BEER bar on SE Stark's Big Expansion

Apr 2

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As mentioned in last week's new Pintlandia column in Willamette Week, the beer bar "Beer" has recently doubled in space and they have added more than just seating but also liquor, a late night food menu and a pinball room. The hard to write about and simploy named "Beer" was an intimate kitschy taproom from John Stewart, the owner of famed sandwich shop Meat Cheese Bread that's right next door to Beer.By taking over the space on the Tattoo parlor that was next door and cutting out a piece of the wall separating the two at the front doors, has opened up Beer quite a bit. If it wasn't already the best place to grab a pint before a show at Revolution Hall or while scarfing a sandwich from next door then it's certainly the best now. Previously you could order a sandwich from Meat Cheese Bread and have it delivered to the bar, but MCB is not open in the evenings and that left Beer the bar biteless. Now with the extra space they will have a kitchen opening at 8pm that serves small but elevated bar bites.Snacks start with Chips with Salsa, Queso or Guacamole, Frito Pie with Vegan chili, a Mixed Greens salad, Cubano, Turkey or Veggie Sandwiches all between the range of $4 and $11. Reminder, this menu is not available until 8pm, before that Meat Cheese Bread will offer their full menu from next door.The expanded space is still full wood paneled decor and vintage beer signs and memorabilia with succulents near the front doors. They now have a bathroom on each side of the bar and the new one still has wonderful old paintings of kittens and horses and waterfalls. The new half of Beer also has a back room with six pinball machines and a drinking rail.Beer is still primarily a beer joint but some of the lower levels of bottles have become booze bottles and a simple cocktail menu is on the way. This area is just becoming a better and better beer destination with the upcoming West Coast Grocery brewery going in across the street soon.