Rate this restaurant beer menu.

[ReverseApacheMaster]

For a standard restaurant, that's really not that bad. I've been to really upscale places with a list of BMC + Heineken + Blue Moon and that's it.

 

[JMO]

For me it would depend on what else is available within a reasonable driving distance. For panama city florida, I would be happy with that list since there's nowhere else to get a good beer. If it was philly or colorado, I would go somewhere else. Of course, if the SWBMO was in the mood for Italian, I would start there and then go to a different place.

 

[Edcculus]

I'd say its slightly better than a lo of Italian resturants. I'll say 60. There is a pretty good selection, but nothing that would convince me to order a beer over wine. My favorite Italian restaurant back in Charleston only offers Peroni, Bud and maybe a SA, while their wine list is off the charts. It would behoove them to think of some Belgians and American craft brews that would compliment their meals.

 

[katja]

Are we talking about a nice restaurant or the pizza/calzone/stromboli/six-pack joint that calls itself a restaurant because it serves iceberg lettuce salads with its meals? From the comments so far I would guess everyone is assuming a nicer restaurant. Where I hail from, this would be a miracle of a beer list at an Italian restaurant.

 

[red96jeep]

mmm woodchuck, that earns a plus 10 in my book, but for being an Italian restaurant some of the beer choices seen odd, that is unless it's more of a pizzeria type place. it does seem to strike a very good balance between popular beers, and good beers. i'd give it a C+

 

[the_bird]

I may be spoiled; we've got some pretty damn good beer selections available around here, even at middle-of-the-road restaurants. I'm assuming this is a good restaurant, and my expectations therefore are pretty high.

 

[Yuri_Rage]

I may be spoiled; we've got some pretty damn good beer selections available around here, even at middle-of-the-road restaurants. I'm assuming this is a good restaurant, and my expectations therefore are pretty high.

That's why I made mention of the locale in my post. I have relatively high expectations when I'm in Phoenix. Not so much down here in rural TX.

 

[Ksosh]

For a normal restaurant, maybe a 75
For a place to get good beer with your meal, 60
I'd like to see some more big malty beers on the list (Baltika Porter #6 and Troeggenador (sp?) comes to mind), but that's just me.
I'd probably also throw in a DFH 60 or 90 minute.

 

[pdbreen]

For comparison, here's a smaller and better selection at another Italian place in Phoenix (The Parlor). Having it all on tap with an option for a pitcher is bonus.

Sweet 16
(pint / pitcher)
Lightest to Darkest
Bud Light 3.50 / 12
Coors Light 3.50 / 12
Miller High Life 3.50 / 12
Pabst Blue Ribbon 2 / 7
Spaten 4 / 14
Stella Artois 5 / 18
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale 4 / 14
Bass Ale 5 / 18
Alaskan Amber 4 / 14
Lagunitas IPA 4 / 14
Four Peaks Hop Knot 4 / 14
Four Peaks Kilt Lifter 4 / 14
Four Peaks Hefeweizen 4 / 14
Franziskaner Hefeweizen 5 / 18
Smithwick's 5 / 18
Guinness 5 / 18

 

[riverfrontbrewer]

I'd give PD's list an 80ish

 

[beerjunky828]

I'm going to thow down some local restaurant beer menus and get your reactions for a potential project I'm working on.

Give me your comments and gut reactions and maybe a figure from 1 to 100. I'll post some more later.

Cuisine: Italian

Beers
Tap
Peroni,
Guinness,
Black and Tan,
Mothership Wit,
Bass,
Stella Artois

Bottles
Amstel Light
Newcastle
Grolsch Light
Anchor Steam
Heineken Light
Budweiser
Bud Light
Samuel Adams
Coors Light
Fat tire
Karlovačko
Shiner Hefeweizen
Nikšićko
Red Stripe
Okocim
Four Peaks Kiltlifter (local)
Woodchuck Cider
Heineken
Chimay Red
Corona

I would rate this at around 70.

I would add Blue Moon, Miller Lite, Mich Lite in bottles.
Maybe a couple of Four Peaks on tap (since it is local). I would add Dos equis on tap or some other BMC.
And honestly, (I would enjoy it), but I feel that the Chimay and Cider are out of place. Maybe add some more regional craft brews.

