A bunch of beer geeks take on restaurant beer menus

There is a thread on BeerAdvocate about restaurant beer menus, both online and printed.

http://beeradvocate.com/community/threa ... nu.117858/

It reminded me of a thread on here last year, but I thought this one has some interesting take from the customer perspective. The thread is at two pages and growing fast.

Here is the original post in the thread:

Theres a lot of bars and restaurants I been to that I know sell beer but when I look at the website for the restaurant, none of the brands of beer they sell are listed. Same with the menu inside the restaurant. No beer listed even if they sell beer. The menu could show all the food, the deserts, the appetizers and the wine, but beer is no where to be seen. Some places have a good variety of craft beer and some places might just have adjunct macro lagers. Why dont they want me to know what beer they have like anything else?

Then you have the restaurants that have their beer listed on the menu, but wont show the price for the beer. Food prices are listed, wine prices are listed, everything they sell has the prices listed but for some reason if beer is on the menu, often times they dont have any price listed. Its embarrassing to have to ask what beer they have, is it on draft, and what the prices are.

Has anyone noticed this?

A bit of a pet peeve when a restaurants simply lists ____ brewery "seasonal" on the menu.

Printing out a fresh tap menu each night is simple and in expensive. Relying on a server to remember more than a couple beers on tap is not ideal. The chalk board concept works but only if it is visible to everyone.

Equally annoying is a place with an extensive bottle list that is not updated. At one frankfort ave eatery, we ordered four out of stock beers before finding one that was in. I will continue to dine there but a few minutes of work could save each server quite a bit of time.

A bit of a pet peeve when a restaurants simply lists ____ brewery "seasonal" on the menu.

The Mellow Mushroom on Blankenbaker is bad about that. They have about a dozen of them, and I refuse to ask what they all are.

Last time the waiter did have a list.

And thats a pet peeve of mine. If the staff can have a printed out list in their pocket, then print a list for each table instead.

A bit of a pet peeve when a restaurants simply lists ____ brewery "seasonal" on the menu.

Printing out a fresh tap menu each night is simple and in expensive. Relying on a server to remember more than a couple beers on tap is not ideal. The chalk board concept works but only if it is visible to everyone.

Equally annoying is a place with an extensive bottle list that is not updated. At one frankfort ave eatery, we ordered four out of stock beers before finding one that was in. I will continue to dine there but a few minutes of work could save each server quite a bit of time.

Yep. Two of my big beefs. And certain area restaurants are pretty bad about abusing both.

A bit of a pet peeve when a restaurants simply lists ____ brewery "seasonal" on the menu.

The Mellow Mushroom on Blankenbaker is bad about that. They have about a dozen of them, and I refuse to ask what they all are.

Last time the waiter did have a list.

And thats a pet peeve of mine. If the staff can have a printed out list in their pocket, then print a list for each table instead.

I work at Blankenbaker (currently taking a break though). I had a hard time keeping up with our beer list since we have 35 beers where some were seasonal. One of the servers made up a list for us all to carry in our pockets which made it so much easier, but she only worked part time and didn't keep the list updated. Mine got so torn up, I ended up throwing it away. At one point, I had it memorized. I hated that our beer menu doesn't have an insert with an updated rotator list because you don't know how many times I have had to go excuse myself to ask the bartender for a guest. Embarassing to say the least.

I had a hard time keeping up with our beer list since we have 35 beers where some were seasonal....One of the servers made up a list for us all to carry in our pockets which made it so much easier, but she only worked part time and didn't keep the list updated.

Ehhhhhh.....I'm gonna have-ta say major fail on this one. We stopped into the M.M. in Asheville N.C. today (Beer Capital of the World), where they have 70 taps, the majority of them local AND seasonal...The beer list was up to date and the server had NO trouble at ALL giving us the lowdown on any and all the beers we inquired about. DEFINITELY Not pointing any fingers at you personally but (as I've stated here previously) the M.M. on Blankenbaker is nothing more than a kicked up Chuckie Cheese and it doesn't surprise me in the least that a part time employee was the one who took it upon themselves to actually put together a beer list...God knows the management doesn't have a clue.

I will pass your all's complaints about MM Blankenbaker to them. When I get home from my other job tonight, I will send a message to a manager and the bartenders. Any suggestions on how you all would like to see an updated beer list?

