Henry Street Tap Room

Went there last night with some other barflies to dissect why this place should be our new local, but isn't. We decided it's because the beers, interesting though they are, aren't very well curated. We started with an amazing Palate Wrecker from Green Flash which maybe did just that, because none of the remaining beers came close and two or three of them were so bland as to be undrinkable.

By comparison, the Toronado down the block from me in San Francisco when I lived there is one of the most famous beer bars in the world, renowned for its eclectic selection. Yet everything goes with everything else in some way, and if you ask for help the gruff, Hells Angel-looking barkeep will stoop to making some pretty good suggestions. Here, if you don't know what you want, they ask you to spin a roulette wheel. I'm not kidding.

I've been hearing about this place from a buddy at work and how it is juts opened not too long ago and it is suppose to be good.  So while my friend from Vegas was in town I mention it to him and we decided to go and check it out and grab a beer.  We are both fans of beers so I figured this place could be cool.  

We walked in on a Sunday night and the place wasn't busy.  We ended up sitting at the bar and browsed through their beer list.  I sampled both of their brown ales they had on tap.  I ended up ordering a pint of one, I don't remember the name.  My friend ordered a pint of  " The crisper " one of their lighter beers.  For 2 beers with a 2 dollar tip it set me back 19.00!  Hell I am a fan of beer but 19.00 for 2 beers?...No thanks.  I am good with this place, I can go next store and even to Druthers and get same quality beers there at a fraction of the price.   I really can see how this place is going to survive it they charge that type of money for their beers.

The beer selection included a cider, so I was sated. The server was pretty knowledgeable about the offerings, too, which is always nice.

A friend and I split the bacon flight, because it was offered and hard to pass up, and the burger. The bacon flight was kind of silly, but what can you expect. The chocolate covered bacon and bacon-wrapped brussels sprout were the highlights. The other two things (I think it was a pork belly something and a broth thing) were kinda gross. The burger was quite good - well matched with its bun and toppings. The fries were super good! Thick and crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. I actually ordered a second side of them because I was being nice and sharing the first order, and then had remorse and wanted more for myself.

Atmosphere was a little rambunctious for me, but it was also beer fest or some such in town, so it was potentially a busier than average sort of night.