Bay Area Brewpub: Tied House

Beer Luvvas,

Work took me down south to the East Bay area again this last week, and I was able to meet up with another friend for dinner and a couple pints at yet another Bay Area Brew Pub!

This trip sent me to the Tied House in Mountain View, CA. The best part of this particular adventure was when I walked in the door and realized, "I've been drunk here before!"

It was many, many moons ago when SQH lived in the Bay area along with The General and The Baron (who remain in the Bay Area to this day). I can't remember the occasion (funny, that), but we all met up at the Tied House and I proceeded to tie one on since I was the out-of-town guest and was not driving.

Sooooo, I believe that my experience this trip was uncommon; because I was disappointed on both the food and beverage sides of the Tied House.

First, according to their website, the Tied House Porter - "very popular in the winter months," and Mull-Tied Christmas Ale - "Available November-December," should have been available in mid-November. However, neither were on tap. And their now year-round oatmeal stout was also unavailable.

That led me to the Ironwood Dark, and English-style strong ale...."the staff's favorite" left much to be desired. I then sampled the Cascade Amber, which was the more robust flavored of the two, and unfortunately the best that I sampled.

I was also disappointed with their Alligator & Wild Boar Sausage plate. Now here were two items that should have produced some wild, on-the-edge, flavors....nope. Fairly blase, and a bit on the dry side.

So, I'll have to note that if you are heading to the Tied House, pls. prefer the lighter beers (the Gold, Wheat, and seasonal (summer?) California Pale were all available the week before Thanksgiving; and stick to the burgers.

Prost to re-discovering a place where you've been plowed before!