I will pass your all's complaints about MM Blankenbaker to them. When I get home from my other job tonight, I will send a message to a manager and the bartenders. Any suggestions on how you all would like to see an updated beer list?

Well for starters, the Asheville M.M. (and as I recall the others I've been in as well) have large chalkboards listing most of the beers on tap, or at least the new and/or seasonal selections, along with the A.B.V. of each one. Does yours have a chalk board ? They also have an "*86" board right beside the service area at the bar listing which food/beverage products they are out of or no longer carry. Do you have an "86" board ? While we were enjoying our beers we noticed one of the servers coming on her shift, she went the bar and -asked- what was new and/or had been changed out...and then tried two very small samples of a couple of new beers. Do the servers at your location do this ?....Might be a good idea if they don't. Finally I can't imagine the proprietors of such a beer-centric restaurant wouldn't -personally- take the time to ensure there table-side beer lists are up to date - right down to the seasonal selections.. That part...to me....is just baffling.

For me, It's not so much that I need an updated accurate beer list. It's more that I have a way of seeing what's available. That could mean a knowledgeable server, or bartender, or just a walk up to see what pulls are there or just checking out a blackboard.

Many restaurants are trying to rotate their beers quite frequently, much more frequently than they change their wine list. It's much more fun to me if they have interesting beers that I haven't tried before, than whether they manage to update their beer list daily.

Beer culture is different than wine culture. Complaining that beer culture isn't the same as wine culture is not fun. Leaving my table to chat with the bartender about beer selections, now that *is* fun.

Eric, If you are referring to the Rover, then I want to apologize and let you know what may have happened. Yesterday as we were inserting our winter specialty cocktail list, we came across one Beers & Spirits menu that contained a bottled beer insert from yesteryear...many, many yesteryears. All the rest of the drinks menus included up to date bottle info (with one seasonal exception), but if you received that one rogue menu, then, yes, many of the bottles were long gone. I know how frustrating it can be to set your mind on something, only to be told you can't have it, and, again, I apologize.

Now, in terms of up-to-date printed draft menus, it's a little trickier. We have 6 rotating taps, and, as they blow, an entirely new beer is put on, usually mid-service. Many of the rotating taps are six barrels and may only last a day or two. Instead of a constantly outdated printed menu, we rely on the same tools as the Asheville Mellow Mushroom which Steve P. outlined: Chalkboard for customers, 86 board for servers, samples of new beers along with brief tasting notes posted in the server station, and, of course, as Steve H enjoys, the walk up to the draft line-up for a rundown from the bartender.

Are some servers better than others at helping you find the right beer? Yes, but please know we are constantly working to communicate the info and provide the training needed to be informed guides on all aspects of the menu.

Michael Reidy
The Irish Rover

A bit of a pet peeve when a restaurants simply lists ____ brewery "seasonal" on the menu.

Printing out a fresh tap menu each night is simple and in expensive. Relying on a server to remember more than a couple beers on tap is not ideal. The chalk board concept works but only if it is visible to everyone.

Equally annoying is a place with an extensive bottle list that is not updated. At one frankfort ave eatery, we ordered four out of stock beers before finding one that was in. I will continue to dine there but a few minutes of work could save each server quite a bit of time.

[Robin Garr]

please know we are constantly working to communicate the info and provide the training needed to be informed guides on all aspects of the menu.

Good post!

I will pass your all's complaints about MM Blankenbaker to them. When I get home from my other job tonight, I will send a message to a manager and the bartenders. Any suggestions on how you all would like to see an updated beer list?

A printed list that goes on the table.

When a rotator changes, print a new list.

If that is too difficult, a chalkboard in view of most of the restaurant. I dont mind walking away from my table and staring at the board for a few minutes when I arrive, I do it at Rich O's.

please know we are constantly working to communicate the info and provide the training needed to be informed guides on all aspects of the menu.

Good post!

Agreed. And I will state I have never had any problem at Rover figuring out what was available.

Eric, If you are referring to the Rover, then I want to apologize and let you know what may have happened. ...

was not the rover. I wont call them out by name as I love their food, bourbon list and atmosphere. One small minor glitch will not keep me away.

Chances are that someone in management worked hard on the beer list since it contained quite a few artisan bottles that I know are one offs or limited.. Failure to communicate or change it was more of an inconvenience for staff