Top 5 Best Beer Spots in Louisville

  1. The Irish Rover – The Rover normally keeps 11 beers on tap, with 8-9 being excellent. They also have a great bottle selection that regulars like I know about.

 

  1. Holy Grail – While not a friendly bunch (they all think they are beer experts), the bar has a great selection of beer.

 

  1. Bluegrass Brewing Company – All the beer is locally made and fresh. They change beers throughout the year while always keeping the best such as their Bourbon Barrel.

 

  1. Flanagan’s Alehouse – Excellent selection of draft and a never ending selection of bottled beers.

 

  1. Sergio’s World Beers – At least 1100 different beers in-stock at any given time. What more needs to be said?

My favorite pictures

Since I took down tons of pictures on here, I have gotten emails asking to put some up. Fine, I will. Here are some of my favorite pictures from the past few years. Enjoy.

Here I am fresh back from Ireland in 2010 (see shirt). With me are my friends Shannon and Kelly. No offense to my friend Shannon, doesn’t she look hot in that hat? BTW, I survived a few nights in Dublin. Millions of brain cells did not.

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Halloween 2010. Besides Brett (The Penguin), no one is sober in this picture.

koser11's Photos | Nov 10, 2012  

I was 20, maybe 21 here. Man I was good looking once. What happened?

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Ireland 2010, again. My favorite thing is next to me. Her name was Rosie O’Sullivan. Lovely and I can still hear her beautiful accent like it was yesterday. O’Sullivan means “dark eyed-one” in Irish. This beautiful angel did have dark eyes.

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Aww, Shannon and Kristen with me, with Shannon’s husband in the background. Both married, both lovely and I’m still a nerd.

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I’m no thug. I’m not ghetto. My alter-ego “T-Bone With A-1”, well, that’s a whole different story. Yes, the gun is real.

It was New Year’s 2013….. I have no clue what’s taking place here. I was on beer #16 along with tons of Bourbon already down my throat.

My favorite person from work with me one night at the Highlands Taproom. Emily beyond beautiful like always!

   Halloween 2012. Gilligan’s Island. We came in 2nd. Rigged ass contest.

Sad….. my last night in Ireland 2010. This was me along with some of the staff from the Arlington Hotel. These people were beyond nice and showed me true hospitality. I never felt home sick due to them and I almost didn’t want to leave. If Rosie O’Sullivan would have been mine, I would have never left……

 Even though I was not in this picture, this is beautiful to me. This was Ireland. This is where my DNA came from. The forefathers of my dad came from here. I am proud of that. Seeing Ireland firsthand was a dream come true. My dad never got to see Ireland. I made it a goal in life to do so. It was even better than I ever dream it could have been. I am proud of my short-tempered, whiskey drinking, folklore believing, hatred of the British, lover of red-heads and Celtic DNA.

Highlights of my Year 2012

 

UK Wins 2012 National Title – This was their third National Title in my lifetime. This one meant more because I got to see UK win two games in the NCAA Tournament with my father.  Instead of going out with my friends the night they beat Kansas, I watched it with my father. That was priceless.

We beat the Rapture and the Mayans – Jesus wasn’t ready to call me to Heaven and the Mayans are losers. God bless and I will see you all in 2013!

Simple, but fun vacation – I stayed home for vacation. Twice I got to bar hop with my friends Shannon, Keith and Kathy. I don’t recall much but I’m pretty sure I had fun. That’s why I’m writing about it.

Halloween Party – My friends and I went as the characters from Gilligan’s’ Island. We came in second in this very “fair” contest.

I tried – I gave me ex Liz a chance, twice. I really wanted to see her change. Sad that such a beautiful girl is wasting her life. At least I tried doing the right thing. I feel better knowing I did.

Hot girl – I got to make love to a hot girl. I won’t name her out of respect for her family. Damn she looks good.

New Hangout Place – What’s better than the Highlands Taproom? Simple, the Highlands Taproom Grill.

The Highlands Taproom Grill

Take from here

The Highlands Tap Room has opened a second location along Bardstown Road.

