables for 2 are end-to-end across a sizeable beer hall area. The few booths are mirrored, the ceiling is tongue and groove and you'll find a juke box, an ATM, and a pool table. But there are two reasons to come to Cooter's... beer and oysters.There are over 40 drafts and hundreds of beers from almost three dozen countries. A pitcher of Coors light will run you $9 and Lindeman's Framboise Lambic will set you back $32. A dozen oysters will cost you $8.The tavern sets 200 yards from the Mississippi levee and if the levee breaks here NOLA will suffer its biggest beer setback to date.
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Brasserie FEDERAL Switzerland is unique among the German speaking countries in that the people are not particularly into beer. There is a dominant brewery in each of the geographic regions. Each brewery bottles their beer. Each bar and restaurant in that region has that one brand of beer, and usually only one tap at a time. The restaurant beer list will also have that brand in bottles, usually dunkel or weisse, and maybe a guest beer such as Heineken. The grocery usually has only the local beer. In areas that are near the regional boundaries, some of the bars will have the beer from the other region. |
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Plzenský dvor Plzensky Dvor is a beer bar on a side street near the busy shopping area. It is a long, narrow beer hall in the German tradition. The only English words they know are "Pilsner Urquell." Wait a minute! Is that English? Nevertheless, there are several other draft beers on their menu.
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Tschugamuga
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Plutzer Brau
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Bolay's Bierstube Bolay's is one of the 20 bars in the busy tourist area of Saarbrucken, Germany. Though referred to as a sports bar, it is a small and cozy place to drink. The bar seats about seven and there are about ten tables. They have four different taps, featuring draft beers from the Bruck brewery, as well as bottled Belgians. The proprietors went out of their way to make this Questor comfortable. |
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Solberfass'je Haxenhaus A small cafe in an area of small cafes, Solberfass'je is unique in that it has six taps, all of different styles and from different brewers as well as a selection of bottled beer. The ground floor seats about 25, although there is an upstairs as well as an outside area. The food looked good, but was kind of pricey. |
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Mommseneck
Am Potsdamer Platz Mommseneck
is located in the center of a bustling tourist district. They have abundant seating
outside in both the front and the rear, lots of seating in the barroom, a large
bar, and an upstairs, too. They have 12 local beers on tap and a beer list with
100 bottles. About 50 of these are German beers, about 25 are European beers,
and the rest from elsewhere. The service is what you would expect in a large popular
bar, and the prices reflect how far the beer has traveled to get there. It's a
nice place to enjoy beer with other tourists.
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Bavarian Beerhouse The
Bavarian Beerhouse
is a copy of a German style drinking establishment with about 30 picnic tables
set up for eating and drinking. The seven draft beers are all from Munich. When
I pointed this out to the waitress, she said every one that worked there was from
Munich. |
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The Dove The Dove has the smallest bar in Britain, maybe 4 feet across, with a service bar only slightly bigger, and two small rooms inside. Walk outside to the one-and-a-half patios, and enjoy a wonderful view of the Thames. They have six European beers and 4 Fuller's handpulls.
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From Foamee's Guide to Oxford: Gloucester
Arms Pub- The Goose is only a block from the tourist trail, but contains locals watching the telly and smoking. With 35 taps it seems like a real beer bar, until one realizes that they have the 6 European beers repeated a total of 5 times, plus 5 local handpulls. The guide book says
the Kings
Arms
is a good place to meet "professors and gays", so tourists abound. They
have 6 European beers and 5 handpulls in a comfortable setting. |
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Turf Tavern The
Turf has been in it's present location since the 1700's, with a "liquids
concern" on the site since the 1300's. It lies just outside the walls of
Oxford. Down a maze of alleyways, it's worth the trip. (See website)The
main bar room is rather small, but they have three levels of sitting rooms as
well as three separate patios that are heated when need be. They have 11 different
hand pulls on an agressive rotation. |  |
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Porterhouse Pub Porterhouse
is one of a chain of Irish pubs. This location, in a busy tourist area, is rather
new, and large for an Irish pub, but has lots of small rooms and cozy nooks. They
have ten of their own beers, all made in Dublin, at the Porterhouse Brewery. They
also feature about five guest hand pulls, and an enormous selection of bottled
beers. |
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Churchill Arms The Churchill Arms, a bar in
the Notting Hill area of London, is a classic bar very popular with the locals.
The many frosted windows let it be both light and dark inside due to the dark
paneling and many Churchill memorabelia. The full line of Fullers, with duplicates,
highlights the 19 taps. There is also a portrait gallery of American presidents,
and a butterfly collection. Children welcome in restaurant only. |
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| Sun
in Splendour Sun
in Splendour is a bar deep in the tourist area of Notting Hill. With throngs of
tourists, and probably some locals, the bar is crowded. With many windows, it's
brightly lit, and sofas, upholstered stools, and other comfy seats crowd the place.
