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Battle of the Brew Pubs Part 2: Greasy Luck Brewery

Whalers who prepared for their voyages in the mid 19th century (the height of yankee fleet whaling), must have had high advantageous hopes for returning packed to the gunwales with oil. Now in the teenage years of the 21st century (arguably the height of brew-pubs & craft brewing), my beer buddy and I head down to Greasy Luck Brewery where we hope to find redemption from our inauspicious encounter with Moby Dick Brewing Co.

Greasy Luck Brewery

Greasy Luck Brewery

The Brew

Saturday afternoon seemed like an easy time to grab a bite and a few beers, but it definitely could have gone better.  We were lucky enough to find the last two open seats at the bar before trying to order a few things. The Purchase Street Pale Ale was already spent, so we ordered a White Album IPA, and a Whaler Spout Coffee Porter. The IPA was a little dry and piny on the finish, reminiscent of a Dogfish Head.  The Coffee Porter was fantastic.  The coffee didn’t force an overly bitter sensation, and melded with the toasted flavor of the porter itself.  It was easy drinking, and full of flavor.

Greasy Luck Brewery

Whaler Spout Coffee Stout

The Starters

For an appetizer we ordered Buffalo Chicken Cracklings, but they too were 86’d, so we went for a cheese plate.  The menu reads, ” local cheese and meats, seasonal fruit, and toasted bread.”  What we ended up with was basically a Trader Joe’s special.  We had almonds, sliced apple, onion cheddar, smoked gouda, and a heaping pile of goat cheese.  Oh, and you know those little crackers shaped like butterflies?  Yeah, we got those too!  We also ordered a plate of wings, but the wings were nothing special.  Half the order were supposed to be dry with spices, but the kitchen forgot to season them. So sans spice, I just dunked them in ranch.

The main dish

For an entree I ordered the “Not So Classic Burger,” and my compadre picked another fish dish, the salmon.  To make a long story short, I ended up sending the entire plate back.  It wasn’t just that my burger was way overcooked.  They were apparently out of pickles, tomatoes, and they forgot the bacon.  The salt they used on the fries was course salt, and therefore unpalatable.  I asked them to at least re-fire an order of fries.  My friend’s ginger panko crusted salmon attracted no initial complaints.  However, the rice and vegetables were cold from being prepared too soon.

Greasy Luck Brewery

Not So Classic Burger

Greasy Luck Brewery

Ginger Panko Encrusted Salmon

Drumroll…

In theory this place has a little of everything to offer, but in practice?  Lets just say they really need to keep practicing!  Like the first brewery, there is potential here too, and it seems to continuously bring in a crowd.  But do they want to improve?  I’m not so sure.  It might be another case of, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”  This ship will continue to float; until it doesn’t.

When the smoke cleared

On the high seas of Brew Pubs, neither Moby Dick, nor Greasy Luck qualify to represent any fleet, or earn the title of Captain.  Though in a head-to-head battle, I would have to give the upper hand to Moby Dick Brewing Co.  The operation itself is sound, and less adjustments would need to be made in order to trim into a commanding brew pub presence.  You have to know what you’re getting though.  The fact that they don’t use local fresh cod for their fish & chips will always make them feel like an outsider to me.

*Read Scruffy’s full review of Moby Dick Brewing Co. here.

Scruffy McFoodsnob