By John Rosnow
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
I heard about this place from a friend of mine when I mentioned the Brickskeller, which I have written about before. Anyway, I stopped in at RFD <http://www.lovethebeer.com/rfd.html> on Tuesday night for a bite to eat and a few brews. It is located within a half block from the Gallery Place/China Town Metro stop.
The atmosphere was bar like, music and TV and kind of loud. The menu was better here than the Brickskeller. They have tap beer here, none at the Brickskeller. They do have more bottles of beer at the Brickskeller. Good wait staff. Very attentive, but not over bearing.
I wanted to try the Heather Alba Scotch & Pine Cask Conditioned Ale but they were already out. They had it on tap. They also had Anderson Valley Winter Solstice but that was empty too.
I finally settled on a Gouden Carolus Noel Ale - 10.5% ABV. Dark amber brown in color. Sweet taste like a scotch ale or a Belgian dubbel. No hop aroma, but a bitter finish. $9 a glass or $5 sample.
They had a pretty decent menu so trying to be healthy , I went with the fish. Well it was fish & chips made with Rogue Dead Guy Ale. Very good, but small pieces of fish, more like walleye fingers. $11.99
The fish and chips were not enough, so I ordered a bowl of corn and crab chowder. Very tasty indeed. $5.29 for a bowl.
I ordered a 4 oz sample of sample Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout.(10.6% ABV) dark in color, no hop aroma and nice frothy Guinness type head. Sweet and chewy stout. Didn't pair well with the chowder. $7 glass/$4 sample.
At the same time, I ordered a sample of Lagunitas Cappucinno Stout (8.3% ABV) - dark in color, no hop aroma and not much head. Bitter bite right away but not from hops. It fades and bitter hop finish that lingers. Paired surprisingly very well with the bowl of corn and crab chowder. The beer was $6 glass/$3 sample
To finish off the night, I had a glass of St. Louis Framboise - served in a wine glass. Ruby red color and heavy raspberry nose. Taste is more wine than beer like. Resembles the New Glarus raspberry tart. $5.75 a glass and $3.75 for a sample.
Overall, I liked the place and I am sure I will be back.