The bar is standing room only. The prices on the food menu were quite reasonable,
but they don't serve food during what would be happy hour. They offer 13 taps
of European beer. |
| Portobello
Gold Portobello
Gold is an old and dark place in the high tourist area of Notting Hill. Several
couples were on the patio, but the inside was empty, although the classic interior
and 60's music were enticing.The bar has two halves, one with sofas and booths,
and the other with a harder edge...about 10 stools around the bar and permanent
stools situated around the peremiter. They have 9 European beers on tap plus two
hand pumps. The food menu prices are very high end. |  |
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| Heroes
Pub A beer bar in a firefighters-themed sports bar...can't wait to see this, says I. What a surprise! 48 taps, neighborhood atmosphere, and a friendly staff all made the visit a pleasure. The taps presented indeed a colorful array, and featured many regional micros along with 14 or so imports. Heroes
is a lively place. The interior is spacious, and includes a very long bar and
dartboards. Carie, our barmaid, was knowledgeable about the beers, and could not
have been more helpful. We consumed 4 drafts, all of which were fresh and well-cared
for. Include Heroes in Annapolis on your list of great beer bars with one of the
largest draft selections in the state.
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Old Stein Inn 410-798-6807 How far do you have to go to find a cozy little German bar and restaurant, featuring 10 taps with imported German drafts and authentic German cuisine? That all depends on how far you live from Edgewater, MD. Located roadhouse-style right on Central Avenue in this small
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| maritime suburb, Old Stein Inn is about 15 minutes south of Annapolis. The drafts come in either .3 or .5 liters, and if one of these doesn't suit you, they have about 25 German bottles.The bartenders, in this case, Dathan and Lee, went out of their way to be friendly and informative, as did Mike, the owner. The clientele knows their beer...that's why they come here. There is also a Biergarten for warmer weather. |  |
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Galway Bay 63
Maryland Avenue Galway
Bay is a great little pub adjoing a fine Irish restaurant. Slightly off the
main tourist path, Galway Bay offers about 12 well-cared for taps and as many
bottles. The bartenders are friendly and know their craft, especially Hoss and
Dave. The crowd seems mostly a mix of professionals,both tourists and locals.
They sometimes have acoustic music, but no raw oysters. If you're in Annapolis
ask for directions...it's a short and very nice walk from the Main Street corridor,
and you get to see the Governor's Mansion and the State House. |
Baltimore Area
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| Victoria Gastro Pub
8201 Snowden River Parkway A gastropub is a public house serving food that is a step above your average pub fare. This would be true of Victoria. Of course, we were there for the beer. Victoria offers 24 taps, which seem to be carefully selected and cared for. Additionally, they have about 100 bottled beers. The staff was helpful with suggestions and explanations. The drafts were expensive, but big, and the food that we ordered was very tasty. So if you've never visited a gastro pub, Victoria would be a great one with which to start. |
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Muggsy's Mug House For those of us still mourning the closing of Sean Bolan's, Muggsy's Mug House has arrived on the beer scene. Occupying the same location in Federal Hill as did Bolan's, Muggsy's offers 18 taps and about 40 bottles for your enjoyment. Danny, the proprietor, promises the arrival of Belgians, firkins, and other sudsy selections, that will attract appreciators of great beer. Muggsy's features a Mugg Club, the parameters of which you can peruse on their website. A stop at Muggsy's is imperative on your next visit to Federal Hill. |
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Judge's Bench If you haven't checked out the Judge's Bench in Old Ellicott City lately, it's time to do so. Mike, the new owner, has a vision of making this a "local pub version of beer drinkers' Nirvina." He is well on his way. The 17 taps are carefully chosen and the beer seems very well cared for. The chef creates some great dishes, and there is live music every night. Judge's Bench is one more reason to visit Ellicott City. |
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Metropolitan Coffeehouse & Wine Bar Located in Federal Hill, the Metro is a wine bar that takes beer very seriously. With 6 taps downstairs and six taps upstairs (when open), the Metro offers an excellent selection of microbrews, Belgians, and other imports. The taps are well-chosen and seem to be well cared for, and the menu also offers about 50 bottles. |
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Bertha's Bertha's
is a great bar, pure Baltimore, and classic Fells Point. They have a tap selection
of about 10 good ones, and several bottles. They don't bother trying to be a great
beer bar as such, but there are always a few good locals and the well-rounded
selection is always fresh. Bertha's is world-famous for mussels, and you'll see
their bumper stickers all over the country. Great bar food, and an adjoining restaurant
that is famous for it's fine food round out the Bertha's experience...oh yes...they
have the most awesome urinal in the city. |  |
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Frisco Grille & Cantina
The
Frisco Grille
& Cantina (nee Frisco Burritos) is
Columbia's pre-eminent beer bar. Proprietor Adam Carton added a state-of-the-art
20-tap system, and is the process of welcoming many of the area's beer afficinados,
who have been wandering aimlessly since the closing of The Last Chance Saloon
years ago. Almost all of the 20 taps rotate, featuring imports and
micros with emphasis on locals. If what you thirst for is not on tap, check out
the array of 65 available bottles. The food is great, and the staff very friendly
and helpful. |
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Grand Cru Grand
Cru is not a beer bar; it's a wine bar that's a great beer venue, and
