Holy Grale

Pregaming our Cleveland-Detroit beer & baseball trip with a few days in Louisville (and Indy & Cincy, but thems are a ways and days out yet). Did a slight hotel reset after a morning Bourbon tour & tasting and set out again. Uber’d out to a brewery and then Uber’d out to another and then Uber’d again to here because nothing is as walkable as it seems. This, a return to the scene of the post Shelton festival scene seen so many years ago. Always wanted to get back here as, well, I don’t think I really took the place in proper, and it’s Friday night in the now. In a converted house on the strip, like so much out here is. Ramp up the side and in...

‘J’ shaped composite top bar, wood panel base, & brass foot rail. Seating for 15 on short back seats. 3 copper tap towers with 5 Lukr handles each (whaaaat?) on the barback counter below a shelf with candles and glassware and religious type pieces and more (crosses, angels, pics, pieces) above, and glassware shelved down below. Off to the left, a fat ceramic tower with 8 non-descript handles countered. A single shelf above holding Lambic baskets and dangle glassware from the underside fronts a large vertical stained-glass piece. Slight glassware shelving boxes to both sides and bottles coolered below. Beer books & booze shelved in the mix, too.

Wood slat tiled floors, brick outer walls with arched windows curtained, and beige inner walls & ceiling with blended ductwork. A half dozen tables riding the bar, high & low, and a front nook shared. Long hexagon tube lamps tracing the seating. Drafts on ornate religious themed letter boards and last supper prints all about; some fun (Simpsons, Star Wars), and others that won’t land your soul in eternal damnation.

20 beers and a cider up, a good mix of Imports (St. GeorgenBrau Kellerbier, 4.9%; 1809 Professor Fritz Briem, Berliner Weisse, 5%; Schlenkerla Marzen, 5.1%; Hitachino Nest White Ale, Belgian White Ale, 5.5%; Dieu du Ciel! Rosee d’Hibiscus, Hibiscus Wheat Beer, 5.9%; Dieu du Ciel! Solstice d’ete Framboise, Fruited Berliner Weisse, 5.9%; Gurutzeta Sagardoa Basque Sidra, Basque Cider, 6%; Boon Gueuze, 6%; Blaugies Saison d’Epeautre, Saison, 6%; Brasserie Dunham Saison du Pinacle, Saison, 6.5%; Westmalle Dubbel, Belgian Strong Dark, 7%; Chimay Cinq Cents, Trippel, 8%; La Trappe Quadrupel, 10%; To Ol/Pohjala collab Sticks & Stones, BA Imperial Stout, 13.5%), and American craft (Crooked Stave Juicy West, IPA, 6%; OEC First Class, Belgian Blonde, 4.5%; OEC Export Stout Porter, 8.5%; Jester King Snorkel, Saison, 5.5%; Jester King Biere De Merlot, BA Farmhouse, 6.7%; Pen Druid It’s the Life, Hoppy Blonde, 5.5%; Fat Orange Cat Walkabout, Berliner Weisse, 5.3%).

On walkabout now, what’s upstairs, let’s go see. It’s a small single room for overflow or events with an arched ceiling and nearly a dozen tables. What’s that door about there? (me, pointing) It goes down and out back to a space they keep, you know, out back. 10 tables there; shorty & shared., some umbrella’d up. Hop vines along the exterior, plants, plants, plants, & strung lighting. Wait, there’s another bar back here. Oh, 6 more taps here, that’s cute.

So, that’s 5 more beers and another cider (Reissdorf Kolsch, 4.8%; Weihenstephaner Hefeweissebier, 5.4%; Bayrischer Bannhof, Leipziger Gose, 4.5%; Siren Caribbean Cake Chocolate Pancake Stack, 7.4%; Etienne DuPont Brut Cider, 5.5%; Maine Beer Company Another One, IPA, 7%).

So, yeah, 27 taps in all, it’s a good list. No, it’s a very good list. Strong representation from B United here, always a good thing, and a roughly 2 to 1 import to American craft ratio. It’s kind of crazy, I mean, who’s pouring the Fritz Briem Berliner AND the Bannhof Leipzi Gose at the same time, am I right? Saisons, (plural), and a Belgian dubbel, tripel, & quad? What fuck is this?

Started with the Blaugies Saison d’Epeautre because, yeah, it’s a real nice beer, and then the Brasserie Dunham Saison du Pinacle, Saison, which was good, but not as good as the Blaugies Saison. Thought I was winding down with the awesomesauce Boon Gueuze, but then got my (Reissdorf) Kolsch on out back once we realized there was shit going on back there.

We hung ‘til closing because beer happened. Super chill house. Very good tap list and a bottle book of the ‘does not suck’ variety. Yep, Trappist fun (a $9 Orval = love), and a whole lot more. Didn’t get to eat but that Burrata & Blue Dog Bread was calling to me. Look. They’re a Zwanze house, respect, yo (that’s a goddamn beer Michelin star in my book). Drink good beer here!

Made it over here based on a recommendation from shrubber85. seated out on the back patio. Loved the atmosphere, seemed very euro, including the menu.. Schnitzel sandwich was amazing as were the fries. Ecclectic tap list. Must visit in Louisville.

