I have been cyber stalking (twitter/facebook) the folks behind Brothers Beer Bistro since their former employer Steven Beckta (Beckta, Play Food and Wine and the upcoming Gezellig) tweeted congratulations on signing their lease way back in February. I guess they weren't creeped out by me or they didn't notice because they invited me and a few other Ottawa-area bloggers/media to sample the food and beer menu the night before their opening.
For those that don't cyber stalk, the 'brothers' behind Brothers Beer Bistro are Patrick Asselin and Nick Ringuette. Both are experienced bartenders and restaurant managers; Asselin at Play Food and Wine and Ringuette at The Black Thorn and they have brought Darren Flowers, formerly sous-chef of Luxe, to be the Chef. Together their goal is to create a bistro centered on craft beer and seasonal cuisine. Sorry, no deep fried mozzarella sticks here but there is a wonderful beef tartare made with Maudite - a spicy, malty amber red ale from Quebec brewer Unibroue.
I sampled various menu items in hors d'oeuvre format including the asparagus salad, beef tartar, pierogies, frites, brothers beer burger and the Kichesippi fried chicken. My favourite of the evening was the burger - juicy meat, peppercorn mayo, cheddar - no wonder I had three. I also spent a lot of time at the bar sampling the draft menu; my favourites included Muskoka Brewery's Spring Oddity and Dieu du Ciel's Rosee d'Hibiscus - a wonderfully refreshing beer with acidic and tart notes; a treat to enjoy from draft.
Featuring 16 drafts, over 60 bottles and a cask it's going to take me a while to go through the beer menu at Brothers Beer Bistro. Thankfully the food is fantastic, it has a great location in the market and I am a determined beer drinker. Anyone up for an after work/soccer/just because beer?