therefore merits inclusion here. Just look at their 6 taps, and you will see that
they have been thoughtfully chosen. Just sample one, such as a Bitburger Pils
or a Belgian, and you will agree that they are meticulously cared for. In the
cooler, the Questor will find about a dozen 750-ml bottles of hard-to-find brews,
and maybe six 12-oz. bottles of the same. The selection leans toward Belgians. |  |
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| Ale Mary's 1939
Fleet Street Opened
in March, 2005, Ale Mary's
was a beer bar from its inception. Bill and Tom Rivers(right)and wife Mary, offer
Guinness and five well-selected micros on tap, augmented with a generous list
of about 35 bottles. The food is excellent. Located on the cusp of Canton and
the fringe of Fells Point, a stop at Ale Mary's is a mandate on your next brew-hunting
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No Idea Tavern No Idea is a friendly neighborhood watering hole with 4 taps and about 20 or so bottles. There is pool, shuffleboard, and other games, as well as lots of unbelievable beer specials. Regular drafts come in big 20 oz. glasses. It's fun and you'll want to return. |  |  |
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Phoenix
Emporium
For a nice selection of bottled beers with a modest rotation rate consider the
Phoenix Emporium in Historic Ellicott City. The proprietors have also started
a "100 Beer Club" whereby a client can earn recognition and prizes by
consuming 100 different bottled beers. No time limit. |
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Max's on Broadway Max's (MOB) is a steady fixture in Historic Fells Point on the corner of Broadway and Lancaster Street. With about 68 different drafts, and hundreds of bottles, Max's claims the largest draft beer selection in Maryland. The taps are generally well-cared for too. The crowd? Young. Want to escape? Walk upstairs to the Mobtown Lounge. A laid-back cigar-friendly atmosphere with numerous taps and bottles. |
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Mahaffey's was voted Baltimore's Best Local Pub in Jan. '05 |
2706 Dillon St Wayne Mahaffey set out to run the best beer bar in Canton, and most patrons would agree that he has succeeded. With 9 taps, a hand engine, and numerous bottles, Wayne not only provides variety, but different and ever-changing variety. He moves unusual kegs through the establishment with astonishing rapidity and regularity. Most of the taps rotate. There is a 100-Beer Club, a Mug Club, and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable about the beer. Food specials draw large crowds on many evenings. |
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The Wharf Rat at Fells Point 801 S. Ann Street The Wharf Rat
is a bar with true character, embodied in its nautical memorabilia of Old Baltimore.
Serves about a dozen of its excellent Oliver's Beers and has about 6 guest taps.
If that's not enough, they can come up with about 30 different bottled beers.
Two hand engines. The beer is superior. Good jukebox, decent food, and a men's
room you won't forget. Raw oysters the size of Big Macs. The Oliver's beers are brewed at the Wharf
Rat's Harborplace Brewpub which ain't a bad place to visit either. |
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Many Americans are in need of counseling as to how the leek should be worn on St. David's Day. | The Wharf Rat is a superb bar with excellent ales, but, as the staff told us, "We're a bar...not a restaurant." On a busy night you may want to inquire before you order a snack as to how long the wait might be. This could prevent exasperation on both sides of the bar. |
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South Charles Street
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Ropewalk Tavern 1209
S. Charles St.
Ropewalk Tavern has come a long way from the days when it was a one-room saloon. It now boasts numerous rooms, multi-levels, and more bars than I can sit at. Ropewalk offers a chance for customers to earn their Masters of Beer Appreciation, and brass plaques on the wall list those who have taken advantage. If you leave your cigars at home, you can buy some there. With 17 taps and 155 bottles, Ropewalk is a great beer bar as well as one of Federal Hill's liveliest night spots. The eclectic decor sports pool tables, murals, and statues of sailors, Indians, and republicans. The food is good, and the owners and staff will make you feel at home. |
Manager Linda laughs it up with a regular |
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An eclectic decor |
Many of the artifacts are of historic Baltimore significance |
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John Steven, Ltd. 1800
Thames St. John Steven Ltd. is so renowned for being a fine bar & restaurant, it may get overlooked for being a great beer bar. Don't make this error! With about 14 taps leaning toward local products, and maybe 25 bottles, John Steven is definitely a great place to go for a beer. And the food is great, too.
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Growler's Pub Fleet
St.& Potomac 410-276-7553 When John Bates left Racers to open his own bar, he brought with him the desire to provide a diverse and delicious variety of beers. He has done so. With 10 well-cared for taps and about 30 bottles, Growler's is a friendly neighborhood pub, that makes it well-worth venturing a few blocks North of Canton's square.
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Marty behind the bar at Growler's |
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John the Proprietor |
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Look for the understated storefront...its easy to miss but well worth finding. |
Racers Cafe Racers may have been Baltimore's first true beer bar. About 15 years ago they made the decision to eliminate all pedestrian bottles and serve good beer at reasonable prices. Taps rotate quickly, selection is diverse, and they have a 3-for-$5 special all the time. Beers are ordered by number. (see chalkboard below) Draft beers are micros and imports and they now have a selection of Belgian ales in bottles. Racers is unpretentious and substantial, like the neighborhood it resides in. The people are friendly. There are barrels of free peanuts and pretzels, and from time to time, Racers hosts a beer tasting or brewfest.
