A couple of weeks ago, Mal asked me how I wanted to celebrate my birthday this year. After last year’s big birthday bash for my 30th, I wanted to do something much more low-key, so I suggested going to Meadhall for dinner and beer with a few friends.
I heard such great things about Meadhall, so I really wanted to check it out. It was pretty much the only thing I wanted to do to celebrate my birthday. The beer menu alone excited me!
The inside of the restaurant is bright, open, and modern. It’s actually a pretty big place with a huge bar downstairs and lots of seating.
Upstairs is much more comfortable with couches, coffee tables, and oversized chairs”” the perfect place to enjoy a beer and some good conversation.
The menu at Meadhall is “focused,” which means it isn’t very extensive, but there’s a variety of options to choose from, including soups, salads, and small bites to cheese plates, burgers, and more heavy entrees.
The beer list, however, is quite extensive, but not in an overwhelming way. More like, “OMG, there are so many beers I want to try!”
The first beer that I selected was an Espresso Amber from Peak Organic. I generally enjoy coffee/espresso beers, so I thought I’d give this one a whirl.
A robust amber ale brewed with locally roasted, organic fair trade espresso with help from our friends down the street at Coffee by Design. This malty amber ale is brewed with substantial amounts of Munich Malt, providing a perfect backbone for the rich, roasty flavor imparted by the espresso. Peak Espresso Amber is the first Fair Trade Certified beer brewed in the United States. Read more here.
Mmm! I loved it! It was malty and rich with very strong flavors of espresso. The smell alone would make you think it was an Americano!
To eat, I chowed down on fresh bread with butter.
A hummus plate.
And an amazing cream sorbet with strawberries that basically tasted like cream cheese ice cream. Holy yum! Definitely order this if you visit Meadhall! If you’re a cheesecake fan, it’ll knock your socks off!
My second beer of the evening was a Pretty Thing’s St. Botolph’s Town, which I also really enjoyed. It’s a “rustic dark ale” with a big malty flavor and a little bit of smoky character.
The name “Saint Botolph’s Town” is actually a tribute to Boston. The original Boston in Lincolnshire, England is an abbreviation of “Botolph’s Town” or “Botolph’s Stone.” When the Pretty Things brewers were back in Yorkshire recently, they found a churchyard where St. Botolph spoke in the year 675. Saint Botolph is a 7th century saint from England whose feast day is June 17th, which was yesterday! What a coincidence!
During dinner, my friends Erin and Mike gave me an awesome present: The Bread Baker’s Apprentice cookbook. Remember when Mal and I made homemade pizza with them? This is the book where the pizza dough recipe came from. I’m so psyched about this cookbook. I want to make bagels first!
Last night was the perfect birthday celebration!
(My birthday isn’t actually until Sunday, but Mal and I be out-of-town at a wedding, so we decided to move my celebration until last night.)