Regrettably, I haven’t enjoyed the ambiance and beers at the Holy Grale in a while. They have made many upgrades since my last visit yet it is still such a wonderful place. The interior is a little tight, but comfortable with maybe 10 seats at the bar and perhaps 6 or so tables around the room. There is an upstairs room which I don’t believe is open all the time, or maybe that depends upon the number of servers available. They have added some religious icons, as this used to be a church, which sort of fits in, but there is no proselytizing, (it also used to be a unique and wonderful book bindery). The room is warm and cozy with old brick and wood. All the knowledgeable and friendly servers can handle orders, take care of your bill or pour beer. There is also an outdoor area with hops plants and picnic tables that can seat maybe 50 or so people.
The beers are outstanding with my favorites being the many Belgian Ales. The tap system has been enlarged to 21. The beer menu describes the beers and the helpful servers can advise you on your choice.
The food menu changes but is very interesting and well thought out. We had tempura fried shishito peppers, Belgian fries, trout, shrimp and spätzle which was all delicious.
I believe that The Holy Grale probably has the best selection of special beers in Louisville that are served in a great environment. This place is highly recommended.

The best place in all of Kentucky to have a beer, all things considered, including the quality of the venue and food. The complex inside is a cool medieval church vibe. High quality craft beer selections, beers rotate, they have tapping events and some rare offerings. Large bottle list—the European selection is quite strong. And the food is also high quality craft.

This is hands down the single best place to go in Louisville for craft beer. The fact that they're one of the 84 or so Zwanze Day locations on Earth alone says that, but the food is great as well, and the staff know their stuff.

This is actually now something of a complex, with the original Holy Grale as a remodeled church (undergoing another round of remodeling as of the time of this review), and the adjacent Gralehaus which features more restaurant and bar seating, plus the Gralegarten outdoor seating area. It also now offers an AirBnB-esque experience on the second floor of the Gralehaus, should you be traveling and want to stay in a place where there's tap handles in your room.

 

 

 

 

The fact that I haven't written this review yet is embarrassing. There is no better place to get food + in Louisville. None. Period. The tap and bottle list is extensive with a fair amount of American and imported selections. They often host special tap events such as Zwanze day and other celebrations of Belgian beer, sour beer, stouts, etc.

An old church has been transformed into a casual bar with an upstairs loft and a beautiful biergarten. The food here is absolutely top notch. Great care goes into each ingredient and dish. The food matches the beer selection in terms of quality. The staff is well versed in their beer selection and is helpful to those who need guidance finding a drink appropriate for them.

Long story short, this is not only the best bar in Louisville, but I believe it could stand alone as a restaurant if it needed to.

 

 

 

What a beer bar should be. Great beer selection with world-class rare drafts common on the menu. Tap takeovers are always fun. Destination to seek out for sure for locals and guests from other cities. Most importantly, the food is delicious. Get the Burger.

What a gem this place is.

First the vibe is pretty cool, coolest church I've ever been in without question. Lots of hard, heavy wood surfaces with some stained glass artwork here and there.

The beer selection is out of this god damn world and I'm not even joking. Yes, part of it is the fact that Shelton Brothers was hosting a fest in town while we were there, but even when they weren't hosting a special event, they have an extensive bottle list, and the taps were pouring things I hadn't seen even in the beer nerd gathering points of Ohio.

Service is a little hit or miss but it was a pretty bloodshot sort of place at the time, due to the festivities.

The food though. The food! Absolutely phenomenal, top tier gastropub stuff. The shortrib poutine was good enough, but the ramen? Holy shit, that stuff was some of the best I've ever had and it all really hit the spot.

 

Really cool, converted old church

20 quality beers on tap

Good selection of bottled beers

Limited but good food selection

The burger was excellent and highly recommended

Friendly, knowledgeable wait staff

Would definitely return the next time I am here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amazing

Definitely on my top 3 bar list in Louisville, probably my favorite. Always have great beer, a killer burger, and friendly and knowledgeable people.

 

I had lived in Kentucky for nearly 6 years before we made the trip up to Louisville and this was a must stop.

This is place has a very classic and vintage vibe without feeling old or dated. This place can get a bit cramped on a Friday or Saturday night but there is room upstairs in a well hidden choir loft as well as a nice patio in the back. Selection is solid with something for every beer lover. Standouts available on our visit were Zombie Dust and Wekken sour. Glassware is always appropriate as well. Service was solid for such a chaotic Saturday night. Be warned this is a place being swarmed with hipsters who are found throughout the city frequenting the places most timely in fashion. This place has been cool for a very long time and shows no sign of letting up. Food was solid as we tried the Cheese plate and pretzel with beer cheese. In a city with many options in a growing beer scene, this one stands out as a star.

Delicious beer from all over the world. I recommend the English Nth Cloud and the Hitochino Ginger Ale.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Absolutely, hands down, the best place anywhere within a 100 mile radius (if not more). Everything about it is awesome. Took .25 off Vibe for anyone who needs to check out a sporting event on TV (as there aren't any) - doesn't deter from the good times in my opinion, but also don't feel comfortable giving 5's across the board for some reason

 

This place is the sh!t. I don't give usually give 5s but this place deserves the score.

A super cool environment, created from a renovated old church with loft and spacey patio. A cool draft board hand-drawn with chalk.

Attention to detail is the best way to sum up this place.

The quality and selection of beer is where this place really shines. Let's be honest, three kegs of Fune in 2014 - what more can you say. Well, several other kegs and tons of bottles of Cantillon, KBS for the 4th of July, Zwanze Day, and CBS for New Years.

My only complaint, it gets very busy for big days and lines are common, but that goes with the territory. The staff are great folks and give good recommendations for those that don't know what to go for. I visit regularly and they always are super friendly.

The food - equal quality as the beer. The truly professional chef always has great specials, but the burger and frites are my favorite. Not cheap but worth every penny. Once again, their attention to detail is noticeable.

I selfishly wish this place would remain a secret but that's too late.