You Might Be a Beer Geek If ...

Beer and Spirits
1

one of the slots in your knife block is reserved for your beer bottle opener.

2

Someone just have an epiphany?

3

Hey Brian,

Sorry for the slight thread drift, but have you checked out Tony’s Darts Away in Burbank yet? Would be interested in your take on their selection:

4

Ken,
I have not checked-out TDA yet; in fact, I hadn’t even heard about it 'till you brought it up. They have a great selection of IPA (any place where you can get Racer 5 for $4.50 a pint is going to be a major WIN in my book), and a very solid selection of other beers on-tap, too. They have a couple beers I think very very highly of, and also a couple I’ve never tried but would be very interested in trying. Pricing looks to be very good.

That said, how it was ranked at the 13th Best Beer Bar in the U.S. by ratebeer.com is beyond me. Same goes for how it was ranked as 24th best in the World. Both of those rankings are rank hogwash (pun intended).

If I lived near this place, I’d go all the time. As it is, I’ll stick to Naja’s in Redondo Beach, which truly is the best beer bar in the United States, if not world (I’d love to hear others’ suggestions as to what place(s) could compete).

5

I’ve been once, as it’s near my office. Lots of hipsters, but lots of good beer, too. I’ve been a fan of Eagle Rock Brewing Co. for awhile and they have a couple of their beers which I hadn’t found elsewhere. Anyway, I figured you would have been all over it. Not sure how those “rankings” work, but maybe it’s like getting a WS Sommelier’s award?

6

the rankings are probably ratebeer.com user rankings.

There’s a lot of good beer bars in L.A. that I’ve either heard of but never been to or simply not even heard of. If Naja’s didn’t exist, I’d be a lot more hip to the situation, but Naja’s’ existence basically makes all that a waste of time, as my grading of beer bars is very heavily weighted towards selection (which is heavily weighted towards on-tap selection), and Naja’s has that on lockdown.

If I lived in your neighborhood, I’d be at Lucky Baldwins a lot.

7

Yeah, we’re at Lucky’s a lot, since my English mum-in-law likes the Fish n’ Chips…

8

Who, me?!? [blush.gif]

9

I can see you now popping the cap on a Racer 5, returning the opener to the knife block arm outstrethed, then pausing mid-move before saying “Damn, I really do have a problem, don’t I?”

To answer your question:
… if you have your beer glasses divided into 3 three categories:
Level III are the everyday glasses you don’t care about that much, logos are faded or less interesting, repeats of others you have. These see regular use and are filled with whatever is being drunk at that time and are stored near the kitchen to grab at a moment’s notice. (Still have about 30+ in this category, including all the standard beer shapes)
Level II are the better than average glasses that may be a little bit moe unique or pretty enough to not want to use or damage them as quickly, but many can be downgraded to Level III if needed. Vast array of styles and brands, and will try and match the beer to the logo whenever possible, but will also pull if it’s more convenient than running upstairs. (About 100+, pretty even between Belgians and pints, but a fair number of Germans a well)
Level I are the top 50, displayed on the wall in a converted glass fronted CD case, along with some unique bottles and beer nicknacks. Only allowed to be used with the beer that matches the logo.

10

[rofl.gif] 3 Levels of beer glasses … I love it!!!

I stopped buying beer glasses once I realized they’re never all dirty at once (or at least very rarely). I’m still tempted to buy a couple specific stems, but have resisted the urge thus far (I really like those New Belgium bowls).

It may come as a surprise to find out I have maybe 10 pint glasses, 3 pilseners, 3 tall wheat beers, 2 Leffe, 1 Stone IPA, and 1 Stone Levitation. I drink lots of my nicer beers out of wine glasses I obtained from tasting rooms (i.e. wine glasses I don’t give much of a crap about).

Only beer and water are allowed to be drank from my beer glasses, and water is seriously frowned-upon.

11

Actually bought very few of them. Sold my soul for Rock n’ Roll and free beer swag.

12

If you get a re-do on that, you should sell your soul for Rock n’ Roll swag and free beer! [wow.gif]

13

I’m with you on Naja’s being the best beer bar in North America - the setting alone with half the tap handles would still put it up there - and they take care of their taps - I’ve never had an unbalanced tap beer there ever - their food menu is a bit scant though -

So many beer bars in this country focus more on regional beers than accenting their list with European beers - I just discovered a terrific beer bar outside of Kenosha Wsconsin with a great local emphasis called UNCLE MIKE’S -

http://www.unclemikespub.com/

They had a great selection of Wisconsn craft beers as well as a whole wall of Dogfish tap handles - great pub food as well -


But when we are talking about “the world” - Then Belgium and Amsterdam enter the picture - - and there is an amazing group of beer bars there with 300 plus selections - with an official glass for each one direct from each brewery - and I won’t even mention the unbelievable food -