Your Next Pint

A Pub Crawl in charming Chester, England

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Your Next Pint spent her British family holiday sight seeing, eating Fish 'n Chips & Meat Pies, then washing it all down with pulled Pints and Ciders. One of the many spots visited whilst in Britain was the charming town of Chester, England near Wales.

Upon arriving, the weather was typical – cold, misty, windy, and rainy. So what better way to spend our time than strolling thru the black & white cottage lined streets in search of the next warm pub.

The Washdown:

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1.) The Falcon – Samuel Smith Bitter: mild, not as hoppy or carbonated as in the states 3.8% ABV

One major difference I noticed from US to UK beers is that British ones really don't have as many flavor combinations, more like categories (stout, lager, ale, cider). Being drawn by oak aged barrels, the beers are flatter, frothier, and milder.

The Falcon pub itself was a sight to be seen. The foundation and beams were built in the 1400's and its original archway in the basement was still in tact. John, the bartender, was more than happy to show us below.

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2.) The Bear & Billet – plump juicy 'n crisp Fish 'n Chips, tender 'n tangy Chili, tasted more like Christmas Turkey than traditional Indian Curry

This pub is definitely where the locals go, and has more of an upscale, gastropub vibe. I drank a Lager here, but the purpose was really to come for the food.

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3.) The Watergates – pop in for a crisp Cider or Pilsner, and definitely the Old Crypt architecture dating back to 1180 A.D.

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4.) Old Custom House Inn – the hoppiest of everything I tried yet still mild with a strong alcohol finish Marstons Old Empire India Pale Ale 5.7% ABV

The bartender was friendly as can be, and taught us many things – like how their beer gets drawn from barrels downstairs. Typical English Ale is brewed via open fermentation, so the beer is constantly changing, unlike American carbonated kegs. Because the holes in the beer barrels (for pulling ale up) are exposed, all the enzymes & yeasts that naturally occur change according to the environment and temperature – meaning you could literally drink the same beer at two different pubs, and each one will have different flavor notes based on how they're stored.

All in all, Chester made for a great town of downing pints. And these were just 4 of many more.

For a more civilized experience, enjoy Your Next Bite's review on High Tea at Chester Grosvenor & Spa.

Tahitian Hinano & Tabu Lagers

This past week has been really rough – tropical breezes, fresh caught seafood, and native Hinano & Tabu beer from Tahiti. Next time you're lucky enough to trek across the Pacific for some much needed R&R here, upon arrival you'll notice Hinano seems to be the national drink of choice. Hinano logos are emblazoned atop grocery markets, on beer glasses served at restaurants, and all over souvenirs. You might find it to be your drink of choice too, as opposed to Tabu, depending if you prefer Heineken or MGD.

The Washdown:

- like a Heineken, crisp carbonation, refreshing 'n smooth with slight citrus taste and notes of corn Hinano Lager (Brasserie de Tahiti S.A. in French Polynesia) 5% ABV

- like a Miller Genuine Draft, more malty & honey in color, medium bodied and grassy Tabu Lager (Brasserie de Tahiti S.A. in French Polynesia) 5% ABV

Trader Joe's Vienna Style Lager is almost Amber

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Next time you shop at Trader Joe's, pick up a 6-pack of their own craft-brewed Vienna Style Lager. It pours like a champ, has a bubbly personality, and skews Amber.

The Washdown:

- light lemon peachy nose, clean malt flavor, amber colored Trader Joe's Vienna Style Lager (Trader Joe's Brewing Co., CA) 5.7% ABV

I attended a recent party for one of my best friend's anniversaries, where buckets were overflowing with all types of beers from Trader Joe's Brewing Company – which, oddly, I'd never tried before.

I picked up a bottle of Vienna Style Lager, in which the label read "Smooth Amber Lager". Since Ambers are one of my favorite styles of beer, I couldn't resist.

The nose has faint citrus like lemon and peach, and it has a slight bready, tangy, caramel malt taste. By no means are these flavors big and bursting, but rather very subtle. While it did not live up to my Amber hopes – except in color – it steps up the flavor profile of a Lager, maintains some bite with nice carbonation, and has an insanely thick and creamy head (see pictured).

