The Townie Bar Challenge: Red's Alehouse

Red’s Alehouse
405 North Dubuque Street
North Liberty

As we sipped our beers at Coach’s Corner on Monday, Bobblehead asked if I wanted to do a doubleheader — visit another fine establishment. Why not? After finishing our brews and paying the very cheap tab ($4 for two beers), we headed to Red’s Alehouse in North Liberty.

Deservedly, Red’s is a very popular place and can be a zoo. Much like Blackstone, parking is limited and the surrounding residential streets are often lined with cars for blocks. Being late on a Monday night, I thought it would not be so busy and was proven correct when we pulled into the little parking lot. Walking in, I noticed the main dining area to the right was practically empty; to the left, in the bar area, groups were scattered about the room at booths and tables and there was a cluster of patrons sitting at the bar. Yes! So chill. I hate crowded bars and restaurants.

We sat at the bar and were promptly greeted by our bartender, who also introduced herself. She gave us a beer list and a few minutes to look it over. According to the chalkboard beer list behind the hostess’ desk, there was “No Crap on Tap.” I cannot agree more. The tap list was full of choice selections, as was the bottle list on the back. Bobblehead and I both chose Toppling Goliath brews from Decorah — he a Pseudo Sue (a pale ale with a ton of enticing mango) and I a Rover Truck (an oatmeal stout that was stellar; though it had a ton of roasted malts for an oatmeal stout).

The bar features a couple TVs and there were also TVs spaced around the room. It was much less visually intrusive than Coach’s Corner. We watched a NBA game as well as the Philadelphia-Portland MLS tilt. Each goal produced a roar from the guys at the other end of the bar, especially points for Portland. While at Coach’s Corner, both Bobblehead and I resolved to follow the MLS more closely (we had been watching the same game); it is, after all, our national league. It was apparently opening weekend for the MLS, so with college basketball winding down I have loads of Major League Baseball and Soccer to look forward to.

There must have been a couple regulars sitting with us at the bar because they were on a first-name basis with the bartenders. Perhaps it was because they introduced themselves much like the bartender did — I don’t know — but you have to admire a place where the staff personally know the customers by name. And I am not talking about fellow employees visiting on their night off (or maybe that was what they were). There seems to be a lot of “incest” at local establishments: employees patronizing employing establishments. It was rife at The Hideaway and an off-duty waitress was seated at the bar at Coach’s. However, it seemed to me the soccer fans at the end of the bar were genuine customers who were well acquainted with Red’s. Seeing our notebooks on the bar, our bartender even asked us what we were doing. So far no one else has even acknowledged the fact we take notes while drinking and chatting. (I keep hoping we will be mistaken for big-time restaurant or beer reviewers and be given a complimentary round or appetizer.)

Frankly, I want to be better acquainted with Red’s. The thing is, though, it is way out in North Liberty. No doubt it is an awesome place, but driving is obviously not a good idea after a couple beers. People do it, as I did Monday — I stopped after my Rover Truck, opting for three pints of water afterward — but it is not something I recommend. However, the fact it is in North Liberty makes Red’s the jewel of the northern metro area and a unique destination. When it comes to a beer conscious establishment, Red’s is, as far as I have experienced so far, the only place in town.

Does Blackstone have a bike rack?

One other complaint: unless there is another men’s room somewhere, Red’s has only one urinal. One.

Much to my pleasure, a mix of chill-out and dubstep was played over the sound system instead of game commentary. Thumbs up to any establishment with a taste in atmospheric electronica.

Overall: Red’s is no doubt the best bar we have been to. I ate there once and though the food was good, but what puts Red’s over the top is its dedication to serving good beer. Bobblehead’s second beer was Nogne O Imperial, a stout from Norway. Norwegian beer in North Liberty? Who knew? Twenty years ago North Liberty did not even have a stoplight. Now it has a bar serving Norwegian stout.

The Quiet Man’s grade: A.