If you didn’t venture down to the Capitol Square this summer and fall, then you likely didn’t see the streatery or a new brewery on King Street that took advantage of it: Young Blood Beer Co.
The goal of the founders was to have “a tap list of ever-changing styles.” I applaud them for not overloading their tap list with IPAs as many other breweries do. But, like other breweries, Young Blood went with a funny naming convention, as exemplified by And I Feel God in This Chili’s Tonight (sour, $7) and I’m a Black Belt in Gift Wrapping (sour, $7). You also can purchase the beer in 4-packs for $14-$15.
- A Fine Tapestry of Profanity is a hazy double IPA using Galaxy, Ekuanot and Callista hops (8.2% ABV). I liked that it wasn’t too hoppy, and I enjoyed the slight citrus flavor.
- Godammit Tammy! is a Belgian blonde (5.5% ABV). I was intrigued by its inclusion of coffee, which made this beer too spicy (not spicy hot) for me.
- Fresh Pair of New Balances is an amber ale (5.5% ABV). I loved this beer. It’s described as having “a light sweetness reminiscent of orange marmalade,” to which I would agree.
Young Blood does serve food in the form of street foods, snacks and sweets, and most of the items were overpriced for the portion size. My favorite item was the fish & chips ($14). Great batter surrounding tender, flaky fish. I liked the hand-cut fries, too, though some were undercooked.
The chicken & waffles ($10) features one well-seasoned and moist chicken thigh. The two waffles had a hint of nutmeg and stood on their own yet also complemented the chicken well.
The barbacoa tacos (three for $12) are on homemade corn tortillas that maintain their structural integrity despite being packed with a generous portion of barbacoa. I appreciated the attempt to add some flavor to the tacos with pickled onions and cotija cheese, but I think this taco would have been better with just diced white onion. The tacos were so-so, and I wouldn’t order them again.
Among the yakiton (skewers) items is the pork belly ($10), which was quite tasty, even more so with the sauce. I enjoyed this dish, but I bet most people wouldn’t because the pork belly was way fattier than normal, and the dish was very salty.
Young Blood Beer Co. is open daily.
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See more photos in our Young Blood Beer Co. Flickr album.
