The Quest for the Holy Grain |
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The Boneyard |
Alas, nothing lasts forever. Bye and bye, and for various reasons, some of our favorite establishments are forced to close their doors. This then is a page both nostalgic and melancholy, devoted to our Best Brew Pubs, Beer Bars, and Beer Retailers that are no longer with us.
Note: In some cases, the establishment could still be open, but have changed enough so as to fail to meet the criteria for Best Brew Pub, Beer Bar, or Beer Retailer
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. BENELUXX TASTING ROOM CLOSED SOMETIME IN 2012! |
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Shenandoah Brewing Company 652 S. Pickett Street Shenandoah is the area's first and only brewery, brewpub, and brew-on-premise facility rolled into one. The bar is small, and serves fresh on draft about 8 of Shenandoah's award-winning beers... Whoa! Not any more they don't!
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Bavarian Barbarian Brewing Company First let us say that Bavarian Barbarian is not a brew pub... it is a microbrewery where a crew of thirsty Questors can walk in off the street, during tasting hours, and be treated to a sampling of Bavarian Barbarian's tasty beers. Brewer and Barbarian Chief Mike Hiller will be glad to explain the brewery's philosophy and processes, while pouring you a sample of his Hammerin' Ale, Headbangerz' Brown, Weldspatter IPA, and Steel Drivin' Stout. The brewery now supplies kegs for local venues, has plenty of room for expansion, and will begin bottling bombers as these words are being written. Growlers are also filled on premise. HOLD IT! BAVARIAN BARBARIAN IS NO LONGER OPEN...VISIT THEIR WEBSITE FOR A FAREWELL MESSAGE. |
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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. A large chalkboard lists the ... Sorry - Muggsy's is closed as of the summer of 2011 |
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Bunker Bier Hall Bunker Bier Hall is a brewpub in a trendy London shopping district. Located in the basement of a store block, the facility is quite large. The stand up bar is about 40 feet long. The dining area and kitchen probably extend another 50 feet...too bad the life of the brewpub didn't extend any longer; the space is now Kitchen Italia. |
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Mash
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Mattingly Brewing Company The Mattingly Brewing Company is a very small neighborhood restaurant in an eclectic mature St. Louis neighborhood. The total bar/restaurant seating is about 50. They have 8 of their own beers on tap; the brewing operation is in the basement. The pub grub was tasty and seemed to be popular with the locals. Unfortunately, Mattingly is closed! |
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Swift Half Pub Swift Half is located in the new 80,000 sq. ft. courtyard known as the Piazza in Northern Liberties. During our visit, the Piazza was packed with screaming kids, dancers, vendors, and loud, mind-numbing club music. Since the doors to the bar were thrown wide open, this ambiance insinuated itself into the restaurant. The bar seats about 20, with booths and tables. There were 10 taps, and about 20 bottles. The beer selection was well-chosen and well-delivered. Our visit would have been a lot more pleasant without the courtyard chaos...whoa! Don't get too excited about this one. Swift Half is closed as of the summer of 2011. |
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General Lafayette Inn and Brewery The General Lafayette Inn is housed in a building whose construction was begun in 1732. The restaurant and brewpub itself is a warren of cozy, comfortable rooms that make even a first-time patron feel at home. At any given time they will offer 8-12 taps of their own beers, and two casks. They included a nice assortment of styles with several Belgians and a raspberry mead ale. |