The Vienna Style Lager will probably remind you of Sam Adams Boston Lager. Try it and see for yourself.

Hoppy Drinking!

Two Dollar Hite Draft Beers make Happy Hour at Gyenari a Steal

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$2 Hite Draft Beers PLUS mouth-watering, tender Sliders & Dumplings at Gyenari in Culver City from 3pm until a finally reasonable Happy Hour of 7:30pm? Um, yes please!

The Washdown:

- light, summertime Hite Lager (Korea) 4.5% ABV, $2

- citrus, cooling, refreshing, but could be stronger Cucumber Gingerita, $7

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When I heard about Gyenari's fabulously priced Happy Hour Prices & Times – hello, people in LA work late, then have to drive in traffic – I couldn't resist.

While Hite is a relatively generic Lager, close to American Domestics like Coors & Bud Light, it's appropriately priced at $2 during Happy Hour – and comes in a nice big Draft mug to swig, too. It's perfect for a hot summer day and has a super bubbly personality with lots of carbonation. Plus, you can order the Hite Tower Tap for everyone to share – 100 ounces for $24 = a very VERY Happy Hour!

The $7 Cucumber Gingerita combines my 2 favorite cocktail accessories – Cucumbers & Ginger. Tasting more like a Ginger-jito with a refreshing Mint Sprig & splash of Sour, the only thing that's lacking in this drink is more Vodka! You'll see what I mean after you suck this almost lemonade-soda cocktail down in 30 seconds flat.

The Grubdown:

- incredible, you-must-order this chunky Japanese Curry Crabcake with Asian Pear Slaw & Pickled Ginger Aioli (2 for $5)

- tender Short Rib Patty with Bulgogi, heaping Gouda Cheese, Balsamic Soy Onions & Kimchee Mayo (2 for $5)

- fluffy, tangy, spicy Kimchee Mandoo Dumplings with Korean Vegetables, Tofu & Potato Glass Noodles (4 for $4)

- a little dry, Spicy Pork, Chicken & Bulgogi Korean Taco Trio with Spicy Salsa & Guacamole $6

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Our waitress wasn't kidding when she said her favorite thing on the menu was the Crabcake Slider. I was totally impressed by how succulent it was with big Chunks of Crab, tang from the Pickled Ginger Aioli, and a hint of sweetness from the Japanese Curry & Asian Pear Slaw – definitely NO CRAPcake here!

The tender Short Rib Patty & Bulgogi Beef Slider is super cheesy with a generous amount of Gouda, and a little spice from the Kimchee Mayo. Oh and did I mention the sweet, pillowey buns are out of this world?!?

I love Kimchee so I had to order the Mandoo Dumplings, too – Steamed of course, but you can also get it Pan Fried or Deep Fried. It's served with a spicy sweet Scallion Soy Dipping Sauce. The texture of the dumpling is buttery and light at the same time with Fluffy Tofu & Korean Vegetables inside.

The Taco Trio was my least favorite of our Happy Hour menu items. The meats – Chicken, Pork & Bulgogi – are bland and all kinda taste the same. But, at least they're filling and come with Spicy Salsa & Guac.

All in all, considering the quality of the food, the reasonable prices, and realistic Happy Hour 'til 7:30pm, Gyenari's Happy Hour is a steal!

Follow @GyenariLA for summer specials and shows.

9540 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232. 310-838-3131.

Off The Menu Pints, Tender Pub Bites, and Footballer Fights make the Village Idiot LA Smarter than you Think

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The Village Idiot gastropub on trendy Melrose Ave. in LA is the perfect place to grab a pint, watch the latest UK football match, and down some grub without all the fuss.

