We’re moving!

Faithful followers, we’ve moved over to www.louisvilleontap.wordpress.com- we figure it’s easier to remember- visit us there- we may take this page down- or we may not- but we’ll probably start to ignore it right about now.

Bizarro?

The beerologists have just stumbled across http://lvillebeer.webs.com/, due primarily to a tip from a friend that this fella seems to have to logo we want- we won’t begrudge him that, though, because we cover different areas (he gets the beers, we get the bars) and we think his work is kind of cool. Mister lvillebeer, if you see this, we feel that you should be our new best friend.

CONTEST!

The beerologists are looking for an official logo- it should involve beer and the fleur de lis- we think- the winner will get a write-up and we’ll buy you a drink. That’s right- you could win a drink with us! (Which should be extra enticing for those of you who don’t know who we are). E-mail submissions and/or further questions to beerologists@gmail.com.

The Inkwell

I believe people generally have good ideas, but we tend to talk more than act. Even the beerologists talked over brews for months about this blog idea before we ever wrote a word (then we stopped writing and talked for a few more months about how we should start again.) Now, we talk about teaching teenagers about poetry or visiting a bar in Nottingham- but it’s all talk. There is a special sort of person, though, who acts on good ideas instead of talking about them.

This brings me to our original home bar. Before the Mag, before the Hideaway, we were Rudyard Kipling girls. And so we shall always be. Any visitor to the Rud can see that the building is bigger than what’s used. There’s a back room and a second floor, and even a third floor room. For years, those of us who call the Motherlodge home have talked about how to best make use of the extra space, but no one really knew where to start.

Then came a staff shift. Fear not- Aerin is still around, but these days, she’s got a lot more on her plate than keeping us all drunk.  A new hero has ridden into town in the form of Danny Moran. Danny’s the fellow behind the bar who serves you drinks and makes sure to learn your name. You may find him flipping about trays with drinks on them never spilling a drop or traipsing around the back yard on stilts. If you don’t see him, chances are he’s hidden somewhere working on a new project. He’s already completed his first.

As the Rud has always been a place where literary sorts like to be, Danny has installed for us a bookstore, and we shall call it The Inkwell. Why a bookstore? Because Danny had some books, of course. Why The Inkwell? In cleaning out the back room, he stumbled across a secret cistern. When I say the back has been cleaned out, let me clarify that having worked at the Rud a time or two myself, I always made trips into the back as quick as they could be. There was something spooky about it. It was just a storage area, but so much was stored that I never knew about the cistern or the stairs leading to an office upstairs. Now, it’s sort of magical- maybe my favorite nook in this place I love so much.

This is, of course, not a Borders or Barnes and Noble- instead, it reminds me of a place that used to exist on the square of my hometown where I would search for books someone else had written in because I am fascinated by things that have already lived a life or two. Like the books in that place, these have the smell of the hidden corners of a library where a person can hide for hours. The Inkwell has in it volumes of poetry I plan to buy even though I already own them simply because these copies have more character. I’ve even heard talk of some first editions, if you’re in to that sort of thing. The cistern is flanked by church pews and a chess board waits for someone to pay it attention.

Being a person who loves a good book as much as I love a good beer, I am ecstatic that Danny saw a sort of potential the rest of us hadn’t and went so far as to act on it. It’s just what the place needed. In honor of The Inkwell’s opening- and existence, for that matter- these beers are for Danny.

Skull Alley

Where Barrett meets Broadway, there’s a special little spot- it exists as a venue- the selling of beer is just happenstance- but we believe in their cause, and so we’ll share that cause with you. Skull Alley is a tribute to a good fellow who didn’t quite get to see adulthood, but who loved music, and so his older brother created a sort of refuge for kids like him. That’s their schtick. It’s all ages. And I think that’s a wonderful thing, as loving to rock is not a trait that necessarily appears upon one’s 21st birthday.

Parking can be a bit of a hassle in that area, particularly for a packed show, but there are generally spots at the church across the street. It’s as safe as anywhere downtown and as there are generally smokers outside the front door, you’re within eye and earshot of friends from your car until you get inside. It must be noted that the venue encourages carpooling and biking because that’s the responsible way to be- and we think that’s awesome. Be sure you have your ID- as an all ages venue, Skull Alley has to card rigorously. It’s not really in a bar stretch, but not far from the Irish Triangle area of Baxter Ave.

Once inside, you’ll find that Skull Alley is pretty bare bones. The building is a the double barrel of shotgun architecture- the space you enter has the bar and the bathrooms, as well as the space where bands are generally peddling their merch. In the second room, to your right when you enter, is the stage and not much else. It’s just a hardwood floor and bare brick walls, but there’s a sort of beauty about the way you can see where there were once windows and fireplaces. The only seating comes in the form of a couple of barstools as the acts who play Skull Alley are generally the types you stand to hear. There’s no jukebox, no bar games, but the acoustics are good.

The bathroom is a fun thing. Like the Dark Star bathroom, it’s painted with that chalk board paint and decorating is encouraged. As there tend to be teenagers around, the doodles there look like a high school notebook- maybe I live in Peter Pan land, but it makes me smile to see loopy proclamations of love.

