Hidden Craft Beer Gems – Counterpoint
Posted on 14 February 2010 by Tap Master
Counterpoint - A place for people
Counterpoint is a place for people. Now that’s no revelation, it’s their tag line and says so right on their menu. But unlike many places that claim their “local” focus, you really understand what this means when you spend just a few minutes at Counterpoint.
Patrons get a personal welcome when they arrive; owner Cam Fomby or one of his great staff is dedicated to giving every visitor an “out from behind the bar” welcome and a personalized recommendation on their drink choices. Not sure what brew you’d like tonight? No problem, they’ll gladly take you through their offerings and recommend something that fits what you’re in the mood for.
Cam says one of his goals when opening Counterpoint 3 months ago was to create a place where people felt welcome and appreciated. He wanted to create a place with a sense of community and in-touch with their neighborhood. Counterpoint has already become a welcome addition to Golden Hill, the neighborhood often overlooked perched between the East Village and South/North Park and begging for a local bar where you can stop and grab a friendly pint. “Every person who walks through the door has made the decision to spend their money with us,” he says, “We want them to know we appreciate their business and to feel like they made the right choice.”
The Taps at Counterpoint
With 6 taps and another 20 or so bottles Counterpoint has a craft beer only focus. The beers rotate fairly frequently but there are some standbys; one being the Lost Abbey Judgment Day, a dark belgian ale that rings in at 10.5% ABV and oozes flavors of dark fruits like raisin, plumb and fig along with chocolate malts. Some of the other beers on tap when we visited were Alesmith Nautical Nut Brown, Port Wipeout IPA and Mad River Steelhead Extra Stout. The bottles show variety as well, from Russian River Damnation to Allagash Curieux to Alesmith Speedway Stout.
The menu is a great variety of small bites to accompany your brew; cheese plates, sandwiches and their newly added pizzas.
Counterpoint also hosts specialty events, one recent example being an a la cart beer and cheese pairing night with Mad River Brewing. Refreshingly affordable, they offered an 8oz pour paired with .5oz cheese for $5 or 4 pairings for only $17. Some of the standouts were the Double IPA paired with Bayley Hazen blue and the Scotch Porter with Bucherondin French goat cheese.
Whether you call it a wine bar, beer bar, bistro or pub it doesn’t really matter; it’s a great place to grab a pint, relax and enjoy the company.
Counterpoint is located at 830 25th St. in Golden Hill.
