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Three Cheers: Top Restaurants to Celebrate American Craft Beer Week 2017

Carley Thornell May 16, 2017 2 Comments

Tired of your ho-hum big-bottle brews? Good news — “independents day” has come early this year. In honor of American Craft Beer Week, it’s time to raise a glass to those raising the bar when it comes to brewing beer with personality, love, and a little bit of ingenuity. Here are a few top restaurants to celebrate American Craft Beer Week 2017.

ThirstyBear Organic Brewery, San Francisco, California
It’s not all about sangria at this tapas restaurant—ThirstyBear celebrates the singular spirit of the Gold Rush State’s beer-making with three special brews, including a golden lager, an India pale ale, and an amber lager. The flight is available all week (through May 21) for $8. The style of beer known as California Common began in San Francisco during the Gold rush, when due to a lack of refrigeration and ice fermentation ran warmer than usual, getting close to ale fermentation temperatures. Today you can taste the same style known as California Common, and learn about it at the screening of “Blood, Sweat, and Beer,” a documentary about the growth of the craft beer industry and two start-up breweries, during a screening at ThirstyBear on Saturday, May 20 (admission includes a beer). Make a reservation at ThirstyBear Organic Brewery.

Public House, Chicago, Illinois
Keep it small with $5 local pints all week long, or enjoy daily samples of limited-edition brews or Founder’s Kentucky Breakfast Stout, Sierra Nevada Tropical Torpedo IPA, Well’s Banana Bread Beer, and more. Bigger events include a Lagunitas game night and tap takeover, featuring large Jenga, pinball and more; and a beer and bites collaboration with Ballast Point. Pair the San Diego brewer’s unfiltered IPA with such Public House hits as buffalo or burnt-end brisket mac ‘n’ cheese, smoked barbecue, or flatbreads. Make a reservation at Public House.

Freshcraft, Denver, Colorado
Freshcraft serves up upscale comfort food in a casual atmosphere — so Craft Beer Week is celebrated in the same spirit with all brews and bites available a la carte as opposed to pre fixe. Expect three pairings that can be eaten separately or as a three-course meal, and some special limited-edition brews offered just for the occasion. Local brewers in the spotlight this week at Freshcraft’s 25 taps include Station 26, Ratio and Weldwerks. Enjoy the special menu or Weldwerks Chocolate Orange Belgian Tripel, Weldwerks Alpha Bits or Ratio Heart Tattoo Blackberry Wit alongside such menu hits as fried chicken, steak frites, and mesquite-brined pork chops. Make a reservation at Freshcraft.

Hop to ‘Em: 8 Best Restaurants for Craft Beer Lovers

Nevin Martell May 15, 2017 12 Comments

American Craft Beer Week 2017 kicks off today, and whether you call yourself a lager lover, a hophead, or a member of the barley literati, the fact of the matter is you’re obsessed with beer (so are we, FYI). When you choose where to go for dinner, you look at the beer list before you look at the menu (Ed. note: Same!). Here are 8 of the best restaurants for craft beer lovers that are ideal for marking one of the ‘hoppiest’ weeks of the year.

Forbidden Root, Chicago, Illinois
On tap: The botanically inclined brewery showcases its singular creations – from a Belgian wit enriched with juniper and grapefruit peel to a pale ale that practically blooms in the mug thanks to the use of marigold, elderflower, and sweet osmanthus blossoms – plus a few guest kegs.
Bottles and cans: Nah.
Make a reservation at Forbidden Root.

City Tap House, Washington, D.C.
On tap: Forty choices, including plenty of local kegs from the likes of Atlas Brew Works, Devil’s Backbone, Three Stars, Right Proper, and more.
Bottles and cans: Roughly 100 options, including a little something for everyone.
Make a reservation at City Tap House.

