Sunup Brewing staff doesnt know about their own beer?

[wulfsburg]

So here in Phoenix there is a little brewpub called Sun Up Brewing. I had never been before but wanted to always go. So yesterday , we make a trip down there (its a good drive, prob 45 min from my house) . It appeared to be a home converted to a pub and it was nice and cozy. They make all their own beer and only carry bottled cider.

So our waitress comes up and tells us that the vanilla porter is out and that a "stout" replaces it. I ask what the seasonal is, and she says there is none.

Ok, fair enough, so I have their IPA. They also had a "cask ale" there. I know this means it is probably conditioned in a cask/vessel for some time and naturally carbonated. I ask her if that is the case, and she gives me a blank stare like she has NO idea what I am asking.

So then I ask her what kind of "ale" it is.

With an irritated look on her face, her response is "What do you mean?".

My response "Is it a pale ale, red ale,Scottish ale, IPA, what?"

Her response "It's a German ale"



So, I am already irritated because she doesn't know **** about the beer she serves. So I order the cask ale, and it turns out it is a red with Amarillo hops. Was an ok beer, but had I known exactly what it was I probably wouldn't have ordered it.

How did I find out exactly what was in there? I didn't notice the chalk board by the entrance when I came in that said

"Today's Seasonal, OATMEAL stout. Cask: Red ale with Amarillo hops"

Hmmm... good to know. I am glad she left out an IMPORTANT detail about the stout. The fact that it is an OATMEAL stout? I ordered that and it was REALLY good. Whenever my glass was empty, she walked by multiple times before asking me what I wanted next. The place was not very busy at all.

I am really bothered and upset that I went to a place that is a local gem and rarity, and my first time experience was a really bad one. I still tipped her good, but you would honestly think that the staff at a place that makes beer would know at least a few basics about the beer when I ask them a question. I did eat there, but I came for the beer and was let down by the one waitress. It did sound like the bartenders had some knowledge of their brews, but I imagine they have been working there longer.

Afterwards we hit up Gordon Biersch for a couple beers and we were greeted with a smile, and a waitress that was much better at keeping my glass full and also came by right before happy hour ended to make sure we can get another brew on the special before happy hour ended. I don't care for the commercialism that is Gordon Biersch, but based up my experience there, I would go back, even though I don't like the beer as much. (and the price is pretty high)

Other than the service at Sunup, the food was good and the atmosphere was awesome, if I owned that place I sure as hell wouldn't have hired the waitress that served me, and if I did, I would make sure she understood the basics of beer styles sold in my establishment.

I know it was a long read, but has anyone in Arizona ever been here? What are your thoughts? I know this kind of belongs in the tipping/hooters thread, but it is more specific to a brewpub.

Thanks for reading.

 

[SwampassJ]

You should of complained, if the service is slow when it's empty then get involved.

 

[Sheldon]

The other night we went out to a fairly expensive restaurant in Arlington, VA. Asked for the cask ale (Lagunitas Something Something). She brings my son a full pint and serves me a 3/4 full pint and says thats the end of the cask. I politely told her I did not expect to pay for a full pint and she acted insulted like "why not". Anyway, she ended up not charging me for my not-pint and I found another beer I want to clone and brew.

 

[Kittyfeet]

Yes, complain next time! The managers will want to know these things; it's in their best interest to keep customers.

And don't tip her if the service sux. You pretty much rewarded her bad behavior so she'll do it next time. A lesser tip and an explanation for your action will give them a whole lot of motivation to change their behavior.

Maybe this is a good reason to make another trip down there. Maybe it was just a fluke and the next server will be awesome, and you can casually mention to the guy (or the bartenders) about the atrocious service you got last time...

 

[jiggs_casey]

The other night we went out to a fairly expensive restaurant in Arlington, VA. Asked for the cask ale (Lagunitas Something Something). She brings my son a full pint and serves me a 3/4 full pint and says thats the end of the cask. I politely told her I did not expect to pay for a full pint and she acted insulted like "why not". Anyway, she ended up not charging me for my not-pint and I found another beer I want to clone and brew.

Another reason I need my own brewpub. I would have considered this a freebie and called it 'luck of the draw'...