The Washdown:

- light, crisp, and a little sweet Crafstman 1903 Pre-Prohibition Lager (Pasadena, CA)

- off the menu, creamy red with a thick head Wexford Irish Cream Ale (UK)

- you can smell the hops 6 inches from your nose Bear Republic Racer 5 American IPA (Healdsburg, CA)

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I've been coming to the Village Idiot in LA ever since it opened in 2007 – and each time the food & fun just keep getting better. For such a popular spot, the fact that there's no cover or line really draws you in. This particular visit was on a sunny Sunday afternoon. We missed the Chelsea vs. Wigan football game – they play select UK, European, and World Cup matches on two 65-inch HD TVs – but we were definitely thirsty for some pub 'n grub action.

All Pints at the Village Idiot are $6, while "Cheeky" Halfs are $3.50. I ordered the Craftsman 1903 Pre-Prohibition Lager (6.2% ABV). It's golden, really refreshing, perfect for a hot sunny day, and has a sweet finish that I quite enjoyed, while the boys did not.

My dad, the Brit, ordered the off-the-menu Wexford Irish Cream Ale (5% ABV). It reminded me of a red amber version of Boddingtons Pub Ale because of its flat, velvety creaminess, but tasted slightly more hoppy – and it poured super frothy like a Guinness because of the disc-shaped beer widget in the bottle.

I was blown away by how well you could smell the hops from the Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA (7% ABV) even half a foot from your nose. The hoppiness of the beer reminded me of Dogfish Head IPA, but had a much stronger grapefruity bitter citrus flavor.

The Grubdown:

- better than ever, super tender, falls right apart Steak & Potato Pie

- slightly greasy, but packed with tons of flaky white Fish and Chips with Malt Vinegar, Tartar Sauce & Ketchup

- mind-blowing, juicy, unbelievable flavor combo Smoked Pork Roast Sandwich with Pickled Red Onion, Romesco, Arugula & Melted Manchego

- tender & brothy Cornmeal-Crusted Catfish with Black Eyed Peas, Tri-Pepper Sausage, Mustard Greens & San Marzano Tomato Sauce

- i wish there was more bread to scoop up the dippings Mezze Plate with Grilled Flatbread, Roasted Orange Peppers, Spiced Hummus, and Smoked Eggplant with Toasted Pine Nuts & Cilantro

- citrusy, buttery, creamy Rhubarb Orange Bread Pudding with Madagascar Vanilla Gelato

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As I said before, I've been to The Village Idiot many times, but this time I could not believe how perfectly stewed the meat in the Steak & Potato Pie ($12) was – all four of us were practically fighting over it along with the buttery, flaky pastry.

The Fish and Chips ($14) were HUGE, a little greasy, steaming, and flaky. And the perfectly balanced soft 'n crispy Chips served as a great substitution for the Grilled Flatbread we gobbled up from the Mezze Plate's ($10) 3 Dips – red-peppery Spicy Hummus, caramelized Orange Peppers, and Baba Ghanoush-style Smoked Eggplant topped with Toasted Pine Nuts & fresh Cilantro.

I will definitely be coming back soon for the Weekend Lunch Special (11:30am-5pm) Smoked Pork Roast Sandwich ($12). The Romesco Sauce – a Spanish combo of nuts, garlic, olive oil, and red peppers – is genius and doesn't overpower the super soft 'n juicy thin strips of pork. The combination of the sauce mixed with the Pickled Red Onions, peppery Arugula, and nutty Manchengo Cheese is salivating – in fact, I'm doing so right now!

Not being huge Black Eyed Peas fans (the legume, not the music group), we were all surprised by how delicious the "lovely lady lumps" tasted mixed with unbelievably tender tri-pepper sausage in a tangy San Marzano Tomato Broth. And the Cornmeal-Crusted Catfish ($16) had that extra "Boom Boom Pow."

If you're not a big fan of bread pudding, I think you'll still like the Rhubarb Orange-Bread Pudding ($7) dessert. While it still has the velvety consistency of a bread pudding, it's very soft, not dense, and the citrusy-sweet 'n tart flavor makes it taste more like a pie. The specks of Madagascar Vanilla in the Gelato were divine, too.

So next time you're shopping on Melrose Ave., pop in the neighborhood-like Village Idiot for a pint, a bite, a football fight (follow @villageidiotla for schedule), or a great nite – it's smarter than you think.