Discussion of Robin Garr's Against the Grain review

[Robin Garr]

Against the Grain — brewery, BBQ and vegan!?
LEO's Eats with Robin Garr



Hey, let’s go get a beer! And some pulled pork! And … some vegan wings made out of seitan?

Beer and barbecue make a natural pair, and Against The Grain Brewery and Smokehouse does both admirably. But add some really good vegetarian dishes to this mix, and you’ve got something quite out of the ordinary.

This recent arrival in the old Browning’s space is staffed with a strong team, most of whom moved over here from Bluegrass Brewing Co. It’s been drawing enthusiastic crowds since it opened Oct. 4, taking over the purpose-built microbrewery in Slugger Field.

All four owners — Jerry Gnagy, Sam Cruz, Adam Watson and Andrew Ott — bring extensive beer-making experience, mostly at BBC, supporting Against the Grain’s claim to be “Louisville’s only brewer owned brewpub.”

Co-chef Reid Johnson comes from BBC, too; he’s joined here by co-chef Akeem Hasegawa in laying out an eclectic menu that blends carnivorous fare — much of it skillfully smoked on the premises — with imaginative vegetarian and vegan treats.

They haven’t changed Browning’s venue much, moving things around a bit and adding an eye-catching graphic that depicts the brewing process. The imposing, glass-walled brewing equipment with its stylish re-use of the 19th century Brinly-Hardy train shed needed no alteration to serve as one of the city’s more evocative brewpub spaces.

Read the full review on LouisvilleHotBytes,
http://www.louisvillehotbytes.com/again ... -and-vegan

And in LEO Weekly:
http://leoweekly.com/dining/against-gra ... -and-vegan

Against the Grain Brewery and Smokehouse
Slugger Field
401 E. Main St.
515-0174
http://www.atgbrewery.com
Rating: 83

I couldn't find anything nice that Marty had to say about the food in today's CJ review, except for the beer cheese. This has to rank up there as one of his most negative reviews (from his descriptions).

I couldn't find anything nice that Marty had to say about the food in today's CJ review, except for the beer cheese. This has to rank up there as one of his most negative reviews (from his descriptions).

Rosen's) is a negative review indeed. However, he also complimented the Waldorf salad.

[Robin Garr]

Rosen's) is a negative review indeed. However, he also complimented the Waldorf salad.

I'm trying really hard not to say anything, but to put it as gently as I can, it does seem that Marty's approach has diverged a bit from mine during his tenure on the Gannett galley ship.

I was surprised at his faint praise for the food at AtG given my own very positive experiences in a party of three (and, although I didn't mention it in the review, comparing notes with a large LEO staff party nearby).

I was also puzzled at his complete omission of their remarkable mix of carnivorous and hard-core vegetarian/vegan fare. Okay, he's an omnivore, I get it. But to miss this point completely seems like a strange thing for a food writer to do. (Or did I miss a reference? I admit I started skimming toward the end.)

I also guess I admire him a little for (apparently) having made multiple visits and eaten through most of the (meatful part of the) menu before doing the review. He's a bigger man than I am.

I couldn't find anything nice that Marty had to say about the food in today's CJ review, except for the beer cheese. This has to rank up there as one of his most negative reviews (from his descriptions).

Rosen's) is a negative review indeed. However, he also complimented the Waldorf salad.

<Shrugs>...I'm thinking it might more accurately be defined as "damning by faint praise"
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damn_with_faint_praise). However one defines it, I think he got his point across...and personally I appreciate his honesty (however veiled).

Not to flatter myself, but just in case you're putting anything gently on my account, please don't bother as I won't be offended.. I am not all that familiar with Mr. Rosen, but I gather that not everyone here is a fan of his. Anyway, my appetite (cheesy pun intended) for restaurant reviews are usually sated by your website.

Rosen's) is a negative review indeed. However, he also complimented the Waldorf salad.

