First, I found the most lacking element was courteous service. When I enter a pub, especially one not overly busy, I expect to be greeted and asked my pleasure. I found my own way to the bar where there were only 3 or 4 other patrons, yet it took me 10 minutes to get a notice from the lady tending bar. She seemed unable to answer many questions about the beer but did give me a beer menu and a regular menu. Her replies seemed grudging and perfunctory, usually replying over her shoulder while walking away. It left me feeling unwelcome. I finally gave up trying to either ask her questions or give her orders.

But I came for the beer, and this is what the review is about, right? They have 5 beers on the menu, but one was not available and one extra was still around. Here are my impressions: Copperhead ESB: Not and ESB. Lacking in almost every English character. Overly hopped with Cascade and so stuffed with caramel malts that it tasted like a Sugar Daddy dipped in pine tar. Festbier: Their Oktoberfest offering was lacking in any melanoidin richness and had a strong soapy character and evident dicetyl notes. Perhaps it was forced and hasn't lagered long enough or maybe I just got a glass that hadn't had the dish soap rinsed off. Helles: Finally a beer to style with strong Tettanang hop bite and just the right low malt breadiness and a slight melanoidin richness. Slight astringency in the finish. Their most mainstream beer, but a nice example. Tripel: Not on the menu, never offered to me, but she poured it from a secondary set of taps and I spotted her doing it, so asked for a sample. 15 minutes later I got one. I shouldn't have bothered. It had a strong orange aroma, like Tang, and the flavor was of sour honey with distinct fusel high alcohols. Dark and still too sweet for the style. I didn't even finish my 1 ounce taster.

I also had the calamari appetizer. The food is not cheap here. I cereal bowl of calamari was $10 and 75% of the bowl is filled with fried onion bits. I had been planning on eating dinner here, but bailed after just the appetizer. It would have cost me at least $50 to eat here if I had a salad and an entree.