Lord Amherst Public House

We stopped in Amherstburg for a quick bite the other day and, prompted by a billboard touting "31 kinds of beer," decided to try out the Lord Amherst Public House.  Located in an historic old building that was built in 1841 by Peter Taylor & Co., importers of of British goods, this well-maintained pub is about to celebrate it's first anniversary.

Tammi and I were immediately struct by the cleanliness of the establishment.  Small, yet comfortable, the main room is spanned by a marvellous hardwood bar on the south side and about eight four-tops along the windowed north side.

Service was prompt and with delivered with great enthusiasm and a smile.

The menu is a mix of traditional pub fare with Lord Amherst's own flair--the pub, dear friends, and not the historical figure.  Tammi had the Lord Amherst Salad ($8), a large plate of delicate baby greens, a julienne of roma tomatoes and golden beets, snipped green beans, and fresh basil tossed with a citrus white beer and truffle vinaigrette.  She added goat cheese for an extra $2.  It was very large and quite tasty.  I had the fish and chips ($13), a Wellington Ale battered white fish served with a house-made tartar sauce and fresh cut fries.  The batter was golden in colour and light in texture, while the fish was tender and flakey; the house-made tartar sauce was just right and made a flavourful condiment.

It was the promise of "31 kinds of beer" that brought us to this fine eating establishment, but I was a little disappointed with the selection.  First, let me be honest and admit that I am a complete beer snob and enjoy the experience of tasting finely crafted beers from around the world.  The list of domestic dreck at this pub could have been shorter and the craft brews could have been sprinkled with more variety.  With that said, there is a better selection of beers at this pub then at ninety-nine percent of the drinking establishments in the Windsor-Essex region.  I enjoyed the Innis and Gunn Original ($6), an oak-aged, beer with hints of vanilla and toffee that remains smooth on the palette despite being 6.6% alcohol per volume.

Tammi and I agree, we'd make the drive to Amherstburg just to dine here again.  The owners and staff have created a great establishment and we hope that business continues to grow for the best pub in the town.