I'm trying really hard not to say anything, but to put it as gently as I can, it does seem that Marty's approach has diverged a bit from mine during his tenure on the Gannett galley ship.

I was surprised at his faint praise for the food at AtG given my own very positive experiences in a party of three (and, although I didn't mention it in the review, comparing notes with a large LEO staff party nearby).

I was also puzzled at his complete omission of their remarkable mix of carnivorous and hard-core vegetarian/vegan fare. Okay, he's an omnivore, I get it. But to miss this point completely seems like a strange thing for a food writer to do. (Or did I miss a reference? I admit I started skimming toward the end.)

I also guess I admire him a little for (apparently) having made multiple visits and eaten through most of the (meatful part of the) menu before doing the review. He's a bigger man than I am.

[Robin Garr]

Not to flatter myself, but just in case you're putting anything gently on my account, please don't bother as I won't be offended.

Ray, I sure didn't take anything amiss from your remarks. They pretty much echoed what I had been quietly thinking about today's review.

Generally speaking, although I try to be gracious - it's The Louisville Way, you know - I wasn't going easy on you or anything, which wouldn't have been necessary in this case ...

My appetite (cheesy pun intended) for restaurant reviews are usually sated by your website.

Same here but I am interested in reading the other guy's review. I went there last night. The beer was excellent.

Rosen's) is a negative review indeed. However, he also complimented the Waldorf salad.

I'm trying really hard not to say anything, but to put it as gently as I can, it does seem that Marty's approach has diverged a bit from mine during his tenure on the Gannett galley ship.

I was surprised at his faint praise for the food at AtG given my own very positive experiences in a party of three (and, although I didn't mention it in the review, comparing notes with a large LEO staff party nearby).

I was also puzzled at his complete omission of their remarkable mix of carnivorous and hard-core vegetarian/vegan fare. Okay, he's an omnivore, I get it. But to miss this point completely seems like a strange thing for a food writer to do. (Or did I miss a reference? I admit I started skimming toward the end.)

I also guess I admire him a little for (apparently) having made multiple visits and eaten through most of the (meatful part of the) menu before doing the review. He's a bigger man than I am.

It did read as a pretty rough take on the food, given that it's still fairly new, almost on par with the "fair and balanced" approach that others use.......I do think Marty is crossing some lines on a personal scale by calling Jerry Gnagy "opinionated". Almost implies some inherent snobbery in the man. I know Jerry from the BBC days. He has a very dry sense of humor and a rapier wit but I wouldn't toss him into the opinionated heap. Just my .02

I have to agree with Marty on this one. Curious after such divergent reviews, I went there with my family last night. The food was pretty uninspiring. I tried the smoke chicken despite his description. It was definitely over smoked. The green beans that came as a side seemed to have been smoked to death alongside with the chicken and were limp and lifeless. Frankly, I didn't even like the beer.

I have to agree with Marty on this one. Curious after such divergent reviews, I went there with my family last night. The food was pretty uninspiring. I tried the smoke chicken despite his description. It was definitely over smoked. The green beans that came as a side seemed to have been smoked to death alongside with the chicken and were limp and lifeless. Frankly, I didn't even like the beer.

Went last night....<Meh>...Our experience probably lies somewhere between Marty and Robin. The apps were great (beer cheese and smoked onion rings), the entrees ranged from pretty good down to "I'd never order this again". We sampled our way down the beer menu and there were a couple that were pretty good, there were also a couple that were just nasty. More than anything else, what will keep us away in the future is the "we only brew each beer once" approach...Some folks may find this concept appealing, I do not.

I have to say that like several others here, I was underwhelmed by the initial offerings on the menu. Unlike the others I've not had anything on the menu other than the hummus appetizer. Unfair you say. How can you express an opinion you say?

Well, I didn't like the food when I saw the menu so I thought I'd wait to see if maybe I'm just a stick in the mud where these offerings were concerned. After all, many of the items here were combinations I've not seen on a menu before.