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Duda's
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Duda's Tavern 1600
Thames St. Fells Point A true neighborhood establishment, Duda's is nothing if it's not unpretentious. It's a super beer bar without even trying to be. Duda's has 16 taps featuring several locals, and about 70 bottles, including a number of specialty beers. The emphasis seems to be on their fine food, especially the hamburgers and seafood, but the staff is wise to the beer, too. Free pretzels with mustard...I also like the chalkboard listing draft beers with ABV's. |
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The Owl Bar One
East Chase Street |
The Owl Bar What do William Howard Taft, Chaing Kai-Shek, Cab Calloway, and Henry Fonda have in common? They've all been to the Owl Bar. You won't see it advertised...you have to know it's in the back of the lobby of the historic Belvedere Hotel. As a speakeasy during prohibition, the two owls over the bar served to warn patrons when it was safe to drink. The Owl Bar has about 18 taps, leaning toward regional brews, and another 12 or so bottles. It may not be your quintessential beer bar...possibly they would need a few more bottles, and a staff that's really into the beer, but its a darn good bar with plenty of interesting choices. While leaving, ride up to the 13th floor just to get a gargoyle's-eye view of Baltimore. Still thirsty? The Brewer's Art is just across Charles St. |
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The Dog Bar 410-727-6077 If you are looking for one of the most fun and friendly beer bars in Baltimore, look no farther than Thirsty Dog. Thirsty Dog has about 12 beers on tap, plus one seasonal. Fresh beer has always been a hallmark of Thirsty Dog, as founded by Steve Osmond, and now they make their own beer in Westminster. There should be a draft here to satisfy the taste of any beer drinker. If not, several bottles are available. The staff is always knowledgeable, helpful, and gregarious; and often very busy. The bar is dog-friendly, the pizza is excellent and diverse, and then there is the Dog Deal...all the drafts are 2-for-$3...all the time. |  |
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| Fins
Fish House & Raw Bar Fins is an outstanding seafood place that happens to have a great beer selection...something that is hard to find on the Eastern Shore. If raw oysters are your thing, Fins has 6 varieties...yes, you can get a sampler. Our bartender Jamie was eager to explain all about Fins' philosophy, as well as about the seafood and the beer. They have 8 drafts, 3 of which rotate, and upon our visit that included Paulaner Hefeweizen and Unibrou Ephemere. They also had about 25 bottles. If you, like us, have long considered the Eastern Shore a beer wasteland, visit the town of Rehobeth. |  |
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Beneluxx Tasting Room Beneluxx Tasting Room is an extension of Eulogy Belgian Tavern, which lies only about two blocks east. Beneluxx boasts the most Trappist ales on tap anywhere in the world. Their total taps number about 35, with about 50 brands in bottles. The innovative twist is that the drafts can be purchased by the glass, or by a sample of several ounces, arriving either in a small snifter or Ehrlenmeyer flask. Beneluxx also excels in pairing cheeses and beers. Never has a Two-Hearted IPA tasted so good as it did with a farmhouse cheddar. The staff was more than attentive, and glad to make suggestions or offer explanations. In a town full of Belgians, this has to be one of the best venues in which to taste them. |
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Irish Pole The name did not appear anywhere on the outside. It used to be known as Yeager's and St. Jack's. But it was the sign for 40 taps that drew us in, and Irish Pole was as good as advertised. The 40 drafts ranged from Pabst Blue Ribbon to Blanche de Bruxelles, and Jason, the barkeep, was helpful with the choices. The place seemed authentic and local, from the ancient wood floors to the copper-top bar. Irish Pole features a happy hour 7 days a week, with all drafts $2.00 at the appropriate times. If you're in this neighborhood which is great for bar-hopping, Irish Pole is a necessary stop. |
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Memphis Taproom Located at the corner of Memphis and Cumberland Streets in a neighborhood referred to as Fishington, the Memphis Taproom is a stellar destination for great beer and fine food. Good word spreads fast. Several hours before our visit, the Chesapeake Chapter of the Society for the Preservation of Beers in the Wood (SPBW) stopped by on their bus tour in search of fine cask ales. They were not disappointed. Memphis offers 11 taps and about 45 bottles, and the choices are diligently thought out. They cover all the bases, including the best of the various brewing styles. Brendan the proprietor and his staff were helpful in explaining beer choices and general philosophy. I shall return. |
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Johnny Brenda's It doesn't look like much from the outside, but Johnny Brenda's has real neighborhood character. From the linoleum floor up to the tin ceiling, Brenda's appears to be a local hangout and popular music venue. And being a partner of Standard Tap in nearby Northern Liberties, it is a great tavern for beer. Brenda's offers 14 taps...all regionals...no bottles. It was a quiet and friendly hangout on a Saturday afternoon, but we were warned that it would be mobbed later. Johnny Brenda's is certainly worth a stop on the Questor's itinerary. |
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Union Jack's Inn on the Manatawny Nestled in a quaint Pennsylvania valley a little ways east of Reading,, this hidden treasure boasts about 15 rotating beers on tap and at least 200 bottles to choose from. Enjoy a summer evening on the 3-level patio or a night in the English- style bar. During summer months at Union Jack's, an additional patio bar is open that offers 6 beers on tap that are different from the inside bar. Great beer selection and atmosphere. Only downside is they do not accept credit cards.
