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Where Do You Go For A Pint...or 5?


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Hi All. I thought it might be fun to start a thread devoted to pubs, tap-rooms, bars, saloons, roadhouses, and whatever else you want to call those wonderful establishments that serve up life by the pint. Whether it's a preferred local establishment, a destination worthy of a roadtrip or even an overnight stay, or perhaps one of those roadside joints you didn't even know was there until your car found the parking lot, I think we'd all like to hear about it.

So with that, I'll start with...

Legend has it that, back at the dawn of civilization, a young man sat drinking beer with his friends and joked that someday he would open a drinking establishment and name it Hinders, the opposite of Hooters. Eons passed, great cultures rose and collapsed, the world soldiered on until, one day in 2017, that young visionary saw his dream come to fruition. Adding the Initials of his father and father-in-law to class the name up a bit, H. H. Hinders was born. And more importantly, it was born just 12 miles from my home.

Hinders is, if you haven't yet guessed, a "butt-themed" business, producing some truly world-class beers with names like Glad Ass Porter and I Pledge My Assets IPA and Red Tail Ale, and they proudly encourage patrons to "grab a Hinder." They have a brewmaster who loves his craft and is constantly working on new brews. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, family friendly, and in warmer months they open up their pet-friendly biergarten. Anyone visiting central Wisconsin is strongly encouraged to stop for a Hinder or two.

Slainte!

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My local is cypher brewing. Been around 1 year. Great guys. Head brewer used to brew at capital brewing which I also love. 
 

Main issue with this brewery is probably some lack of atmosphere. Being in a new commercial building in the very grey concreted town of gunghalin, ACT Australia. 
 

But great beers. Great guys. I can take my dog and/or kids and it’s on the tram lines so can tram into city before/after. 
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Edited by Andy Simma
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My favorite watering hole in Arlington, Texas, is J. Gilligan's.

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In addition to about any libations you may want, they have great food (although somewhat artery-busting).  First, there is the famous Irish Nachos dish.  This photo is the vegetarian version with the sour cream already spread over it.  An explanation of Irish Nachos is in order.  Normally, (Mexican) nachos are corn chips with melted cheese (and a jalapeno slice) on top.  Irish nachos use thinly sliced potatoes instead of the corn chips.  (The whole dish is baked until the potato slices are fully cooked.) This photo is a little light on the jalapeno slices.  Maggie always makes sure I get extra peppers when I ask.  (I tip well.)

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The next photo shows my favorite variation:  adding the ground beef to the basic Irish nachos dish.

 

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This is my favorite dish at Gilligan's, although my plate would have double jalapenos.

Not to let you think Gilligan's is only Irish nachos; they have a very broad menu that I cannot begin to cover.  I am citing my favorites.  One more artery-busting delight is the chicken-fried steak as shown below.

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For some reason, my Bride doesn't let me go there too often.  Must be those artery-busting (delicious) meals.

Oh! and they certainly serve draft Guinness.

🙂 Happy brewing.

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1 hour ago, Steve Gyldenvand said:

And just like that, my head is already buzzing with ideas to recreate this dish at home. Very nice, @Thagomizer!

Slainte!

A few years back I had to go to head office for a few days and I had a similar version of that but it used potato Gems instead of sliced potatoes

 

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It wasn't bad at all maybe too many potato gems but it was something different at least and different in a way you thought "give that a go"

 

What was depressing was my company had been taken over by another and there were some new rules. The night after when I went down to the restaurant/bar they had imperial pints of Heineken on tap, on special. I spent my "dinner money allowance" on pints and then staggered out to Burger King, had a Whopper and then went to sleep.

Next day there was an email from HR...in red blocked letters explaining the protocol for dinner..,no alcohol with the meal and definitely, not spending the whole allowance on alcohol. I got into a very good place and had ten pints before staggering to Burger King (or as it is known in Aus, Hungry Jacks) to try to temper that effort.

I must have been a right mess the next morning at breakfast though, a couple of people in line helped load up my plate, if I could have talked, I would have thanked them but yeah was not in a good place.

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@Rob Courtney and @Steve Gyldenvand,

I've had the USA equivalent (tater tots) of potato gems.  I like them, but they do not even approach Irish nachos. 

I recommend engaging Irish nachos with a minimum of spicy peppers until you are acclimated.  I have been eating (I grow my own) jalapenos for years.  I am alone in this as my Bride does not tolerate capsaicin (the hot part of peppers).  My Indian friends scoff at jalapenos, but they are just right for me.  Think cheese as the first additive and peppers second.  Then other spices: garlic, (minimal) salt, dill weed and perhaps a touch of anise.

This should get you an acceptable starting recipe.  You will modify a bit for your personal taste, of course.  Remember to slip in a little vegetable oil among the potato slices and allow the grated cheese to drift over the spuds.  Then come the jalapenos and other spices.

Bake until done.  You'll have to check.

🙂 Hope this works for you.  Bon appetite!

 

 

Edited by Thagomizer
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The default serving of Irish Nachos includes small bits of bacon, so it is not really vegetarian.  My Indian friends are always careful to assure that no bacon is included, but then apply extra jalapenos as a mild seasoning.  I usually opt for double jalapenos but add the ground beef.

Let me know if you're coming to Arlington.  We'll visit Gilligan's.

🙂 Happy brewing and dining.

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