 

[pavs]

I hate when that happens! We went to a german restaurant a few towns over from us. I was really psyched about trying some real german beer. Anyways, we get there so I ask a few questions about their selection and what they would compare too. This ladies face was actually turning red! It wasn't busy and apparently I was a bother to this lady. I ordered something out of the blue, called Dab, I think. The beer was delicious. She treated us all like we were such a bother. We didn't tip her very well. A week later my buddy called me and told me that she had taken it upon herself to "add" a $20 tip to his credit card! That is some bold stuff right there. He disputed it and won. Need to check your credit card statements when you go out to eat!

 

[Hammy71]

Another reason I love Victory. Every time I've been to the restaurant/pub, it seemed the staff actually knew what 'beer' was.....

 

[JetSmooth]

I hate when that happens! We went to a german restaurant a few towns over from us. I was really psyched about trying some real german beer. Anyways, we get there so I ask a few questions about their selection and what they would compare too. This ladies face was actually turning red! It wasn't busy and apparently I was a bother to this lady. I ordered something out of the blue, called Dab, I think. The beer was delicious. She treated us all like we were such a bother. We didn't tip her very well. A week later my buddy called me and told me that she had taken it upon herself to "add" a $20 tip to his credit card! That is some bold stuff right there. He disputed it and won. Need to check your credit card statements when you go out to eat!

I would do more than dispute it. I'd have her brought up on theft charges.

 

[ReverseApacheMaster]

I would do more than dispute it. I'd have her brought up on theft charges.

I would have called the police and then called the manager to let the restaurant know it has a problem and expect the police to drop by.

 

[wildwest450]

So then I ask her what kind of "ale" it is.

With an irritated look on her face, her response is "What do you mean?".

My response "Is it a pale ale, red ale,Scottish ale, IPA, what?"

Her response "It's a German ale"

It would have been awesome if it was an Altbier.

_.

 

[JetSmooth]

I would have called the police and then called the manager to let the restaurant know it has a problem and expect the police to drop by.

Agreed. So what if she doesn't know anything about beer? Theft should be the cause for her termination.

 

[JohnTheBrewist]

I hate when that happens! We went to a german restaurant a few towns over from us. I was really psyched about trying some real german beer. Anyways, we get there so I ask a few questions about their selection and what they would compare too. This ladies face was actually turning red! It wasn't busy and apparently I was a bother to this lady. I ordered something out of the blue, called Dab, I think. The beer was delicious. She treated us all like we were such a bother. We didn't tip her very well. A week later my buddy called me and told me that she had taken it upon herself to "add" a $20 tip to his credit card! That is some bold stuff right there. He disputed it and won. Need to check your credit card statements when you go out to eat!

Were you a large group? For larger parties, a tip is often included. In restaurants in Germany, a "service charge" is always included and a tip is very small, - maybe they carry over this tradition? (just kidding) Poor service and unfriendly staff seems to be a trademark of German restaurants, though. I also wouldn't expect their staff to be very knowledgeable about the beers, other than to say one is a Pils, one is an Alt, one is Hefe-Weizen, etc.. I would expect much more knowledge from a brewpub's staff, though.

By the way, DAB is Dortmunder Aktien Brauerei. What we get here is typically their pilsner or Export lager.

 

[Acoma]

Sounds like you should have complained to the manager and given them the opportunity to correct their mistake and educate the waitress instead of post an entire thread flaming their business. There are not many breweries in AZ and as homebrewers we should try to support what little we have. If you would have escalated the situation and they still didnt correct it thats one thing. The girl probably doesnt know anything about serving let alone beer. Maybe you should create a Yelp account and post your reviews on there.

 

[JetSmooth]

Were you a large group? For larger parties, a tip is often included.

But that would be quoted on the bill when presented for payment. Sounds like the tip got added after they left the restaraunt.

In any case, it's not like I'm close by to patronize this establishment. But if I ever happen through, I can scratch them off my list based on this one review.

 

[pavs]

Were you a large group? For larger parties, a tip is often included. In restaurants in Germany, a "service charge" is always included and a tip is very small, - maybe they carry over this tradition? (just kidding) Poor service and unfriendly staff seems to be a trademark of German restaurants, though. I also wouldn't expect their staff to be very knowledgeable about the beers, other than to say one is a Pils, one is an Alt, one is Hefe-Weizen, etc.. I would expect much more knowledge from a brewpub's staff, though.

By the way, DAB is Dortmunder Aktien Brauerei. What we get here is typically their pilsner or Export lager.

