The BF has been on my case for weeks about popping into Verdugo Bar but I’m kind of a stubborn piece of work and a creature of habit that has become overly comfortable in certain Bavarian-themed Silverlake establishments. But now I needn’t even get on the 2 freeway anymore. Maybe ever again! Some brilliant human being has opened the beer-centric Verdugo Bar in Glassell Park, a blessed 5 minutes away from my hilltop shanty.
This is definitely a wondrous place for the beer adventurer to do a little travelling, and they’ve got excellent selections both in bottles and on tap. The sheer amount of choice panicked me at first so I asked for a Duvel, only because I recently had it at Paperfish a few days ago and it was the first thing to pop into my head. They didn’t have any Duvel by the bottle, but the bartender helpfully steered me to a Delirium Tremens, a Belgian Strong Pale Ale, at a hefty 8.5% alcohol level and served to me in a goblet. It was delicious, kicky, hearty but not heavy at all, and certainly not too bitter. It compared perfectly to the Duvel in terms of it being a delicious beer just to sit and sip, but I found it much more refreshing and lip smacking. Verdugo Bar wins points for giving me a goblet – the bartender at Paperfish could only rustle up a wine glass. Back to the beer though – I’m impressed with this skillful recommendation, seriously, because now helpful Wikipedia is telling me this beer was declared THE BEST BEER IN THE WORLD! in 1998.
We eagerly returned to Verdugo Bar a few days later for a beer tasting from the North Coast Brewing Company. They were pouring 9 selections. The one I was most familiar with is their Red Seal Ale, which you can find at Trader Joes in the area and my chum Inland Empirical recently blogged about.
photo by Inland Empirical
I hate to sound like one of those drunk people you meet a beer tasting (wait…I am one of those drunk people you meet at a) but seriously, every single one of them was pretty damn good. One of my favorites was the Pranqster, a Belgian style Golden Ale, fruity, a little clovey, and gently spiced on the nose. I’m not even a huge fan of dark beers but I even took to their Old Rasputin, a Russian Imperial Stout. It was rich and creamy with distinct coffee notes that made it seem like it would be comforting on a rainy day. Mmmm, a beer-coffee. A blatte? Sorry.
The last beer was their Old Stock Ale. It says all kinds of important sounding things in the tasting notes: “brewed with classic MarisOtter malt and Fuggles and East Kent Goldings hops, all important from England”. This beer was definitely the fiery punch-swinging redhead of the group, with a seductive deep dark color and a BIG kick (11.7% alcohol!). This is the kind of beer that makes you weak in the knees, not because it’s so flavorful and very robust but because you are well, pretty schnockered if you are sitting around downing this serious brew.
Only two trips to this bar and I am in love. Someone pour me a staggeringly delicious Hoegaarden witbier. I’m settling in.
Pros: Extensive beer menu, dark low key atmosphere and no douchebags thus far.
Cons: No food. But there are chips! Kettle Chips! We had a few bags!
