You might already know that Luna Park owner AJ Gilbert and wife Martha Madison opened Henry’s Hat on July 9 in the former home of Minibar, featuring American bar food, flat screen TVs and Madison’s seasonal cocktails. Luna Park San Francisco Executive Chef Nick Cobarruvias developed a beer-friendly menu that includes pizzas, Fat Tire Ale-Battered Fish & Chips and a “Black and Blue” burger topped with balsamic onions, sautéed Crimini mushrooms and Humboldt Fog blue cheese.

Luna Park GM Alan Pehrson consulted on the beer list. He “tried to serve the best representation of each beer style…without getting too cute or experimental…We also wanted to keep seasonality in mind as well. We thought about what people wanted to drink on a hot summer day, as opposed to a cool day watching football.” Gilbert and Madison hope to get a draught system in August. In the meantime, Pehrson ran through his bottle list and recommended food that pairs well with each beer:

Allagash White Ale – Belgian Style Witbier – Allagash Brewing Company -Portland, ME
“That’s good with salads, fish. Everything pairs pretty well with our burgers. It’s really light, really crisp.”

Flying Dog Gonzo Porter – Flying Dog Brewer – Frederick, MD
“That’s a Porter style. That’s one of the better porters that I’ve had. That goes really well with meat, any blue cheese, cheddar cheese.”

Green Flash Hop Head Red – An American Amber/Red Ale – Green Flash Brewery – Vista, CA
“Grilled beef, grilled fish, roasted chicken, mac and cheese”

Weihenstephaner Heffe-weisbier (hefeweisen) – Weihenstephan Brewery – Freising, Germany
“That’s probably going to go good with pizzas, salads, probably go really good with that clam bake.”

Green Flash West Coast IPA – Green Flash Brewery – Vista, CA
“That’s going to help anything that’s spicy. Our Texas style queso. That’s also going to do real well with a lot of burgers.”

Poleeko Gold Pale Ale – Anderson Valley Brewery – Boonville, CA
“Real meat is going to go good with that. That has just enough hops to get rid of any spice. There’s a lot of cheese on the menu, so we went with stuff that went well with cheese.”

UPDATE: On September 14, Henry’s Hat debuted Halftime Hilarity. During halftime of ESPN Monday Night Football games, local comics perform five or six-minute sets in the den. Henry’s Hat bartender Minnie Goode moonlights as a stand-up comedian at venues like The Improv and The Laugh Factory. Given that, she’s been able to recruit fellow comedians like Marianne Sierk, Michael Goldstrom, Mark Daviau and Angie Greenup. You’ll also find “secret guests.”

After the game, stay for a “Highlights” menu featuring half-price pitchers of beer and select menu items. For example, you’ll find Aggies’ Chili Con Queso with Molten Cheese and Salsa for $4.25 and the North Carolina-Style Pulled Pork Sandwich with Coleslaw and Chipotle BBQ for $4.50.

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1. Pingback: The FoodGPS LA Beer Float Showdown at Blue Palms | Beer Geek LA on July 24, 2009

1 Comment

1. josh mishell, July 24, 2009:

   Our Gonzo Imperial Porter also goes really well with good dark chocolate. I also enjoy making a beer float with Gonzo.

   We’ve got suggested pairings for all of our beers on their specific beer pages. http://flyingdogales.com

   Thanks!
   Josh Mishell
   Creative Manager
   Flying Dog Brewery

This entry is filed under LA Culinary Compass, Openings.