The buzz: Online booze merchant Tippletown now has a bar serving up their extensive portfolio of craft beers and ciders, including a rotating selection of cult brews on tap.
The décor: Although it’s painted all black and the sign looks arrestingly like the logo of a Teutonic heavy metal band, don’t expect a tavern crawling with bikers. Inside, clean lines and predictable seating arrangements suggest a more clean-cut—and, we admit, disappointingly vanilla—sort of environment.
The drinks: Some 80 bottles ($10 and up), categorized by style (region-specific ales, fruit beers, porters & stouts, ciders) rather than label, all accompanied by useful info (country of origin, flavor, volume, alcohol content) which eliminates the need for surreptitiously consulting beeradvocate.com on your phone before ordering. There’s also a draft beer deal ($35), where you can choose brews like Delirium Tremens and Brewdog Punk IPA to wash down a cheese platter.
The food: Fairly typical pub fare, so lots of meat and potatoes. More unusual standouts include the German bretzel ($3), Reuben sandwich ($16) and tortilla pizzas (from $14).
The music: ‘80s and ‘90s ballads. Yes, we’re talking Air Supply and Rick Price here.
The crowd: Despite its location, there’s a distinct absence of hip Club Street types. Most of the patrons seem more interested in grabbing a quick lunch, though there are a couple of craft beer nerds around too. Then again, it’s early days yet.
Why you’ll be back: Regular beer doesn’t cut it for you anymore, and you need a convenient, affordable spot to get your fix of hops.
Order this at Tippletown: Etienne Dupont Cidre Bouche Brut de Normandie 2011. Not a cider for beginners, this unfiltered, unpasteurized specimen from Normandy is musty, earthy and tastes of leather. But we love it. Its funky barnyard aromas mean that it can stand up to even pungent cheeses.
