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All About Beer Magazine recently came out with this list of their idea of the 125 best places in the world to have a beer. There are many worthy places on there for sure. But lists like these won't make everyone entirely happy. Here are a few things that stuck out:
1) Of course, the lack of Seattle/Washington places. Stumbling Monk is awesome, but to have that included as the only Seattle place (barely made it at #124) seems wrong. No Brouwer's Cafe? No Uber Tavern?
2) It's one thing for Seattle places not to make it when the rest of the list is filled with great spots, but we scratched our heads at the inclusion of Clark Street Alehouse and John Barleycorn in Chicago, even at Goose Island. But, especially, John Barleycorn. Anyone visiting Chicago should avoid that place at all costs. This Yelp review sums it up pretty well:
John Barleycorn can shampoo my crotch. This place is full imbeciles, lechers, cuckolds, and chodes. I set foot in this bar once, when a friend who I have since cut ties to suggested the idea of going to "this really cool bar in Wrigleyville" -- I have since drawn an invisible line around Wrigleyville and have begun pretending that there is a giant hole in the Earth inside that invisible line. John Barleycorn is one of the reasons I decide to draw that line. On that fated night, the night I was forced to enter that horrifying place...I witnessed some of the most disgusting, shallow, antagonistic, predatory, and foul actions I have ever witnessed in person. The atmosphere of this place is simply unsettling, I will never return...and urge you to avoid it at all costs as well.
3) The inclusion of having a beer atop the Green Monster at Fenway in the top 20, but no mention of having a beer in the bleachers at Wrigley Field on a hot July day. Ok, that one's a bit personal.
Photo thanks to ade_peever on Flickr.
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I hate lists that don't have any explanation as to why the items are on the list.
I would, however, like to see a short Seattle version of this list. Without the before I die part.
No Beveridge Place?
I stopped in at Goose Island and had a couple of pints outside. Nice view, but nothing spectacular.
not one from milwaukee?
they are asleep at the wheel...
Also posted on Chicagoist, with some great comments.
http://chicagoist.com/2008/04/30/john_barleycorn.php
And yeah, I like Goose Island...but no way it sniffs the top 125 over all the great breweries in the US left out.
Here is some feedback I got from the author:
Secondly, let me tell you that the list I developed has more than one father. It started as a conversation among a couple of buddies about the best beer bars they had been in during the last decade or so. My travels also form a good chunk of the list. I originally posted the forerunner of this list on my blog (http://lyke2drink.blogspot.com) and received feedback from several readers. Finally, I asked several beer writers that I know about places they have enjoyed during their travels around the world. So, while I cannot personally vouch for each an every place on the list, I do very much trust that if you find yourself at anyone of the 125 places on the list you will have a good time and enjoy good beer.
That said, let me address three of your questions:
John Barleycorn's in Chicago: It is a multi-location chain in the city that does pour good beer and attracts pretty good crowds. Is it everyone's cup of tea? No, you're right about that, but just because the crowd can run young sometimes should not get it tossed off the list. But I'd bet that some people might not like the Hopleaf in Chicago, but I find that to be just a fantastic Belgian beer bar. It's on the list, too.
Seattle Bars: I actually wish we had more west coast locations on the list. I'm an east coast guy and that is part of the problem. I've been to a couple you mentioned in Seattle and agree they could easily make a list like this.
Fenway vs. Wrigley: I've been to games at both parks and hope they stay a part of baseball for another hundred years. While the bleachers at Wrigley are iconic, the seats that were placed on top of the Green Monster get my vote for the "uniqueness" factor. If we ever expand this list to say 150 or 200, Wrigley's bleachers get in without a doubt.
Geoff, I think the list makes more sense when you include the whole title. It is formally titled "125 Best Places to Have a Beer Before You Die (If You Prefer Unnecessary Capitalization and Weren't That Interesting to Begin With)", correct?
Yes, they should have included Brouwer's, but I can understand why they would miss Uber Tavern. It's out in the middle of nowhere (Hwy 99 ;)). I lived here for 2 years before I even heard of it. A tourist to Seattle would be very unlikely to visit Uber. It's unfortunate; I wish they would move to a better location.