 

[beerjunky828]

For comparison, here's a smaller and better selection at another Italian place in Phoenix (The Parlor). Having it all on tap with an option for a pitcher is bonus.

Sweet 16
(pint / pitcher)
Lightest to Darkest
Bud Light 3.50 / 12
Coors Light 3.50 / 12
Miller High Life 3.50 / 12
Pabst Blue Ribbon 2 / 7
Spaten 4 / 14
Stella Artois 5 / 18
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale 4 / 14
Bass Ale 5 / 18
Alaskan Amber 4 / 14
Lagunitas IPA 4 / 14
Four Peaks Hop Knot 4 / 14
Four Peaks Kilt Lifter 4 / 14
Four Peaks Hefeweizen 4 / 14
Franziskaner Hefeweizen 5 / 18
Smithwick's 5 / 18
Guinness 5 / 18

This one is at least an 83 in my book.
I don't ever see much PBR on tap around here but $7 a pitcher is a steal. That is my BMC choice over anything else

 

[kornkob]

Might be an interesting exercise to try to put together a 80+/100 beer list with the fewest number of entries.

 

[permo]

for me, the mothership wit is just to watery and thin. You certainly don't need black and tan since you have guiness and bass on tap.

Peroni is a very nice little lager, I like it better than stella. I hate to say it but for the wheat beer, maybe go with boulavard wheat or something like that.

The biggest hole in the menu is that there are no hoppy/bitter offerings. I really like to see a Pale Ale or India Pale Ale on draught.

When me and the fam go out to eat, I choose my venue not so much based on food...but very much so based on the draught beer selection. Right now my favorite restaraunt has Summit EPA on tap in 34 oz cold mugs. It is delightfull....

 

[MattHollingsworth]

Interesting to see local beers Karlovačko Pivo and Nikšićko Pivo. Nikšićko Pivo is the better of the two. Karlovačko is owned by Heineken and is entirely uninteresting. Industrial crap lager made in Karlovac, Croatia not too far from Zagreb. If I remember correctly, Nikšićko Pivo is from Montenegro. The pale ("Svetlo") beer is decent but not great. The darker one ("Tamno") is much better, I'd say.

The menu overall is not good, IMHO. Most of those beers on there from far away are not going to be in good shape (except Chimay, which should be great!). For such a long list there's only a handful of beers that are going to be good.

My two cents.

 

[brewt00l]

Give me your comments and gut reactions and maybe a figure from 1 to 100. I'll post some more later.

What perspective are you looking for?

If you look at that menu from the perspective of a serious beer aficionado, it's fairly weak. However average dude on the street might be impressed by the brands they've never heard of and it's definitely a menu that can move units with the general population.

 

[bad coffee]

Might be an interesting exercise to try to put together a 80+/100 beer list with the fewest number of entries.

Are you talking about 80-100 on beer snob's list? A list like that would only appeal to a low % of the population. Sure, it would be a great list, maybe even pair well with the Italian food. But will it sell? It is a business, and beer that's gonna sit around and not move is a money waster. BMC beers are cheap and make great money. How many would you put on a 80-100 list?

Could you see Bud, BL, Miller Lite, PBR being on a 100 list? As a beer snob, could you actually give the list "perfect" with Bud Lite on there?

I can't see going to an Italian joint just for the beer. However, if I went in and they did have the beer list that started the thread, I'd give it a solid 75. Sure, there's some holes, but for Italian, it's a great list.

If it were at a burger bar or a steak house, I'd give it a lower score.

B

 

[hal2814]

Are you guys serious about IPA? In an Italian restaurant? Even back when I was on my IPA kick, I recognized early that it did not pair well with pasta dishes (IMHO, of course). If I'm at an Italian restaurant and I'm going to order a beer off the list, here are the ones I'd seriously consider:

Peroni
Bass
Amstel Light
Sam Adams
Coors Light
Fat Tire
Kiltlifter (Never had it so it would be worth a shot. I'm assuming this is some sort of Scottish Ale which would be under consideration anyway.)