Happy Gnome, St. Paul, Minnesota
On tap: A supremely impressive 89 draft choices, which change frequently. Keep an eye on the restaurant’s events page or social media accounts to stay apprised of what’s available.
Bottles and cans: A small list that includes half a dozen gluten-free beers, a quartet of ciders, and a pair of macro offerings – Pabst Blue Ribbon and Michelob Golden Light.
Make a reservation at the Happy Gnome.

Howells & Hood, Chicago, Illinois
On tap: Three bars are decked out with 360 taps, which serve 119 craft beers (and one non-alcoholic root beer). If you want to get a taste of Chicago, a full twenty percent are locally brewed. Though on online menu is kept up-to-date, there are usually half a dozen kegs not listed, because they’re so limited edition they will only be available for a day.
Bottles and cans: None, but who needs to go through the trouble of popping off a cap when there are so many drafts?
Make a reservation at Howells & Hood.

Mohawk Bend, Los Angeles, California
On tap: Seventy choices, helpfully cataloged by their dominant flavor profile – from lighter and nuttier to sourer and Belgianer. Lots of tough-to-find beers and unconventional options.
Bottles and cans: Nope, but you won’t care.
Make a reservation at Mohawk Bend.

Freret Beer Room, New Orleans, Louisiana
On tap: Sixteen ever-rotating drafts await your perusing pleasure.
Bottles and cans: A dozen and a half, including lesser-known brews, such as Blackberry Farms’ roasted cherry stout and Oskar Blues Hotbox Coffee IPA.
Make a reservation at Freret Beer Room.

Perfect Pairings: Chefs Share Their Favorite Craft Beers #CraftBeerWeek

Nevin Martell May 16, 2016 10 Comments

Beer – it’s what’s for dinner. These days, more chefs want diners to pair pints with their food rather than a bottle of wine. But what brew goes best with what bite? In honor of American Craft Beer Week 2016, we sat down with four beer-loving toques to have them pair their favorite craft beers with their favorite dishes.

Peter Smith, The Sovereign, Washington, D.C.
“I like sour beers. The super hoppy stuff doesn’t do it for me. I love Cantillon’s Gueuze. The tartness and the lemon go well with our mussels, especially the ones I prepare with saffron, smoked sausage, roasted garlic, and fennel. The beer cuts right through the spice. Bitterballen are basically croquettes filled with shredded short rib and chicken liver, breaded with pumpernickel and sourdough crumbs, and fried. I like them with De Ranke’s XX Bitter. It has a toasty note that goes well with the fried dough, it pairs well with the beef, and adds a little funk to the liver. If I’m having the Liegeoise salad, I go with Blaugies’ Saison d’Epeautre. It’s a little on the bitter side, but it’s still yeasty and bright. It cuts through the fat of the poached egg yolk and cuts off the sharpness of the vinaigrette.” Make a reservation at The Sovereign.

John Critchley, Brine, Fairfax, Virginia
“My ideal meal is a burger, a dozen oysters, and a beer. When I was first talking to restaurateur Travis Croxton who owns Brine, I said, ‘We have to have a raw bar, a wood grill, and good beer.’ We have all three. I had never paid too much attention to Guinness or other nitro beers, but I love Flying Dog’s Bloodline, a blood orange IPA. I like the aroma and the creaminess that comes from the nitro. It goes down well with our house burger, which is dusted with vegetable ash, seared on the plancha, and then topped with sweet and vinegary red onion marmalade, Honeysuckle cheddar, and a lettuce slaw featuring a ‘Big Mac’ style sauce. Feed the Monkey, an orange hefeweizen from Jailbreak Brewing Company in Maryland, is another favorite. It’s a crisp, fruit forward wheat beer. I have that with our lambs and clams dish featuring merguez sausage, harissa, and crushed chilies. The beer cuts right through the spiciness. If I’m just having raw oysters, I have a Port City Optimal Wit. It’s clean and crisp with a lot of aromas of wheat and citrus. I could drink that beer anytime.” Make a reservation at Brine.

