February 19, 2023
Your GPS says, “You have arrived,” but as you look around you are thinking, “Where?” Never fear, you are near. Just turn off the road you are on into what looks like an alley, and a few yards down the road you will see the sign for Übergeek Brewery. In a past life, this warehouse-looking building was home to Moustache Brewing Company, and apparently nothing has been changed on the outside, except for the sign, and the only change on the inside is the painting of a large and rather geeky mural. Yes, they take the geek theme seriously.
We entered on this President’s Day weekend with our guests to find the small room fairly full, with what seemed to be mainly locals, enjoying pints and chats with friends, or playing a board game from the selection on a shelf off to one side. We managed to find seats—uncomfortable metal stools—for our group of six at a long table, and sent a delegation to the bar to find out if they had flights. Though there were plenty of signs on the walls—describing the beers, giving notice of upcoming events of various sorts—nothing said anything about flights. However, the sole server came over to tell us that yes, they do flights, four of any of their ten beers for $13. So we discussed our options with each other, and decided to get two flights, careful not to overlap, so we could sample eight of their brews. The server then gave us little cards on which to write our selections.
In addition to beer, they have a few snacks for sale, and a cooler with juices and such, so we got apple and cranberry juice for the youngsters in our party (who had already discovered the arcade machine in one corner) and ordered a pretzel. We think the server forgot the pretzel, because we had to remind him of it when we were almost done with our tasting. In recompense, he brought us two pretzels (with some honey mustard) and a bag of chips. Nice.
As we sipped and compared notes, we found ourselves often thinking of food pairings—maybe we were just hungry for that pretzel, or maybe these are just beers that demand food. The names of the brews are…creative. No idea if they have anything to do with the beers themselves! Maybe they name the beers the way the Surrealists titled their paintings, at random.
- Rockets Don’t Fuel Themselves Pilsner, 4.1% ABV (alcohol by volume)
This is a very light, almost watery beer. To me, it’s a beer to chug at a ballpark, after a salty hot dog, but one friend says he likes these crisp, refreshing beers.
- All the things, all the time Amber lager, 4.5%
I like this one better than the pilsner, as it had a nice well-rounded toasty taste. One friend proposes it would go well with tacos. Yes, I can see that.
- Now we’re just making stuff up Cold IPA, 5.6%
Fresh cut grass under pine trees, I say, as I take a sniff. This is a refreshing, piney but not too piney, IPA. Good with barbeque, suggests the hungry member of the party.
- Blue beer, don’t care Blue raspberry soured, 5.2%
Well, at least this name makes some sense, as this beer is VERY blue. Very. Although I am not a fan of sour beers, this one is at least potable, though I find it sets my teeth on edge. It does have a bit of sweetness that balances the sour. One friend imagines a hot day at the beach, and adding a squeeze of lemon to this. Meh.
- I never asked to be here Winter lager, 6.5%
If you were at a party and didn’t want to pay attention to the beer, but just drink one that’s easy to drink, this would be my choice, says one guest. I could see this as a generally acceptable beer—and I’m not damning with faint praise, as it is quite pleasant to drink, with a slight citrus note.
- You call that a calculator? Doppelbock, 7.5%
This was my favorite so far, a good sit-in-a-pub-and-sip beer. It’s not too heavy, but does have texture and classic bock flavor.
- All these quarters, still no dollars Peanut Butter Porter, 6.5%
Don’t get this one if you’re allergic to peanuts, as it is actually brewed with that legume. This is the only really dark beer of our flights, and I like it, but less than I thought I would. It tastes and smells strongly of coffee, with some umami nuttiness and an aftertaste of, yes, peanut butter.
- Only when we suffer can we be great Marzen lager, 5%
No suffering necessary when drinking this brew, as it is a light, slightly fruity lager, very easy to drink.
Reasons to visit: casual, relaxed brewery, with easy to drink beers; dogs allowed; you call that a calculator? and now we’re just making stuff up (the two beers we bought in cans to bring home); they also had warm hard cider and some wines available; lots of events, including “Geek Talks,” Stand-up Night, and live music.
NoFo Wineaux 