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Slashfood http://www.slashfood.com Slashfood http://www.slashfood.com/media/feedlogo.gif Slashfood http://www.slashfood.com en-us Copyright 2009 Blogsmith, LLC. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/What's On Tap, Oakland - The Trappisthttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/19/whats-on-tap-oakland-the-trappist/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/19/whats-on-tap-oakland-the-trappist/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/19/whats-on-tap-oakland-the-trappist/#commentsFiled under: Beer, Lists, What's On Tap?

A weekly look at the draft selection in beer-friendly bars across the country.

Turning beer-fueled trips through Belgium and Amsterdam into the inspiration behind owning a bar may sound like a lot of guys' dreams. But for Aaron Porter and Chuck Stilphen, the dream came true in December of 2007 when they opened the Trappist in Oakland, Calif., attempting to bring that Belgian feel and Belgian brews to the Bay Area.

"We went to Belgium and Amsterdam for beer festivals," says co-owner Chuck Stilphen, recalling those trips he took with Porter. Upon their return, they would lament that there was "no good place to drink beer around here where we lived."

The Trappist combats that problem. The idea was "modeled around beers we like," so it's no surprise that their primary focus is on Belgian beers. But realizing that California is no small player in the world of making great beer either, they also stock plenty of brews from their home state as well.

Origins aside, one thing is always consistent: "Small brewers stuff," Stilphen says. "No InBev or even giant Belgian brewers."

See the Trappist's draft selection as of Tuesday after the jump. ...

Continue reading What's On Tap, Oakland - The Trappist

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]]>BelgianBelgian beerBelgiumCaliforniadraft beergeo:37.800299+-122.274012OaklandThe TrappistTrappistWhere:460-8th-Street-Oakland-CaliforniaMike Pomranz2009-11-19T15:00:00+00:00What On Tap, Hoboken - The Mile Squarehttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/12/what-on-tap-hoboken-the-mile-square/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/12/what-on-tap-hoboken-the-mile-square/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/12/what-on-tap-hoboken-the-mile-square/#commentsFiled under: Beer, Lists, What's On Tap?

The front of Hoboken's The Mile Square

Photo: themilesquarehoboken.com

A weekly look at the draft selection in beer-friendly bars across the country.

Hoboken, N.J. spends a lot of time in the shadow of New York City. For many people, Hoboken is best recognized as "the last place your frat brother who was planning on going to business school" resided. But though many of its residents travel across the Hudson for work, Mike Farley, manager of Hoboken's the Mile Square, believes people shouldn't have to travel into the Big Apple to find a good beer.

"We have 30 taps," says Farley, speaking with pride about Hoboken's largest tap selection. "And we rotate about 17 of them constantly with all craft beer." He admits they have to keep on some of the standards -- Miller Lite, Guinness, Stella -- Hoboken is still a somewhat conservative place compared to, say, Brooklyn. But Farley believes their selection stands up to even some of the best bars in New York.

"Last month, we had 11 different Octoberfests," Farley points out. "People are already coming in asking for Christmas beers."

See the yesterday's complete draft list after the jump. ...

Continue reading What On Tap, Hoboken - The Mile Square

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]]>draft beerDraftBeergeo:40.73898+-74.030424hobokenjerseymile squarenew jerseyNew York Cityseasonalseasonal beersthe mile squareWhere:221-Washington-Street-Hoboken-New-JerseyMike Pomranz2009-11-12T17:00:00+00:00What's On Tap, Savannah - The Distilleryhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/05/whats-on-tap-savannah-the-distillery/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/05/whats-on-tap-savannah-the-distillery/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/05/whats-on-tap-savannah-the-distillery/#commentsFiled under: Beer, Lists, What's On Tap?

Image: www.distillerysavannah.com.

A weekly look at the draft selection in beer-friendly bars across the country.

Ben Volen, general manager of the Distillery, agrees: Savannah, Ga., is a very traditional city. "For a long time there was nothing on at any of the bars besides Bud draft, Miller draft, Yuengling had just come into town ... Corona in a bottle," Volen reflects. So when the Distillery opened around this time last year, the idea of a craft beer-centric bar was certainly a change of pace.

