The Pickle Barrel

(#46 of 49) This was a 'detour' from our intended route in order to satisfy our bucket list quest to drink a beer in every state. We could not find a convenient brewery to visit along this route so we stopped at this place based upon several recommendations in BA forum threads. The restaurant is located in the end unit of a newish-looking strip mall, and parking is available to the front and side. The inside had a restaurant vibe and several TVs were scattered around. It was a good call to stop here because we ended up really liking it.

We arrived in mid-afternoon for a late lunch, so they were not busy. There are 42 taps here with a very wide style selection (including one cider) plus 9 bottled offerings. The tap list was basically beers that we've never had, so it was a challenge to choose which ones we wanted. (Small tastes were offered to help us choose.) Given the name of this place, it was no surprise to see a bowl of sliced pickles sitting on our table to give us an extra 'snack.' There's nothing like a long tap list to get me to come back, and I'd do just that if I'm ever in the area again.

It's absolutely fantastic to have a quality beer place in the little old town of Monroe/West-Monroe. Of course, there are the "chain" restaurants (Buffalo Wild Wings, Hooters), but they're not restaurants and just aren't suitable for family meals. Pickle Barrel is a Bar and grill that offers a wide variety of imports, domestics and semi-upscale American crafts with 43 taps and lots of sports on TV. They do a really good job with the diversity of selection--too many places offer a bunch of tabs of Bud, Miller, Coors, Heineken, Stella, Guiness, etc... Pickle Barrel has their beer menu broken into ambers, pale ales, Belgians, stouts, strong beers, IPA's, Pale Ales, etc... with a series of rotating seasonals. There are a handful of locals (Parish, Great Raft, Tin Roof, Abita and Ouachita Brewing) mixed in with big nationals (New Belgium, Bells, Prairie, etc...) and a few internationals (Fullers, Brewdog...).

The food is well done, ($8-12 for a burger or sandwich, and other awesome entrees!). They also have some of the most amazing beer specials with half-off drafts and all appetizers (2-6pm, everyday), a $10 pitcher night and a bunch of others! The staff are friendly, perhaps overly-so, though not terribly beer-knowledgeable. Still, this is an excellent choice: wonderful beer selection, very well done food and family-friendly enough ambiance. The bar area is mostly all adults watching games, but there were a smattering of families in the dining room. We've been twice and will definitely make it back!