Updates and Bar Reviews

I just wanted write a quick update on my recent happenings and I know that a large contingent of my readership are graduates of the University of Michigan so I also wanted to give you an update on some of the newest bars around A2.

I've been living the relaxed life for the past few weeks. Although 2 weeks ago I took a spontaneous trip back to Seattle for a long weekend. A buddy was hosting a camping trip that had free beer and free BBQ brisket. That's the sort of thing you fly across the country for. It was nice to get to enjoy at least a little bit of the Seattle summertime.

I've been reading at a voracious rate. I've polished off a book about every three days. The latest was JFK's Profiles in Courage which took me longer than most. I've also been working my way through some great American novels including some Hemingway. I read The Sun Also Rises in two days at the UGLi (because I don't have a library card). Reading Hemingway really inspired me to drink, so after I finished it I went to campus corner for a couple of bottles of wine. I'm really digging Campus Corner's new bags.

I do call it my medicine.

A few weeks ago I went to play trivia at Charley's with my buddy Ting and his trivia team. I didn't know it, but it was the tournament of champions and the grand prize was a free party bus to a Tigers game. We won of course. So tomorrow I'm meeting up with everyone at Charley's for an all-expense-paid trip to Detroit to watch the Tigs take on the Nats. From the sounds of it everyone gets pretty hammered so I'm looking forward to it.

I went home yesterday and convinced my parents to get some Buddy's pizza. I've really missed Detroit Style Pizza and was jonesin' for some. It really hit the spot.

Yummy. I love Pizza.

Last Thursday I ended up going to Cedar Point with one of my roommate's friend and some of his high school friends. It was a fun trip even though I didn't know the guys that well. We bonded over a breakfast at Hardee's and we are all now lifelong friends. A while ago I had a picture on my facebook in front of the shitty Six Flags version of Snake River Falls. This is what a real Snake River Falls looks like. There is no comparison. I rode the Gatekeeper, it was a good ride. For some reason the Magnum had the longest line of all the rides most of the afternoon.

That's a 120 foot drop fools.

On Wednesday I leave on a 2.5 week road trip around the east coast. I've been spending the past week or two planning it. The idea is to drive across Canada to Montreal and then head south to NYC and then DC, Pittsburgh, Blacksburg and eventually Atlanta before coming back up to Ann Arbor via Columbus. It should be a good trip, and while it is taking me a bit longer than my trip back from Seattle, it is only 3,000 miles so basically no big deal driving-wise. I hope to blog from the road.

Tonight I took a break from blogging to write a letter to the editor of the Michigan Today magazine. The article that I took issue with is here. I've expressed my feelings towards increasing the availability of student housing in this space before, and as a campus legend it is my duty to continue to fight for campus housing as I am now living in campus housing again. This was my letter:

I enjoyed the recent article on rental housing development in Ann Arbor. Though when discussing supply and demand the article discusses the increase in supply without mentioning the equally important increase in demand. The University's enrollment has increased by 3,892 students between 2008 and 2012, which outpaces the 3,050 bed increase in beds due to new development (2,600) and North Quad (450).
(Link to the enrollment numbers: http://www.ro.umich.edu/report/12enrollmentsummary.pdf) 

We will see if it gets published.

BAR REVIEWS!!!!

1) World of Beer - South U and South Forest
This chain bar opened 2 weeks ago in the new Landmark building on the South U strip. It is not an overly big bar, but it appears they really built it well. A good mix of seating and open space. Navigating the bar is a bit tough due to some overly large bar stools, which make ordering a drink from the bar difficult despite it's decent length. They have an elevated stage for a band and actual live music is a nice touch for a bar north of the Mason-Dixon line. The bar is overly staffed which makes getting a drink easy even if the 1000 beers make deciding hard. I did find it odd that they didn't have Newcastle and the bartender said they didn't have Smithwicks even though I later found out they did (I eventually settled for a Samuel Smith's Nut Brown Ale).

The tough thing for this bar is going to be convincing college kids to spend $6 on a craft or imported beer when they can walk down the street and get a $5 pitcher of beer. I think this bar would do a bit better in the State St or Main St areas closer to the refined beer drinkers of Ashley's and other more upscale bars.

Service: A
Selection: A+
Atmosphere: B
Value: B-
Overall: B+

2) Old German - Washington and Ashley
This new addition to the Main Street bar scene has only been open a week but already it had me making the walk over there on a Saturday night. Located under and owned by Grizzly Peak this bar features a mix between the authentic German bar and some modern features. The pros had to be the stuffed bear in the corner and the free popcorn. The cons were an overwelming smell of pine sap and Hip Hop music blaring through the bar which didn't really mesh well with the rest of the bar.

We got the Rot Bier, The Soggy Viking Strong Ale and a Kolsch Style, all were good none were great. They only offer about 5-10 different beers. We didn't try any food, but since it comes from upstairs I'm sure it is great. It wasn't too busy for a Saturday night and there were maybe 40 people in the bar that could seat 100. Overall the beer was tasty but the music left us feeling a bit out of place.

I'm on the left in the blue T-Shirt.

Service: B
Selection: C
Atmosphere: C
Value: B
Overall: B-

3) R.U.B Pub BBQ - State and Packard
When Packard Pub went out of business it was only a matter of time before some new venture moved in. That venture was R.U.B Pub which has opened it's third restaurant in a location many view as cursed given the number of failed ventures that have occupied the space. Differing itself from Packard Pub, Rub Pub bills itself as a BBQ restaurant first and bar second. They didn't do too much different to the space, but have added some great deals. I've been in a few times, and tonight i ate dinner there with my roommates. Since it was Monday everything was 1/2 off - both food and drinks - which is an insane deal.

I got the BBQ platter that has brisket, pulled pork, BBQ chicken and ribs along with two sides and toast. It was a great deal of food and I washed it down with a tall Labatt Blue Light. The brisket was a bit dry, but when you go to eat at 9 PM it's hard to expect a fresh brisket right out of the smoker. The waitress forgot about us for about 8 minutes but made it up by giving my roommate a free beer. Besides the 1/2 Monday's they also have this deal after 10 PM every night.

The $1 long islands are actually much better than you would expect for a $1 long island. The bar is fine and they have plenty of TV's that make it the type of place that is great for watching a game even if you aren't hungry. Overall it's a pretty good neighborhood bar.

Service: B
Selection: B
Atmosphere: B+
Value: A+
Overall: A-