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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. 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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The Parkside Located conveniently near the intersection of Harford Rd. and Cold Spring Lane/Moravia Rd., Parkside is the newest establishment along Harford Rd. that features an impressive beer selection. The place is spacious, with a long L-shaped bar and perhaps 20 tables in a large dining area. Owner
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The Tiedhouse The Tiedhouse is situated on the ground floor of the Cityview Condominium in Philly's Art Museum area. This beer bar is tied to the General Lafayette Brew Pub in Lafayette Hill and features 13 of the General's outstanding beers on tap. Six guest taps and about a dozen bottles round out the brew menu. There is something for every beer palate, from a light lager to a number of high-octane beers....uh oh... |
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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 beers here. Go for the beer, leave for the ambiance. Featuring plastic chairs and picnic tables, its decor is strictly Spring Break and it is very popular with the UC Davis crowd. |
Old Dominion Brewpub You are not going to stumble upon Old Dominion Brewery by accident...you have to be looking for it. Which is a good idea. They offer 22 different taps, just about all of the beers made here at the brewery. They carry both the Old Dominion labels and contract brews. They also have some bottles. Just about all styles are represented. The bar seats about 20, with a spacious dining area of tables and booths....Wait a minute! Not any more it doesn't! On August 25, 2008, Old Dominion Brewpub closed its doors. According to ownership, as quoted in Mid-Atlantic Brewing News, "the business wasn't there." The Brewery will remain open and public events at the site will continue. |
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Kevin pulls a cold one |
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Kelly Cole's Improper
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Rocky Run Tap & Grill All locations of Rocky Run are fun places that have good, quenching beers and a reasonable menu. Rocky Run specializes in Canadian ales, and usually have their 5 standards available. Don't look for odd, complex beers here...the brews are all good, if a little similar...yada, yada, yada... |
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Johnstown Brewing Company Johnstown BC is an interesting place. The upstairs is a dining room with a small bar, the downstairs is a bar with a small eating area. Both have outside seating. The upstairs bartender was very generous with samples. After we ordred our lunch, he disappeared. The server boy got us our next drinks, and the tab. The price and amount of pub grub were what we expected. However, my angus burger tasted like breakfast sausage, and my heap of fries were the worst fries I have ever had; hard on the inside, and soft and slimey outside. The brewing setup is in sight,and is "upside down", in that the lauter and kettle are downstairs, and the fermenters are upstairs. The young brewer has been there a month, coming from John Harvard in Philadelphia. There are 9 beers on tap, as well as Miller lite, and what we had was tasty.
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Dr. Dremo's Taphouse Housed in the facility that used to be Bardo Rodeo, Dr. Dremo's occupies that niche between beer bar and brew pub. Dremo boasts about 40 draft beers and some half-dozen bottles. They also feature seasonal brews, such as their Chocolate Donut Beer. This is a particular favorite of one of our unnamed Charter Questors, who is taking the idea and running with it. We just don't know where. You may view this Donut Stout below, if you dare. Dremo's house beers are brewed by Shenandoah Brewing Co. of Alexandria, VA. Dr. Dremo's has been described as an "abandoned warehouse" with "minimalist ambiance." The establishment is also known for their music, pool tables, and happy hours. Sad News - Dremo's closed its doors on January 27, 2008. Property is being developed. Dremo's is hoping to open at a new location.