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Ugly Oyster In the heart of downtown Reading , Ugly Oyster is a true English Pub. Constructed in England, it was dismantled, transported to Reading and then reassembled. The bar has a Celtic atmosphere and knowledgeable bartenders to help you make your beer selection. With about 10 beers on tap and 100+ bottles the Ugly Oyster is a great place to visit.
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Devil's Den Devil's Den sits on 11th street, just below Washington Avenue in South Philly, another cog in the burgeoning beer scene in this area. Everything in the Den looks new and clean, yet the place has a genuine neighborhood aura. The long mahogany bar seats about 20, and there are several dining areas with numerous tables. The 16 taps are brimming with diversity, offering Belgians, Germans, and micros. A thirsty Questor can also choose from about 130 bottles. Erin, the proprietor, explained how she had just tapped her first firkin and was considering making this a regular activity. Although our visit was on a Saturday morning, Devil's Den would be a great place to hang out any evening, and on a return trip we will do just that.
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Capone's Located in an extremely beer-friendly region, Capone's is a beer Mecca by any standard. The tavern's long bar offers 16 taps comprised of local microbrews and imports. Clients who are unsure may order a sampler, and if you are enamored of one particular brew, you can fill your growler. The restaurant scores five stars, but that's not the best part for a Questor...adjoining the restaurant is a small beer store stocking over 650 hard-to-find brews; you can carry them out or order them from the bar. Proprietor Matt Capone was accomodating and glad to offer samples from the taps for those unsure of what to order. Any trip to the West Philly suburbs should include a stop at Capone's. |
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The Flying Pig Saloon The Flying Pig lies in quaint little Malvern, a few minutes south of Lancaster Pike. It has small town atmosphere with a big beer selection. 23 taps are offered, along with about 250 bottles. This array is augmented with about 15 different bottle-conditioned brews. The bar is horseshoe-shaped and copper-topped and contains about 15 stools. The place also provides about 15-20 tables. Staff were amiable, helpful, and generous, and the place was hopping on a Saturday night. The Flying Pig is a can't-miss attraction in this beer-friendly region.
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T. J.'s Restaurant & Drinkery ...or T. J.'s Everyday as it seems to be affectionately called is a friendly, neighborhood beer bar in a region that knows how to frequent such establishments. Located in a strip center just off of Lancaster Avenue, T. J.'s offers 25 taps of well-selected rotating beers and about 200 bottles. The drafts are clearly presented on a chalk board along with the prices. The staff was friendly and knew their products, and were quick to provide samples. The bar patrons were welcoming to strangers, and were eager to tell of other beer bars in the region. There were many bottles, large and small, that were offered for sale to go. T. J.'s seems to always have something going on, as a trip to their website will illustrate. |
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The Drafting Room The Drafting Room is a beer bar in a run-down srtip mall near Exton, PA, that specializes in local beers. They have about 15 taps of beers from local brewpubs as well as over 100 different bottles on the menu, sorted by style. Everything served is available to go. The pub grub on the menu seemed reasonably priced. The bar itself is quite small and the bar area only has about six tables, but there are several other dining areas. |
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The Belgian Cafe The Belgian Cafe in the Fairmount neighborhood is an offshoot of Monk's, which means there is going to be lots of good beer, slanted heavily to Belgian. Hence the name. Belgian Cafe offers 12 taps and about 250 bottles of micros and imports. Naturally, the selection is diverse, and the barkeep was extremely helpful in aiding with our selections. The bar is dark, and the dining area brighter, being festooned with nudes. Food was good and prices were reasonable. |
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Race Street Cafe On the north edge of Old City, in the shadow of the Ben Franklin bridge, can be found Race St. Cafe. It's small, with exposed brick and wood beams, and an L-shaped bar offering 12 well-chosen taps. |
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The Canal Street Pub is situated in an old factory, and combines an unusual atmosphere with great food and beer. The 12-14 taps are well-chosen and well-cared for, combining craft brews, locals, and imports. The styles cover the spectrum. 50-60 bottles are also offered. Our bartender and waitress were friendly and knew their craft. Canal Street hosts brewfests and live music, and is located on top of Reading's Legacy Brewing Company.
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Cobblestone's Cobblestone's is the only beer bar in York...and it's a great place to visit. It's a huge venue in an old Knights of Columbus hall, so there is plenty of space for electronic games, TV's, poker games, a huge bar, and about 63 different draft beers. Needless to say, the selection is diverse, and food and beverage manager Lucas told us that the taps are well-cared for, and that about half of the taps rotate. They have a compact little beer book telling what's on tap, and what beers are coming up . They also fill growlers. |
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The Abbaye |
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Grace Tavern South of Center City and not far from the Schuylkill River , Grace Tavern is a neighborhood establishment that offers good beer. There were 10 taps, and maybe another 30 in the “Bevador.” Leo, our bartender, server, and host was humorous, professional, and able to perform many jobs on a Saturday night with nary a misstep. |
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South Philadelphia Taproom Located in a residential neighborhood in South Philly, SPTR was a pleasant surprise. They have 10 taps, most of which rotate and about 80 different bottles. The taps are locally flavored. Patrons like Pedro were friendly and anxious to help with the Quest. Tom & English Dave, our bartenders, were friendly, knowledgeable, and generous with the samples. SPTR is off the tourist track yet not that hard to find. Do so.