And unlike their first location — the bar at 1279 Bardstown Road — their new spot, named the Highlands Tap Room Grill, serves food.

The grill opened Sunday at 1058 Bardstown Road.

To learn more about it, read the new post on reporter Emily Hagedorn’s Highlands Lowdown blog.

My two cents – Nothing has changed besides the fact they serve food at this location. Great staff, more room, clean, great drinks, daily specials, free music, John Martin, people watching and fun. Come out and check out a great bar.

The Irish Rover – Louisville’s best and original Irish Pub

Louisville has dozens of “Irish Pubs”. Bardstown Road has Flanagan’s, Molly Malone and O’Shea`s. Downtown has a few Irish Pubs as does St. Matthews. I have nothing against these places. Most of them have great food. Very few bars can top Flanagan’s beer selection. And the owners of O`Shea`s are great people that are known for their generosity and charity work. None of the “Irish Pubs” come close to the Irish Rover, Louisville’s first true Irish Pub.

The Irish Rover sits at 2319 Frankfort Ave. in the heart of the historic Clifton Neighborhood. They opened their doors around 18 years ago and became the first and original Irish Pub in Louisville. The Irish Rover is owned by Michael Reidy and his wife, Siobhan. Mr. Reidy was born and raised in County Claire in Ireland. That’s correct; the owner was actually Ireland born and knows the correct way to run an Irish Pub. He also has the Irish accent most “Irish Pub” owners lack.

The bar area looks very Irish in nature. I spent a week in Ireland a few years back and most Pubs there look exactly like the Irish Rover’s setup. Their bar area is a decent size. Next to it are a few booths. The dining area is two different sections with tons of room. They also have a lovely outside area for dining. This is perfect during great weather. You can sip a Guinness, eat authentic Irish food and people watch all at the same time. The inside is neat because the Reidys have decorated the walls with Irish signs, paintings and pictures. Most “Irish Pubs” in Louisville seem to lack this.

One thing I have noticed about “Irish Pubs” in Louisville is the lack of Irish Food. Walk into Flanagan’s for instance. You see things like Buffalo Chicken sandwich, sweet potato fries and pizza. The Irish Rover has Irish food. They have Bangers and Mash, Scotch Eggs, Irish Whiskey Steak, Fish and Chips, Guinness Stew and tons more. Why go to an Irish Pub to eat German Potato Salad? Would you go to an authentic Italian Restaurant to eat Grilled Cheese or Chicken Noodle Soup? I’m guessing you would expect Italian food. When I walk into an Irish Pub, I expect to see Irish Food on the menu other than just Fish and Chips.

The prices at the Rover are more than reasonable. Sandwiches come with chips (fries) and range from $6.95-$8.95. Their meals range from $6.95-$12.95, and Irish Dinners range from $10.95 to $19.95, with the Irish Whiskey Steak being the most expensive. My favorites are the Lamb Burger (medium rare), Irish Meatloaf (makes American Meatloaf look sick) and the Smoked Salmon and Potato Gratin. I also love the Welsh Rabbit, Fish and Chips and Guinness Stew. You really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.

Their alcohol selection is beyond great. They keep a small, but awesome draft beer selection. They also have an above average selection of bottled beer. I come to the Rover for their Irish Whiskey selection. The first row alone is enough reasons for me to set foot inside the Rover. They have all the Jameson, Bushmill, Red Breast, Middleton (best whiskey ever) and more. Don’t worry; if Irish Whiskey isn’t your thing, they have a great selection of Scotch, Bourbon and Vodka.

What really makes the Irish Rover awesome? Simple, the hospitality. When I was in Ireland I was shocked at how the mass majority of people were so friendly. They never know a stranger. When you walk into a Pub you become their friend. The same can be said about the Irish Rover. I normally sit at the bar. Many times while sipping an Irish Whiskey, Mr. Reidy will stop by to see what kind I am drinking. He loves to talk Irish Whiskey. I’ve taken dates there and Mr. Reidy always stops by our table to make sure the service and food was good. Over the last couple of years I’ve gotten to know bartenders/managers Mike, Matt and Lacey. They are very friendly people, easy to talk with and funny. Mike has helped my Irish Whiskey education, Matt makes fun of my love for UK basketball and Lacey listens to my “bad luck with female” stories. They all should get a raise!

