Category: Restaurants

Climbing the Mountain of Beer

On By Chris ElliottIn Alcohol, RestaurantsLeave a comment

I am late on this because it was about 4 weeks ago that I went but I need to get back to getting some posts up. Ascension Brewing Company is located in Novi, Michigan. It is relatively new on the craft brew radar and is tucked away among random other shops and businesses. I thought I put in the wrong location at first in my GPS.

Once I found the place and made my way inside, I ordered up a beer sampler. I have to say the beers were not bad but nothing really stood out to me. They have quite a bit of variety on their tap list and I think this place is trying to find their niche. I will say though the Mac and Cheese will pork was excellent. Besides beer, I like to think I have tried lots of different mac and cheeses. Beer and mac and cheese is a great combination in my book. I think I’ll have to give Ascension some time to climb the beer mountain and try them again in the future. Potential is there, they just have not reached the summit quite yet.

Charleston: Filled with Southern Charm

On By Chris ElliottIn Alcohol, Brewery, Restaurants, Trips, vacations1 Comment

Now that I’ve had 24 hours to regroup after that trip down South, I thought i would sit down and put the fingers to the keyboard. Charleston, SC is honestly a top 3 city I have ever been to. I spent just a few days there but accomplished so much yet still only saw a small piece of the city. And the people, wow! Talk about southern hospitality. Seriously this city has beautiful beaches, history around every corner and yeah some pretty good beer.

During my time there, I tried beer from four different local breweries and visited two. I enjoyed multiple beers from Palmetto Brewing Co. and Westbrook Brewing Company. Both produced quality beers. Trying local beers is one thing but I usually have to visit at least 1 brewery in a city. I think you get a better feel for the beer there and they usually have some you cannot get anywhere else. My girlfriend and I managed to get to two, Revelry Brewing Co. and Southend Brewery & Smokehouse. Honestly, while Southend had delicious food, the beer was just average. Revelry on the other hand was fantastic. Now, I have to admit I am not familiar with the New England style IPA but theirs called “Never Sunny” wins best SC beer in my book. Highly recommend it.

Beer wasn’t the only thing there though. We ate like gluttonous pigs at Hominy Grill, The Park Cafe, Closed For Business and others.  We saw the well-known sites like Rainbow Row, The Battery, and Angel Oak. And we enjoyed top end beaches like Isle of the Palms and Folly Beach where my back “Felt the  Bern” more than a 21-year-old Gender Studies major at a Sanders rally. Note to self, reapply sunscreen often.

Seriously, this was an amazing city. I will be back. I have to drag my girlfriend to all the historic sites next time. Charleston like its people, has more to give.

 

 

A Knights Beer

On By Chris ElliottIn Alcohol, Brewery, RestaurantsLeave a comment

I can’t say I was familiar with Mead before this trip to The BottleHouse Brewery in Lakewood but if it was good enough for the knights of the round table then it’s good enough for me.  This brewery opened up this second location in Lakewood relatively recently after having its main  location on the east side of Cleveland and I have been looking for an opportunity to try  it out. The place is truly a trip back to the middle ages with the aged wood and iron throughout.

The man attraction is the mead that does not go light on the punch. Drinking this on a regular basis would make any man fit to wield a sword. For those that want something more traditional, they have plenty of house beers and ciders on tap. Quite a large selection for a small craft brewery actually. Definitely an unique experience that I will have to try again. bhb

Pour My Own Beer? Yes Please.

On By Chris ElliottIn Alcohol, RestaurantsLeave a comment

Another new place in Cleveland opened up recently and I had to try it out when I heard about their Inebriation Stations.

Wild Eagle Saloon is a country themed bar in Downtown Cleveland. What sets them a part from other bars are the Inebriation Stations located throughout the bar where you can pour your own beer by swiping a prepaid card. You pay by the ounce and this allows you to try multiple beers quickly or fill up a big glass if you prefer. It’s easy to see how the stations got their name.

While pouring your own beer is a cool and unique concept, I have to say the reason I will go back is for the food. Talk about a fat kids heaven. Bacon fried bacon, fried mac cheese balls and a gigantic burger challenge with it all topped on two burgers. I can feel my arteries clogging with delicious greasiness. Cleveland is constantly adding new places it seems and this one if definitely different from  the others. Go check it out. Your taste buds will thank you, your arteries will hate you but you’ll love it. wild eagle.jpg

Yoga and Beer-Interesting Concept

On By Chris ElliottIn Alcohol, Brewery, Fitness, RestaurantsLeave a comment

When someone imagines yoga, I can say with confidence I do not come to mind. In fact, if you are picturing it now I apologize. However, I do “practice” yoga from time to time. Last week, I went out with some coworkers and my girlfriend to Hofbrauhaus in Cleveland for some yoga and beer.

A local company by the name of Balance and Brews puts on these events at local breweries, restaurants and other beer related establishments. You go, do some yoga for an hour and then drink a couple beers. Kind of an excuse to drink and not feel bad about the calories. And trust me the workout will make you earn that beer. I am in semi decent shape (ok that’s a lie) and that session had me dripping sweat like an old man in a sauna. If you’re looking for a good workout with yoga, it’s something to check out. Overall, it’s an interesting concept and drinking a big German beer, or any beer for that matter, is always something I am up for.

Go for the Beer, Stay for the Tots

On By Chris ElliottIn Alcohol, Brewery, RestaurantsLeave a comment

When people think Cleveland Beer, they think Great Lake Brewery. For good reason of course, it is the top beer in Cleveland. We have all seen someone go ape shit over the Christmas Ale release each year. However, trust me the tater tots at the Great Lakes Pup Restaurant are the not so hidden gem of the place. If you have never been, I recommend going and making sure you get a side of their giant tots. Garlic Parmesan is my favorite flavor but they change from day to day and you won’t be disappointed with any of the flavors.  Great Lakes Brewing company is a place you go for the beer but definitely stay for the tots.
Come on, who doesn’t like tots?