Volen had attended school in New York when the craft beer trend was gaining momentum. Upon returning south, he brought his love of New York brewers like Brooklyn and Captain Lawrence back to Georgia, looked at the burgeoning beer scene in nearby Atlanta and constructed a plan for his bar.

Savannah reacted appreciatively. "We've been welcomed with open arms," Volen says. "We've completely changed this town and how they look at beer." Since their opening, according to Volen, most restaurants now carry at least a couple of craft brews.

Read more about the Distillery and see yesterday's entire draft list after the jump.

Continue reading What's On Tap, Savannah - The Distillery

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]]>Distillerydraftdraft beerGAgeo:32.075702+-81.098088GeorgiaSavannahThe DistilleryWhere:416-West-Liberty-Street-Savannah-GA-31401Mike Pomranz2009-11-05T16:00:00+00:00What's on Tap, Louisville - Nachbarhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/29/whats-on-tap-louisville-nachbar/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/29/whats-on-tap-louisville-nachbar/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/29/whats-on-tap-louisville-nachbar/#commentsFiled under: Beer, Lists, What's On Tap?

The Nachbar sign

Photo: myspace.com/thenachbar.

A weekly look at the draft selection in beer-friendly bars across the country.

Kentucky might be better known for its whiskey distilleries than its beer prowess, but like most cities with more than a million people in its metropolitan area, Louisville has seen growth in its specialty and craft-beer market over the past few years due to the average American's increased awareness of the variety of beer available.

Louisville's beer scene is "getting better," says James Donald Gunnoe, co-owner of one of the reasons that scene has gotten better: the small beer outpost known as The Nachbar. "There are about five microbreweries in town and I think there's room for more."

About two and a half years ago, Gunnoe and his wife, Heather Burks, opened Nachbar with the intention of creating a "place we'd want to go to ourselves." Working from faith in their own tastes and desires, they focused on stocking the beers they drank and loved, attempting to offer the beer at prices they knew people could afford. Gunnoe puts it best when he states, "We cater to ourselves, and from there we're just really fortunate that people appreciate what we like."

Read more about Nachbar and see this past weekend's draft list after the jump...

Continue reading What's on Tap, Louisville - Nachbar

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]]>craft beerCraftBeerdraft beergeo:38.230522+-85.736281germankentuckylocal beer selectionsLocalBeerSelectionslouisvillenachbarWhere:969-Charles-St-Louisville-KY-40204Mike Pomranz2009-10-29T15:00:00+00:00What's On Tap, Boston - Deep Ellumhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/22/whats-on-tap-boston-deep-ellum/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/22/whats-on-tap-boston-deep-ellum/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/22/whats-on-tap-boston-deep-ellum/#commentsFiled under: Beer, Lists, What's On Tap?

Photo: deepellum-boston.com.

A weekly look at the draft selection in beer-friendly bars across the country.

No need for a double take. Yes, Deep Ellum is the name of a neighborhood in the Dallas area. And yes, this week's What's On Tap features a Boston bar. But don't worry, Deep Ellum co-owner Max Toste has an explanation: "My business partner, Aaron Sanders, was born and raised around the Dallas area, and Deep Ellum was always his favorite place to go."

Toste describes the Dallas neighborhood as an area teeming with tattoo parlors and rock joints -- the kind of place with "people who don't wear suits to work." "We always thought it would be a cool name for a bar," he recalls. Toste and Sanders found a similar feel in the Boston neighborhood of Allston, so about three years ago, when opening their own bar, the name was a perfect fit.

"I love beer," Toste states proudly. "I wanted to have a bar that was awesome."

What exactly is his idea of awesome? "Our plan was to be very artisanal. Everything we sell and promote is handmade stuff." And that ideology goes beyond just beer into the realm of their cocktail selection and food. Toste's explanation for such strong demands on what Deep Ellum serves is simple: "I don't do anything half-assed."

Read more about Deep Ellum and its complete tap list, as of this Tuesday, after the jump -- and for future draft lists, check out its Web site. Drafts update whenever they're changed.

