Blue Canoe Brewing Co.

 

 

A downtown brewpub that has some charm. A small wood bar, just a few tables scattered with fold out chairs. A very relaxed and simple vibe. The bartenders are fine, but I kept getting short poured for some reason. I don't like those "boss" pours at all, some head is good. Not well over 2 inches in a standard pint shaker though.

About 7-10 beers on at any given time. Ranging from wheats, reds, IPA's, to imperial stouts. I didn't find anything particularly well made. Most everything was either way to sweet or had some noticeable diacetyl. They have a small menu of appetizers and sliders. Seems a little pricey, and the pints are at least $6, some are more. Overall, an OK spot but nothing special. Will probably stick to the tried and true Lost Forty next time I'm in town though.

 

I'd visited here a couple of years back. I wasn't impressed then, but was hoping for more now. Mistake. We had a pint of Whittler and a coconut stout, which the server had to get out of the back room. I guess, from her work behind the bar, that the lines were bad. It didn't seem to help, as both tasted pretty much identical, with little of interest to note, and kind of a skunky aftertaste. A nice location, but not a great operation.

 

 

This is a cool little place. Great location: close enough to all the hubbub of the River Market, but not quite on the main drag. It isn't big, but has a very homey feel to it. About 8 to 10 of their own beers on tap, but no guest brews. Growler fills available. The stout and the pale ale were both very good. Typical of many tap rooms, no food, and no table service. No big deal, though. The guys at the bar were helpful, courteous, and patient. A nice steady flow of traffic on a Saturday evening. This is a great place to drink good beer and chill with beer lovers.

 

 

While the taplist is limited, it's a matter of quality over quantity. Above average to very good representations of pale ale, milk stout, wheat beer and IPA. Surprise was Papp Ale - spiced apple ale and even better was Lazy River Table Beer a Belgian session that invites another and maybe one more. Blue Canoe is worth the visit ... and another drop by!