The Bar Towel

you can read my review on the BA or RB site. It is a haul out to Mr & Mrs Sauga, and for

Jon Walker wrote:As for your contention that it has the "best draft selection in all of Canada"

Sorry, thank you for the correction, I meant 'largest'... Whether it's best or not, that's a whole seperate discussion, we'd have to first agree on what 'best' means, didn't mean to open that can of worms - no comment!!

I just said I was surprised... You know me by now, I'm the optimist, I'm the one who wants to see things change, I want to see more bars selling good beer, more breweries being successful, more people being exposed to, and learning about quality beer. I tend to imagine that the folks here on BarTowel all feel the same way *AND* (Perhaps this is the difference) are actually willing to DO something tangible about it. (As opposed to bitch and moan and posture), willing to go OUT OF THEIR way to support bar owners, brewers, etc, that are actually making this vision a reality.

I certainly don't want to start a big flame war, I understand that everyone has their priorities... I was just suprised thats all...

I have to just come to terms with the fact that not everyone feels the same way as me, and that's fine. From now on, I'll keep my opinion to myself, support and evangelize as best I can and that's that...

Later!

I think you're rallying to the cause of a decent beer bar that just happens to be closest to where you live. That's fine, but how frequently did you go out of your way (as you are asking most of us to do) to support the Blue Meaney, Rebel Chop House or Gordon Biersch? Did you "do something tangible" in those cases? If you did I'm pretty sure you didn't post a review on Bartowel of any of those places when they were open and didn't post regrets in the threads that announced their respective closures...so are you holding us to some standard that doesn't apply to you?

I get it...you're excited that a bar with a good draft selection opened near your house and you don't want it to fail. The bottom line...you're better off trying to get your friends, soccer buddies and neighbors to join the church of West 50 than most of us. It'll be the "locals" that will spell success or failure for the place. We Bartowelers support good beer and quality establishments in various ways. Visiting one bar in hell and gone Mississauga that's only been open for a few weeks is not the benchmark by which you can measure anyones commitment to our common desire for better beer and better places to buy it and drink it.

I'm doing my part for the cause supporting my local beer establishments. I'll save you a seat at the Magpie...DON'T tell me you haven't been to the Magpie??? Looking forward to your review posted here...without that it'll mean you're just bitching, moaning and posturing.

Jon, I think there is a difference here, none of the other places you've mentioned have anywhere near 100 taps, this place is unique, and I would have visited West 50 by now regardless of where it was in the GTA.

I know you want to turn this into a debate, I'm not actually interested in arguing, honestly I can't be bothered.

So you're right Jon! Did everyone hear that? Jon Walker is right! He's always right, he's never wrong, I'm a moron! Happy? I doubt it, I'm sure you'll post again anyway, you can't possibly not have the last word!

I checked out West 50 a couple of weeks ago. Enjoyable enough, but nothing remarkable happened that I thought was worthy of a post. Liked the food. Found the draught selection a bit disappointing, frankly, for a place with 100 taps. There sure is a lot of mediocre stuff you have to wade through -- there are more beers I'm actually excited about drinking at Volo or C'est What. But of course I would support West 50 if it was anywhere near where I live. The main reason I likely won't go back is the drinking-and-driving risk.

I have been to the West 50 on three occasions now and I have been very impressed with the food, beer selection, and the layout. In fact, I mentioned having a "true ipa" recently, suggesting that Scotch Irish Sargent Major would be ideal. I was there on Wednesday and they now have stuck a relationship with Scotch Irish and have the Sarge on tap. I think they may also have Corporal Punishment as well, but I'm not 100% sure. They are obviously taking the beer side fairly seriously. My experience so far with the food is that it is reasonably priced, tasty, and the portions are fairly generous. So far I have had the chicken sandwich + salad which was very tasty for just over $10, and also I have had the pizza with steak, onions, and mushrooms. It was very good as well. I would say West 50 offers a nice balance of good beer choices , quality food, and its nice to be able to catch the Leaf game on the flat screen tv's without it feeling like I'm in a dingy suburban Molbatt sportsbar.

midlife crisis wrote:I checked out West 50 a couple of weeks ago. Enjoyable enough, but nothing remarkable happened that I thought was worthy of a post. Liked the food. Found the draught selection a bit disappointing, frankly, for a place with 100 taps. There sure is a lot of mediocre stuff you have to wade through -- there are more beers I'm actually excited about drinking at Volo or C'est What. But of course I would support West 50 if it was anywhere near where I live. The main reason I likely won't go back is the drinking-and-driving risk.

This is one more reason why they should extend the TTC subway from Kipling to Square One! Not like that will happen in my lifetime! If Toronto Bartowellers want to check out West 50 the best way would be to take the GO Train to Port Credit and take the Route 19 North to the corner of Hurontario and Burhamthorpe and turn left, West 50 is a block away on the south side of Burnhamthorpe. If you travel during rush hour there is a express bus (202) that would save you 15 minutes in your journey. If you take the 19 the trip from Union would be approx 50 minutes.

Publican wrote:This is one more reason why they should extend the TTC subway from Kipling to Square One!

Even a dedicated bus lane would do wonders.

So I FINALLY got out to "hell and gone" (The native word "Mississauga" actually translates to this). Had a good, albeit brief, visit to West 50. The General Manager Mark Williams was a very pleasant guy who seems to have a keen and developing interest in quality beer. They certainly are doing what they can to "tap" a market out there that is under represented with good beer destinations...let's hope there's enough demand and interest to keep all 100+ taps from being scaled back and Macro-ized. Mark is also very receptive to feedback and mentioned that he is lurking here to read the praise, criticism and suggestions...he might even post in the near future.

Oh, and an interesting anecdote for JWalter, if you order a pint of Newcastle they actually serve it at the bottom of the table!

"if you order a pint of Newcastle they actually serve it at the bottom of the table! "

Hahaha! Excellent!

Call me a cheap Scott, but I visited the 50, finally, on Saturday night.
I have been trying to find time to visit for awhile and was able to convince my wife this was one place I would not complain about the beer quality.
To my disappointment, once we arrived we were told there was a $5 cover to get in because of a live band playing.

Again, call me cheap but I was very disappointed.
I didn't go to this unique and well-stocked establishment to listen to a live band, but to enjoy flavours and tastes I have yet to enjoy.
I thought West 50 was marketing itself as a place for real lovers of ale.
A cover charge makes me think this is NOT priority one to them.

I didn't pay the $5 and I won't. I will try another day, as I still respect what they are trying to do. But disappointed nonetheless.

Thats a bit dramatic isnt it? A cover charge for a band is not exactly uncommon. That said I might not pay it either if I was not there to enjoy the band.

I have friends in the bar business who pay some fairly large dollars for live entertainment...I mean really, whats five bucks?

If I went to Beer Bistro and I was stopped at the door and told it was $10 to get in because there was a jazz trio playing I'd walk away.

5 bucks is another pint.

I don't want to sound out of touch, but at my age, I don't frequent bars that have cover charges.

And in keeping with the situation, I DID email West 50 with my gripe and very happy to say it was responded to in a timely and professional manner.

Very gracious indeed