Roeg’s Picks from 2010: I've reviewed so many lists, I thought I would take a shot of some of my own. Need to work on the categories, but this is a start for me in 2011.
1. Best Brewery: Brew Dog, Scotland – Congrats to Brew Dog for brewing the strongest beer in the world, End of History, which weighed in at 55% ABV. I love the brewery and the beers (especially the stouts aged in different whiskey casks). I was able to find their Tactical Nuclear Penguin, which was a modest 32% at Max’s in Baltimore. Looking to share after letting it age for 5 years.
2. Best Brewpub: Portsmouth Brewery, Portsmouth, NH – I know I’m biased, but this brewpub continues to shine. I love the nachos and their Old Brown Dog, and think their Thaizenheimer is fantastic. Smuttynose bottles their big beers, and there is always a cask available downstairs (but you have to remember to ask for it since it is not on their beer list). Their specialty beer is Kate the Great a RIS that is only released once a year (3/7/11).
3. Best Regional Bar: Great Lost Bear, Portland, ME – With their multiple taps and devotion to Maine microbreweries, this place is hard to beat. Their Allagash Alley features many of their specialty beers, and typically offer 4 Maine casks. GLB is also kid friendly, and offers solid comfort food for every taste in the family.
4. Best English Pub: Mahar’s 2, Castleton, NY – Opened this summer by the water (and the train tracks), a modest selection of quality drafts and a cask offering. Open for lunch with pub grub (pasties, curries, and the ploughman’s), it is a great place to go and sit. Quiet, spacious, and kid friendly (Laurie plays a mean game of dominos), it’s a beer geek haven without the college crowd. Nice!
5. Gastropub: Deep Ellum, Allston, MA – Pretty Things’ home bar had a wonderful menu to match its draft selection. I had a burrito made with Kentucky sausage, homemade hot sauce, pepper jack cheese, and green onions. It was perfect. The wait staff knew all about the beers on tap, a bit of history of the breweries, and what beers were coming next from the brewer. I can’t wait to return.
6. Sports Bar: Max’s on Broadway, Baltimore, MD – Max’s had almost as many TVs as taps, and I couldn’t think of a better place to be on an NFL Sunday. The beer selection was fabulous, both bottled and draft. And this place was made for sampling (I had 12), bringing out 4oz glasses as they were requested. They also set up events (Belgian Beer weekend is coming) and had a beer hunter find unique beers for the bar (I want that job), including Sink the Bismarck.
7. Multitaps: Fathead’s, Pittsburgh, PA – Business travel to Pittsburgh is the best, since I can go eat and drink at Fathead’s on South Side. From Headwiches to wings (I personally recommend the jalapeño cheddar), there will be plenty of leftovers for lunch the next day. There are over 50 taps, and Fatheads offers their own beers, including the Headhunter IPA.
8. Bottle Selection: Mahar’s, Albany, NY – Mahar’s finds the beers that I can’t find, and offers their unique computer system to keep track for me the beers that I’ve already tried. With six casks, there is always an opportunity to have any of the Middle Ages award winners. I finally made #5 on the list, so you can see that there is no end to the selections offered.
9. Bottle Shop: Capone’s, Norristown, PA – A close race, but the selection was slightly better than at Pinnochio’s even if it was a tad more expensive. They had a great selection from Mikkeller and Brew Dog, plus many from California. Drop your wife off at the local IKEA and enjoy your own shopping experience.
10. Best Beer Event: Friday the Firkenteenth, Grey Lodge Pub, Philadelphia, PA – Based on the calendar, this past year had one event, and so will 2011. Best to share with your friends, we were drinking by 8:46 AM and made it through the first set of tappings by 10:30. Getting a seat at the bar is key, so get in line early. This year’s event is on 5/13/11, and my goal is to try EVERY keg. Who’s going to drive me home? How much is a cab ride from Philly?
"The mouth of a perfectly happy man is filled with beer." – Egyptian Proverb
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