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McGillin's
Old Ale House Large, bustling, and friendly, McGillin's is Philly's oldest bar, having been in operation since 1860. Luminaries, from Tennessee Williams to Robin Williams, have passed through their portals, and for the same reason...to quench their thirst. And this is quite easy to do at McGillin's. They feature 23 taps with many local beers and ales, kept fresh in a state-of-the-art tap system. The place was jumping on a Wednesday night, but Chuck and Kate took the time to explain to this Questor the story of McGillin's. Their hospitality suggests a return trip, and more time spent at McGillin's Old Ale House. |
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| The
Grey Lodge Pub "We are not the typical Northeast Philly bar, but then again we aren't the typical anything." This
according to Scoats, (far right) the genius behind The Grey Lodge Pub. Grey Lodge
is an unassuming neighborhood establishment that has been declared one of the
top 50 beer bars in the U.S. They have 10 taps with a local flavor, which constantly
rotate. About 40 different bottles for those who aren't in the mood for a draft.
We found the crowd extremely friendly and Scoats and his staff very helpful. When
you go, make sure to check out the bathrooms...both of them! The hand-crafted
mosaic tilework, illuminating many famous beer quotes, is alone worth the drive
to Northeast Philly.
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| Dawson
Street Pub Dawson Street Pub is up the hill and across the tracks from Manayunk's artsy Main Street. They offer 10 draft beers, three of which are pumped through hand engines. There is also an extensive, well-chosen selection of about 85 bottles to choose from. It is a very unpretentious neighborhood bar that nevertheless draws beer lovers both local and from afar. Dawson Street features a lounge, patio, pool table, and live music. The next time you are in Manayunk, depart the hubub of Main Street and ask for good directions to the Dawson Street Pub. |
| McGrath's
Pub Located
near Restaurant Row, McGrath's is much more than an Irish Bar...it is no doubt
Harrisburg's best beer bar and a must stop for any Questor in the Keystone State's
Capital City. It boasts 20 carefully selected, well-chosen taps. Many rotate,
and included hard-to-find Stone IPA and an ale from Middle Ages. They also offer
a selection of 80 bottles to a friendly, eclectic crowd. Beer Manager Adam was
happy to talk about the trade, and cheerfully proffered samples. |  |
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Brewhouse Grille If
you set out to find this place, be prepared to stop for directions...especially
if you use MapQuest. It helps if you know it used to be called "The Iron
Kettle." |
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| Zeno's Pub 100
W. College Avenue 814-237-4350 Zeno's bills themselves as "State College's Best Pub" and this is no idle boast. With 29 taps, and nigh on to 200 bottles, Zeno's offers a beer selection that is well-planned and well-managed. Drafts include Germans, Belgians, Canadians, micros, and 1 hand engine. The bartender knew his beer. In a college town it must be a temptation to pump out the Miller Lites and Silver Bullets, but Zeno's crowd knows where to go for good beer and a comfortable atmosphere. Regulars can gain fame in the Beer Club, and if you don't feel like sitting, there's darts and pool. Yes, I'm thinking of going back to college. There's so much to learn. |  |
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Cooper's
Seafood House (570) 346-6883 Cooper's is an upscale seafood restaurant in Scranton with excellent taste in beer. Cooper's offers 36 taps and maybe 175 bottles...our sources say even more. Any of the bottles shown above can be consumed on or off premises. They offer a Passport beer Club, tastings, and other special events. Their website also features a very useful beer guide. So if you're ever in Scranton, or on your way to Syracuse... |
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| In Philadelphia, indeed, on the East Coast, when beer drinkers are talking of Belgian beers, the name Monk's will always surface. Monk's offers an incredible selection of beers from the world's breweries, with emphasis on the Belgians. |
16th
& Spruce Streets Philadelphia, PA |
 | The front bar offers 6 taps, and the back bar another 17 or so. Most are strong, flavorful, and distinct; nothing is run-of-the-mill. The staff are resourceful in aiding the guest in choosing the brew that he or she should enjoy. Try it if you are in town. |
| Standard
Tap Standard Tap, located in the Northern Liberties neighborhood, has done what I wish more bars had the fortitude to do...serve all local drafts all the time. No imports, no macros, no bottles. It works. ST has about 12 taps which may include products from such regional brewers as Yards, Victory, Flying Fish, Dogfish Head, Stoudt's, Troeg's, and others. The beer is fresh and the staff knows what they are about. The locale is out of the tourist mainstream, but the neighborhood has other neat bars close by. Don't miss it. |
Standard Tap in Northern Liberties |
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The Khyber 56 S. Second St, Philadelphia Probably better known for their live music than their beers, the Khyber nevertheless offers a selection of 12 local microbrews and presents about 30 or so bottles. These selections seem well-thought out, and the drafts well-cared for, making this rock venue a legitimate Beer Bar. Crowd is eclectic, funk-grunge, and seem to know their music as well as their brews. |
| Eulogy Belgian Tavern 136
Chestnut Street Philadelphia has a few great Belgian pubs, and this is certainly one of them. Located three blocks from the Liberty Bell, and near the waterfront, Eulogy is a beer-lovers mecca, featuring about 18 taps, mostly Belgian. Augmenting this auspicious array are over 200 bottles from all over the world. Chris, our server, was extremely helpful. Upstairs features another more intimate bar and dining area. Ask to see the beer menu...you'll never get through it all.