Continue reading What's On Tap, Boston - Deep Ellum

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]]>AllstonartisanalBostondallasdeep ellumdraftsgeo:42.35376+-71.13687MassachusettsWhere:477-Cambridge-Street-Allston-MA-02135Mike Pomranz2009-10-22T15:00:00+00:00What's On Tap, Kansas City - Grindershttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/15/whats-on-tap-kansas-city-grinders/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/15/whats-on-tap-kansas-city-grinders/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/15/whats-on-tap-kansas-city-grinders/#commentsFiled under: Beer, Midwest Cities, Lists, What's On Tap?

Grinders in Kansas City

Photo: www.grinderspizza.com.

A weekly look at the draft selection in beer-friendly bars across the country.

Laying claim to land in both Missouri and Kansas, Kansas City might conjure up thoughts of boring grasslands or Midwestern conservatism. But with nearly a half million residents in the Missouri side's city limits alone (making it the Show Me State's largest city), Kansas City is certainly more metropolis than cornfield. And at Grinders, patrons can expect a less-than-conservative draft selection and some not-so-Midwestern fare.

Just under five years ago, Grinders opened with the plan to offer residents of KC a restaurant/bar with an East coast flair. Both owners were from Pennsylvania (one from Philadelphia, one from Pittsburgh) and they planned to serve up cheesesteaks and New York-style pizza.

"We wanted a place that would be friendly to everybody that came in," says owner Anton Kotar. "No class barriers." Even money wasn't an obstacle: "If we could just make it break even, we'd be happy."

Kotar and his partner had never run a restaurant. "He's an artist by trade and I'm a contractor," Kotar admits, retelling the story of their troublesome first few months. But from the brink of going out of business, they turned Grinders into one of Kansas City's most popular destinations.

Read more about Grinders and see the current draft list after the jump...

Continue reading What's On Tap, Kansas City - Grinders

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]]>BoulevardBrewingcrossroadsdraft beergeo:39.091638+-94.578762grinderskansaskansas citymissouriWhere:415-E-18th-St-Kansas-City-MO-64108Mike Pomranz2009-10-15T15:00:00+00:00What's On Tap, Albuquerque - Two Fools Tavernhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/08/whats-on-tap-albuquerque-two-fools-tavern/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/08/whats-on-tap-albuquerque-two-fools-tavern/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/08/whats-on-tap-albuquerque-two-fools-tavern/#commentsFiled under: Beer, Lists, What's On Tap?

Two Fools Tavern

Two Fools Tavern. Photo: 2foolstavern.com.

A weekly look at the draft selection in beer-friendly bars across the country.

Finding two English-speaking cities more different than Dublin and Albuquerque, N.M., would be a pretty tough task. So some four years ago, when Two Fools Tavern opened its doors proclaiming to be "Albuquerque's only authentic Irish Pub," one can assume it was an ambitious undertaking.

"There was a need for it," says Russell Reid, general manager of Two Fools Tavern, explaining why they tried to bring a touch of Emerald Isle to the American Southwest. The gamble (if you can call opening an Irish pub a "gamble") has paid off: "We've been very successful."

Part of that success comes from having a solid beer selection, including nineteen draft lines. "We have Irish and English beers that are staples of what you'd need in a pub and then have a rounded balance."

Included in that balance are a number of American craft products. Via Full Sail, the bar has two exclusive Two Fools selections: a pale ale and a house cider. They're also proud to provide the beers in Sierra Nevada's Imperial series on tap, as well as other unique brews from around the country (particularly Colorado).

Reid knows his customers appreciate the additional selections: "Albuquerque is a great beer market. A lot of people don't realize that. It's much more of a beer town than other spirits." Still, despite continuing to evolve the draft list, Two Fools always keeps the Irish pub standbys. As Reid reminds us, "We're the largest seller of Guinness in the state."

Check out the current draft list at Two Fools Tavern after the jump.

