The Grumpy Troll Review

       As you will notice, no pics. In my defense, it was a long day, with an early morning flight and NO it has nothing to do with old age. Our first stop on the Wisconsin Pub and Brewery tour was the Grumpy Troll. Located in Mount Horeb, Wisc. (Former home of the World Mustard Museum), and located right on a major bike trail (smart location, nothing better than strenuous biking to work up a thirst). Because of the location, oh and maybe being prime time on Friday night, the place was packed. But, thanks to some friendly natives, we were able to secure a couple stools at the bar and have a tasty beverage while waiting for a table to open.

      We started with an Erik the red, a not too hoppy, American style amber lager. Very good but not entirely memorable. Good and refreshing but not that different from hundreds of other amber's made. Not so my 2nd beer, now this pushed some boundaries, Kentucky Porter, a nut brown ale, which has been stored in used Kentucky bourbon barrels for 6 months. WOW, great flavors, mellow but a great body, a really nice beer.

      How bout the food you say. Above average bar food is my answer.We went with a traditional Friday Night Wisconsin Special, Fish Fry. You could choose from different fishes (fishi? feesh? who knows), either fried DUH or baked and a variety of sides. I went with the fried perch with homemade chips covered in cheese, wife went with baked cod and also the chips, Cindy went with fried cod and (this is cool) sweet potato tater tots (told ya) and Dean had baked cod with I believe mashed potatoes or maybe rice? To start we shared a plate of that quintessential Wisconsin appetizer, fried cheese curds. Yes, I know it was ALOT of fried foods but what the heck we are on vacation. 

      Cheese curds were Ok, I have had better (in Minnesota of all places). These tasted not much different than your typical bar fare cheese sticks. The fish fry was much better, crisp coating and moist, fresh fish  and a huge portion ( to become a trend here in Wisconsin). Chips were fresh, crisp with a nice coating of cheese, all in all a very satisfying meal. All around the table things were great , Cindy's sweet potato tater tots quite yummy, until we got to Dean. Unfortunately, when you get baked fish in a brew pub you take a chance, wife's was good but Dean's had been baked to within an inch of its 9nth life (Do fish also have 9 lives? If not, why not?, these are the questions that keep me up at night). After all is said, it was a great time, with great friends and this is a place I'd love to have in my own home town.

On a scale of 1 to 5;
Food,                Quality means much more to us than quantity.

Beer and Wine,  Based on selection and pricing

Service,             Speaks for itself
Ambiance,          Does the look fit the food and pricing 

Price,                 And finally does the pricing equal the results we had.

Food,                     4  Overall a great meal , with just some slight misses.

Beer and Wine,    4  Great beers made on site, who needs wine?
Service,                 4  The staff was wonderful. And service was prompt and friendly.

Ambiance,             3.5 It's a pub of course, and brewery, so don't think romance or quiet. But it is clean and fun.
Price,                     3.5 This is not a "cheap" place to eat, beer is rather expensive and entrees are average priced in the $10-$15 dollar range, though portions are huge.
                               

Overall,                3.8 Just a really fun place, I wouldn't mind having in my backyard.