If you want a real Irish Pub experience, the Irish Rover by far, is your best bet. The look, the feel, the food, the drinks and the hospitality are as Irish as you can get in Louisville. Nothing against the other Irish Pubs in Louisville, but they all fall very short of the Irish Rover. Next time you are coming down Frankfort Ave. stop by and check it out for yourself. Sip a pint, taste some real Irish food or stop in to make a new friend. You can’t go wrong with the Irish Rover, the best Irish Pub in Louisville.

 

The Irish Rover

2319 Frankfort Ave.

Louisville, KY 40206

502-899-3554.

The Power of the Nerd

Many people read this site. I am actually shocked at how much of a following we have here. We have over 600 followers. Not bad for the most immature, stupid and worst Louisville website of all time. I love being honest with my readers. Listen, I am a nerd. I may be the biggest geek you could ever meet. I own over 100,000 baseball cards and can tell you random baseball facts that no normal person should know. I have a UK Logo and Homer Simpson tattoo. That’s just who I am.

I have found out however, most women like honesty. They like you to be yourself. Lately I have been in “the zone”. My luck with the ladies has been beyond good. Listen, no lying here. I haven’t banged all of these ladies. I have just met many women lately and I forgot how easy it is to meet new women. Damn, I am that smooth. Women can’t say no to the “geekness”. They may dream about the hunk, firefighter or Brad Pitt look alike, but the nerd is what they actually go after. What can I say, I’m that good.

It all started early last month. My dad’s health and memory is not what it once was. I started thinking over things. I hadn’t talked to my ex Liz in over two years. I told myself I didn’t want to hold a grudge against her or anyone else. I emailed her and after a few emails Liz decided we should hangout. We did and wow, what took place even shocked me. She was all over me, and I was all over her. It was like we were meant to be. Make a long story short, I could have so had sex with her a few days a later. She was drunk, horny and was all over me. However, I did the right thing. I didn’t take advantage of the drunken horny bimbo.

Liz and I didn’t work out, not even as friends. I don’t like liars or drug abusers. She is both. After seeing how fake she still was I felt bad. Why does my luck suck so badly? A few days later I was sitting at work. A very cute girl who works in the daycare approached me. She actually came to me for work related purposes. We started talking (I was so hitting on her) and when she turned to walk away, she asked could she have my number. After a few days of talking I asked her out for dinner. She said yes and then ended up canceling out on me. Sadly, she has Asperger`s and doesn’t do well socially. She is still sweet, smart and a cool chick. I hope she gives the next guy a fair chance.

When she asked me for my number, I felt good. I was like damn; I still can spit some game. After she canceled on me I wanted to prove she wasn’t a fluke. So a couple of weeks later I saw this cute little dirty blonde at the Highlands Taproom. She sat next to me and I quickly noticed her lovely green eyes. As soon as she sat down I started talking to her. Next thing I know we’re playing pool. That led to a few drinks. That led to me taking her out for a 2 AM meal. She took my phone and programed her name and number into it. Sucks she lives in Owensboro, but she’s in Louisville due to work every few weeks. If anything, I have made a hot new female friend.

Then I met an older woman. She is 37, seven years older than me. We started talking and she invited me to watch her “Jell-O-Wrestle”. She has a smoking body. Hell, her body is better than most 18-25 year-olds. This lady loves a nerd. She even has a Johnny Deep tattoo. We have hung out a few times and the babe is always all over me. She knows how to make a nerd feel good. She also gives one hell of a back massage.

No, my fun didn’t stop there. I met a red-headed chick. She was okay. Nice body, very sexual in nature. However, she was too much of a “slut” for me to be more interested. Don’t get me wrong, I love women and their bodies more than any guy. But I don’t dig sluts. She even told me she likes to see numerous men at the same time. I really didn’t feel like going in for seconds or thirds. She’s the kind of chick that is like “Let’s hangout Monday,” after a weekend of banging dudes. My answer, “Call me Thursday.”

