TAG | USA
In San Francisco last night, and was served Anchor Steam Beer in Dave’s. And there’s how it came.
It’s odd (and wrong) to have beer in a different glass, particularly a Guinness glass, since I get confused as to why my Guinness is an amber coloured, medium-bitter drink which is slightly too gassy for my taste. But look closer.
It’s a dual-branded glass. It’s also branded ‘Harp lager’.
For a company that consistently gets its branding so correct, I’m rather amazed that Guinness/Diageo would produce a dual-branded glass like this. True, the Harp branding is in black, and therefore would be invisible when this glass is used for Guinness, and only visible when it’s used for Harp lager. But. Even so.
Have you seen any other dual-branded glasses? Let me know in the comments.
Pop into this bar in San Francisco, and you’re in for a treat.
The place started in 1948, and has a peculiarly French feel to it. With awful portraits on the wall (one claims it’s Patrick Swayze, but the only way of telling is to read the sign saying who it is below), it’s certainly a sight to see.
As I walked in, the sight that greeted me from the upstairs balcony were two feet. Whoever it was up there (who, listening to the bar-tenders chatting to themselves, had imbibed a fair amount of Absinthe), had decided to relax a little.
The amusing signs are all over the bar. Some parts are dedicated to people who used to drink there – the John Wilkes Memorial Booth is above the bar to the right; a large portrait of the original owner – Henri Lenior, a stern-looking french man, in a beret. The signs are classy and amusing – even, somehow, the one typeset in MS Comic Sans. No, really.
The gas-lamp chandelier above the bar, and the art-deco mirror, will give you plenty to look at when you choose your beer; however, the range on tap isn’t quite as exciting as the decor, sadly. Here’s what was on tap when I visited the other day…
Anchor Steam (San Francisco, California, USA)
Widmer Hefeweizen (Portland, Oregon, USA)
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale (Chico, California, USA)
Pilsner Urquell (Pilsen, Czech Republic)
Budweiser (St Louis, Missouri, USA)
Stella Artois (Leuven, Belgium)
Amstel Light (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Bass (Burton, UK)
Guinness (Dublin, Ireland)
Shhh.
The people in Washington DC, USA are rather proud of Brickskeller. See – Brickskeller claims it has “the world’s largest selection of beer”.
But it’s not true.
The beer menu for Brickskeller, an otherwise uninspiring bar in Washington DC’s trendy Dupont Circle area, is quite long. It’s A5-sized, computer-generated and rather scruffily photocopied. It contains little information about the style of beer, and is rather intimidating to a non beer-drinker. The versions on the tables seemed to be a few months old, judging by their condition.
But the menu descends into farce when you attempt to order anything. The first beer I asked for? “I’m sorry, sir, we don’t have that”. I asked for an American Pale Ale, and chose something that looked interesting – but was offered “hey, we’ve some Goose Island Harvest Ale, if you’d like to try that.” It’s a nice beer, but it isn’t a hoppy APA.
The second beer I asked for, I was more explicit. “Could I have the Founders Double Trouble, or failing that, another Pale Ale – the hoppier the better?” Guess what? They didn’t have Double Trouble either, but they did have Centennial IPA, which wasn’t as hoppy as I was looking for, but was a good beer.
Others on my table (well, the ones not ordering – cough – red wine or Stella) were also disappointed when their original choice wasn’t available. And checking any review site, you’ll notice this experience is not unusual.
The menu is nowhere near as large as the Kulminator. When I visited there, in June 2008, it had a beer menu with 38 pages of closely-typed beers. So, I’m not sure I believe the Brickskeller claim, even if they had all the beers they claimed they do.
I was choosing from the relatively-available domestic beers: when it gets to the rather more complicated beers (Beerlao Dark from Laos, anyone?) it sounds like a recipe for disappointment. Getting people in through the door because you have the “world’s largest selection of beer” and then significantly not delivering that choice is dishonest and, frankly, fraudulent.
The Brickskeller is a great idea – if done well. The waiting staff aren’t chosen for their beauty, or their charisma. It’s in the right area of town, too.
All it needs to do is live up to its promise. Or, tell the truth.
The Great British Beer Festival is on at the moment in Earl’s Court; and I visited on Wednesday afternoon and evening – on a very hot and muggy day. Here’s what I had… all thirds of pints (and from about 3.30pm till 10.30pm, so I certainly wasn’t drinking fast!)
Vortex IPA (7.4%)
Fort George Brewery, Astoria, Oregon
I should have probably spotted the “IPA” and not “APA”, which is why I was disappointed with this first beer. Fruity aroma, I wrote, but almost unpleasantly bitter – not an enjoyable drink. It quickly sold out, which is concerning!
Fine Raisin Beer (5.1%)
Cain’s, Liverpool
An amber beer which I’ve only ever had at the GBBF, and ensure I have every single visit. It’s splendidly lovely – creamy, fruity, with a tiny little nod to a dark raisin taste. Excellent stuff.
Liverbird Ale (4.3%)
Cain’s, Liverpool
A light beer, made with American hops. Light, bitter, citrussy, thirst-quenching.
Wandle Ale (3.8%)
Sambrook’s, Battersea, London
As splendid as I remember it – a wonderful, fruity, citrussy, splendid beer. I only wish this was on tap near me; sadly, I’ve never seen it. (Excitingly, it was on the Wetherspoon’s “Bar Nouveau” stand, which bodes well).
A drop of Nelson’s Blood (3.6%)
Farmer’s, Essex
Nothing too special – amber, full flavoured, but a bit dull. But a nice name. But a bit dull. Nice name though. But dull. Name good. Beer dull.
An APA from Italy
(sadly, the programme doesn’t recall it, and neither do I)
I’ve never been impressed with Italian beers, but this was a good American Pale Ale, and I enjoyed it.
Lia Fail (4.7%)
Inveralmond, Perthshire
Frankly, bought because its name was funny (hello @llia). A nice, amber, beer – though not particularly special; typically less sweet, as Scottish beer generally is.
West Fest Ale (3.8%)
Malvern Hills, Worcestershire
Light, blond ale: the favourite of @agrumbri who was there in the evening and stuck with this all night. Very nice beer, and not too strong either.
Twisted Spire (3.6%)
Hobsons, Shropshire
Not quite as nice as the West Fest Ale, but fairly similar. A nice, non-heavy, end to the evening.
With more than 450 ales, ciders and foreign beers, even if none of these sound to your taste, you might like some you’d find; and join CAMRA when you get there, too – it’s good for the soul.
