The Case of the Missing Servers

Recently at NABC in New Albany. Came in this past weekend on Sunday for our first time ever. Weather was amazing and we sat outside in this side covered patio area. Waitress approached and asked what we wanted to drink. We indicated we all wanted water but also wanted to do a beer flight to try the beers, before ordering pints, She asked us which ones, to which we asked for a beer list and descriptions. She pointed to a wall mounted chalkboard beer list, and said "there you go" before walking away.

I had that same exact experience there about two years ago. I'd heard so much on LHB about the great beers I really wanted to see what it was all about. Never been back.

Weird, as Ive never had that problem.

The styles are pretty clearly listed on the beer posters. Of course, those are inside. But if Im sitting outside, the first thing I do is walk inside and stare at the posters.

Same for at Grant Line, once Ive claimed a table, I walk into the room with the beers on the wall and stare for a few minutes.

Not having an up-to-date beer list is somewhat inexcusable, but even Grale, with a daily printing cant keep theirs entirely up-to-date.

If you are going to hang your hat on being a brewery then for God's sake have a clearly printed beer list with clear descriptions of your house brewed beers available. Or put more on the board than just weight, alcohol and name.

Seems that God hasn't answered my text message, so I'll get right on this one myself.

The dining room board has styles printed underneath, and I didn't stop to think that the Reading Room board doesn't. That's correctable, for sure. You'd think it would be easier when there's only 12-14 beers on tap at any given time, but alas, it seldom is. We like to mix things up, and sometimes when you juggle, you drop a ball or two.

Thanks.

Weird, as Ive never had that problem.

The styles are pretty clearly listed on the beer posters. Of course, those are inside. But if Im sitting outside, the first thing I do is walk inside and stare at the posters.

Same for at Grant Line, once Ive claimed a table, I walk into the room with the beers on the wall and stare for a few minutes.

Not having an up-to-date beer list is somewhat inexcusable, but even Grale, with a daily printing cant keep theirs entirely up-to-date.

As I stated in my post it was our first time there, so I had no way of knowing the inside boards had any more information than the outside ones did. Since the waitress didnt direct us there.
Having said that though I shouldnt have to go wondering about a restaurant to find out what's on tap and what style of beer it is.
Restaurants use wine lists for a reason. Businesses serving beer should do the same. Or make the wall mounted board available in every room.

Thanks.

You're welcome. Looking at Richard's post in this thread it seems Im not the only one though who has gotten the brush off by your wait staff though. In addition to updating the wall boards/printed beer list you might want to have some words with your servers. Just my two cents.

I had that same exact experience there about two years ago. I'd heard so much on LHB about the great beers I really wanted to see what it was all about. Never been back.

Not splitting hairs, but separating the two issues:

Actually, the beers ARE great.

... and ...

I'm sorry you had a bad server experience two years ago. They get it right most of the time, and we're all in favor of improvement. It's always job one.

Cheers.

I stopped in Bank St tonight for a pint before heading home. I noticed that additional information had been added to the board identifying the style of each beer.

As someone who has been a regular customer since it opened I recognize most of the beers at any given time. There are usually a few new ones and I often ask for a description and a sample as was the case tonight.

Having said that, I can see where someone who has never been to the venue before wouldn't know the beers and looking at the the board wouldn't rectify that.

In my experience, the staff at BSB are knowledgeable about their beers and usually very helpful to people who need to be familiarized about the beers. Doug the experience you describe, I suspect (hope) is a case of having caught a staff member having a bad shift.

I'm glad that another staff member provided you with the information that you needed to help you make your selections. The area that you were seated in was opened fairly recently and will likely be transformed over time to incorporate additional signage and features.

I myself have little patience for poor service and I think that what you experienced in your first visit was not indicative of what you typically find at BSB. I hope you give them another chance. Cheers!

I myself have little patience for poor service and I think that what you experienced in your first visit was not indicative of what you typically find at BSB. I hope you give them another chance. Cheers!

Thanks. I think we get it right most of the time, but perfection isn't merely elusive -- it's impossible.

Progress report: I've updated the NABC beer list that's supposed to be available to customers, and found it to be about 3.5% inaccurate; it is being repaired.

Then I'll do a simpler one-sheet accounting of all the beers with styles included, with the caveat that we like to confuse the issue by NOT aiming for the center of the target. "Elector-Style Ale" sounds like a pretty good style for Elector -- and so on.

After that I'll make copies of both and create a new slot for them both inside and out.

This should resolve much of the issue. Thanks.

I myself have little patience for poor service and I think that what you experienced in your first visit was not indicative of what you typically find at BSB. I hope you give them another chance. Cheers!

This should resolve much of the issue. Thanks.

Well that solves that. A most excellent response Roger...

Okay, now's the follow-up.

Since last fall, we've had a list (theoretically) available at both locations. It is four pages long and includes tasting notes and stats. I've revised and posted at the NABC web site:

http://newalbanian.com/download/sellsheets/NABC2013Beer%20StatsTastingNotesMayUpdate.pdf

Yesterday I shortened it by omitting the tasting notes and made the font larger. It's also at the web site:

http://newalbanian.com/download/sellsheets/NABCOnePageBeerList.pdf

Now I'll send them to my graphics guy to print in (hopefully) large amounts, and I'll install a rack of some sort for them in each of the two rooms at Bank Street. There already are such slots at the Public House.