Continue reading What's On Tap, Albuquerque - Two Fools Tavern

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]]>draft beergeo:35.080493 -106.609401Guinnessirelandirish pubtaverntwo foolstwo fools tavernWhere:3211-CENTRAL-AVENUE-NE-Albuquerque-NMMike Pomranz2009-10-08T15:00:00+00:00What's On Tap, Rhode Island - Doherty's East Avenuehttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/16/whats-on-tap-rhode-island-dohertys-east-avenue/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/16/whats-on-tap-rhode-island-dohertys-east-avenue/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/16/whats-on-tap-rhode-island-dohertys-east-avenue/#commentsFiled under: Beer, Lists, What's On Tap?

Doherty's East Ave

Photo: dohertyseastave.com.

A weekly look at the draft selection in beer-friendly bars across the country.

When is an Irish pub not your typical Irish pub? Well, when the bar has 48 taps featuring some of the best craft beers America has to offer, it certainly sets itself apart.

For the past three years, Doherty's East Avenue in Pawtucket, R.I., has continued to look the part, but don't be fooled by the facade. "When we bought the place, it had a very Irish theme. The building's been here for 60 years," says owner Jack Doherty.

It also had only 12 taps, which was quickly expanded to 48 to accommodate the owner's love of craft beer.

So why keep the Irish angle? "To have a great time on St. Patrick's Day," Doherty happily responds.

Get a glimpse of Doherty's sensational seasonal selection after the jump. ...

Continue reading What's On Tap, Rhode Island - Doherty's East Avenue

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]]>dohertysdohertys east avegeo:41.869607 -71.387069irish pubpawtucketprovidencerhode islandWhere:342-East-Ave-Pawtucket-RI-02860Mike Pomranz2009-09-16T13:00:00+00:00What's On Tap, Minneapolis - Stub & Herbshttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/09/whats-on-tap-minneapolis-stub-and-herbs/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/09/whats-on-tap-minneapolis-stub-and-herbs/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/09/whats-on-tap-minneapolis-stub-and-herbs/#commentsFiled under: Beer, Lists, What's On Tap?

Image: stubandherbsbar.com

A weekly look at the draft selection in beer-friendly bars across the country.

The passing of Labor Day means back-to-school season is officially here. Many college students have already landed on campus. Hopefully, they have a bar like Stub & Herbs to help them lament the end of their summer vacation.

Located at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Stub & Herbs is a campus icon, opened way back in 1939 with the plan to serve great burgers and drinks. Though their cheeseburgers are still a staple, a lot has changed in the drinks department, especially recently.

"Over the last two years, I got creative freedom to pick whatever we wanted," says general manager Jon Landers. "Our taps are now 100 percent all-American craft beer." He pushed college standbys like Coors Light and Bud Light onto the bottles list and began using their 32 taps to focus on independent breweries, especially local and "blossoming" ones. "The Midwest has a reason to be proud," Landers continues. "They're turning out some great stuff."

Have a great beer bar at your school or alma mater? Fill us in in the comments! And see Stub & Herbs' complete draft list, as of Tuesday, after the jump. ...

Continue reading What's On Tap, Minneapolis - Stub & Herbs

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]]>back to schoolcollegecraft beergeo:44.98 -93.263603Stub and Herbsstudentsuniversity of minnesotaWhere:Minneapolis-MNMike Pomranz2009-09-09T13:00:00+00:00What's On Tap, Charlottesville, Va. - Beer Runhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/02/whats-on-tap-charlottesville-va-beer-run/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/02/whats-on-tap-charlottesville-va-beer-run/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/02/whats-on-tap-charlottesville-va-beer-run/#commentsFiled under: Beer, Lists, What's On Tap?

Image: BeerRun.com

A weekly look at the draft selection in beer-friendly bars across the country.

Central Virginia may not sound like the place to find a great beer bar. And as home of the University of Virginia, where thrifty college students are more apt to ask for inexpensive macrobrews, Charlottesville, Va., would seem to have two strikes against it for beer connoisseurs. Maybe that explains why Beer Run has stood out, earning national praise during the less than 2 years it's been open.

"The concept was originally just doing a bottle shop," says co-owner John Woodriff. But financial concerns led them to selling draft beer, which "opened a can of worms."