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304
Poplar Street
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| You probably won't just happen to be in Hanover, PA. You have to go out of your way to get there. The best reason to do this would be to visit KClinger's Tavern. With 39 taps and over 600 bottles, KClinger's is one of the premier beer bars in the East. They serve well-cared for micros and imports, with nary a macro or light. The atmosphere is warm and the crowd is friendly...and they know their beer. That's why they are there.
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Washington, D.C. Area
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Olney Ale House 2000 Olney-Sandy
Spring Rd., Olney, MD 20832 About 45 minutes from Baltimore, the Olney Ale House used to be a rural roadhouse. Although the suburbs have infringed upon the pastoral setting, a more knowledgeable and affluent spirits crowd may have allowed the Ale House to become Montgomery County's best beer bar. They feature 21 taps, several of which rotate, and maybe 100 different bottles. The selection was diverse with micros, macros, Belgians, & other imports readily being dispensed. Warsteiner is a favorite here. The bartender was affable and knew his trade, and willing to provide samples. It's still a beautiful drive through the country to get there, and the beer makes it all the more worthwhile. |  |
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D.A.'s Regional Food and Drink Hundreds
of beers (mostly bottles) from scores of countries, right across the street from
the Metro, in MCI country. With Washington's largest tap selection, RFD boasts
30 taps up front and 10 more in the back. Plus about 300 different bottles. Go
'round the world without leaving your seat. Selections include lagers, ales, hefeweizens,
Belgians, and various other imports and micros. If you're a dedicated beer enthusiast,
you may want to ask proprietor Dave Alexander if he has anything special planned,
such as tastings or slams. RFD is a super beer bar in an exciting beer neighborhood. |
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Quarry House
Tavern 8401
Georgia Avenue Quarry
House, established just after the repeal of Prohibition, has been called "a
German beer garden in a basement." One of the few beer bars in a wide area,
QH offers a well-chosen 9 taps and maybe 100 bottles. Look carefully, its hard
to find, under an Asian restaurant. |  |
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Cafe Berlin 322 Massachusetts
Avenue, NE For good German drafts served in the proper glass, try Cafe Berlin on Capitol Hill. The setting is European, the staff is authentically German, and although the owners think of the establishement as |
a restaurant, this is DC's best sidewalk Biergarten. You can sit facing the tanning salon next door and maybe get lucky. They will always have several German imports on tap, such as Bitburger, Kostritzer, and a hefeweizen. The food is excellent and also German. The clientele is upscale, eclectic, and predominantly alternative. Don't miss the asparagus festival in the spring. |
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Fire Works Pizza You wouldn't know it from the moniker, but Fire Works Pizza has one great selection of beers. There is table seating inside or out for families, and ample room at the bar for beer drinking. There are 8 taps, including Belgians, Californians, and other craft brews...no macros. There are also about 50 bottles, making for a well-rounded selection. The bartender was very helpful and samples were cheerfully proffered. Come for the pizza and stay for the beer. |
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Rustico Rustico is a restaurant in a new red brick section of Alexandria with plenty of parking. Although it is darkly paneled, the decor is modern and comfortable. The food is yuppy bar food, not cheap, but large portions. The 30 taps are quite esoteric, with nearly every style represented. Only a few beers were local. There are also about 280 bottled beers, which can be sold to go. Our bartender was passionate about the beer and quite knowledgeable. |
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Tuscarora Mill Tuskie's is a spacious bar that resides in a restored grain mill along with an upscale restaurant in historic Leesburg, VA. Being famous for its beer, Tuskie's draws in a crowd both from Leesburg and neighboring towns. And beer it is all about! Along with the 21 drafts can be found about 40 bottles, and the vast majority of both rotate. The drafts are carefully selected and cared for, and the selection is constantly changing. Dave, the barman, was more than willing to provide samples and answer questions about the beer and events, such as the beer dinners that occur monthly. |  |
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| McClafferty's
Irish Pub A pretty
nice beer bar just across the street from West Va. Brewing Company, McClafferty's
boasts 15 taps, which is pretty darn good for West Virginia. Barkeep and customers
were friendly. Locals spoke highly of it. |
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Black Bear 132
Pleasant St. 304-296-8696 A very good beer selection for West Virginia; six drafts and a wide variety of bottles. It's a fun place and a friendly place, and if you like burritos, you can't miss it. If you don't, then go for the beer. |  |
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123
Pleasant St. As you can see from the chalkboard, 123 qualifies as a beer bar on attitude alone. The crowd is young, clad mostly in black, and although Carling Black Label seems to be the drink of choice, 123 offers a Rogue Dead Guy tap and a selection of 30 good bottles. You won't find much better in WV. 6.0% seems to be the state limit on ABV. It's a rock venue with lots of energy and a lively place to drink good beers. |
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| The Purple Fiddle 21 East Ave. Davis,WV
Located in an historic building, The Purple Fiddle is a country-funk amalgamation of restaurant, mountain market, and blue grass emporium...and yes, it just happens to be a great stop for good beers. Two of the Fiddle's three taps are local, and it's 50 or so bottles allow it to claim the largest beer selection in West Virginia
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| Ale
House 'The Beer Joint of Your Dreams' The Ale
House is a small bar in a small strip mall amongst auto dealerships near the
University at Binghamton. There are 12 stools at the bar and 10 small tables.
