Bosco's Brewpub: "become a cellar man today" Top 5 Page for this destination Memphis Restaurant Tip by richiecdisc

Going to brewpubs is one of my favorite things to do. I like to try local beers and no better place to do this than at the source. Bosco's had been on my radar for a few years ever since I learned that they brewed an esoteric beer style called Steinbier and was later cemented when I found out that they also had cask beer, a different one each weekday. The brewpub is a modern affair and a bit more upscale than I normally like but my fears were allayed when we were warmly greeted by locals who were inquisitive without being obtrusive. One was even so kind as to give me the cellar man award which allowed me to not only tap that evening's cask but also entitled me to the first glass poured for free!

Favorite Dish: We did not eat at Bosco's for two reasons. I normally love to eat with my beer tastings, it gives a better impression of the beer and serves to cleanse my palate between styles. But we were in Memphis for less than 24 hours and it being noted as the home to BBQ I couldn't “waste” a meal on brewpub fare, especially when it was a bit pricey. Ironically, the locals we met told us that while the pub did have too food, it was not the place to eat if you were in town for only one night. They were happy to suggest a number of BBQ joints which we put to good use after our beer tastings. First up was their “Famous Flaming Stone” which was based on an old German style called Steinbier. A stone is heated up and placed in the wort (early pre-alcoholic stage of beer) thus bringing it to a boil and imparting a smoky flavor to it. I had one in Bavaria a few years back that was marvelous and reported to be the last of the breed at the time. It has sadly since gone out of production. The Bosco's version was deep golden with thin head and bisquity palate. Hops were at a minimum but managed a fairly dry finish. It was more akin to a German Helles than a Steinbier and lacked an appreciable smoke flavor. The Midtown Brown had a bit more meat to it. Deep amber with a rocky head and malty nose, it had a nutty roasty palate and a dry bitter finish. Ironically, the Isle of Sky Scottish Ale had the smokiest flavor of the beers sampled. The deep amber brew arrived with a huge rocky head and malty nose and finished dry and bitter, unusual for the style. The piece de resistance was the cask offering, a Dry Stout. This dark ruddy brown brew was unfiltered with a thin head. Low in carbonation, which befits a cask ale, that dry roast palate went sweet before finishing a bittersweet and dry. Bosco's conveniently has two sized glasses of 10 ounces ($3.25) and 15 ($4.50) so you can try all the beers on tap without imbibing too much. As the cellar man, I got a nice 10 ounce logo glass filled with the Stout for free.

Address: 2120 Madison Avenue
Comparison: about average
Directions: Conveniently up the road from The Bar-b-Que Shop!
Price: US$11-20
Rating: 5
Theme: Pub/Brewery
Website: http://www.boscosbeer.com/