Ebenezer Kezars Restaurant and Pub

September 13, 2008
Goddamn. Showed up at noon on a day when Ebenezer’s opened at three, and this happened to be the only bit of time I’d be able to visit for who knows how long. After figuring no one was around, we called, Chris opened the door and invited us in, and we were transported somewhere else entirely. Got to try one of the very first bottles of Pannepot (Danish version) without spices, Tjeeses Reserva, Boon Batch #59, Bacchus, Cantillon Kriek vintage 1994 (goddamn, thanks, Chris!), and various other goodies. We show up early, unannounced, for a pint or two, and Chris and Hannah (sp?) treat us like royalty. Ended up with a bottle of Black Albert and countless other hospitaties. Unlike any beer bar I’ve ever been to. Thanks so much, Chris.

August 27, 2008
Went with group of 12 friends for the Belgian Fest. Chris is an amazing host- brought us some phenomenal stuff from his personal collection. We had a bonfire on the lake with the De Stroise brewers and had a bunch of Lost Abbey Ale while chatting and enjoying each other’s company around the fire. I WILL be back as soon as I can.

August 10, 2008
Fantastic. I was there last night with my girlfriend, and we had a blast. We drove accross the state to get there, got in a car accident down the road and it was well worth all of that. Chris and Jeni are both wonderful people, it was great, the evening had a slow start as they were very busy on a Saturday night, as things wound down Chris came out and greeted us and we gave him some beers we brought, he blended something amazing for us, and by the end of the night we were drinking beers from his personal cellar, they really know how to treat beer geeks and have a damn good time. Killer brews on tap and a killer bottle list, I’m astonished and look forward to going back many times.

July 29, 2008
This is Mecca for any beer lover. Over two nights there on vacation, my wife and I experienced first hand the unbelievable experience that is this pub. The waitstaff was cordial, prompt, and very knowledgeable considering how esoteric the draught list is - always nice when you get solid commentary on the flavor differences between Cantillon St. Lamnivus and Vigneronne. Selection is stunning, food is solid and local. But beyond this is the incredible generosity of the owner, Chris. We let him know we had made the trip just to visit him, and not only did he make it a point to repeatedly come and say thank for coming, but time after time, he brought unbelievable and rare beers to try unbidden over and over again, the highlight of which was a bottle of Brooklyn Black Ops. We had incredibly high expectations of our visit to Ebenezar’s, and incredibly, Chris blew those out of the water. When we left we were already asking ourselves how soon we could possibly return.

July 2, 2008 [ Updated August 3, 2008 ]
One of my favorite pubs (if not my favorite!). Tucked away in this small, sleepy town in Maine. Lots of quality taps (can’t quite remember them all because the last time I was here was in February but off the top of my head: Ayinger Celebrator, Cantillon Kriek, De Ranke, Allagash Black and Curieux, Pizza Port, etc etc. Not many American beers, this pub specializes in imports, particularly Belgians. A huge Fantome collection, plus some rarities including Chimay Doree and Westvleteren. Lots of Struise too, of course. The owner, Chris, is awesome and very generous, if you get the chance to talk with him. The food is superb too. Truly a must visit, even if you’re 7+ hours away. Probably the best pub in America, at least on the East coast.

July 2, 2008
The tap and bottle selection were phenomonal, and the owners were really gret people. I got some of the last of the first batch of Black Albert, and quite a few other Belgians that I have never heard of much less seen anywhere else. Outstanding!!!

June 21, 2008
A long way to go but it is a temple of beer to be sure. One misgiving - if you don’t talk to Chris the owner, you won’t get poured Black Albert. I’d like to know, personally, that I can just walk in off the street and get a good beer, not play the is the owner in lottery. Especially true because the waitress at first didn’t know so much about beer. The tap list is stellar, and the bottle list is rock solid. There is a cellar, which you have to figure is a nice little bonus, again if you’ve announced yourself as a wandering beer geek. I like the place. It drips beer, and in a location where it has no earthly right to. It’s an expression of the owner’s passion and you really should plan to stay the night. Overall, it’s one of the best beer bars I’ve seen in the US.

June 17, 2008
This place lived up to its reputation. They had 34 beers on tap and not a dud in the group. My wife and I made the trip up on a Saturday from New York. Chris and Jen had a private party on the porch and another upstairs and the rest of the place was hoping yet Chris still took time to come over and talk beer with me. We had dinner as well and everything was wonderful and the staff very attentive. So here is a little taste of what we had to taste. 1st round De Struise Witte and Pannepot. 2nd Round Gouden Corolus Triple and Bier Du Boucaneer. 3rd round Augustijn Triple and De Struise Pannepot Denmark version. 5th De Struise Black Albert. 6th De Struise Struiselensis and finishit off with just a little more Black Albert. Oh yeah it was a great night.

June 16, 2008 [ Updated July 26, 2008 ]
Well, I never am sure these places are going to live up to my expectations, but this joint did! We walked in and the staff basically made us feel like regulars. The tap list and bottle list is rediculous and the food solid. Chris was an amazing host with generosity to spare. I pretty much determined that day when I’m coming back...unreal!

June 9, 2008 [ Updated August 20, 2008 ]
Visited on Thursday, June 5, 2008. What an incredible experience! I showed up with my girlfriend pretty much as they were unlocking the doors at 3. Chris introduced himself when we walked in and was stoked when I said we came all the way from Buffalo to go there. I can’t even begin to say how genuinely enthusiastic Chris and Jen and really the rest of the staff were. The beers I had being thrown at me were totally insane. At one point I had five beers in front of me, one was the Cantillon Vignerrone draught that Chris told me to use as a palate cleanser! The others included an 06 Peche Mortel and Struise Black Albert. They do have a great number of beers available that aren’t on the beer menu, even though the beer list would warrant a top score for selection anyway. Hell, there were 3 Cantillons on tap including St. Lamvinus. The place has a great view, being next to a golf course, and it is tastefully decorated with tons of primarily Belgian beer signs, flags, posters, etc. The food was great. The food menu was a little unassuming, but it was all top notch. The prime rib and reuben sandwich were both great. My girfriend and I loved every minute of our 7 hours there, and she doesn’t even really like beer (although she loves the Peche Mortel now). If you’re gonna go there, you know it won’t be by accident and you won’t be disappointed. One of the best beer drinking experiences of my life by far