See how much I can accomplish when reasonably sober for a day or two?

Restaurants use wine lists for a reason. Businesses serving beer should do the same..

I agree, I just happen to think a big-ass beer list on the wall meets the minimal standard. More listings, including paper ones, is even better, and it sounds like Roger has done that now.

You should have seen the grief I got last year for suggesting any restaurant with a wine menu on their website should also have a beer menu. And shock that someone might not go to a restaurant if they couldnt see the beers available in advance.

I do think the service you received was an aberration. Ive been to BSB and Grant Line many times and the staff has detailed beer knowledge, although more so at Grant Line.

Had a nice meal at the NABC Pizzeria (pub side) last night. There was a beer list on the table and the place was full up.

In spite of the crowd, service was faultless. My favorite beer cheese and potato salad were as always, 5 X 5. Cheers!

Generally, for the most part, usually and any other phrases or words I can use, when Suzi and I go out the service is good to above average. There are things that sometimes are lacking.

For instance today we slipped out for brunch about 1230. We went to the Bardstown Rd., North End Cafè. The food was as always wonderful. Their Corned Beef Hash is one of the best in Louisville and the cook who fixed my eggs knew what MEDIUM meant. Then we hit minor things: I got coffee to drink and the server brought it to the table in a reasonable amount of time, sans spoon. There was a plastic stir stick in it and she pointed to the warm cream-like substance on the table. I drink my coffee straight up so no big thing. Oh Wait. It was hot so I wanted to drop a couple ice cubes from my water in it. I opened my napkin and knife and fork present, no spoon. What gives? College kids steal all the spoons?

If'n you don't want to put a spoon out with each table setting I can understand that. But, really, a cuppa joe and no spoon?

Then the real snag. WE took our time to order, and was what we wanted as we were discussing a couple projects. Our order arrived at the table delivered by a food runner, who turned and walked away with nary a word. She got about six steps before my "Miss" got her to turn back. I asked if she could get me some more coffee. She smiled and indicated yes. It had been well over 10 minutes since my first cup arrived and I swear there was a hole in that cup because 7/8 of it was gone.

I proceeded to butter my muffins, move my hash and eggs around, cut up my eggs, and our waitress came to the table to ask if everything was ok. Well food looks great but could I get some coffee please?

I had eaten one half a muffin and associated egg and hash before she returned to fill my cup.

We ate and were talking when the waitress came over to clean our dishes and ask if we wanted anything else. I asked for a refill on my coffee and she was back with it rather quickly. When we settled up the bill the waitress wanted to know if I would like to have a cup of coffee to go. I declined.

My question about Missing Servers is: I have to ask to get my drink refilled? Seriously, I don't think a table should ever have to ask to get a drink refilled except for alcohol. Coffee, tea, water, soft drinks and whatever else you serve for a flat fee should be filled as needed. I customer really should NEVER have to ask to have it filled up. That is of course an opinion and like noses everybody has one.

And as a final note I will invoke my laziness rage against serving toast or toasted muffins with out it being buttered in the back. That is the epitome laziness. I don't want to hear about most diners are watching what they eat and don't want their toast buttered. If they don't they'll order dry toast or ask. I knew already and even if I didn't know from previous visits the bowl of BUTTER on the table was a hint that my toasted muffins were coming out dry. OK, I turn off my laziness rage.

Am I too picky? Just plain wrong?

Keeping coffee cups filled is standard at most restaurants. I thought. And at breakfast? That's a no brainer, not expecting too much.

I was dining at a nice, table clothed restaurant last week and ordered a bottle of beer with my meal. It came (some time later) and with no mug or glass. Just a bottle plopped on the table. It took another 10 minutes to flag down the server and ask for a glass or mug or coffee cup, or something. The waitress looks at me and says, "Really? Most people just drink it from the bottle. " (did I say it was a nice restaurant? We were wearing shoes. the menus were nicely leather bound with separate wine lists. I thought a glass would have been a given.) She seriously made me feel like I was some sort of freak for expecting a glass, walking away shaking her head. Poor service is one thing...intentionally making your customer feel like an idiot is another.

(did I say it was a nice restaurant? We were wearing shoes.

This cracked me up Carla! I'm sure the waitress and her friends all drink their BMCs from the bottle which is advisable for such beers with no real aroma or taste you'd want to experience anyway.

I blame poor parenting and the stupid state laws that prevent us from teaching our kids how to drink properly from an early age. My poor kids had to learn from observing only. But learn they did. Cheers!

Richard - we had an almost identical experience last weekend at North End Highlands too. I found it infuriating and kept consoling myself with the thought that it must be our server specifically since we usually have good service there at breakfast. Really, no one should have to ask multiple times for coffee refill at breakfast, and yes we too asked the food runner.

(did I say it was a nice restaurant? We were wearing shoes.

This cracked me up Carla! I'm sure the waitress and her friends all drink their BMCs from the bottle which is advisable for such beers with no real aroma or taste you'd want to experience anyway.

I blame poor parenting and the stupid state laws that prevent us from teaching our kids how to drink properly from an early age. My poor kids had to learn from observing only. But learn they did. Cheers!

OK Shane, I will admit I really DIDN'T want to smell the bottled beer. But it was my first Dixie Blackened Voodoo since Katrina and I wanted to see the color at least.
On an added note - thank goodness you're rearing those younguns of yours right!