No, there was only 4 of us and the tip was not included. I told my friend to report her but he is very "non confrontational". So my wife called and bitched them out. She was told that if the person with the card calls the matter would be resolved, as if that should matter. He never called because he was refunded his money. He is way to nice of a guy.

 

[user 30639]

Wait, you mean a waitress who is probably making minimum wage plus tips doesn't know all there is to know about beer? I'm shocked by this.

 

[Golddiggie]

I would expect any wait staff working at a brew pub to know at least something about what's being offered at that time. It's not like they're only offering up BMC swill there. Take a little pride in what you're serving people, and at least know something about what you have to offer...

Then again, with the country as it is these days, most people don't give a sheit about the details it seems...

BTW, if some of the wait staff can't remember all the details about the brews being offered, then they should provide them with a 'cheat sheet' to refer back to. Or print up brew menus that have the information on them that can be provided to customers... A tiny amount of effort could have made the experience much better... Of course, the waitress not checking to see if the OP wanted another pint really is inexcusable...

 

[SwampassJ]

Wait, you mean a waitress who is probably making minimum wage plus tips doesn't know all there is to know about beer? I'm shocked by this.

Wait you mean someone working in a brewpub shouldn't know how to read a tap handle? Stop enabling the idiots of the world.

 

[Golddiggie]

Wait you mean someone working in a brewpub shouldn't know how to read a tap handle? Stop enabling the idiots of the world.

+1 on that... Takes only a minute to talk with your boss, before you start your shift, to find out what's on tap... Especially in a brew pub where they could be out of a brew from yesterday, and have replaced it with one of a few choices...

I think it's pretty pathetic when people take zero interest in knowing chances made since the previous day they worked. This goes for many professions, not just wait staff.

IME, if a waiter/waitress/bar tender knows that little bit extra about what's on tap (especially at a brew pub) then I'll tip them much better than if they don't know. For me, not knowing means they don't care, which can also mean there's a higher chance they'll F-up my order.

 

[JJL]

I've run into the same type of thing where I live. There is a restaurant we like to go to that has really good food. No complaints on that end. The servers are always knowledgable about the food on the menu and the specials. This place isn't a brew pub, but they have a good regional beer selection that rotates seasonally. They also advertise the fact that they have a good wine selection, so beverages are a big part of the business.

The problem is that they print their beer selections on their main food menu, so they have to reprint the menu everytime the beers change. Unfortunately, most of the time the beer selection printed on the menu is out of date. So, they don't actually have half of what is on the menu. I could deal with this if the servers were knowledgable. Unfortunately, I've never had a server that actually had a clue about any of the beers on tap. In some cases, they can't even tell me what is on tap. I don't expect them to be BJCP certified judges or anything. Just have some knowledge of what it is they are serving.

To me, if you are advertising the fact that you have a great beer and wine selection, then you should be at least as knowledgable about your beverages as you are about your food. If you can't remember the beers, write them down. I don't care if you can tell me off the top of your head or if you read the description word for word off a piece of paper. Just have the ability to at least tell me what kind of beer you offer.

 

[pavs]

Wait, you mean a waitress who is probably making minimum wage plus tips doesn't know all there is to know about beer? I'm shocked by this.

I don't care how much you get paid. You sought out that job. They serve german food and german beer. You have to expect people to ask questions, and given the nature of your job, its your responsiblity to be able to answer those questions.

Also, just because you have a bad day, you have no right to take it out on your customers, or be self righteous and give yourself your own tip from someone elses pocket.

 

[dfc]

I have not been there. Maybe the wife and I should check it out so I can add some insight here.

 

[malkore]

Maybe she was just new?

 

[dfc]

I think I may have had the same waitress and she definitely was new. The place isn't bad. The service could have been better, but I also got a free cask IPA which was tasty. The Oatmeal Stout had a great flavor although it seemed kind of thin. The beer could have definitely benefited from a thicker mouthfeel. The food was good, but not amazing. If this place was closer to my house I'd go more often, but it's a 30 minute drive.

Not a bad experience although it could have been much better.

 

[ndsgr]

I was at a brewpub a month ago and the waiter was new. He was happy to take my questions and ask someone who did know. Then, he even said he was glad I asked so he could learn too. He got a great tip despite not knowing what the hell "hoppy" meant. It's all about attitude.