State laws required Beer Run to add food service and things quickly snowballed. "We were up early in the morning to make fresh bread for our sandwiches, so we morphed into an espresso bar and coffee shop," explains Woodriff. "Things got kinda wild."

Take a peek at the 14 beers Beer Run currently has on draft after the jump.

Continue reading What's On Tap, Charlottesville, Va. - Beer Run

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]]>beer runbottle shopdraft beergeo:38.0044 -78.4812university of virginiavirginiaWhere:Charlottesville-Virginia-22902Mike Pomranz2009-09-02T15:00:00+00:00What's On Tap, Birmingham - The J. Clydehttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/08/26/whats-on-cask-birmingham-the-j-clyde/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/08/26/whats-on-cask-birmingham-the-j-clyde/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/08/26/whats-on-cask-birmingham-the-j-clyde/#commentsFiled under: Beer, Lists, What's On Tap?

The J. Clyde Hot Rock Tavern and Alehouse

Image: jclyde.com

A weekly look at the draft selections in beer-friendly establishments across the country.

This week's column could be more accurately called "What's on Cask." Why? Well, there are three types of beer drinkers in the world: people who love cask ale, people who hate cask ale, and people who have never tried cask ale. In America, the third group is by far the largest. One reason is that cask-conditioned beer can be nearly impossible to find here in the States.

In England, any good pub has at least a couple beer engines serving ales the way nature intended: unfiltered, with natural carbonation, and at cellar temperature (instead of being cooled by refrigeration). Though many Yanks' distaste for the cask comes from the stereotype that Brits enjoy warm beer, these cask brews actually allow for an entirely different drinking experience, bringing out nuanced flavors that are otherwise concealed at lower temperatures and with additional gas.

Continue reading What's On Tap, Birmingham - The J. Clyde

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]]>alabamabeerbirminghambirmingham albirmingham alabamacaskcask alecask brewCaskBrewgood people pale aleGoodPeoplePaleAlegreat divide titan IPAGreatDivideTitanIpaj clydej. clydethe j. clydewhats on caskwhats on tapWhatsOnCaskWhatsOnTapMike Pomranz2009-08-26T11:00:00+00:00What's On Tap, Dallas - The Flying Saucer Draught Emporiumhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/08/19/whats-on-tap-dallas-the-flying-saucer-draught-emporium/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/08/19/whats-on-tap-dallas-the-flying-saucer-draught-emporium/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/08/19/whats-on-tap-dallas-the-flying-saucer-draught-emporium/#commentsFiled under: Beer, Lists, What's On Tap?

The Flying Saucer Draught Emporium's newest addition.

A weekly look at the draft selections in beer-friendly establishments across the country.

The Flying Saucer Draught Emporium has one aim: to be the place to go for great draft beer, especially in Texas, which boasts a neat half-dozen outposts of the watering hole. Residents of Arkansas, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee also sip suds at Flying Saucers. The newest landed in the suburbs outside Dallas.

Just over three weeks ago, the new Saucer on the Lake opened in a scenic spot overlooking Lake Ray Hubbard in Garland, Texas. "There's all these little communities out there," says Diane Willingham, director of sales and special events. "People working in Dallas drive 30 minutes to an hour to get home ... They want to go to the lake and hang out on a patio." Workers also want to drink beer, and Saucer on the Lake delivers, with more than 80 on draft and a diverse selection focused almost entirely on craft brews and imports.

But as the Saucer continues to expand, couldn't the company risk losing that independent spirit craft drinkers relish? Willingham doesn't think so: "We expand very slowly and don't franchise. Owner Shannon Wynne researches each location himself."

Continue reading What's On Tap, Dallas - The Flying Saucer Draught Emporium

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]]>anderson valley hopAndersonValleyHopdallasFlying SaucerFlying Saucer Draught EmporiumgarlandGarland TXSaucer on the LaketexasThe LakeTXxinguMike Pomranz2009-08-19T13:00:00+00:00What's On Tap, Indianapolis - Buffalo Wild Wingshttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/08/12/whats-on-tap-indianapolis-buffalo-wild-wings/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/08/12/whats-on-tap-indianapolis-buffalo-wild-wings/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/08/12/whats-on-tap-indianapolis-buffalo-wild-wings/#commentsFiled under: Beer, Lists, What's On Tap?

