[Welcome to Snap Judgment, a new regular Blogtown feature wherein I’ll be dropping by places both old and just opened for a one-dish fly-by, and developing an opinion based on that singular experience. Basically, it’s the complete opposite of what I do each week for Last Supper. I don’t expect to get it right all the time. I do expect you to correct me.- PAC]
Did I feel at all out of place because I walked instead steering my cruiser down to Apex Beer Bar [1216 SE Division]? Yes, but mostly because it meant I didn’t get to represent by chaining up at the extensive bike parking area or sliding my helmet into one of the many helmet cubbyholes.
Truly, Apex is gunning to be a beer soaked wonderland for cycle enthusiasts (be they of the motor or pedal variety). That’s not just because of bike racks or helmet holders, but also because nothing’s better after a long ride than plopping down in the sunshine with an appropriately cool beer. Yesterday, with temperature hovering in the mid-sixties and blue blue sky overhead, Apex was offering both in spades.
Here’s the important parts: Apex offers an extensive selection of taps, both foreign, domestic, and local. It also offers a huge area for outdoor seating that rivals the interior square footage. It’s easily one of the largest beer gardens on the Southeast side and will certainly be the sunniest when the weather is cooperating.
Here’s the less import but still important parts: You’ve got to love the Apex pint rinsing system that both cools the glass and clears away any traces of sanitizer with a high powered jet of water. Also impressive is the high def tap-list that lists the most import things to know about your beer: name, origin, price, alcohol by volume, and size. Another plus? The pinball room that features overhead mirrors (kinky) and currently sports Theater of Magic, my favorite table of all time. (I mean, it has one of the easiest multi-balls and some seriously cool magnet usage—Shoot for the magic trunk!).
Some concerns: Rainy days could make the interior feel a bit cramped should it get very busy. Alternately, the fact that the beer garden is situated on an expanse of blacktop with currently little shade could make the outdoors a tad uncomfortable in the height of summer heat.
The food situation: Word is that Apex will be allowing in food from the neighboring Los Gorditos, and I’m assuming with Portabello opening in the building kitty corner it’s likely you’ll find vegans munching happily on to-go pasta while they enjoy a little brew.
Snap Judgment: I’ll be back. This is going to be a mad-bikey summer joint, and I suspect there will be more than a couple two wheeled hook-ups out amongst the Apex picnic tables as the weather warms. How could there not be? So much skin, so much spandex, so much beer, so many bikes.
I’ve been there a few times, and they allow any food in. You could order a pizza and have it delivered there and they’re cool with that.
I drink your beer. I drink it up!
We held a small pinball tournament there on saturday, wherein players had to play while only looking at the mirrors on the ceiling. It was really fun. And I won! And we were all wearing tracksuits!
I think they need to put more stuff on their walls. And maybe replace one of their Stern machines with something less common.
I really love the bar but do wish they would add darts and/or shuffleboard.
thank god they’re allowing food from next door. thank god. thank tacos.
The only negative (for me anyway) is that they’re not dog-friendly.
The BeerMongers bottle shop / bar is right across the street. Best corner in town for the beer snob crowd.
Haven’t been to Apex so I have nothing to add on that front….but….
I have to say that a one-dish fly-by is basically every review on Yelp and what have you…
Although I am sure you’ll continue to have caveats and disclaimers if you continue this concept, not everyone is going to catch that, especially once “PAC loved it!” or “PAC hated it!” is removed from the context of the review (did he love it in “Last Supper” or “Snap Judgement”?)
To cut to the quick, I really hope that you will leave the one-hit rants and raves to rank amateurs like me and stick with your trusty reporting on the full dining experience (because you really rock at it).
@Tony
Thank you for that point of view! I think the distinction between a Snap Judgment post and my column certainly needs to be made. Yes, the specter of Yelp hangs heavy over endeavors like this one.
I think the purpose of Snap Judgment is to tackle places that I’m not going to give the full review treatment (food carts and older joints, for instance), and give myself an opportunity to preview newer places that may warrant full review in the future.
I’m hoping it will be helpful in that I’m giving restaurants/bars/carts the benefit of the doubt, and I’m offering the comments as a place for readers like you to offer your own (perhaps more thoroughly researched) opinions.
The only way the posts will affect my column will be that in doing these posts, I may find some places to explore and review that I may not have found otherwise.
At the outset, I’m happy to take suggestions on how best to make Snap Judgment work, and I appreciate your comment!
What an amazing selection of beers. Not just Oregon beers, either. Everything from Saison Dupont to Blind Pig to Kristal Weisse! Yumm.