Niagra Falls recommendations

Zithal · Post by **Zithal** » Tue May 02, 2006 2:36 pm

I'm heading to Niagra for the Degree Poker Tournament later this week and was wondering if there are any recommendations for brew pubs or beer bars in the area?

I'm looking for some fun hidden gems. And, while the backrooms of Seductions may be a fun hidden gem to some, lets keep the topic to good beer places.

(OH, and saying, "Go across the border to PG or Cole's you friggin' moron", doesn't count 'cause that's already planned for)

tupalev · Post by **tupalev** » Tue May 02, 2006 2:52 pm

I don't know of anything in Niagara Falls itself. Which doesn't help you at all I know. All I can recommend is the Merchant Ale house in St. Catharines along the way, and even the Angel Inn in Niagara on the Lake, which is touristy as hell, but still an awesome pub with a couple of decent house brews.

Good luck playing poker!

Zithal · Post by **Zithal** » Tue May 02, 2006 3:04 pm

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm staying at a friends place in Thorold, so the Merchant Ale House looks to be right around the corner. Defiantely have to try the Drunken Monkey Oatmeal Stout. Any other beers I shouldn't pass up trying?

Beer Geek · Post by **Beer Geek** » Tue May 02, 2006 3:53 pm

Zithal wrote:Thanks for the suggestions. I'm staying at a friends place in Thorold, so the Merchant Ale House looks to be right around the corner. Defiantely have to try the Drunken Monkey Oatmeal Stout. Any other beers I shouldn't pass up trying?

The ESB is a must! I know John also brews an IPA every once and a while, but I've never been there when it was on.

have fun.

tupalev · Post by **tupalev** » Tue May 02, 2006 4:59 pm

The IPA is my favourite Merchant beer. And I love just hangin out there, throwing some darts, relaxing; it has a really cool "old" feel to it. Enjoy!

Thorold, eh? That takes me back to Brock days and the once/hour Thorold Transit...

Andicus might have some other St. Catharines / Niagara suggestions for you.

Jeff

clasher · Post by **clasher** » Wed May 03, 2006 12:03 am

Man, I miss the merch. It's almost worth making a trip down.

Andicus · Post by **Andicus** » Wed May 03, 2006 1:36 am

Be sure to try the Old Time Hockey Ale at the Merchant. It varies, but when it's good, it's realllly good! They had a dark wheat beer the last time I was there, but it was somewhat uneventful and no darker than a Schneider Weisse. It was definitely no Aventinus.

Sadly, there's not a lot else around here that hasn't been mentioned. The Honest Lawyer was decent at one point, but lately has been pretty disappointing. It might help to get a waitress that's not clueless. When I asked if they had any Ontario micros on tap, our waitress had no idea what I meant. You're best off going to the Merchant for a second visit, rather than anywhere else that I know of.

Beer Geek · Post by **Beer Geek** » Wed May 03, 2006 8:25 am

clasher wrote:Man, I miss the merch. It's almost worth making a trip down.

I was thinking the same thing!! They always have great bands in there on the weekends too.

Zithal, don't forget about Peperwoods in Burlington on your way down or back home. It's not that far out of the way, if you have the time.

Rob Creighton · Post by **Rob Creighton** » Wed May 03, 2006 8:50 am

Andicus wrote: You're best off going to the Merchant for a second visit, rather than anywhere else that I know of.

A sad commentary on an entire region

I think because of the Moosehead connection, the Fallsview casino has one or two of the Niagara Falls BC company brands. Good Luck!

Beer Geek · Post by **Beer Geek** » Wed May 03, 2006 9:24 am

Does anyone know if Sweeney Todd's on Queenston is still around? I think the name has changed, but it was always a Micro friendly pub with a great staff.

tupalev · Post by **tupalev** » Wed May 03, 2006 9:46 am

Does anyone know if Sweeney Todd's on Queenston is still around? I think the name has changed, but it was always a Micro friendly pub with a great staff.

It closed for sure, but didn't the new owner come on to the site a long time ago and ask for recommendations on what beers he should put on tap? Last I heard, the place was filled with macro's...no idea what it is called or if it is still around...

Andicus · Post by **Andicus** » Wed May 03, 2006 10:15 am

tupalev wrote:It closed for sure, but didn't the new owner come on to the site a long time ago and ask for recommendations on what beers he should put on tap? Last I heard, the place was filled with macro's...no idea what it is called or if it is still around...

On the money! Lots of good tap recommendations were made, and none were followed up on. I don't remember what it's called because I haven't even thought about ever going back.

Zithal · Post by **Zithal** » Wed May 03, 2006 2:41 pm

Beer Geek wrote:
clasher wrote:Man, I miss the merch. It's almost worth making a trip down.
I was thinking the same thing!! They always have great bands in there on the weekends too.

Zithal, don't forget about Peperwoods in Burlington on your way down or back home. It's not that far out of the way, if you have the time.

My ex lives there, so I get down occationally. I went to Pepperwood's and was a little disappointed with the beer. I got a five beer sampler and everything had this watery taste to it. DrJay explained to me what he thought it was, but I can't recall what he said.

So, the Merch it is! The friend I'm visting goes there a bunch so we'll be down on Thursday night (tomorrow evening) if anyone's bored and wants to come sample with us. I'm going to aim being there by 8 at the latest. Look for two guys and a hoard of hot babes bugging them.... or else a guy with a long curly black ponytail wearing a Stone Arrogant Bastard t-shirt.

Tapsucker · Post by **Tapsucker** » Mon May 08, 2006 11:35 pm

Maybe a new thread would be in order here, but I think this question is close enough...

Does anybody have any recommendations for the Lewiston area?

pootz · Post by **pootz** » Wed May 10, 2006 1:00 pm

If you don't mind a side trip to Niagara on the Lake ( actually Virgil just outside it) Taps Brewery has bottled product available of their excellent premium Dortmunder lager and their new Red Cream Ale....in a few weeks time they will be making a new seasonal release of barrel-aged(wine barrele) ale.