Photo: Buffalo Wild Wings

A weekly look at the draft selections in beer-friendly establishments across the country.

Craft beer at corporate chains? It may seem a bit like an oxymoron, but a lot of restaurants could learn a lesson from national eatery Buffalo Wild Wings.

Franchises in the Buffalo Wild Wings family are able to stock whichever beers they like, so when Sam Hookway took over as bar manager at the Indianapolis location back in February, he had one thing in mind: "to have the best draft beer selection in the city."

Since the restaurant is part of a large, nationwide chain, Coors, Miller and Bud Light will probably always top the Buffalo sales list, but Hookway saw opportunities in other areas: "I got rid of beers like Peroni and Molson, which aren't that different from the other light lagers we sell."

The plan has worked: About half the beer they sell is craft, enticing patrons who might otherwise not frequent such an establishment. And how about beer lovers who scoff at the notion of sipping indie suds on a corporate-controlled stool? "That's a battle I've been trying to fight," Hookway says.

Continue reading What's On Tap, Indianapolis - Buffalo Wild Wings

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]]>buffalo wild wingschain restaurantschainscorporatecorporate restaurantsindianaindianapolisindianapolis inindianapolis indianawhats on tapWhatsOnTapMike Pomranz2009-08-12T13:00:00+00:00What's On Tap, Long Island -- Bobbiquehttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/08/05/whats-on-tap-long-island-bobbique/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/08/05/whats-on-tap-long-island-bobbique/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/08/05/whats-on-tap-long-island-bobbique/#commentsFiled under: Beer, Lists, Summer, What's On Tap?

Photo: Bobbique

A weekly look at the draft selection in beer-friendly establishments across the country.

In New York City, August struck for real last Saturday. With the last bastion of summer upon us and only a few more weeks of heat before the weather starts to cool off, all the remaining weekends are "getaway day" musts!

For America's largest city, getting away often means heading to the shores of Long Island. In the waterfront village of Patchogue, patrons at Bobbique can grab great barbecue and great beer all in one spot ... and hear live blues music on the side. Brews, blues and barbecues: If those things don't say summer, what does?

Still, according to manager Jessica Higgins, "Business booms all year round. We have such a diverse selection of beers; we attract a lot of locals." And local patrons like local beers. "We try to stock at least one Blue Point on draft, which is extremely local," Higgins says, referring to the Long Island brewery located less than a mile from their door. "We keep some Brooklyns on too, but we also like to showcase a lot of beers you can't get anywhere else."

The draft list, after the jump.

Continue reading What's On Tap, Long Island -- Bobbique

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]]>AugustbarbecueBBQbluesbobbiqueBrookhavenlong islandnew yorknew york cityNYnycPatchoguewhats on tapWhatsOnTapMike Pomranz2009-08-05T13:00:00+00:00What's On Tap, Baltimore -- Max's Taphousehttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/07/29/whats-on-tap-baltimore-maxs-taphouse/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/07/29/whats-on-tap-baltimore-maxs-taphouse/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/07/29/whats-on-tap-baltimore-maxs-taphouse/#commentsFiled under: Beer, Lists, What's On Tap?

Photo: Max's Taphouse.

A weekly look at the draft selection in beer-friendly bars across the country.

When is a bar more than a bar? When it's three bars in one.

Located in the Fells Point neighborhood of Baltimore, Md., Max's Taphouse has a long and storied history, having transformed itself from a somewhat seedy music venue to the multi-roomed, multi-tapped monster it is today. Owner Ron Furman has been intrigured by diverse beers for decades, and with 79 taps, Max's serves up more suds today than ever before.

"We've been at our current capacity draft-wise for, I would say, 15 years," says general manager Casey Hard. Most of those 79 drafts are available in the main room, but many of the lines splinter off to the watering hole's other two rooms as well. "We have 24 taps upstairs and 24 in the side bar," Hard notes, with the upstairs bar typically focusing on Belgians and the side bar more focused on darts games.