So that's 2 out of 6 for draft and 4 out of 20 for bottles. Everyone has a different taste in beer so those are pretty respectable numbers. Given a score of 50 being completely average, I'd score it 65.

 

[Martin2D]

I don't know whether you created this list or are just doing a survey type study, but this list would make me say "Can I have a water, please?" The only thing I would probably drink on that list is Chimay, but that stuff is usually $10-15 at restaraunts so I don't bother. No offense.

I give it a D- or 25/100.

 

[olllllo]

I have no affiliation with this place at all. Even if I did, I'd want you to feel free about commenting on it.

Some of this is born out of the frustration that I feel when I see great restaurants with beer menus as an afterthought. In many cases, some of the higher end places here do not even put their beer menu on the web.

I'm thinking about approaching some of these places with some targeted criticism and suggestions.

I'll post the food menu here, but please, If you know the place, don't reveal it. This is really just an exercise and I don't think it's fair to single them out.

I'm more interested in your thoughts and using this thread as a sounding board.

On a side note: you can tell that the AB distributor has a heavy hand here, the Eastern European offerings are a result of the chef's roots and the fact that AB has InBev in their aresenal. It almost makes it too easy for the chef.

 

[olllllo]

First
Local McClendon Radishes 7
Banyuls Vinegar, Slovenian Pumpkin Seed Oil, Shallots, Parsley, Plugra Butter, Chives
Bruschetta 10
Grilled Garlic Scented Ciabatta, Marinated Campari Tomatoes, Q.C.O.O., Capers, Kalamata Olives
Daily Pulled Mozzarella 12
House Roasted Pepperonata, Banyuls Vinegar, Q.C.O.O., Basil, Toast Points
Seacat Arugula 8
Vinaigrette of Q.C.O.O., Fresh Squeezed Yuzu, Shallots, Chervil, Hawaiian Sea Salt, Pecorino
Roasted Veal Marrow bones 10
Hawaiian Sea Salt, McClendon Bitter Greens, Tawny Port Syrup
Shrimp Adriatico 9
White wine, Garlic, Parsley, Crushed Tomatoes, Garlic
Washington Mussels 13
Curried Coconut Milk, Calabrian Chili, Grilled Cumin Flatbread, Mint, Basil
Fall Panzanella 10
MJ Bread, Balsamic Marinated Mushrooms, Baby Lettuce, Roasted Butternut Squash, Goat Cheese
With Sonoma Duck Confit 16
Organic Field Greens Salad 9
Organic Pears, Great Hill Farm Blue Cheese, Candied Walnuts, Tawny Port Vinaigrette
Caesar Salad 9
Eggless Garlic Dressing, Polenta Croutons, Asiago Crisp
Charcouterie and Artisan Cheeses
Lardo
Pancetta Choose 2 for $12
Proscuitto Choose 3 for $17
Country Pate Choose 4 for $20
Sopressata
Bresaola
Ask your server for daily selection of Artisan Cheeses

Second
Fernet Branca Short Ribs Tortelloni 18
Braised Organic Greens, Veal Stock, Pecorino Fondue, MJ Artisanal Breadcrumbs
Voodoo Penne 16
Cajun Dusted Organic Chicken Breast, Mixed Bell Peppers, Red Onions, Tomatoes, Cream
Autumn Maccaroncello 14
Butternut Squash and Wild Honey Sauce, Toasted Pepitas, Pecorino, Slovenian Pumpkin oil
Tajarin 18
Maine Diver Scallops, Saffron Cream, Local Chervil, Grilled Yuzu
Toasted Herb Gnocchi 18
Milk Braised Dutch Valley Sweetbreads, Carrots, Apples, Calvados
Fettuccini Alfredo 15
Roasted Free Range Organic Chicken, Heirloom Cauliflower, Pecorino
Agnolotti 16
Grilled Forest Mushroom Ravioli, Herbs, Tomato Cream
Spezzatini of Pork 18
Cauliflower Ravioli, Peas, Organic Carrots, Roasted Heirloom Potato, Fresh Grated Horseradish
Sweetpea Ravioli 16
Braised Baby Artichoke Hearts, Italian Mint Cream, Crispy Peas, MJ Artisanal Breadcrumbs