Last night the nerd struck gold again. I saw this shy dark-headed gal at the Highlands Taproom. She had a short skirt, showing off a nice set of legs and thighs. We talked for a few hours and I ended up with yet another number. She’s a little bit of a bimbo, but hey, that’s great news for me. That means less work for me if I decide to pursue her. Less work and effort is what all men like best. Am I right, or am I right?

Somewhere in between all of these women, I met a girl name Kim. I believe I met her while I was still talking with Liz. Kim is too much of a drama queen. She is also hung on her ex and that annoys me. The few times I asked her to hang out, she never does. She did once and texted her ex the entire time. I’m not upset about this; I didn’t find Kim to be attractive what so ever. I feel bad because she so wanted me. My point is simple. Lately the ladies have been digging the nerd.

Until lately, I forgot how much a little confidence can work. I have done nothing special meeting these women. I have done nothing special for the make-out sessions. I was just me. And all of these ladies have been into me. None of them are alike. Liz is a liar and petty. The girl at work is sweet and socially awkward. Jen, the dirty blonde, is highly educated and much younger than me.  Kandy, the redhead, was a complete ho. Emily from last night was very, very shy. Heather was older than me. Confidence is all you need. Honesty is the key.

Listen nerds, don’t be afraid of women. Talk to them. If a nerd and geek like me can get women, why can’t you? Have you not seen my pictures? You can’t be a bigger nerd than me. Well you can, but I’m trying to build your confidence. One thing a good looking friend told me once – the worst thing they can say is no. You be surprise how many women will say “yes”. You will never know if you don’t try. Women dig the nerd. Just a fact of life.

One more thing – I could have met a chick two Fridays ago at the Highlands Taproom. She was in town from South Carolina and is moving here soon. My “friend” Steve showed up and started talking religion in the bar. He offended the girl and she walked out. Thanks, Steve. You totally cock-blocked me.

Odd few weeks for me

1 – Last month I tried making peace with one of ex-girlfriends I’ve known half my life. Sadly she is more into lying, drugs and using people than wanting a real friendship.

2 – My friend Shannon was still mad at me over things I said to one of her friends. One night I was drunk while she was bartending. Showing what type of person she is, Shannon made sure I was getting home safe.

3 – A cute girl from work asked me for my number. I was interested and was looking forward to taking her to dinner. She has some issues (nothing funny) and decided she didn’t want to go. I still think she is a very sweet and a  smart person. I was very disappointed about the canceled date.

4 – A guy I know named John passed away. I went and saw him. It was sad but some good came out of it. Shannon saw me there and our friendship is back to normal, which I had missed.

5 – Over the weekend I met a girl named Jen. She was cute and was hanging at the bar. We started talking and ended up grabbing a bite to eat. She gave me her number so we can hang out again sometime. She had such rosy cheeks and lovely green eyes.

6 – Saturday night I was completely sober and yet, fell down at the Highlands Taproom and bruised up my left knee. Friday night I was totally drunk and got home without any injuries. Ironic isn’t it?

7 – Sunday, Shannon and I put down 19 beers in less than four hours (I had ten to her nine). Yes, our friendship is so back to normal.

 

The Big Bar – cool new bar in Louisville

The Big Bar is a brand new bar located at 1202 Bardstown Road. They just opened last Tuesday in time for the Kentucky Derby. I actually know both co-owners from the Highlands Taproom. So when I was told they would be opening a bar of their own I was excited. I like supporting local business and I like both men who own the bar. I told both of them I would stop by opening week and have a drink (or two or three).

Both men are gay. I have no issue with that. I could care less what any two people do in private. So when I first heard about the bar I asked them what type of bar it would be? I was told “just a bar”. So I stopped by this past Friday, the day of the Oaks. I arrived at around 4:15PM. There were just two people, a man and a woman inside. Within the next hour or so the bar was packed. I quickly found out I was the only straight man in the bar.