Has the incredible selection found an audience among Baltimore locals? Seems so: "There are people here every day from the moment we open until we close. We go through 100 kegs a week. I change between five and 20 kegs a day."

Max's Taphouse's massive draft selection as of this Tuesday after the jump. ...

Continue reading What's On Tap, Baltimore -- Max's Taphouse

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]]>Balitmore MDBaltimoreBaltimore MarylanddartsFells PointMarylandMaxsMaxs TaphouseMDTaphousewhats on tapWhatsOnTapMike Pomranz2009-07-29T13:00:00+00:00What's On Tap, Seattle - Über Tavernhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/07/22/whats-on-tap-seattle-uber-tavern/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/07/22/whats-on-tap-seattle-uber-tavern/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/07/22/whats-on-tap-seattle-uber-tavern/#commentsFiled under: Beer, Lists, What's On Tap?

Sign outside of Uber Tavern

Über Tavern in Seattle. Photo: uberbier.com.

A weekly look at the draft selection in beer-friendly bars nationwide.

Even at the best beer bars, boredom can occasionally set in. Sometimes the draft list just doesn't feature brews that fit the day's mood. Or maybe a keg of your favorite suds just got kicked.

Well, world-class beer bars, like Seattle's Über Tavern, are always looking to remedy such afflictions. Smack dab on the front of their website, patrons can check out what's recently been added as well as an extensive selection of "kegs in the cellar" featuring what's about to come. "We update every time there needs to be a change," said manager Charlie Wedbee. "It works out to about four times a week."

Über's been doing this "forever," says Wedbee (in real time, about three years). They seem to have their act together, so don't worry about trekking all the way to this tavern just to find a slew of unfamiliar taps. It'd be swell if similar craft concoction-proffering pubs could offer this sort of full disclosure about what brews to expect upon arrival.

Which of your favorite watering holes are web-savvy with their draft lists? Let us know in the comments! After the jump, Über's Monday draft list.

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]]>craft beerSeattleseattle washingtontavernuberUber TavernWashingtonMike Pomranz2009-07-22T11:00:00+00:00What's On Tap, Orlando - Redlight Redlighthttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/07/15/whats-on-tap-orlando-redlight-redlight/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/07/15/whats-on-tap-orlando-redlight-redlight/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/07/15/whats-on-tap-orlando-redlight-redlight/#commentsFiled under: Beer, Lists, What's On Tap?

Redlight Redlight in Orlando, FL. Image: Redlight Redlight

A weekly look at the draft selection in beer-friendly bars across the country.

Last week, What's On Tap suggested craft beer seekers crash the college town of Athens, Ga., while the students are away. This week, why not leave your kids at home during that summer trip to Orlando? Drop the tykes off at Grandma's, lie about the location of Disney World and add world-renowned Florida bar Redlight Redlight to the vacation itinerary.

For more than four years, this hip and particularly well-stocked pub has been a must for seekers of rare brews. And now is as perfect a time as any to pop in as they celebrate Christmas in July. "We saved most of the Christmas beers," says owner Brent Hernandez, including a couple kegs dating back to 2005. "We do a lot of aging and have a pretty solid vintage list."

See all 21 beers on tap as of Monday and learn more about Redlight Redlight after the jump. ...

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]]>floridaOrlandoOrlando FLOrlando floridaRedlightredlight redlightMike Pomranz2009-07-15T11:00:00+00:00What's On Tap, Athens - Trappeze Pubhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/07/08/whats-on-tap-athens-trappeze-pub/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/07/08/whats-on-tap-athens-trappeze-pub/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/07/08/whats-on-tap-athens-trappeze-pub/#commentsFiled under: Beer, Lists, What's On Tap?

Trappeze Pub in Athens, Ga. Image: Trappeze Pub.

A weekly look at the draft selection in beer-friendly bars across the country.

It's summer. School is out of session. Probably seems like the wrong time to be hitting up bars in a college town like Athens, Ga. , home to the University of Georgia. But Trappeze Pub sees slightly smaller crowds during the summer months, making July and August the perfect time to stop by this sophisticated suds spot.

