I like living in Columbia, SC. It's just big enough to have a touch of that "big city" feel, but still small enough to have a "hometown" feel to it.
If you’re a resident, you know that The Vista (a section of the town bordering the Congaree and Broad Rivers) has been undergoing a 'revitalization' for the last 10 years or so. It has been transformed from a mostly unused and somewhat ugly section of town with only a small number of specialty businesses into a new and happening night spot for the older-than-college crowd. A notable feature is a seafood restaurant called The Blue Marlin. It has excellent fare, a decent bar, and a good atmosphere, but its chief claim to fame is the fact that it was converted to its current use from its original incarnation as an Amtrak station. An excellent job, too, for the area where the now-departed tracks were now offers close parking with a covered walkway leading to the restaurant.
It was as I sat at the bar waiting for an order of she-crab soup and Charleston crab cakes that the bartender, Billy, informed me that if I really wanted to try a good beer selection, I should head over to the Flying Saucer, just a block away. Always being up for a good brew, I headed there.
WOW! HOLY SMOKES! I'VE DIED AND GONE TO BEER LOVER'S HEAVEN!
Where to start? It's a large, open place with a stage area just to the left of the entrance door. It has a front porch with picnic table seating, and inside, the main area sports booths and tables, as well as a few overstuffed leather chairs and couches with end tables and coffee tables...but on the right side of the room, it was the bar itself that was the center of MY attention!
Double rows of gleaming taps stretching from here to infinity (or so it seemed!) Above the bar on a shelf, rank after rank after rank of the bottle brands seemed to march in a precision line, much as a Marine Drill Team might! 200 + brands! 82 taps!
YEEEEEHAAWWWWW!!!!
Very friendly bartenders and waitresses (Beer Goddesses) greet regulars and newcomers alike with typical Southern hospitality, creating a very laid-back atmosphere. Nominally a "sports bar," a large projection screen is lowered at the back end of the room for the "good games," along with smaller TV sets strategically placed behind the bar. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, live acoustic entertainment is offered, with a $2 cover after 7. I still don't have a handle on all the various "specials" such as happy hour, pint night, draught night, brand night, etc., but will report on them as I discover them.
So, just what can you get? Well, it is a bar, and liquor is served, but most of the crowd comes for the beer and camaraderie. It's easier to name what you CAN'T get than what you can: you can't get any of the major American brands such a Bud, Coors, Miller, etc. Their specialty is the smaller breweries and micro-brews, along with a good selection of the finer beers from all over the globe.
The Saucer has a unique little "clique" within its clientele, the U.F.O. club. For $14, you are given a T-shirt and a swipe card with your membership # and pertinent information encoded thereon. "Pertinent information" is your e-dress (OK, Schmit, just for you - e-mail addy ) and the list of different beers you have consumed. Members may consume as much as they (or perhaps the bartenders) deem prudent, but only 3 different brands per day count towards your total. While there are minor rewards along the way at 50, 100, and 150 brands tried, the ultimate goal is to make the CIRCLE OF HONOR.
When you reach the 200 mark, a brass 12" plate is made up with your name and the date of achievement on it. You are also allowed to add whatever quote you wish. This is then placed high on the walls and covered with a cloth until you can be present for your "unveiling ceremony." You are then given a $100 bar tab, and now, it's time to start over AGAIN!
Yes, folks, I said AGAIN! Although the Saucer opened in 2003, it has been popular enough that some UFO clubbers have gone around twice, and even three times! Scuttlebutt has it that at least one member is approaching his 4th level.
Located at 931 Senate St., I highly recommend this place to any locals or visitors who are true beer aficionados looking to enjoy a wide variety of taste and styles of beer in a laid-back, fun atmosphere. They can also be found on the 'net: http://www.beerknurd.com
(For some reason, my computer is having issues with this site and any other site that may be powered by Flash MacroMedia. My machine refuses to download any version of the freeware, and so it's time for a trip to the ol' 'puter doc.)
