Taps buys Niagara's Best

dutchcanuck · Post by **dutchcanuck** » Sat Nov 06, 2010 6:52 am

So are the giant pint glasses flanking the front door and giant tap on the roof gone?

GregClow · Post by **GregClow** » Sat Nov 06, 2010 8:57 am

dutchcanuck wrote:Something is definitely going on. If you attempt to access Niagara's Best website you are taken to a homepage informing you that the "Syndicate" has taken over.

That's a great name and logo - and one where they can still tie in the pin-up girl if they want to keep that side of the branding as well. Good move.

hopheadbrewer · Post by **hopheadbrewer** » Tue Nov 09, 2010 2:08 am

dutchcanuck wrote:So are the giant pint glasses flanking the front door and giant tap on the roof gone?

The large beer bottles are gone but the giant tap is still there. Not sure what's happening with that. I heard today that we are opening for business next Monday, the 15th.

dutchcanuck · Post by **dutchcanuck** » Tue Nov 09, 2010 7:48 am

Glad to hear that you will be opening soon. I will definitely stop by next week to scope the new place out.

Do you have any idea what, if any, changes we can expect in terms beer and food availability?

hopheadbrewer · Post by **hopheadbrewer** » Fri Nov 12, 2010 2:06 am

dutchcanuck wrote:Glad to hear that you will be opening soon. I will definitely stop by next week to scope the new place out.

Do you have any idea what, if any, changes we can expect in terms beer and food availability?

They are deciding on which beers will be continued. I hope all of them will be. I don't know any specifics about food, except that it will be fresh and interesting. They got rid of the microwave and will not be using any frozen ingredients. I have been to Taps and their food is excellent.

Also, the huge blonde tap out front was removed yesterday!

GregClow · Post by **GregClow** » Fri Nov 12, 2010 11:51 am

hopheadbrewer wrote:Also, the huge blonde tap out front was removed yesterday!

Awww. That's too bad. It was a bit tacky, but I kinda liked it.

dutchcanuck · Post by **dutchcanuck** » Fri Nov 12, 2010 11:54 am

Personally,

I always felt I was walking into a tourist trap. The outward appearance, not to mention the poor quality of food, was one of the reasons i started going to Taps over Niagara's Best.

Now with the changes I cannot wait to get back in there and see what has come of it. I really hope they let Ian go wild with brews. The seasonal offerings were always top notch in my opinion.

hopheadbrewer · Post by **hopheadbrewer** » Sun Nov 14, 2010 9:32 pm

dutchcanuck wrote:Personally,

I always felt I was walking into a tourist trap. The outward appearance, not to mention the poor quality of food, was one of the reasons i started going to Taps over Niagara's Best.

Now with the changes I cannot wait to get back in there and see what has come of it. I really hope they let Ian go wild with brews. The seasonal offerings were always top notch in my opinion.

Thanks, Dutch, for your kind words:) There hasn't been any serious talk about new brews yet, but that's understandable with everyone working hard to get the inside renovated plus the all of the regulatory BS that has to be contended with. But from my conversations with the new management I am fairly certain that there will continue to be new and interesting seasonal beers being brewed.

Also, to clarify the "opening", it will be at 6:00 pm tomorrow, Monday the 15th. There are still a few kinks to be worked out during the day.

Cheers,

Ian

dutchcanuck · Post by **dutchcanuck** » Sun Nov 14, 2010 10:07 pm

Thanks for the head's up regarding the re-opening. Unfortunately I teach at Brock Monday nights this term, but my wife and another couple will be coming Tuesday.

Will I be able to return my Niagara's Best Growler or will they continue to fill them?

So what are the chances that they will be hiring an assistant brewer? I'd be more than happy to submit a resume

pootz · Post by **pootz** » Tue Nov 16, 2010 9:54 am

Late to this but this sounds like a progressive move. The last few times I frequented the NB pub It was just for a pint before leaving town....the food really was a turn off and all through last spring and summer we stopped at Taps first to try their impressive array of German styled brews and get a decent bite.

I hope the new location allows Taps brewer to up the capacity and get more specialty beers in rotation at both places. Man that guy at taps can brew.

dutchcanuck · Post by **dutchcanuck** » Tue Nov 16, 2010 9:59 am

Agreed Pootz. As a member of the growler club at Taps Kevin's monthly beers are kick ass. The downside is they rarely last the month! I will get really excited if the syndicate turns into a brewpub that has a nice selection of top-notch beer. As opposed to taps that has 1 excellent beer, 1...maybe 2 passable, and then the regular taps line up that I skip.

I could totally see myself skipping the LCBO and going hardcore craft brewery and homebrew.

dutchcanuck · Post by **dutchcanuck** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 8:00 pm

I was there tonight for dinner with my wife and its a HUGE difference from the last time I was there when it was still Niagara's Best. The food is actually edible!

The beers are still in a state of transition, but unfortunately Ian was telling me that the Stout is going to be discontinued.

I can, however, comment on the food! My wife had the Gnocchi which she devoured without hesitation and wiped the bowl clean with the grilled bread that came with the dish. The Italian bread was a little over toasted and I would have like to seen a garlic butter or olive oil applied to the bread.

I indulged in the Rueben made with kobe beef brisket. Now I'm no kobe connoisseur, so all I will say is that it was an awesome sandwich. Perhaps a little less sauerkraut and do something interesting with the dressing. Of course I ate at the blue monk last weekend and the duck confit reuben is still fresh in my mind...A-Fing-Mazing! The fries were fresh cut and delicious. I would highly recommend that they serve them with some kind of aioli for some pizzazz. I look forward to heading back there soon and seeing how the place develops.

I wish Taps the best of luck with their new endeavour. I really liked the decor, its a far more intimate feel and I love the fact there is no television. I can see myself driving out there on a weekly basis from here on out.

I will continue to keep everyone posted on how this place changes over time.

hopheadbrewer · Post by **hopheadbrewer** » Fri Dec 03, 2010 10:48 pm

dutchcanuck wrote:
Will I be able to return my Niagara's Best Growler or will they continue to fill them?

Yes, you can return your NBB growler and we are filling them too.

I have uploaded some pictures of the restaurant onto my twitter account. I don't know if this link will work, but if so, you can see them here:

http://twitpic.com/3cnp0n

hopheadbrewer · Post by **hopheadbrewer** » Fri Dec 03, 2010 10:57 pm

phat matt wrote:Has anyone heard anything about the how the renovations are going? I have been looking but cant seem to find anything. I might take a drive by after work.

I have posted some pictures of the completed renovations on Twitter and think you should be able to see them here:

http://twitpic.com/3cnp0n

northyorksammy · Post by **northyorksammy** » Mon Dec 20, 2010 8:17 am

BTW, Kevin Somerville is no longer with Taps. I am there tonight, if I hear any further news

UPDATE: Ian Watson is ,according to owner Eric, the head brewmaster at both locations, leading the team of other brewers. There will be growler clubs, viz. seasonals at both locations on different weeks every month starting in February.