The unlikely beer bar
I've talked to more than a few beer geeks in the past week or so for a story I'm working on.
The geeks have told me about some of the beer bars they frequent -- mostly the usual suspects, like Max's Taphouse.
None of them mentioned the Metropolitan Coffeehouse and Wine Bar in Federal Hill.
I'm not sure why - maybe it's because they don't know about Metro's big beer list or regular tastings.
Their service can be spotty, and their beer list is in a state of constant flux.
But the selection of bottles and drafts is usually strong. You won't see Coors/Budweiser/Miller on tap at the Metro.
(Lloyd Fox/Sun Photographer)
Erik Maza is a features reporter at the Baltimore Sun. He writes for several sections of the Sun paper and contributes weekly columns on music and nightlife. He also writes and edits the Midnight Sun blog. He often covers entertainment, business, and the business of entertainment. Occasionally, he writes about Four Loko, The Block, the liquor board, and those who practice "
Comments
I've been to the metro several times. The beer selection is in fact pretty good (not great, but they usually have 6 or 7 interesting beers on tap), as is the wine selection.
That being said, the staff there are just, just, kind of clueless. Aside from not being very attentive, there was a night I was there and they had some signs up about a wine tasting that night. When I asked our waiter about it, her response was "wine tasting; what wine tasting?" I then pointed to the flyer taped to the wall. She had no idea there was a wine tasting taking place that evening (in fact it was going on upstairs that very moment).
I know it can be difficult to get good help, but I blame the owner for some of this. I can't believe he didn't prep the staff about the event, just so they could respond to this kind of question.
This is a good place, but the apparent indifference on the part of the staff and owner keep me from getting very excited about it, or visiting more then every so often
Posted by: John Michaelsen | October 15, 2007 2:33 PM