If you’re a resident, you know that The Vista (a section of the town bordering the Congaree and Broad Rivers) has been undergoing a 'revitalization' for the last 10 years or so. It has been transformed from a mostly unused and somewhat ugly section of town with only a small number of specialty businesses into a new and happening night spot for the older-than-college crowd. A notable feature is a seafood restaurant called The Blue Marlin. It has excellent fare, a decent bar, and a good atmosphere, but its chief claim to fame is the fact that it was converted to its current use from its original incarnation as an Amtrak station. An excellent job, too, for the area where the now-departed tracks were now offers close parking with a covered walkway leading to the restaurant.
It was as I sat at the bar waiting for an order of she-crab soup and Charleston crab cakes that the bartender, Billy, informed me that if I really wanted to try a good beer selection, I should head over to the Flying Saucer, just a block away. Always being up for a good brew, I headed there.
WOW! HOLY SMOKES! I'VE DIED AND GONE TO BEER LOVER'S HEAVEN!
Where to start? It's a large, open place with a stage area just to the left of the entrance door. It has a front porch with picnic table seating, and inside, the main area sports booths and tables, as well as a few overstuffed leather chairs and couches with end tables and coffee tables...but on the right side of the room, it was the bar itself that was the center of MY attention!
Double rows of gleaming taps stretching from here to infinity (or so it seemed!) Above the bar on a shelf, rank after rank after rank of the bottle brands seemed to march in a precision line, much as a Marine Drill Team might! 200 + brands! 82 taps!
YEEEEEHAAWWWWW!!!!
Very friendly bartenders and waitresses (Beer Goddesses) greet regulars and newcomers alike with typical Southern hospitality, creating a very laid-back atmosphere. Nominally a "sports bar," a large projection screen is lowered at the back end of the room for the "good games," along with smaller TV sets strategically placed behind the bar. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, live acoustic entertainment is offered, with a $2 cover after 7. I still don't have a handle on all the various "specials" such as happy hour, pint night, draught night, brand night, etc., but will report on them as I discover them.
So, just what can you get? Well, it is a bar, and liquor is served, but most of the crowd comes for the beer and camaraderie. It's easier to name what you CAN'T get than what you can: you can't get any of the major American brands such a Bud, Coors, Miller, etc. Their specialty is the smaller breweries and micro-brews, along with a good selection of the finer beers from all over the globe.
The Saucer has a unique little "clique" within its clientele, the U.F.O. club. For $14, you are given a T-shirt and a swipe card with your membership # and pertinent information encoded thereon. "Pertinent information" is your e-dress (OK, Schmit, just for you - e-mail addy ) and the list of different beers you have consumed. Members may consume as much as they (or perhaps the bartenders) deem prudent, but only 3 different brands per day count towards your total. While there are minor rewards along the way at 50, 100, and 150 brands tried, the ultimate goal is to make the CIRCLE OF HONOR.
When you reach the 200 mark, a brass 12" plate is made up with your name and the date of achievement on it. You are also allowed to add whatever quote you wish. This is then placed high on the walls and covered with a cloth until you can be present for your "unveiling ceremony." You are then given a $100 bar tab, and now, it's time to start over AGAIN!
Yes, folks, I said AGAIN! Although the Saucer opened in 2003, it has been popular enough that some UFO clubbers have gone around twice, and even three times! Scuttlebutt has it that at least one member is approaching his 4th level.
Located at 931 Senate St., I highly recommend this place to any locals or visitors who are true beer aficionados looking to enjoy a wide variety of taste and styles of beer in a laid-back, fun atmosphere. They can also be found on the 'net: http://www.beerknurd.com
(For some reason, my computer is having issues with this site and any other site that may be powered by Flash MacroMedia. My machine refuses to download any version of the freeware, and so it's time for a trip to the ol' 'puter doc.)