"Some bars close down for a month and a half in the summer," explains owner Eric Johnson about the fate of other neighborhood watering holes in need of student bodies to fill their spaces. "The lion's share are all about who has the best keg deal on. Even the local beer geeks said [Trappeze] would never work!"

But work it did. With 39 taps and a beer engine containing only "the best of the best" in the brew world, this pub quickly made a name for itself. After being open for only three months, in early 2008, the pub bought the coffee house next door to accommodate crowds. "Turns out there was a sizable group of folks in Athens that were just waiting for a place to do craft beer well," Johnson told us.

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]]>athensbeer barscollege barscollege townsgageorgiamike pomranzMikePomranztrappeze pubuniversity of georgiaMike Pomranz2009-07-08T13:00:00+00:00What's On Tap, Fourth of July Edition - Philadelphia's Kite and Keyhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/07/01/whats-on-tap-fourth-of-july-edition-philadelphias-kite-and/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/07/01/whats-on-tap-fourth-of-july-edition-philadelphias-kite-and/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/07/01/whats-on-tap-fourth-of-july-edition-philadelphias-kite-and/#commentsFiled under: Beer, Lists, What's On Tap?

kiteandkey

The Kite and Key in Philadelphia. Photo: Kite and Key.

A weekly look at the draft selection in beer-friendly bars across the country.

Celebrating Independence Day is a big deal all over America, but especially so in the City of Brotherly Love where that famous Declaration was signed.

Want to up the ante? Name your bar after one of our best-known founding fathers. (Kite ... key ... Ben Franklin ... get it?) The popular Philadelphia watering hole Kite and Key seems on top of its North American of events, including our brethren to the north. Those stopping by for Canada Day will find a firkin of Yards Brawler, boasting a touch of maple syrup.

But the big event hereabouts is July Fourth, and Kite and Key will be pulling pints of -- what else? -- Yards Ales of the Revolution. Inspired by colonial beers or brewed from actual historical recipes, brews like the unique, rosemary-like Poor Richard's Tavern Spruce Ale or highly drinkable Thomas Jefferson's Tavern Ale are about as close as one can get to a taste of history. Kite and Key will be offering up Yards on tap throughout the Independence Day holiday weekend.

Superb chicken wings and the current Kite and Key draft list, after the jump.

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]]>4th of julyben franklinbenjamin franklinindependence daykite and keyphiladelphiaphiladelphia paphiladelphia pennsylvaniathe kite and keyMike Pomranz2009-07-01T13:00:00+00:00What's On Tap, Portland, Maine - The Great Lost Bearhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/06/24/whats-on-tap-portland-me-the-great-lost-bear/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/06/24/whats-on-tap-portland-me-the-great-lost-bear/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/06/24/whats-on-tap-portland-me-the-great-lost-bear/#commentsFiled under: Beer, Lists, What's On Tap?

beer

The Great Lost Bear celebrates their 30th anniversary this week.
Photo: greatlostbear.com

A weekly look at the draft selection in beer-friendly bars across the country.

Last week, What's On Tap visited Portland, Ore., one of America's top craft beer cities. But there's another Portland on the opposite coast of the country that deserves recognition, in the great state of Maine. Despite a population that ranks 40th in the nation, the state manages to hold its own in the suds department, and is home to such well-known craft brewers as Allagash, Atlantic, Sea Dog and Shipyard.

Boasting more than 60 taps from more than 40 different brewers nationwide, perhaps the most recognizable brew-focused Portland watering hole is the Great Lost Bear. This week, on Sunday, June 28, the pub will be celebrating its 30th anniversary.

"We started adding micro brews in 1986. At that point we only had six beers on draft," says president and co-owner Dave Evans, explaining the transition to a focus on craft beers. The pub broke the 60 tap barrier about six months ago after adding some dedicated Allagash lines.

Evans insists that the Bear is more about having a great bar than about just having great beers. "We also have PBR in cans," he says. "We try to get every beer patron in the world, and we still sell more food than beer."

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]]>Great Lost BearMainePortlandPortland MainePortland MeMike Pomranz2009-06-24T13:00:00+00:00