Did you know that we have a brewhouse here in our valley that has been producing award-winning beers since 2003? Open for a decade now, Babe’s Bar-B-Que & Brewhouse is known for delicious barbeque food, fresh homemade cornbread and my favorite, a variety of micro-brews on tap. Whether it’s for a family dinner or a night out on the town with friends, Babe’s is great for all ages. As the summer is winding down and we continue to face triple digit temperatures, I can’t think of a better way to end the day than with a tasting of beers, followed by a barbeque feast at Babe’s.
While I enjoy wine tasting at our local wine shops, sometimes I just want to roll up my sleeves and have a cold beer! With a couple of colleagues by my side, I decided to try a flight of beers at the bar before we took a table for dinner. Six generously poured “tastings” of beer were placed in front of us along with a list of descriptions. If you prefer a light beer with a touch of sweetness, try the Honey Blonde Ale, which has won awards three years in a row at the L.A. International Commercial Beer Competition. If you want a big beer that’ll kick you in the pants, try the Hog Tie Rye with a whopping 8.5% alcohol by volume. After tasting these great brews, we were ready for the food!
As a barbeque lover, it usually takes me the longest to order, mainly because I want it all and don’t want to miss out on anything. Fortunately for me, Babe’s offers combination plates that mix and match all of the favorites. I ordered the Texas Louie plate, a pairing of sliced Tri-Tip and half a rack of St. Louis style pork ribs. To justify this large meal, I began with a Caesar salad tossed with croutons made from their famous cornbread. The dinner was huge and the ribs had a smoky pink center. Dinner entrees come with two sides and I could not pass up the mashed potatoes and baked beans. My friends ordered Baby Back Ribs and Salmon, both of which were prepared with perfection. The Hickory Smoked Salmon was a huge hit!
While I was definitely in the mood for beer, I could not help but notice the extensive wine list. Not only are there many affordable wines that we all enjoy, you can also find some special, high-end wines like Opus One, in case you are out to impress. Whatever the occasion may be, Babe’s Bar-B-Que & Brewhouse has it covered. When seasonal beers are no longer available on tap, they are available by the bottle. I tried their “Bin 412” beer with my meal and wished I had begun with it as well.
One thing people may not be aware of is that all of their amazing beers can be purchased to go, in either a 32oz bottle or a 64oz “Growler”. Perfect for the football season, a couple “Growlers” will go a long way with a few friends. Babe’s Bar-B-Que & Brewhouse is located at The River in Rancho Mirage. Just look for the large malt silo and the bronze pigs outside and you will find it! Happy Hour is offered in the bar and on the patio Monday through Friday from 3pm to 6pm. Come try a flight of beers and take a few home with you.
