Don't listen to what you hear...

[Kalleh1]

I hadn't been to Omaha, but had to go there for a conference. Everyone made fun of me for having to go to that "cow town." Not the case! What a great city, and the beer! I walked 5 blocks and got some of the best cask conditioned ale I've had. Even in the airport there was Goose Island on tap, and in the hotel a lovely Boulevard.

That old market district was wonderful, and weather was great, and all in all...Omaha is a great city!

[dparsons]

I've had the Boulevard beers there and they are good. I've also had some great steaks and barbecue. Outside of that I haven't explored much. The hotels are cheap there and I believe its for a reason.

[ratman03]

Hey if you have any recommendations of good places to go for beer, please share. I am going to be there on business periodically for the next few months.

Any thoughts on Empyrean? I was at Old Chicago in the Old Marketplace district and was going to order one but I caved in and drank 90 Shilling!!! (can't get that where I live now).

[Jeff]

Kalleh, were you drinking cask conditioned beer from Upstream Brewery? That is the only place I know in Omaha that has cask.

Ratman, I really enjoy Empyrean, but I grew up in Lincoln, where it is brewed, so maybe it is near and dear to my heart. I think their Third Stone Brown and Vanilla Porter are the best.

For beer drinking try the Crescent Moon Ale House on 36th and Farnam. They have many quality beers on tap. There is German beer house downstairs that opens after 5 PM. I heard they opened a belgium bar next door, but have not been there yet. Beertopia is just around the corner if you want to pick up some beer to go.

Plus there is always the chance to see Warren Buffett in the Crescent Moon. I've never see him, but I hear he stops in once and awhile.

[ratman03]

Thanks Jeff, I will check those places out.

[Kalleh1]

Yes, Jeff, I was at Upstream and I thought the Capital was excellent. In fact, I went there twice, but then I particularly like cask conditioned beer.

Our hotel did have 90 Shilling, which I didn't try. Is it good? If so, I am mad that I missed it! I hadn't heard of it, and you know hotel bartenders...he knew nothing.

The funniest part of this trip was my experience in the airport. I had heard they had Boulevard on tap, though I couldn't find it. One of the beer handles (what are they called?) looked different and I couldn't see the writing, so, like a fool, I ordered it anyway. Guess what it was? Bud! The gentleman sitting next to me took it off my hands for me, and instead I ordered a Goose Island, which I was surprised to see actually.

[Jeff]

Goose Island has been around for about a year and half, at least in Lincoln. It was a very pleasant surprise to find it in the paint store one afternoon.

I find 90 Schilling to be quite good, but don't drink it regularly. I don't drink Boulevard very often. Usually when there is nothing else on tap. I'm not a big fan of wheat beers, and of course Boulevard Wheat is the most popular of their line.

I'm glad you enjoyed your trip to Omaha. We try to keep all of the cows hidden away from the tourists. :D

[chazwicke]

I saw a commercial for Nebraska on TV the other night. I think it was put out by the state tourism board or something. We get them from Kentucky, NY, NJ, PA and FLA but that is the first for Nebraska. Back in the 80s a buddy of mine who had grandparents in Nebraska used to have a sticker on his car that said "Ski Nebraska".

I'd like to visit sometime. It is one of the 5 states that I have not yet been to. (Iowa, ND, SD, WY being the others).

90 Shilling is a fine beer based on my limited experiences with it. (Thanks Fret!)

[bditty187]

The beer scene in Omaha has improved greatly over the last year or so.

Places worth checking out: Crescent Moon (as mentioned), aside from the German bar (Huber Haus) below it, attached is also Max & Joe's Belgian Beer Tavern. Currently on-tap is St. Bernardus 12, Des Rocs Tripel Imperial, and Val-Deiu Triple. Next to Max & Joe’s is Beertopia, the beer store I work at.

Another place to check out is Dario’s in Dundee, they have a huge selection of Belgian beers along with some great French/Belgian food.

For travelers stuck downtown both brewpubs are good but if you want something to drink in your hotel the Cubby’s on 13th St. has a very respectable beer selection.

Cheers!

Brent

[Kalleh1]

Nice picture, Chaz, though I have to say that I am partial to the one where you were drinking the beer. ;)

I was expecting Nebraska to be ugly, flat, and certainly not knowledgeable about good beer (sorry, Jeff!). I guess that's why I didn't even ask here about where to go for beer. Yet, I was so pleasantly surprised. I just hate the stereotypes we have!

BTW, if it makes you feel any better, when I got my master's degree at the University of California in San Francisco and told all my Californian friends that I was moving to Chicago for a job...they all said to me, "You don't want to go to that cow town!" Except for the Lincoln Park Zoo, there's not a cow to be seen in Chicago, I assure you.

[steveh]

Originally posted by Kalleh1
Except for the Lincoln Park Zoo, there's not a cow to be seen in Chicago, I assure you.

There are still a few painted ones roaming around.

S.

[Jeff]

Originally posted by Kalleh1
I was expecting Nebraska to be ugly, flat, and certainly not knowledgeable about good beer (sorry, Jeff!). I guess that's why I didn't even ask here about where to go for beer. Yet, I was so pleasantly surprised. I just hate the stereotypes we have!


Nebraska still can be ugly and flat. Just head West from Omaha for several hours. Corn and pasture land as far as the eye can see that really makes for a boring drive.

But we are just seven hours drive from Denver... :rolleyes:

[fretlessman71]

...and only 6 from Ft. Collins, where the beer is better anyway... :D

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by Kalleh1
Nice picture, Chaz, though I have to say that I am partial to the one where you were drinking the beer.



Yeah that last one was cheesy I've changed it. I'll look for the old one. ;)

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by steveh
There are still a few painted ones roaming around.

S. Most of them have mooo-ved to Denver - lots in Cherry Creek these days!