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When it comes to beer - which is my favorite beverage - I'm always looking for ways to further my education, and my lifelong dream has been achieving a Masters Degree in the "Art of Beer Drinking." No worries, as there is a local university in Roseville that provides lessons in beer - with over a 100 craft beers on tap - along with fine, Americana "comfort food" and many other assorted delicacies. I'm talking about the University of Beer, located on Eureka Rd. in Roseville, CA. As with all restaurant reviews I publish, I have no affiliation with the restaurant reviewed, and there is no monetary gain on my part, as I am simply a person who likes to eat, and I love to write-up, and publish my dining experiences.
Photo: University of Beer's stately building is located at the corner of Eureka Rd. and Lead Hill Blvd, in Roseville, CA. Looking at the signage, you can see the mission of the restaurant is very clear: Beer. It's just past the 11:00 in the morning opening time on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, and I've arrived to further my education in beer, and enjoy a fine lunch at the "university." Does this building look familiar? Until October, 2019, this was the home of Broderick Roadhouse, where I enjoyed many fine "Johnny Cash" burgers and more...
Photo: On weekends, enjoy the charming patio, bring along your dog, and your pet will enjoy food, on the house, as you enjoy a fine meal.
Photo: As you enter the restaurant you'll be "meeted and greeted" during busy times, but since I'd just "opened up" the restaurant on this late Wednesday morning, I simply sat myself at the table of my choice, near the bar. The restaurant is divided into two sections, with the left section being the main dining room, with a small bar and the karaoke/live music stage being the focus of the room. To the right is the large, main bar, which is the centerpiece of the room. This room is seated whenever the restaurant is open, as the main dining room is normally opened during evenings, and other busy hours.
Photo: The large bar is the centerpiece of the dining room, with decorations sure to please any beer lover. University of Beer "branding" is posted everywhere.
Photo: The dining room's main attraction is the large bar, with over a hundred craft beers on tap, and a constantly changing rotation. There are television monitors everywhere, tuned to various sports programming. Booth and tables line the walls, and the large windows allow for lots of natural illumination. Beer signs, beer posters, and everything "beer" is part of the decor. If you look up to the ceiling, you'll note liquor bottles and beer taps are the main decoration... and they're everywhere! In the corner there is a 1950's vintage Harley Davidson motorcycle, which adds to ambience, along with the "sports bar" feel.
Photo: The second dining room is decorated nearly the same, complete with television monitors everywhere. The karaoke stage dominates the dining room. There are potted plants, and lots of light from the many windows. that look out to the dog-friendly patio. The decor in both dining rooms is very attractive and tasteful. University of Beer has kept the basic layout of both dining rooms the same as in the Broderick Roadhouse days, but has completely revamped the decor from quite basic to beer-oriented, and simply "electric."
Photo: The small bar in the main dining room features craft beer on tap. Like the large bar, the bartender will mix any drink that you can think of. Note the many television monitors and the beer tap handles that decorate the ceiling.
Photo: The restaurant doesn't have a printed menu, as all menus are online, and also listed on a tablet, which your server will give you so you can browse the food and drink menu. Each table has a QR code that lists the menu, if you care to scan from your smartphone. From the IPA section of the beer menu, I went with "Double Breaking Bud," an IPA that's locally brewed in Auburn, by the Knee Deep Brewing Company.
Photo: My friendly host, Mike, places my glass of "Double Breaking Bud" IPA on my table, for me to enjoy as I wait for my lunch to arrive. The wait for my lunch turned out to be very short, as lunch arrived about fifteen minutes after I placed my order.
Photo: My pint of "Double Breaking Bud, brewed by Knee Deep Brewing Company located in nearby Auburn, is a simply delicious and refreshing IPA. Kneee Deep Brewing Company is one of many micro breweries in Placer County, and is located within the greater Sacramento area. Great beer from a great micro brewery!
Photo: All burgers are listed on the tablet, which was provided by my host. The tablet was menu-driven, which listed the menu choices - pun intended - which made it easy to order. This is just one tablet "page" of the menu which lists the burger selection. I went with a "Beer Battered Burger," along with a side of "Beer Battered Fries," which is their signature burger, and a "Best Seller."
Photo: Beer signs add to the decor, and advertise beers on tap. There are over a hundred micro brews on tap and the rotation is constantly changing. These signs are in the foreground, as I look out into the patio, which wasn't open at this hour.
Photo: The dining room is decorated with beer signs, plaques, and practically anything beer-oriented. This sign from Farmers Brewing Co. caught my eye, as this fine micro brewery is located near Chico, a hundred or so miles to the north, and brews beer on a working wheat and rice ranch. Farmer's has a great motto, which reads, "Farm-to-Glass Brewing."
