What makes a good bartender?
To answer this, let me relay a scenario that I experienced when I recently visited our local beer go-to,
Chap's Taproom:
I needed some beer for a family get-together. So I grabbed a growler and headed to Chap's. I figured I'd grab one of the $10 specials that they run on a regular basis. Upon perusing the list, I saw that
Sly Fox Pikeland Pils was on the menu so I decided to settle upon that sure-fire winner. The bar was a little crowded for a Sunday, so it was taking the gal behind the bar a minute to get to me. A guy asked me how much beer one of the growler holds. I said "64 ounces, about five beers." And then I got scared because I don't like to get into conversations with strangers at bars. I immediately envision them trying to get close to me so they can jack me flash-mob style in the parking lot. It was right at that moment that I heard a voice from behind me: It was Mark, the Chap's bartender. He was evidently working the front desk on this day, but he took the time to greet me and save me from the random who was all in my business. Seeing that the bartendress was busy, he took the initiative to ask me what I was having and then he went ahead and began the lengthy pour. While the growler was filling, he pointed me to an interesting promotion. They are calling it the Battle of the Imperial IPAs, and the standoff is between
Dogfish Head 90 Minute and
Bear Republic Apex. Seeing that they were selling them for $2 per flight glass, I said that they should run something where they sell you both flights for three bucks so you can drink and compare simultaneously. He said that sounded like a lovely idea and that he was going to run it by the management. I felt very proud of this suggestion. Then I noticed that they were selling a Lagunitas beverage on draft. Being a major fan of Lagunitas right now (
Little Sumpin Sumpin is epic), I asked him how this beer -
Lucky 13, was its name - tasted. Wouldn't you know he let me come behind the bar and put my head under the tap for some quick consumption? Just kidding! That would be stealing, but it makes for a funny image, doesn't it? In any event, during our pleasant conversation, the growler concluded its fill-up. Get this: He checks it out, sees that it isn't quite up to the top, and makes sure that I get a completely filled container. After this, he gives me my check, I give him a very decent tip for his efforts, we said our goodbyes, and we both went about the rest of our day.
Russian River Blind Pig IPA
