Not a good beer to be had ...

[Oliver]

Is there anything worse than going to a restaurant and having to choose between beers that are all as bad as each other?

I tend to find that Asian and Italian restaurants (at least here in Australia) are the worst offenders.

Let's try and shame restaurants and cafes into providing a decent selection of beers.

My first nomination is not a restaurant, but Australian airline Virgin Blue.

The beers available on its flights are Victoria Bitter, Sterling light and Crown Lager. All terrible in my view.

Does anyone else have a nomination?

[Matty]

Not so much a restaurant, but most pubs I've been to have something dodgey on tap (as most pub probably have similar) ie; V.B., Carlton Draught. Although I'm lucky enough to have a local pub which has Stella Artois on tap!! mmmmmmmm Stella........... If I wanna go for a 1/2 hr drive I can have a local brew, Holgates (made in Woodend, Vic) on tap. Thinking about it, now I kinda feel spoilt.........

[morry]

Well, at all the local pubs around here, you have a choice between carlton draught and vb. No wonder heaps of people drink premixed spirits.
And matty, I wish I had some of the holgate beers on tap around here!! I reckon theyre a great range.

[Marty]

The best thing about the Holgate brewhouse is they have two of their own beers on hand pumped taps for that "authentic" English experience. Last time I was there they had a brilliant dark ale on tap which went well with my steak and dark ale pie.

Marty

[Matty]

That'd be the Winter Ale, I think they only brew it for a few weeks each year, then that's it 'til next year. It's worth the wait tho.

Cheers

Matty

[Oliver]

Now for a good beer selection.

This one's from Saragossa, a restaurant I went to recently in Richmond, Victoria, Australia.

There's one bad beer (VB) on the list, and one that I don't rate highly (Boag's Premium). But you can overlook those given the other good, rare and interesting beers on the list.

Sydney Champagne Cider
Cascade Premium Light
Victoria Bitter
Boags Premium Lager
Cooper's Sparkling Ale
Cooper's Pale Ale
Blue Tongue Lager
Jamieson's Brown Ale
Stella Artois
Asahi
Alhambra 1925 Riserva
Velkopopovicky Kozel
Chimay Blue
Schofferhofer Hefeweizen

Now, if only other restaurants would follow the lead.

Cheers,

Oliver

[Dogger Dan]

I am thinking the Blue may be a bit much for a restaurant.

Just me though, maybe I should paint a target on my forehead

Dogger

[grabman]

If you're in Perth drop in to the Paddington Ale House in Mt Hawthorn. They have over 110 beers available, at least 10 on tap! Great pub with top food as well!!
They even have a club for those who have drubk them all!

I maneged it when it was on 81 beers to get through, did it with a mate in two sessions, had ato have a two week break in between to get money together for round two.

GRabman

[Antsvb]

Grabman,

Was fairly impressed with Bobby Dazzlers Alehouse on a recent trip to Perth. They would have had at least 10 on tap although missed out on the'Nail Ale'.

Oliver,

Supprised with your mention of Blue Tongue. Have not enjoyed it recently, especially for a local drop.

[Oliver]

Antsvb,

Ah yes, I should probably try the Blue Tongue before saying it's a good thing to have on a beer list!

No good, you don't reckon?

Cheers,

Oliver

[Dogger Dan]

Oliver,

I don't mean to give this stuff a bad name but its pretty high octane. If you are at a restaurant having a big heavy beer it may detract from the meal. Thats all I am saying.

On a personal note I am not a Chimnay fan and as you can tell I am not a fan of the unibrew gang either (End of the World and Satan Beer). I guess I am just not fond of 11 percent beer.

Dogger

[grabman]

Antsvb, Yep Dazzlers is okay, but not as good as Paddo,! just my thoughts though!

[Dogger Dan]

And really, I have no idea what I am talking about


So I am just going to shut up now


I must have been chewing on the wifes Codine tabs

Dogger

[Antsvb]

Oliver,

Yeah my few tries of Blue Tongue have resulted in me drinking murky off tasting water.

Could just be me, like to know what anyone else thinks.

[Jay]

The Thai restaurant in our apartment block has

ON TAP
James Squire Amber Ale
Bluetongue Lager
Bluetingue Ginger Ale
New
VB
Carlton Draught

Bottles
An extensive range (too many to remember off the top of the head) but include Coopers Pale and Sparkling Ales as well as a number of Thai and SE Asian beers including Singha Beer.

Jay.

[Oliver]

That's amazing!

I find that Asian and Italian restaurants tend to have the crappiest beer lists on earth.

Your local deserves a medal!

Cheers,

Oliver

[Dogger Dan]

Guys

Come to Canada,

You are sure to be disappointed

Dogger

[GTI86]

the parkview in brunswick has - had>?coppers on tap I used to go there
alot tops on uni night or hospitality night

[rain]

It's NOT my idea, but I did read in a news paper that semi-classical music played in the background of restraunts has proven to increase the sales of wine, particularly reds.
I told a restrauant owner friend and she now, after eight month, agrees. Last month I suggested offering 'free' a taste of home brew beers to newly arriving patrons - MANY did not enjoy the experience, saying they'd prefer a gratis sherry. The owner rejected that idea! But quite a few (including a couple of shielas) asked about 'difficulties' and 'costs' associated with home-brewing.

[gregb]

At the Australian international Airshow the beer choice was VB or Stirling lite. Both in cans. I went to the next tent for a cup of coffee.

Greg.