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Chappys Tap Room offers inviting list of beers, food
What do a sheik, a Rolls Royce, 30 beers on tap and 75 more in bottles have in common? Sounds like one of those nutty jokes with an awful punch line your grandfather might have told you.
But make no mistake, Chappys Tap Room and Grille is no punch line. Named after the Rolls Royce driving grandfather of co-owner Dave Camplin who was a friend to all — yes, including a sheik — Chappys Tap Room and Grille has all the ingredients that legends are made of.
The newly opened restaurant is located in the former location of Taste of Thailand, formerly a Bill Knapp’s site, but with the smart improvements you would never know it. The interior is separated into two distinct spaces — a dining area and a traditional bar. The dining room is decorated in warm, welcoming hues complemented by rich leather seating. A combination of tables and booths are available to accommodate a table for two or the intimate group of 20. Take away the TVs playing the sports channel du jour and you have an upscale bistro.
The soft mood lighting for both areas is punctuated with glaring reflections after the sun goes down — the dining room from the parking lot lights, the bar from bright, blinding fluorescents from under the work areas and surrounding the coolers - one of our few complaints.
Chappys boasts a well-rounded, solid menu, but it pales in comparison to the outstanding beer selection - both on tap and bottled . The array of choices focuses heavily on microbrews and Belgian ales, elevating it to one of the best beer bars here in town. For those not interested in the beer (how could you?), a wine list and full bar is available.
After asking a few questions of the server, she brought us the “beer book” — a comprehensive list of all of the beers — seasonal and otherwise that’s currently available — complete with terrific descriptions and supplementary information for each. Spotting a Chimay White Belgian Trappist ale draught ($8) - the only tavern to offer this within 200 miles according to our guide — Alexis began the evening’s exploation. Wading through the list Craig chose a Magic Hat #9 ($4.50), a refreshing pale ale brewed in South Burlington, Vermont. Feeling refreshed, the Lounge Lizards set about to pair brews with the perfect bar food.
Our evenings food choices included the BBQ Rib Teaser ($7.95), the Burger Bites ($6.95) Jumbo Chicken Wings ($7.95) and a New Orleans Style Po Boy ($7.95).
Chappys Rib Teaser was just as advertised — smoky and tender, but perhaps a little too light on the sauce. The Jumbo Chicken Wings were plump, juicy and perfectly sauced. The evening’s winner by a pint-sized margin were the Burger Bites. The two plump juicy fresh burgers made with quality, flavorful ground beef were topped with cheese and pickle and served up nearly perfect. Those feeling particularly famished may want to opt for the charcoal grilled half pound version (pictured above) for just a dollar more. The New Orleans Style Po Boy was our least favorite of the group, while the chicken had a zesty, full overall flavor, the dish was just too bready, a common problem many Po Boy platters suffer from.
Instead of a traditional desert, the Lizards opted to let the beer book be our guide. Craig went for the more unusual fare, ordering an Aecht Schlenkeria Rauchbier Urbock ($8) German smoked beer and Alexis went for an Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock ($6) — a malty, sweet but still very strong lager. A warning … smoked beer is not for everyone, but Craig’s little smoked German gem lived up to the description and reminded him, “of the smell of a glazed ham baking.” The beer tasted like a lot like it smelled. Craig enjoyed it, but drinking ham isn’t for everyone — Alexis in particular.
On a second trip, the Lizards found Chappys buzzing with activity. Apparently, word had hit the street about this new beercentric destination. Our table was right in line of the side door and we offer these words of caution as winter sets in: wear layers. The numerous exits and entrances by customers and staff made it a little too chilly. This time around new beer choices were in order and once again, the Lounge Lizards were not disappointed in the impressive selection of fresh draught beer choices. Alexis went with a Rogue Dead Guy Ale ($4.50) while Craig opted for a Southern Tier Unearthly IPA ($6).
Looking to sample more of Chappys menu, we tried the Campy’s Chili ($4.25), fresh fish sandwich ($8.95), the loaded chips ($7.95) and the crispy fried chicken four-piece dinner ($12.95) among others. The company was engaging as always so the slightly longer wait times, likely due to the crowd, was bearable. The chili garnished with cheese and onions and the chips, covered in a generous helping of cheese, bacon, tomato, sour cream, green onions and jalapenos, arrived at the same time.
The thick chili was robust, rich and packed with flavor. The chips were crunchy … too much so, and slightly charred, even for those of dark us who look for the crunchy castoffs hidden at the bottom of a potato chip bag. The fried chicken, marinated 24 hours and prepared to order was near on this visitly too salty to finish - much different than a nearly perfect version we sampled on a separate outing. The beer battered fish sandwich was a standard preparation and flavor.
Being Lounge Lizards, a trip to the bar area is a must. On a different night, what could have ended up in a beer tragedy was averted by head bartender Eric Cannon. Alexis ordered a Berliner Kindl 1809 Weisse German style wheat beer ($8). The bottle and glass arrived and after several bitter beer faces, she pushed the beer away. Seeing this, Eric came to the rescue with Himbeer Getrankesirup — an authentic German raspberry syrup that should be served with it, transforming it into one of the best raspberry flavored beers we’ve had in ages. Eric is worth seeking out for his extensive bar knowledge — be sure to ask him to point to a few of his favorites in the “beer book” to get some more ideas if you’re in doubt.
With an alluring combination of beers and tempting food creations at reasonable prices, Chappys Tap Room and Grille is sure to be a legend in its own right for beer and food, but especially beer.
how to go
WHAT: Chappys Tap Room and Grille
WHERE: 2733 W. Alex-Bell Road, Moraine
MORE INFO: (937) 299-RIBS (7427) or www.chappystaproom.com/
HOURS: 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11-2 a.m. Friday and Sat., 11-1 a.m. Sundays. Closed Mondays. The kitchen closes at 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 p.m. Friday and Sat.,10 p.m. Sundays
VIBE: Dress to your comfort level at this beer mecca — the warm, rich interior and flat panel televisions will draw attention away from any fashion faux pas you may be committing at the time
LOUNGE LIZARDS RECOMMEND: Chimay White Belgian draught ($8) or any other beer from the extensive list that floats your boat. Burger Bites ($6.95), Campy’s Chili ($4.25). Chappys BBQ Ribs ($18.95 for a full slab, $12.95 for a half slab). When done right, the crispy fried chicken four-piece dinner ($12.95) is an excellent choice, but will take up to 30 minutes to prepare.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: Reviews
Comments
By tbill
December 7, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this
Sure, I’ll go if you’re buying the $8 beers. Since when do people in Moraine drink $8 beer? I can get a 6-pack of perfectly good Beck’s for that. And obviously the price doesn’t guarantee you’ll like it, as the rauchbeir proved. Beer snobs!By lisamarie
December 7, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this
I’ve drank my way through over half of the 30 beers on tap, and I’ll finish the list soon! A great new place to hang out!By In the neighborhood
December 7, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this
I’ve tried Chappy’s only because I live so close. The loaded chips are too loaded and should be replaced with loaded fries. Use the chips as complementary bar snacks. The rib teaser was under sauced and ribs were burnt on my visit. Decent mahi mahi sandwich if it would stay on the bun. Went there for lunch, won’t go back. Also, since I’m a fan of domestic beer and good bar food, I’ll stick to Fricker’s. Oh yeah, and change the hideous uniforms.