A fiery grill is next to the liquor display. They have 36 taps, and no macros.
But they have near-macros such as Blue Moon, Guinness, Harp, and LaBatt's. Almost
all the rest are regionals. They have several Blue Point, as well as several Cooperstown,
Ottercreek and Brooklyn. The ladies tending the bar were pretty friendly, somehow
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The Raven Pub The
Raven offers 24 drafts and depending on the season, about 70 bottles. One customer
described the bar as, " a friendly University crowd with a big beer selection
and rock n roll jukebox." Chris, the proprietor, takes suggestions from his
beer-loving clientele. "When people request something, I try to pick it up."
Or, as one customer put it, "The dude abides."
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| Clark's
Ale House Clark's
has about 21 beers on a nice rotation; when a keg is done, something different
replaces it. Middle Ages pours through a hand engine. Clark's is popular also
for their half-gallon milk containers that they fill with beer to go...popular
for parades and other outdoor events. They have no TV, jukebox, or electronic
games, there is nothing to do except drink beer with your friends. A cask or two
will be on tap, and there's always that roast beef sandwich. Clark's has been
called a "beer bar set in a lunch counter." It has also been declared
that bars like Clark's make Syracuse a great, if underrated, beer town. |  |
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165
Walton St. One
of the area's biggest beer selections, Blue Tusk offers about 65 drafts, most
of which are served in 20-oz. imperial pints...23-oz. on Monday and Tuesday! For
a complete run-down of the brews, visit the website. This lively
establishment can get crowded, especially in the winter, so get there early.
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| Keith
Street Pub & Grille This bar, in the small town of Clemson, is a beer drinker's paradise. Brightly lit and fairly large, it's a pleasant place to drink. An eclectic variety of world-wide beers is offered on their twelve taps. Drinking all of those and their 90 different bottles gets your name engraved on their Beer Club. The manager and bar staff are knowledgeable and care about their beers.
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Fiddler's Elbow 1061
E 2100 S Sugarhouse Fiddler's Elbow may be hard to find, but go for it. In an alley, sided with corrugated metal, Fiddler's is much more impressive inside than out. Well, maybe because the beer is inside. This is the best beer bar in Salt Lake. 32 beers on tap, and a bartender who was friendly and glad to answer our questions about beer and Utah. I had a Bohemian Czech Pils, but better was the Moab Scorpion Pale Ale. I wish I could go back today.
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Walter finally locates Fiddler's Elbow.
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| Gold
Dust Lounge 247 Powell St San Francisco, CA 94102 (415) 397-1695
I steered some friends to the Gold Dust and said. “let’s go in here.” A semi-respectable native woman of some vintage turned without prompting and said, “We call it the toilet.” It has the best beer selection in the Union Square area. Ten great European taps and a good selection of bottles make this a must stop for a Questor in gaytown.
It was decorated by a whore with no taste at all...red velvet furniture, couches, and booths; nude paintings, cherubs on the ceiling and a clientele that is ready to go. Entertaining bartenders who ignite lemon rinds and fling bottle caps 90 mph make this a must stop. Everybody needs to use the toilet sooner or later.
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| Lefty O'Doul's
San Francisco sports photos and a dinner buffet overshadow the beer and miserable décor of this establishment. Dark and dingy with a piano surrounded by stools you can find Big Daddy, Fat Tire, Bitburger, Guinness and many other tasty beers struggling to outsell the Bud trio.
The barmaids are foreign - the bartenders could be gay, but who is definitely not in San Francisco? You might find a beer you’ve never seen here; we’re told the taps rotate somewhat. Come on in an argue Lefty vs. Barry. No contest.
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| Czech please! The best selection of Czech beers in all of Davis is found in this Slavic treasure on G street. Good drafts in third, half and full liters for sale with a selection of some harder- to-come-by bottled beers from the Czech Republic. Good soups and desserts made by a goddess, for Questors with plummeting blood sugar, and decent food round out the menu An
unusual happy hour featuring any size and brand of beer for $3 provides some nice
opportunities for the cost- conscious Questor. Czech is spoken here and the clientele
and waitstaff make you think you could be in Prague. The only thing missing is
those Slavic gams with the to-die-for calves sculpted by climbing those stony
winding streets, and punishing hills, of the real Prague.
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Dawson's If you're a Questor and you find yourself in Dixon, look for Dawson's where Heather sets them up and local folk knock them down. Three beers on tap, Bud, Bud Light and Sierra Nevada assure you'll score few new beers here and the seven bottled beers reenforce the point with Heineken being the exotic one. But Dixon is not big and this is one of the few places where you get to urinate in a trough with constantly running water. They say 80% of California's water goes to irrigation; if Dawson's is any clue, the other 20% goes to flushing. But in Dixon, it's gotta be Dawson's. Tell Heather the cute one says hi.
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Cantina del Cabo 139 G Street, Davis, CA (530) 756-2226 The Cantina has over 50 beers on tap and all but the most advanced Questors are guaranteed to find a few new bee |