Out of the Barrel

This was one of my favorite places to go with my hubby. But now I’m disappointed (not a beer drinker) that they are discontinuing selling wine 😔 It wasn’t a large selection but at least I can enjoy a glass (play some of their games) while my hubby had a beer. We may need to look for another place

Pretty awesome spot to get a brew. Tried a couple different types and finally settled on the Citrus Cooler #29. Looks like they are expanding the outdoor seating area. Will definitely be back 🍺

I'm going to give 4 stars here because I'm not qualified enough as a beer drinker to critique their selections. I enjoyed a beer here last week with an ABV of 9% and got pretty buzzed. I really like the bar (the actual wood bar they serve you on inside) and I've always found the bartenders to be knowledgeable with good bedside manners. You can confide in them that your liver #'s are elevated and your recent liver scan shows "significant scarring" and you'll get no condemnation from them: they'll still ply you with all the beer you can drink ;)

I am a Pils (ner) drinker. In Germany nearly every brewery also brews a PILS and not just the lagers, wheat beers, etc. While this pub advertises 30+ beers on tap, not a single Pilsener style beer was available. The staff said that beers are rotated through, but oddly there is always a LAGER though from different breweries. As a core beer offering it would make sense to always have the following types of beer available:

• WHEAT
• LAGER
• STOUT
• PILS
• IPA
• ALE
• Other styles…okay, even the fruity ones

When I asked for a PILS I was directed to the other offerings. Oddly, another customer there heard my request for a PILS and said that he too had requested one but they did not have one.

A pub style establishment should also cater to Pils drinkers, which are generally only interested in a Pils but are then compelled to switch to another style of beer. I find that in the Fresno area, restaurants/pubs simply either decide not to offer a Pils or, as I found in a Clovis Pub, don’t even know what a Pilsner is. Some others think a Pils is strictly the PILSNER from the Czech republic and do not realize that it is not a brand but a style of beer. There are California breweries that offer a Pilsner, though they are not up to par. Typically served without any foam or very little, and everything seems to focus on alcohol content instead of taste. Sequoia Brewing has a China Peak Pilsner, but they serve it without the head that is an important part of a Pils or any real beer. Sequoia also has a double Pilsner with more than 8% alcohol, which then ruins the real Pilsner taste.

If Out of the Barrel simply had a regular offering of …let’s say WARSTEINER PILS, it would be very helpful. One Pils like that is enough and it is available as a draught beer in California. I used to drink it at the Aisling Bog Irish Pub on West Herndon but that place sold and the new owner decided not to get it back in…as a matter of fact….she was clueless when I asked for a Warsteiner Pils. That was just before the Pandemic, so I do not know if the pub (name had changed) is still in business.

I liked the atmosphere in Out of the Barrel, especially that it seems to facilitate conversation between people, without everyone watching some big screen or only looking at their cell phones. There is no food served there, so it would be helpful for the pub to simply post phone numbers for 4 or more take out places with different food styles that are nearby and who will deliver to the pub. I typically do not drink without also eating and not having any food, made me stop at one emergency LAGER that was not even close to a Pils.
I am attaching a photo of a beautiful PILS with stiff foam on top...

We have walked by this place probably five times and always wanted to stop in but had the kids with us so could not. Next time we're even going to take the dog. It's a great place that you can bring your own food or order in from local restaurants and have a fantastic time enjoying local craft brews. I enjoyed the local ciders, and Vicky enjoyed the Honey Pot Blonde IPA on tap.