We, in fact, do this same exact thing over and over, without the least bit of irony at all. We honestly do mean to get in and try these places. Hey.... SQUIRREL!
Bert's Bottle Shop, on Comet Drive in Millersville, is yet another of those places. It's been there a year now, and how damn many times have we said "Oh, we should... SQUIRREL!" I've lost track.
This past Saturday we were headed out and about, and finally made it past all those squirrels to give Bert's a try. Wow.... all this time we could have been going there as regulars. The place is great!
So, what is this 'Bert's Bottle Shop' all about? Well... beer. Lots of beer. Many, many lots of beer. All the beers. They know beer. They live beer. They have *collectable* beer. Okay Mister Man, slow your roll. Yes they have an amazing selection of beers! More importantly, they have knowledge of beer. I am not a huge beer drinker, I only got a "taste" for it a few years back, and it will certainly never replace Bourbon for me, but sometimes it is a nice change. They had one beer I really enjoyed Hoppin Frog Turbo Shandy Citrus Ale! I picked it out from the shelf, they chilled it and served it to me! It was awesome-sauce!
Way down in the back, where it's dark and hard to see, they even have a token bottle of .... shudder...... Miller Light. I didn't see it!
Oh, and they have WINE ON TAP! They also offer a wine flight! Also, a limited menu of mixed drinks using only the best spirits available.
Past all those shenanigans Bert's has a one page food menu that's deceptively simple looking. Right up until you try their food, that is.Yup.... that's right. They are foodies as well as "beer"ies. Don't be looking for HoHum burgers and freezer fries. I don't think that's happening at Bert's. Look for ..... Pasties and Bresaola and Stilton.. Oh MY! More like oh YUM!
They have Charcuterie trays, and we all know how soft us Dragon's get over a tray of gourmet meat and cheese. Of course, we had to have thaaaats, our preciouuuuuusssss.
It was served on a carving board, and gave us an excellent array of flavors. Nothing on that tray was low rent. The meats were resounding triumphs, and the cheese deserved poems written to them. Especially that cranberry Stilton. $18 for your choice of five meats or cheeses, served with nuts, dried fruit, honey, several exotic jams, and crackers. Not one single bit of it was pedestrian fare from Weis market. Locally sourced, and all of it exemplary.
While we sipped our (really, really excellent) beer, a flat bread found its way to share space with the Charcuterie tray. Sauteed mushrooms, caramelized onions, and goat cheese... all on a fresh flat bread and warmed under the fire till the cheese just started to brown.
Herself was enamored of the flat bread, more so than I was. Not that I didn't appreciate the offering, but that tray of meat and cheese had my full attention. Herself can comment more on the flatbread. Make her tell you how good the onions were... nom nom. The flat bread was very good. The onions were cooked until soft with a hint of caramelization, then loaded with mushrooms and goat cheese. The toppings were very generous. The only thing I think it may have benefited from was a small herb salad topping with a balsamic drizzle. It would take it up that extra notch.
There's no doubt we will be back. There's things on the menu that are calling out to us, like a siren song. Every one of them has a beer to match, and the folks at Bert's will be happy to match them up for you. Bert himself sat and spoke with us, and explained they offer a Beer School. It is a 4 course dinner with a beer or two paired with each course. It is offered monthly for around 45$ (don't quote me but I think that was the price). They also have 2$ Taco Tuesdays, and a Music Bingo night. Yeah, it's not cheap-date time. Their prices seem ever so slightly on the rich side, right up till you try the food and sip the beer and realize it's strictly high end fare. Stuff that good does not come cheap, no matter what that funny looking Ollie's guy says.
I nursed a pint of excellent Porter myself, while Herself swilled bottle after bottle of rare beers I've never heard of before. I only had 2 beers! All while we made appreciative happiness noises over some very tasty menu offerings.
I need to add another piece, they were not super busy when we arrived, BUT they did get busier as we sat there, never once did the service slack. The bartender was on it. He was friendly. He greeted everyone. He was helpful and recommended beers I might like. I feel bad I did not get his name.
I love supporting a local place, serving local food and doing it very well! So we will definitely be back.
Yeah.... we'll be back. Meet us there sometime?
How does Bert's Bottle Shop Fork up?
4.85 Forks for flavor.
4.5 Forks for atmosphere.
4.5 Forks for location. (Easy to find & they are adding outdoor seating)
4.15 Forks for your value.
5 Forks for service.
4.6 Forks overall