Now the beer was a different story. I didn't try a bunch of different beers when I visited back in October. I'm most happy with bitter beer and they had some. I was taken aback by the name of the beer. "Two Wheeled Death Machine" seriously, I hope someone's 13 year old son named that one going for a Halloween theme because I don't know who else it would appeal to. Not really important though.

The beer itself was very good and when I noticed that they actually had it on cask I was seriously bummed that I had drank the first one before noticing. The next two were exceptional and I am really beholden to ATG for that. I don't know if they will always have cask beer as its seems that most places don't bother but if they have it sometimes - I will come drink it!

I'm also not sure I like the concept of never the same beers. The tried and true method has always been a core of regular favorites with rotating options for when your feeling frisky. But then not much here is in the mold of "tried and true." That doesn't appear to be what their going for. I hope it works though so I'll have some good beer to drink at Bat's games with my italian. I suspect/hope the menu will also change cause this stick in the mud likes his onion rings (unsmoked).

Oh, how was the hummus. It was hummus - no complaints.

Cheers

I have to agree with Marty on this one. Curious after such divergent reviews, I went there with my family last night. The food was pretty uninspiring. I tried the smoke chicken despite his description. It was definitely over smoked. The green beans that came as a side seemed to have been smoked to death alongside with the chicken and were limp and lifeless. Frankly, I didn't even like the beer.

Went last night....<Meh>...Our experience probably lies somewhere between Marty and Robin. The apps were great (beer cheese and smoked onion rings), the entrees ranged from pretty good down to "I'd never order this again". We sampled our way down the beer menu and there were a couple that were pretty good, there were also a couple that were just nasty. More than anything else, what will keep us away in the future is the "we only brew each beer once" approach...Some folks may find this concept appealing, I do not.

I only ask this since you have been around the craft beer block and I respect your opinion; Curious which beers you thought nasty.

I have to agree with Marty on this one. Curious after such divergent reviews, I went there with my family last night. The food was pretty uninspiring. I tried the smoke chicken despite his description. It was definitely over smoked. The green beans that came as a side seemed to have been smoked to death alongside with the chicken and were limp and lifeless. Frankly, I didn't even like the beer.

Went last night....<Meh>...Our experience probably lies somewhere between Marty and Robin. The apps were great (beer cheese and smoked onion rings), the entrees ranged from pretty good down to "I'd never order this again". We sampled our way down the beer menu and there were a couple that were pretty good, there were also a couple that were just nasty. More than anything else, what will keep us away in the future is the "we only brew each beer once" approach...Some folks may find this concept appealing, I do not.

I only ask this since you have been around the craft beer block and I respect your opinion; Curious which beers you thought nasty.

David, I'll do my best but honestly after a while all these goofy names start running into each other. As I recall I really liked the Hoppy Seconds (??) and I liked the "Schvarted" whatever the hell it was. I did not care for the Covalent Blonde...too much going on for a "session" beer and I positively hated the smoked whatever the hell it was. Nasty nasty stuff. There was one other beer, can't recall what it was that was kinda "meh". So in as nut shell, there were two beers that were among the best I've had recently and there were two beers that were amongst the least enjoyable I've had in quite some time.

I only ask this since you have been around the craft beer block and I respect your opinion; Curious which beers you thought nasty.

David, I'll do my best but honestly after a while all these goofy names start running into each other. As I recall I really liked the Hoppy Seconds (??) and I liked the "Schvarted" whatever the hell it was. I did not care for the Covalent Blonde...too much going on for a "session" beer and I positively hated the smoked whatever the hell it was. Nasty nasty stuff. There was one other beer, can't recall what it was that was kinda "meh". So in as nut shell, there were two beers that were among the best I've had recently and there were two beers that were amongst the least enjoyable I've had in quite some time.

Thanks Steve. I like to cook with smoked beer and have enjoyed a few in the styles motherland, Bamberg, Germany, but not my favorite style for drinking. I was just curious.