There’s a smoking area out back- door across from the bathrooms and down the stairs, though the front sidewalk area tends to serve the same purpose. Its a little tough on rainy nights as there’s basically no shelter.

More often than not, Jamie Prott, the owner, is tending bar. There’s no liquor, only beer, and the selection is mostly basic with a few surprise craft brews, but even for a beer snob, sometimes a PBR does the job- and they’re cheap here like they should be.

On a final note, Skull Alley has a whole other side in the form of a screen printing shop, so if your band needs shirts, this is a one stop shop to get those and book a show.

Skull Alley isn’t just a stop on the bar tour of Louisville- we go there a lot. It’s one of the few places people go these days because they sincerely give a shit about supporting music. That’s what’s cool about a place that lets the kids in- before you became accustomed to going out and getting hammered, you knew how to love a band and sing along with every word- I appreciate a place that reminds me of that sort of unabashed joy. These beers are for the kids and their un-jaded wanderlust.

Sergio’s in Louisville!

We know, we know…it’s old news now, but we just wouldn’t feel right if we didn’t do a little update on Sergio’s World Beers.

For all of you who don’t get out as much as you’d like, or perhaps live under a rock (we’re looking at you, Daniel Stearman) Sergio’s has moved to a fabulous Louisville location!! Now located strategically at 1605 Story Avenue, which is basically on the corner of Frankfort Avenue and Story Avenue, SWB is poised for the Clifton/Butchertown takeover of 2010.

The new location has a certain members-only vibe. There’s no sign on the front door, and the windows and front door are literally covered with flags from the world. But the Shaman of Suds is there, we assure you. With an ever-expanding beer list, and food that can make very private things happen to your body, SWB is as much of an experience as it ever was. You get an amazing, eclectic crowd of very respectful and adventurous folk. We can say, with total honesty, that we have never had a bad experience on a Sergio’s night.

When you walk in the front door, you will immediately be greeted by the beautiful bar, which is literally covered with taps, from the very popular Two Hearted, to some of the most rare and unique beers available in the world. The menu is roughly the size of your torso, so if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, we recommend asking Sergio what his current favorite brew is. It’s always something off the beaten path, but life changingly delicious.

In addition to the forest of taps, you will also encounter not one, not two, but three refrigerators of chilling brews. The kitchen is also visible from the bar room, a fact which we can all appreciate on multiple levels. If you follow the hall past the kitchen and the restrooms, you will find a large back room of booths and tables for larger parties.

We have to say, we love this Story Ave location.  Its pretty accessible from all over town, and there is parking behind the building, and on the street. Mostly we love being able to see Sergio on a regular basis, which means more beer discoveries and more knee-weakening brownies!

Make sure you check Sergio’s out at the website: www.sergiosworldbeers.com and on Facebook! Or hell, why not just take a drive  down to Story Ave and see the man?

These beers, all 1,000 of them, are for growth, personal accomplishment, and for never saying “die.”

Zanzabar

It seems only fitting that the triumphant return of the Beerologists should be marked by the triumphant return of a local watering hole. You know that building on Preston with the “Z” on it? Of course you do. Everyone does. We drive by it all the time. Most recently, it was the Brown Bag Bakery, but that “Z” recalled the former life of Zanzibar. The “I” has changed to an “A,” so these days it goes by Zanzabar, but essentially, the name is the same as it ever was. It warms my heart to see an old bar become new!

You’ve probably been to Uncle Pleasant’s. Everyone has. Z bar (that’s what we call it) is just about 2 blocks from there. Or maybe you know Tink’s? Just across the street. Parking is generally no problem unless there’s a big deal show, and as is the case with most Germantown dives, it’s safe as anywhere.

Once inside, chances are you’ll find the place nicer than you expected. The decor is simple and modern and it tends to be one of the cleanest bars I’ve found- even the bathroom. There’s a jukebox, but more often than not, it’s not necessary as Z bar is the new place to go for live music. Most every night there’s a band or a DJ (or both), and it’s a good place to catch a sporting event if you don’t want to deal with a real sports bar. Be forewarned, though, this is Card territory- there’s even a classic Dr Dunk poster over the service area. There’s a great patio for smoking- or just being outside if smoking isn’t your thing- and during colder months, it’s heated- well heated.

The beer list is a force to be reckoned with- definitely better than the average dive- and the food is restaurant quality. Though there hasn’t been an official Beerologists night out at Z Bar, we find ourselves there nearly as often as we find ourselves at the Nach- and that’s saying a lot.

As far as the patrons, they vary slightly depending on the entertainment, but this joint does fall under the umbrella of “Hipster Bar.” There are lots of skinny jeans and ironic t-shirt wearing 20-30 somethings smoking pall malls, but what sets it apart from Look at That Fuckin’ Hipster annoyance is that the Z Bar hipsters seem to have gotten over the need to be the coolest person in the room. Everyone just manages to coexist- conversations develop out of thin air that make you laugh until your face hurts- it’s community functioning well.

I highly recommend that you look Z bar up on the facebook (us, too, while you’re at it)- they do a stellar job of keeping that circle up to date on what’s happening. A band you like is playing there soon- that I can nearly promise. All in all, these beers are for drinking with your neighbors, regardless of who qualifies as a hipster.