Kyle Bailey, Sixth Engine, Washington, D.C.
“I used to hate beer when I was in high school because we’d drink the worst beers. I’d wonder, ‘What’s the point of this?’ The first time I had Two Hearted Ale from Bell’s Brewery, that’s when I finally got beer. Now I love it. Ocelot Brewing Company out of Sterling, Virginia, has a great IPA called Vandals. It’s hoppy, grassy, and herbal. I pair it with our goat cheese tortellini with ramp pesto accompanied by carrots braised in orange juice and crispy housemade pancetta. These are big, bold, a touch heavy flavors but still springtime tastes. The beer’s hoppy, grassy notes go well with the black pepper rich ramp pesto and the goat cheese with its creamy tartness. DC Brau’s Zehn von Zehn, a collaboration with Port City Brewing, is malty and delicious. I drink it with our butter-poached shrimp featuring a Romesco sauce made with red pepper, tomato, almond, and bread. It comes with Israeli couscous, salt-roasted sunchokes, and seared spring onions. The brininess of the shrimp and the bread in the Romesco go well with the maltiness of the beer. Lastly, I love 3 Stars Brewing Company’s Peppercorn Saison. It has a little bit of spice, but it’s bright and clean. I pair that with our deviled eggs topped with fried oyster and smoked trout roe. The bright, clean effervescence of the saison cuts through the dish – especially the Old Bay seasoning the yolks.” Make a reservation at Sixth Engine.

Boston Marathon Bites + Brews: The Best Post-Run Spots in The Hub

Laurie Wilson April 18, 2016 Leave a Comment

Lace up and then tie one on. Boston is a sneaker town, thanks, of course, to the celebrated Boston Marathon, which happening today — for the 120^th time. Running is a way of life in Boston — year-round; even a blizzard won’t stop runners in their tracks here. They are truly Boston Strong, after all. There are many running routes, in this storied city, the most popular include the Esplanade/Charles River loop, the Emerald Necklace which begins at Boston Common and dangles to Franklin Park, Castle Island in Southie, and the Chestnut Hill Reservoir. You can always run the Freedom Trail, too. There are also many post-run spots along the way at which to to grab a craft beer — a perfectly carbalicious recovery drink — and a bite, perfect for Boston Marathon finishers or the more casual runner looking to burn calories before they get their grub on. On your mark, get set, let’s dine!

ArtBar, Cambridge, Massachusetts
The patio at this palette-and-palate-pleasing restaurant is a springtime spot for sprinters and joggers alike — especially those scurrying along the Charles River, thanks to ArtBar’s location on the running path that hugs the Charles. Throw in those patio fire pits for convo and cocktails after you’ve hit your stride(s). On Marathon Monday, it’s executive chef Brian Dandro is offering his Marathon 26.2 menu—for runners, friends, families, and fans. A buffet will feature pasta specials like gemelli, whole grain penne and gluten-free pasta (on request) served with classic marina, lamb bolognese, traditional pesto, and grilled chicken. Plus more carbs: breadsticks, ciabatta rolls, and kalamata rolls. On race day, throw back a commemorative Samuel Adams 26.2 brew or order a bottle of wine (Kenwood Yulupa Cuvee Special; $26.20 bottle, and refuel with a multi-course special menu for $26.20 — Chicken Wings (garlic, ginger, lime, sriracha, glazed peanuts), the ArtBar Burger (Niman Ranch chuck, cheddar, bacon, aioli, shoestring onions, brioche bun), a Lamb Burger (feta, chimichurri, pretzel bun), or a Porcini Mushroom Ravioli (wild mushrooms, English peas, Grana Padano broth, mascarpone, pea shoots and toasted panko); and, for dessert, the ginger crème brûlée tart hits the spot. But don’t expect ArtBar to throw in the towel after the marathon. It will be the place-to-see-and-be-seen all spring and summer, a perfect spot for runners to rewind and refuel. Make a reservation at ArtBar.

