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.

brickskeller, Founders, Goose Island, Kulminator, USA, washington dc