Third
Farm Strip Steak 29
Forest Mushrooms, House Pancetta, Arugula, Marrow Jus, Fingerling Potatoes
Sonoma Lamb Loin 28
Braised Tepary Beans, Local Carrots & Bee Pollen, Mint Breadcrumbs, Escarole, Game Jus
Maine Diver Scallops 26
Heirloom Potato Puree, Braised Leeks, Puffed Capers, Brown Butter
Day Boat Fish mkt
Line Caught Crispy Skin Fillet, Local Farmers Market Vegetables, Beurre Blanc
Gleason Ranch Pork Porterhouse 27
Pancetta Braised Potatoes and Cabbage, Whole Grain Mustard Jus, Farmers Market Salad
Sonoma Duck Breast 28
Potato Gratin, Butternut Squash and Sphinx Date Ranch Ragout, Sage Jus
Payt-n-Bake® Fried Chicken 14

We Proudly Support Local Farmers
Seacat, McClendon, Maya, Singh, Black Mesa Ranch

 

[Kaner]

I would have to give it a 70.
Yeah it's not the greatest selection, but compared to most of the big chain restaurants that seem to be on every corner now and whose most interesting beer is usually corona or an occational stella, this isn't that bad of a list.

 

[mnadamn]

I was in dc recently and went to the brickskelter... there were 10 of us, 3 of which were homebrewers. The beer list is amazing they advertise 1000 beers in bottle and i dont doubt it but was too busy drinking to count.

 

[MattHollingsworth]

Maybe they have some Balkan customers they're catering to with the local beers from here. Dunno. The food menu looks great. That beer menu should be better with that food. If they wanna go with lagers for many of the selection, there are obviously many, many better lagers than most of the crap on their beer menu.

Looks like a great restaurant from the menu! I could drink some Westmalle with some of that food, I think. Duvel too. German lagers too.

 

[olllllo]

So the menu posting should allow for hoppier beers, no?

I initially sad that they are an Italian place. They win best Italian something or other every year, but it is a cafe, hence some of the other offerings that have Med, Euro, influence. Get the red checkered table cloth out of your heads.

 

[olllllo]

The chef has Croatian and Italian roots.

 

[MattHollingsworth]

Yeah, I think hoppier beers would work, personally. Hair of the Dog Fred would rock with that menu. I think IPAs *would* work too, at least for me.

The chef's roots explains those beers but they can't be selling a lot of them unless they have Croat or other Balkan folks regularly coming in. (meaning those two Balkan beers)

 

[ohiobrewtus]

50-55

Mostly ordinary in the selection here. There are a few solid options but certainly nothing that I would call spectacular.

 

[IrregularPulse]

I would give it 80 if it were in my town due to the comparison for the fact that it included Chimay. But I imagine in Pheonix you have it better than I. I'd say it's pretty weak.

 

[the_bird]

Food menu >>>>>>>>>>>>> beer menu.

Looks like the chef put a lot of thought into the food menu, but the beer menu was driven by his personal likes rather than what makes sense with the food.

Good restaurants put a lot of thought into their wine offerings, but it's so uncommon to see one put nearly as much effort into their beer selections. "You like beer? Here's your beer!" rather than trying to add different things that might be complementary. It's nice to go to a restaurant and get some really knowledgeable recommendations on the wine, I've been to places where the owners really understand how things work together (even small little places).

I still like the idea of adding something like an SNPA (well-known, always good) and one of the real malty La Rossa beers - hell, sub in those two beers for the Corona and the Red Stripe, and you add at least 10 or 15 points to my score. There are definately entree options that would be well-served by something either more sweet and malt-focused OR something that's got some bitterness and hop character.

What are Corona and Red Stripe doing on the menu, anyway? This isn't a Mexican or Carribean restaurant. It's very likely that someone who might order a Corona if offered will be perfectly cool with a Bud Light or any of the other domestic offerings. I have no problem with a beer menu having some domestic light-lager types available, but what's the point of those two beers with THIS menu?