Pittsburgh - New Beers & Local Breweries

Mad Mex has to keep their beer prices in line with their overpriced food.

 

Yep. Caliente, Mad Mex, The Library = no go unless it's happy hour.

Not just exclusive to those bars, but it's pretty crazy how high growler fills are here too. Two growlers from the Brew Gentlemen will run you $50 or so. You can get a case of a really good beer for about $10 less.

If I looked at how much money I spent on beer each month, I would probably fall into the fetal position and cry. If other people looked at how much money I spent on beer each month, they would probably think that I'm a full blown alcoholic.

 

They have healthier menu items as compared to other options we'd consider--with good tap list and where the kid can blend in with the background din, so I've become accustomed to it. Mostly I'm just happy when it's not fucking pizza or dino shapped chicken nuggets.

 

I could eat a gobblerito every night for dinner for the rest of my life. Expensive? Yes. Delicious? Yes.

 

I went to Wicked Fox (formerly Beer Nutz) in the Blawnox/Aspinwall area with a group of 7 guys. We all had 2 decent craft beers on draft and in bottles. Grand total: $18. I'm not sure how it worked out like that but I think it's worth going back for. I think they have a 2nd happy hour from 10PM to Midnight. Place was a little deserted but they did have some decent drinking options.

http://www.wickedfoxohara.com/

I think I had a bottle of Head Hunter and a bottle of Narwhal.

 

Yeah i can understand that. I just have a hard time justifying paying $$$$ for mexican food. Most of the best mexican food I have had in my life has come from cheap, hole in the wall places. So it is a food that, to me, can offer great flavors at affordable prices

 

Went there last Friday with Sara's parents and had dinner. Unfortunately they had a guy playing music really loudly in the corner which made us all miserable. The food was passable but also kinda forgettable.

 

"Come for the $/oz ratio, leave because of the music and food"
- Wicked Fox

 

No

 

Honestly, it seems that Waterworks MD is the best option for beer in that area, at least when it comes to drafts. I heard the food is solid as well but they do have the live music working against them.

Also, the Walnut Grill has decent drafts from time to time

 

gross... (sign me up!)

#GEMDH2OWRX bro. $4 founders breakfast stout pours @ happy hour. Not a killer vibe. But with a laptop or a book, place is a gamechanger. Or walletchanger I should say.

See, I find that to be relative B.S. (not what you said, but their pricing actions)
In my mind, (and I think the original idea behind it) happy hour is like a marketing tactic to drag people in with the flash and zing of a "deal". But the trick is that they often then order food too, order more than normal (due to deal), lose track of time and go past the happy hr limit, and thus the bill ends up just as high, plus it draws a larger crowd on weekdays, causes social gettogetherz, etc. or, a mix of any of those factors. So in my mind, basing your pricing around the fact your business is "losing out" due to a happy hour... well that seems awful shitty.

 

Well its kinda funny. Look how long their "rare" drafts last there. Far too long considering what they are. And if you go during happy hour, watch how the place clears out at 6:30. The business model seems pretty shitty.

 

I think they justify it in their heads at night cuz its *TexMex*

dont get the pizza plain though... yuck

 

Going to go to Dorothy 6 tonight before we go to BG. Anyone been or have any opinions on the food and/or beer list?

 

No but I expect a full report. That place has been on my radar to try.

 

@troygreer - are you still planning to do the brewery thing?

You realize when that day comes, we will expect you to adhere to all of our opinions in this thread, right?

 

Yessir. Things have been coming along at a clip lately. I'll have some more news to report in December.

Of course. I know that the beer will have to be up to the standards of Fat Heads for you @kbuzz , and I know that I will never see @barflybastard because I imagine that the taproom will be closed on the 3 days he is allowed out per year. Even if we aren't closed, I will make sure the door is locked when he arrives.

 

Agreed. In Chicago on maybe Fullerton avenue?, by the Two Way Lounge. IIRC, that place only serves Old Style.

 

Location?

 

Expect the slowest service you could ever imagine, but I really enjoyed the food but the beer list was average. They have a large number of beers on tap, but only two or three interested me. Stuff like Abita, Full Pint, Arcadia filled the draft list. I got jalapeno piergoies my first visit and then tried a meatloaf entree the other time I went.

It probably helped that I had a BOGO dinner coupon both times I went, as I thought that the entree portions were pretty small for this type of venue.