After entering we explored the bar area that prominently
displays the 80 taps for the draft beverages being offered today, and every day! Nice combinations of low and high top tables
along with seating at the bar are available here. Another dining area features cozy booths that
will please those who prefer wine. Each
booth display style names from Burgundy to Zinfandel! Other tables in this area surround a massive brick
fireplace. There is also an upstairs
function room that we would learn has the capacity to host events for up to 100
people. There is also an outdoor seating area enclosed in decorative wrought
iron fencing.
But beer is king at the Horseshoe Pub and Restaurant! Many signs and framed wall décor celebrate
local and international beers and breweries. We decided on the bar area and were
greeted by pub staffer Danielle, who guided us to a window table that gave us a
great view of the beer taps. We reviewed
the draft offerings and found over a dozen styles of beers, cider and even
Mead! (An ancient alcoholic beverage created by fermenting honey.) Simply put if you like beer, there is
something on the menu for you! A wide
selection of bottled macro beers is also available. For the non-beer drinker a full liquor
service and wine selection is available.
Our beer selections today all hailed from three New England
States. Mass Whole Lager is from Wormtown Brewery in Worcester, MA. A session beer at 4% ABV, it’s light and
refreshing and brewed with hops and barley grown in Massachusetts. S.W.A.G Summer Wheat Ale is from Black
Hog Brewing Co. in Oxford, CT. Brewed
with grapefruit peel that is evident in the aroma, it comes in at 4.7 ABV. Hazy gold in color the wheat base is managed
well with the citrus component. #9 is brewed in South Burlington, VT at
Magic Hat Brewing Company. This pale ale
is one of the brewery’s It boasts hints of apricot in aroma and mouthfeel with
a dry finish. ABV is 5.1%. Scrag
Mountain Pils is a Czech style pilsner brewed by Lawson’s Finest Liquids in
Waitsfield, VT. There is a hint of
sweetness that is well balanced by the hops.
Medium bodied and flavorful at 4.8% ABV, it is brewed using local water
deep below Mt. Scrag in Waitsfield.
The pub’s menu is vast including multiple selections of
appetizers, soups, salads, burgers and sandwiches. A variety of beef, pork
chicken, seafood and pasta dishes round out the menu. Several menu items use beer in the
preparation like the Guinness Beef Stew and the salad dressing that uses
raspberry lambic in the oils.
Danielle served our lunch orders while we enjoyed our brews.
We selected the Shepherd’s Pie. A delicious combination of ground filet mignon, peas, corn and caramelized
onions, topped with mashed potatoes and cheese that is skillet baked. We always like to check out a restaurants
style of the Reuben Sandwich. The pub prepares theirs with hand carved
corned beef with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and Thousand Island dressing; it is
piled high on marbled rye and served with French fries. All the ingredients
were well balanced with bread that really held the sandwich together. Thumbs up
here! The tasty French Dip Sandwich also served with French fries
and a side order of au jus, features a more then generous portion of tender
sliced roasted prime rib topped with a melted mixture of Swiss cheese and Dijon
horseradish on a garlic bread roll.
As we were finishing up our lunches, we chatted with
owner Nick Pizzimento about how much we enjoyed his food and beers. He mentioned that when his father started the
restaurant in 1980 he offered basic burgers and sandwiches with three beers on
tap. Nick came on board in 1990 helping his father out. Together they soon added three more draft taps
and expanded the menu from the original 10 items. Fast forwarding to today they
built a major addition to the building (the way it appears today), continued
adding more and more taps, until they reached the current number of 80, and as
mentioned above expanded their menu. Nick’s dad is now retired, but still keeps
an eye on things! Today Nick and his wife Paula operate the pub. They are
active in the community and have supported the Spirit of Hudson Beer Festival
for multiple years. They will host an
Oktoberfest at the Pub starting this September. Live acoustic music is featured
on Friday nights
.
The Horseshoe Pub and Restaurant is open seven days
a week and offers an amazing selection of beers and great food. They make you feel right at home from the
moment you pass through the door to the time you leave. As Nick and Paula like to say, the beer gets you
through the door, but the food keeps you there. We could not agree more!
For more information about the pub, visit their
website; www.horseshoepub.com or at their Facebook page; Horseshoe Pub & Restaurant