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Ludwig's Garten In a town that boasts of it's Belgians and rapidly moves it's microbrews, Ludwig's is an oasis of outstanding German draft beer. The bier menu features about 20 taps and maybe 40 bottles, including such noted names as Jever, Engel, Spaten, Schneider, Franziskaner, and many others of German and Austrian origin...there were |
even a few Belgians. Styles included Bock, Schwarzbier, Kolsch, Lager, Weisse, Hefeweizen and Pils. |
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Capitol City Brewing Company As of September, 2007, Capitol City in Baltimore has closed it's doors. Check the other locations. |
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Four Sons Brewery We reviewed the Four Sons Brewery and Restaurant two years ago, and found it to be an intriguing brew pub with good beers and helpful staff. Unfortunately, the establishment closed in January, 2007. |
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Summit Station Summit Station was sold in 2006, closed down, and was re-opened as Growlers. The brewer is the same and the beers are still good Summit Station is an old brick building located in a nice, quaint part of Gaithersburg. A great place to put a brewpub. There were about 8 styles on tap at the time of my visit. Their beers have won medals, which is no surprise, as those that I tried were very good. The India Pale Ale started out good, but as it warmed up, became superb. They also carry about 5 macro bottles for those who...well, I don't know who would want a macro with all these fine beers on tap. The barmaid was friendly, knew her stuff, and didn't mind serving samples.The crowd at about 2 in the afternoon seemed to be a bunch of beer cronies with whom I enjoyed talking. Most belonged to the mug club, knew their beer, and were there to get a head start on Happy Hour which starts at 4 PM. I will return to Summit Station when I am anywhere nearby
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Jackie Blue
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Sean Bolan's Irish Pub 1236 Light Street Sean Bolan's is most definitely one of Baltimore's top 3 beer bars. With about 12 taps and well over 50 bottles, the selection is well-cared for and well-chosen. Ken is the beer man, and will be glad to chat about the various brews. Nearly half of the taps rotate and a firkin is tapped on Thursdays. Ask about getting on their email list. The chalkboard lists the beers with ABV's, the food is excellent, and the peanuts are free. Yikes - this came as a shock. In October, 2005, Sean Bolan's closed its doors. They still have the place in Bel Air, but the Federal Hill site is gone! It was a great one. |
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DeGroen's Grill DeGroen's Grille , also known also as The Baltimore Brewing Company has been called the "cornerstone of local craft brewing." BBC brews some of the best German-style lagers around. Brews include Pils, Weizen, Dunkel, Marzen, and always a seasonal, including their famous Doppelbock.
Requiem for a Brewpub DeGroen's Grill, or the BBC, closed it's doors for good on Friday, Feb. 25, 2005. Although there are a lot of great bars in Baltimore; most are long and narrow, having formerly been rowhouses. Beloved as they are, many are of similar architectural style. The BBC was a true beer hall. People were attracted to the BBC for more than the beer, although that would have been reason enough. There was a sense of community and camaradie among the customers.The Mug Club drew both locals and those from the suburbs looking for good conversation and German style lagers. You were certain to meet freindly and interesting people from all walks of life. I first learned about Oktoberfest at the BBC... and recall festive annual celebrations with Hans und Heidi. Hans would stand on a table playing his bass, leading toasts, and doing the Chicken Dance. The BBC also played host to brewfests of Maryland beers. The last few years saw management changes and an inconsistency in beer quality, but the regulars remained loyal. The Mug Club may even outlive this tragedy and gather at another venue. I've heard things. But there will never be anyplace quite like the BBC,and Baltmore beer lovers are in mourning. |
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Ryleigh's Brew Pub & Raw Bar No Longer Brewing Beer This building has gone through several incarnations since it was Sisson's...Baltimore's first brew pub. People seem very pleased with the way it is now. Still brewing their own beer, Ryleigh's makes 5 standard brews, but will only have about 3 at any one time. There is also always a seasonal on tap. In addition, there are 5 other "guest" taps, and about a dozen bottles, but these could stand to be a little more diverse. Stick with Ryleigh's beers. Achtung! Ryleigh's closed their brewing operation in the summer of 2005. It is now an oyster bar where macros are very popular. A shame...Ryleigh's, then known as Sisson's, was Baltimore's first brewpub. |
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Uncle Tucker's 68 Exit 46 • Well, here's something we don't usually do at Quest for the Holy Grain...review a brewpub after it has closed down. We were there on the last day, Nov. 1, to say farewell to this cozy pub in an historic building. This is the at least the third Maryland brewpub to cease brewing in 2005, and Uncle Tucker's 1810 Brewhouse will be missed. |
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The Loft/Barnyard Wine and Spirits The liquor store features 600-700 different imports and microbrews crammed into a tiny area. Not only 6-packs, but hundreds of individual hard-to-find bottles can be located. They have a small, mix-a-sixpack shelf. Staff is courteous and helpful. Whoa! Our sources tell us that as of 2/07, The Loft/Barnyard is CLOSED! What a loss! And the building has burned down. |
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"Life is Uncertain. ...Lagunitas Brewing Co.
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