Heidi E. Reuter
March right into this lively, upbeat, rustic-Americana pub on St. Patrick’s Day — if you can get in the door, that is. The Liberty Ale House is a busy, year-round destination for folks who obviously love being able to select from a stunningly fresh, imaginative variety of draft, craft and bottled beers. Their ale flights (for sampling) change all the time, making beer a totally dynamic event.
If it’s on tap, do try the Two Roads Miles 2 Go Pale Lager, as it’s both smooth and crisp with a toasty malt taste. If you are a porter-hound, go for a Leinenkugel Snowdrift Vanilla Porter, not only for the soft, real vanilla notes that linger subtly on the roof of your mouth, but for the generous folds of rich caramel, coffee and chocolate. Very satisfying, yet surprisingly light, and perfect with a colossal Pub Pretzel as you ponder the menu.
True to form, the pub fare — contemporary, enticing and fun — is right up there, with Chef Jason in the kitchen ensuring that all their food is always several cuts above standard bar burgers and wings.
In March, there are specialty Irish foods to pair with stouts and red ales, and not just on St. Paddy’s. The Liberty’s regular menu offers a fine depth worth boasting about, from their Fish ’n Chips breaded in-house to the crazy-popular Ale House Cobb salad and a truly succulent sandwich, Lobster Grilled Cheese.
Groovy Brussels Sprouts, Wings& Other Things
Just like the cool brick walls and original, unusual artifacts adorning them — including a gorgeous Mack truck grill — Liberty’s small plates and appetizers are a brazen bunch, starting with the Shaved Brussels Sprouts. These crucifers are not your demure, pure, steamed veggies: these are thinly sliced, grilled and tossed with a crazy-yummy blend of balsamic, crumbled bleu cheese, shallots, rendered bacon and Parmesan shards. Sweet and salty, so savory to the palate.
Another great choice of small plate: Asian-inspired Poke Tuna, made of chopped tuna sashimi, wontons and wakame (seaweed).
Wings are forever flying to the bar and tables, featuring all-homemade sauces and a surprise sauce on Wednesday nights. Wednesday is also “All-you-care-to-eat Wings Night” for $12.95. (Good to know.) Also popular before the entrée: Pub Mussels, Buffalo Frog Legs and Calamari Tacos.
The sweet potato fries are divine. It’s true that lots of good restaurants and taverns offer this healthier, vitamin-A-rich alternative to white potato fries, but Liberty Ale House makes a real statement with theirs. No wimps here! These deeply tanned, crispy strips appear to be seven or even eight inches long, languishing hotly on paper in a basket, just waiting for a dip in a sugary pool of caramel. (They’re naturally sweet enough without the dip, to be honest.)
The pale green Caesar Salad is fulfilling, with hearty, crunchy, good-looking Romaine and a garlicky dressing that sticks to your ribs. Ale House Cobb comes loaded, and is definitely a multi-textural, juicy, proteinaceous salad-fest in itself. The Classic Wedge is a strong contender in the salad category, especially if a sandwich is calling your name.
Decadent Handhelds: Lobster Grilled Cheese, High-Class Burgers
What could be more appealing than lovely lobster pieces smiling out of a gooey grilled cheese sandwich? Really — it’s like placing natural pearls on a soft bed of silk. Only this is edible. Maine lobster’s delicate flavor blossoms with a touch-of-sage béchamel, snug in its blanket of Wisconsin cheddar and alpine Swiss, all encased by buttery toast. It’s rich. It’s different. It’s love at first bite.
Not to be outdone, four distinctive, luscious-sounding hamburgers and a daily Chef Burger compete for appetite attention. It’s a hard choice here, because all are made with Certified Angus beef®. No matter which meaty classic, grab a pile of napkins because these burgers are made of topnotch, full-flavored beef done exactly to the diner’s liking, charred all over to contain the juiciness, just one bite away from dripping flavor heaven.
The Avenue Burger is imbued with smokiness thanks not only to the grill but also Gouda cheese and roasted peppers, doused with caramelized onions and a dash of zesty pub mustard. Maui onion potato chips accompany.
The Fresno Burger, enlivened by Sriracha aioli, slaps alfalfa sprouts and avocado plus pepperjack cheese, bacon and tomato on top of the burger.
Chicken or the Egg & Other Large Plates
The fun food journey takes a north-country turn with Chicken or the Egg, a creative celebration of white-meat chicken, which is prepared with a crushed cornflake-crust. It partners up with a Belgian waffle and Vermont maple syrup, plus old-fashioned, country-style gravy, bacon (candied), and an egg. Breakfast? Lunch? Dinner? Does it matter? It’s just plain good.
Salmon shows up in a healthy, Sofrito-crusted style, with seasoned rice and veggies as sides.
1501 Lancaster Ave., Reading
610.370.7895 (Reservations suggested.)
Hours: Daily: 11-2am; Happy Hour is Mon-Fri: 4-6pm
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