When I initially heard about Lynnwood Grill, I was unsure what to think. My first impression was this was a restaurant that also happened to brew beer, and by extension, the beer itself was probably not up to the quality of other breweries that focus solely on their beverages.
This predisposition, however, marks one of the few times in my life I have been irrevocably wrong about something.
Lynnwood Grill is, first and foremost, a restaurant located near the intersection of Glenwood Avenue and Lynn Road in North Raleigh. Notable features about the establishment itself include a very nice rooftop seating area, bars on both the lower and upper level and flat screen televisions adorning the walls, once again, on both levels. The food at Lynnwood is also quite good, for those interested.
The atmosphere of Lynnwood is one of a fairly typical sports bar, with the exception of the rooftop area. The walls are mostly made of hardwood, and the tables are a mixture of booths and smaller standalone tables. The rooftop area features larger, high tables and an open atmosphere.
The lower level also features a window into Lynnwood’s brewing area. The brew tanks are located in plain sight, giving the restaurant a feel of added character and authenticity.
After soaking up Lynnwood’s atmosphere, it was time to actually try some of the beer itself. One of the many things I appreciate about Lynnwood is the fun they have with naming their beers, which is reflected in beers like the “Blonde Moment” Belgian Blonde and the “Hop On Top” American IPA. Both of these gems, however, paled in comparison to the first beer I tried—in naming, at the very least. Feel free to compare the tastes for yourself!
“Bill and Ted’s Excellent Amber” is both a tasty brew and an overt reference to a movie that still stands today as a beacon of comedic brilliance in a world fraught with tired one-liners and bad Facebook jokes. (The first one, at least. There was no sequel.) While advertised as an Amber Ale, this beer had a hoppy quality that I thought blurred the lines between Amber Ale and IPA territory. Light citrus and caramel flavors were also present, giving the beer a pleasant overall taste. I did, however, feel slightly deceived that this was referred to as an Amber, as it may be the most hop-heavy Amber Ale I’ve ever tried.
I also tried the “Bad Leroy,” an English Brown Ale, supplemented with caramel and toffee flavors. This beer was much truer to its classification and darker in color than the Excellent Amber. It was also a fairly sweet beer, with a slight nutty taste mixed in as well.
For those interested in visiting Lynnwood, it’s approximately 15 minutes from State’s campus and well worth the drive. Lynnwood Grill is open from 11am to 2am every day, with the rooftop only open in the evening on weekdays and at noon on weekends.
They also have events going on regularly, including specials for game days and musical performances from time to time, which can be viewed on their website (http://www.lynnwoodgrill.com). So next time you’re looking to get some quality food and equally good beer, make sure to give Lynnwood Grill a visit, and check to see if they have anything special going on that night.
For more beer opinions from Technician’s Ricky, add him on Untappd (rdhopper). And please, always drink responsibly.