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| - You may have noticed a common thread in my check-ins and reviews. Between Papago, OHSO and Four Peaks (among others), I am a beer enthusiast.
Which is why I had such high hopes for World of Beer- Tempe.
With over 500 different beers, including 50 taps, I was sure to find myself in hops heaven.
I ventured to WoB on a Friday night at 8:30pm. There wasn't a line outside, but it was crowded. There was nowhere to sit and you couldn't stand anywhere without being in the way. 2 girls who clearly don't understand bar etiquette, were sitting at the bar talking without beverages or trying to order new beverages. Suddenly they were in my way.
I finally got up to the bar and got the attention of Zach, who set me up with a menu and was attentive, knowledgeable and patient. I consider myself a beer connoisseur and I found the menu overwhelming. Zach helped me pick out a Havablue Wheat & Up River Lager from Mudshark Brewery. I was happy with my choice, but my boyfriend wasn't a fan of the lager- different strokes. He prefers skunky European lagers, so it wasn't that it was a bad beer, it just wasn't his style.
I guess it's a good thing he didn't like the beer, because not even 15 min after we arrived and 2 min after I handed him his beer, did a drunk patron slam into the back of him while stumbling through the crowd and spilled his beer all over him.
I didn't even get to try any of the other beers, that killed the night. The patrons of this establishment are the typical Mill Ave college crowd, and frankly seem to be those that wouldn't mind guzzling Coors Light at any other establishment. Don't get me wrong, I am sure the young college crowd is getting schooled in craft beer which is a good thing-- but it definitely will keep those of us already in love with the hard-to-find specialty brews out.
They also don't serve any food, which is an anomaly against most other brewpubs, save for Taste of Tops. You can order in, and with the plethora of options along Mill that's not so bad.
I prefer a place where I can chill with my friends and enjoy great craft beer, where I'm not constantly bumped and pushed, and where I don't have to fight to get service or to get to the bathroom.
I will return, and give WoB another chance- but it won't be at night.
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