One of the problems with being a beer geek (me) is, you get spoiled with good beer. So spoiled that it becomes almost impossible to drink mainstream beer.
Plus it gets very tiring looking down your nose at people drinking pisswater. [insert laughing emoji here]
A beer geek tends to push eating-out choices to places that serve good beer. But you can’t do that every time. Compromises must be made. Food wins out over good beer. On occasion.
So here are some Fresno spots I often wish had better beer.
Edo-Ya. It’s hard not to make this all about Japanese and Mexican restaurants because they are kind of the worst when it comes to beer choices. Unless you are at Kuni Sama. That is actually a legit beer geek place AND it’s in the Taint District!
Casa Corona – Bullard & West. I kinda love the bar there (even though it skews old). It has not changed since I was a kid (not that I drank there when I was a kid, just saying). And it didn’t even change when it switched from El Torro. But DAMMIT their beer selection sucks a King Burrito.
Sequoia’s – Tower District. KIDDING! Totally kidding. It’s fine, it’s fine, the beer is fine. It’s fine. Totally fine.
Maroo. Same problem Edo-Ya has. But they do have Hite beer, which is fun to say and order. “Hite! I’ll have a HITE!”
Heroes Comics and Mossette’s Baseball Cards. All my nerd things in one place. I know they don’t have a liquor license, just wishful thinking. To be able to hang out in these places with a bar and a good beer? Dream fulfillment.
Doghouse Grill. Any chance I have to rip that place, I take it. I have not been there in some time, but I’m guessing their crappyass selection has not changed.
Home Depot. Okay, again I am including a place that doesn’t serve alcohol but I really hate going to this place. Having a beer while I’m trying to find the proper dishwasher hose clamp, would really lessen the hate. Plus, when I have to come back for the inevitable 2nd or 3rd time (because I did not get the right size of clamp the first time), I’ll enjoy that 2nd beer even more.
Please leave your choice in the comments because I would love to hear them.
Speaking of beer, there has been a lot of local beer talk lately by the Fresno Bee. You may want to check out their dedicated beer section. We even had them on The Perfect Pour, a couple weeks back, to talk about it.
Let your ears have a listen. Cheers!:
This was a really good topic! Loved the post.
I really enjoy the patio at the Elbow Room. It’s just a great space that you don’t find in Fresno. It’s a good spot to take your in-laws visiting from out of town. But you’d really think they’d have a bigger and better beer selection. Last time I was there, they did add a couple local brews, so maybe we are headed in the right direction.
Didn’t the owner just open up a brew pub in Clovis?
I’m not sure about the Riley’s thing – maybe he’s an investor. I haven’t been in the Elbow Room in a bit, I hear they have a couple things. But yeah, you would think a place like that would have several craft beers on tap.
I totally agree about Doghouse and Elbow Room.
Both places, especially Doghouse, are setup for lots of good beer, but just don’t do it, for some reason.
The Rainbow ballroom. My wife realized she’d become a self declared beer snob when we went months back and all they had was a couple choices of bad light beer and Budweiser. :/
Ha! That is another one. Last time I saw a show there I attempted one of those bad beers and had to force it down. Now I just choose not to drink when there is no craft beer.
I had the same issue, last show I saw there. I ended up just getting a soda.
Have ya bee to Me and Ed’s On Tap!!! I love casa Corona for a cocktail… But seriously Me and Ed’s On Tap has the best beer selection in the Valley!!!!! Mike you need to set up a bar walk for the Bullard and west corner… That is a great hot spot for food and drink!!
I have Dirk. I like that place, only “self pour system” in Fresno and a nice selection.
But you have to check out Yardhouse and Goldstein’s (in the Tower District), if you want the best “something for everyone” craft beer selection in town.
Cheers!