Some men are complete homophobes. Years ago I was one myself in many ways. Now I see people as people. I had a blast. For some reason a lot of gay men like me. I had two drinks bought for me even though these gay men knew I was straight. Nobody made a pass at me or said anything perverted toward me. A few made jokes that it sucked I was straight. Hey, at least somebody finds me good looking!

The name “Big Bar” is a complete joke. The bar is very tiny. It looks nice. The paint job was done quite well and they keep the bar as clean as clean can be. They have a very small beer selection and a small, but great hard-liquor selection. My first drink was an Elijah Craig on the rocks, very tasty.  The prices are just a slight above average than what I am used to paying. Steve, the bartender working Friday was speedy and very friendly. He also seemed to have great knowledge about many of the drinks they serve.

If you are in any way, shape or form, homophobic, this bar is not for you. If you don’t like being crowded in small spaces, this bar is not for you. If you are into “Bardstown Road People Watching” this bar is located perfectly. If you like great service with a friendly attitude this bar is for you. Stop by and check out another great bar on Bardstown Road.

Why does the Media Stereotype Irish (Irish Americans) so much?

I am sick of black people and Mexicans crying about stereotypes. White people (besides us Irish) please, shut the hell up about jokes being made about you. Nobody seems to care about all the racist stereotypes I see daily about those of Irish descent.

That’s right, Peter is Irish-American. He clearly has to be lazy and a drunk.

Really, out of all the people they could have interviewed, they just had to find a red-headed Irish kid?

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Irish “car bomb”? The drink couldn’t be called “lucky pot of gold” now could it?

The last movie about Ireland was about a Leprechaun that just happens to drink whiskey.

Bíodh sona sábháilte agus Lá Fhéile Pádraig

a little Irish for the readers

Táimid joke thart ar a lán ar an suíomh seo. Is é Lá Fhéile Pádraig ar lá de partying spraoi, agus fáilteachais. Tar éis an lae amárach na cluichí cispheile, is féidir liom gealltanas beagnach mise beidh fíor amach a bhfuil cúpla deoch. Má tá tú ag partying amach amárach, a úsáid tuiscint coiteann. Ná deoch agus tiomáint. Níl aon chúis le dochar a dhéanamh duit féin nó duine éigin eile a chur i mbaol.

  Tá Cabs a dime dosaen. Tá tú go bhfuil an saol fiú níos mó ná cúpla deoch. Más rud é nach féidir leat a aimsiú cab, a aimsiú cara maith go bhfuil sober. Tá gach cara amháin a úsáideann tuiscint coiteann agus tógann sé aire mhaith dúinn. Níl mé ag iarraidh a fheiceáil ar bith de mo chairde a cailleadh mar gheall ar easpa de tuiscint coiteann. Ifreann, níl mé ag iarraidh lucht leanúna an suíomh seo le caith a saol amach thar cúpla deoch.

  Meas ar ár ndlíthe. Meas ar shábháilteacht daoine eile. Ná bheith ina amadán. Nach bhfuil Tá cúpla deoch fiú ag rith thar dhuine máthair linbh, nó cara. Mar sin, ól suas, agus taitneamh a bhaint as a bheith sábháilte.

 

now in English

We joke around a lot on this site. St. Patrick’s Day is a day of fun, partying and hospitality. After the basketball games tomorrow, I can almost promise yours truly will be out having a few drinks. If you are out partying tomorrow, use common sense. Don’t drink and drive. There is no reason to harm yourself or put someone else in danger.

 Cabs are a dime a dozen. You’re life is worth more than a few drinks. If you can’t find a cab, find a good friend that is sober. We all have the one friend that uses common sense and takes good care of us. I don’t want to see any of my friends lost due to a lack of common sense. Hell, I don’t want fans of this site to throw their life away over a few drinks.

 Respect our laws. Respect the safety of others. Don’t be a fool. A few drinks aren’t worth running over someone’s mother, child or friend. So drink up, enjoy and be safe.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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