Mooo, Boston, Massachusetts
Luxury boutique hotel XV Beacon is home to this whimsically-named steakhouse, which is ideal for a beer and, you guessed it, a steak. Located in Beacon Hill about a mile from the Boston Marathon finish line, Moo is particularly well-suited for a post-nosh run along the Charles or through the cobblestoned streets of downtown Boston. A hoppy Harpoon IPA can help you replenish (with 14.5 to 16.5 grams of carbs per beer and 165 calories you’ll reload those carbs in no time.) Or, hoist a heartier German Radeberger Pilsner. The Whales Tale Pale Ale, a citrusy local pale ale brewed on Nantucket, is refreshing on a hot day. Light snacks include Japanese Wagyu Beef Dumplings (a mix of Kobe beef, sautéed onions, seasonings, and a Japanese dumping wrap with a ginger soy dressing). Or, go with the Shrimp Scampi (served with housemade linguini noodles —there’s a gluten-free option, too — and sautéed Gulf shrimp), for primo carb and protein reloading. Make a reservation at Mooo.

Post 390, Boston, Massachusetts
This tavern gets high fives for a lively spot for drinks (there’s a dining room here, but honestly, for a post-run meal, the tavern is perfect.) Think local craft beers and charcuterie, cheese plates, and tavern faves like Grilled Flatbreads (the Margherita with snipped basil is a favorite), a grilled Greek Steak Salad (with tomato, cucumber, kalamata olives, feta, red wine vinaigrette), and the signature Post 390 Burger or Lobster Roll. Wash it back with a local draft, such as a Jack’s Abby, House Lager Landbier, brewed in nearby Framingham. Make a reservation at Post 390.

Grill 23 & Bar, Boston, Massachusetts
You’ll want to run to this Back Bay steakhouse and seafood grill for the new bar menu that includes fun shareable items and a cocktail menu created by master sommelier Brahm Callahan. Menu standouts include the Laughing Bird Shrimp Louie (with grilled avocado, fried egg, and celery root crisps) and the Foie Gras Sliders (buns are swapped out for two halves of a homemade cider doughnut sandwiching a “decadent slab” of foie gras slathered with jalapeno jelly). Or, go for the Grill 23 Six Shooter (a spicy cerveza-base brings a kick to the region’s best oysters) Craving a burger instead? A new premium burger menu (think silver-domed service) takes the bar burger to new levels here; the Beef Burger is served with truffle cheddar, black garlic, arugula, and oven-cured tomato, for instance. Make a reservation at Grill 23 & Bar.

State Street Provisions, Boston, Massachusetts
After your run along the scenic waterfront, zip over to this newish hotspot with its parlor-like space on the waterfront, a backstroke from the New England Aquarium. You’ll want a cold one after clocking those running miles, and State Street features only beers from New England craft brewers including Baxter Tarnation Lager and Cisco Shark Tracker, two draft beers that are befitting rewards for your hard run. Pair your suds with the housemade Rigatoni (braised beef cheek, oyster mushrooms, Brussels sprout leaves and poached egg). Or, opt for the Seared Tuna Sandwich (grilled portabella, miso aioli, spiced pickled root vegetables). Make a reservation at State Street Provisions.

OAK Long Bar + Kitchen, Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts
OAK is located near the Esplanade and Back Bay, so there are some terrific running paths nearby. Add to that Oak’s local beer selections and it’s a win-win. And, once patio season is in full swing, Oak is a perfect post-run spot. Bites include fried chicken wings (chipotle piquillo pepper barbecue with a saffron dipping sauce), Three Cheese Mac & Cheese (confit pork shoulder, béchamel, cheese blend), the Oak Burger (caramelized onions, Nueske’s bacon, Vermont cheddar, special sauce and brioche), and a New England Lobster Roll (with old bay fries and coleslaw). Wash it down with a local draft like Harpoon IPA, Oak Unfiltered White or a Mystic Saison “Table Beer.” Make a reservation at OAK Long Bar + Kitchen.