Photo: Are you ready to enjoy a road trip to the many nearby Placer County micro breweries? The sign near the bar lists only a few of the many micro breweries our area has to offer.
Photo: If you look over the bar, you catch a peek into the kitchen.
Photo: The entry is highlighted by the soaring tower, which is lighted by natural lighting, and decorated with beer tap handles and beer trays. It's lighted at night, and must look stunning.
Photo: Meet Mike, my amazingly friendly host who brought my delicious lunch to me with a smile. Mike provided friendly and efficient service, and treated my like family. My lunch arrived only about fifteen minutes after I placed my order.
Photo: I'm happy to further my education in fine food and beer at University of Beer! Today's "education" is a "Beer Battered Burger" and fries, and a pint of Double Breaking Bud "Knee Deep" IPA.
Photo: From the "Burgers, Sandwiches and Wraps" section of the menu, I went with a "Beer Battered Burger," along with a side of "Beer Battered Fries." For an additional $4.99 I could have enjoyed a side of "Our Famous Drunken Pig Fries," which tugged at my senses, but in the end, I went with the fries that came with the meal. In addition, the menu offers a $5.00 Jameson shot of whiskey when you order a burger; somehow I missed that today, as that would have made a great addition to my delicious lunch. The menu advertises this delicious burger as, "Beef patty deep-fried in craft beer batter, Swiss cheese, citrus jalapeņo aioli, topped with waffle fries, and spicy ranch dressing." Such a simple description for an amazing burger! Like all burgers and sandwiches on the menu, my "Beer Battered Burger" arrived on a ciabatta bun, and was garnished with fresh butter lettuce and sliced tomato. On the other hand... have you ever heard of, or much less enjoyed a beer-battered, deep-fried burger patty? Me neither, so today was a "first" in my life. The burger patty was quite large - probably a half pound - seasoned, and coated with a light coat of golden batter, perfectly deep fried, like a chicken fried steak. A bite into the burger was rewarded with the "crunch" of the batter, the "waffle fries," and a moment later, with the juicy, tender meat. Oh my! The batter-to-meat ratio was simply perfect! Naturally, the melted Swiss cheese enhanced the meat patty, but didn't overwhelm it. Unlike other burgers, I could actually "taste" the cheese, and it was wonderful! The burger was placed on a fresh, lightly toasted ciabatta bun, which was garnished with creamy aioli, which added a slight "kick" to the burger, thanks to the citrus and jalapeņo. Along with the aioli, the bun was garnished with creamy ranch dressing, with just a little "spice," which along with the aioli, added amazing flavor to the burger. In addition to the beer-battered-deep-fried meat patty, deep-fried "waffle fries" added extra crisp, and added a whole new dimension to the taste of this delicious cheeseburger. The butter lettuce and tomato slices were fresh and delicious. As a bonus, my burger was served with a slice of sweet dill pickle, and a small cup of ketchup and ranch dressing, which made for perfect dipping for the fries. Oh the fries... "Beer Battered Fries" come with the burger, but for a small addition charge, you can "upgrade" to other side options. But... in my case, I chose not to pass on these fries, as these "Beer Battered Fries" aren't served in your daddy's diner... The side of fries was on the modest side, but they perfectly complimented the large burger. The fries were sliced very ordinary, on the thin side, like you'd find in most restaurants. But... the fries were coated in a light coating of beer batter, and deep fried to a deeper shade of golden brown. The batter was light and crispy, and the ratio of fry-to-batter was perfect, and each fry gave a rewarding "crunch" when I bit into it, and was crispy golden brown on the outside, and tender, white and delicious on the inside. Truly delicious fries. Don't "pass" on these fries! Such an amazing lunch of burger and fries! University of Beer knows how to make a delicious, unique burger and fries, battered, and deep fried. Simply unique and delicious!
Photo: Cross section of my dazzling "Beer Battered Burger," which shows the layers of "goodness" that made for the amazing flavor of the burger. Starting at the "bottom of the bun" and working up... aioli spread, lettuce, tomato, beer-battered-deep-fried meat patty, Swiss cheese, and topped with deep-fried "waffle fries." More citrus jalapeņo aioli was spread on the top bun and lightly toasted on the griddle. Everything worked together to create a sensational cheeseburger! To further your education in beer, attend classes at University of Beer, located in Roseville, and enjoy some of the 100+ craft beers on tap, as well as delicious "pub food." You'll be able to earn your "Masters" in beer drinking, and you'll savor every moment. For a dazzling array of craft beer, along with amazing "comfort food," enjoy your studies at University of Beer, located in Roseville, CA. University of Beer Copyright(c) 2023 eRench Productions. All rights reserved. We've been on the web since December 22, 2002.
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