Bar Tab: World of Beer-Main Street, in downtown Sarasota (updated with video)

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Chimay Burger with a Chimay beer and cole-slaw at World of Bee ron Main Street in downtown Sarasota (Staff photo / Wade Tatangelo).

Chimay Burger with a Chimay beer and cole-slaw at World of Beer on Main Street in downtown Sarasota (Staff photo / Wade Tatangelo).

I visited a new bar in the Westchase neighborhood of Tampa called "World of Beer" in early 2007. The craft beer boom had just begun, at least in these parts, and soon came the World of Beer franchise. I enjoyed my experience at the World of Beer in Westchase and have enjoyed experiences at several more World of Beers, from South Tampa to St. Petersburg to University Park in Sarasota. But the World of Beer on Main Street in downtown Sarasota, the one that opened today in the handsome two-story building that previously housed Eat Here, is my favorite; and not just because it's practically across the street from my office space at Herald-Tribune Media Group headquarters. Unlike the original World of Beer in Westchase and others, this World of Beer serves a full menu and liquor libations. I stopped in for lunch this afternoon.

PHOTO GALLERY: World of Beer in downtown Sarasota

Maple Manhattan at the World of Beer in downtown Sarasota (staff photo / Wade tatangelo).

Maple Manhattan at the World of Beer in downtown Sarasota (staff photo / Wade tatangelo).

DRINKS: The 50 or so beers on tap and hundreds of bottles including myriad local and global standouts, should keep even the most hardcore beer snob satisfied. Even better? An impressive liquor supply to go with a decent wine selection.  I went with the Maple Manhattan ($10). It's an intelligent upgrade on a classic with a fine pour of Maker's Mark bourbon augmented by sweet vermouth combined with maple syrup and a dash of bitters and garnished with fresh green apple slices. Interesting variations on other classic cocktails like the Dark and Stormy ('The Perfect Stormy"), Moscow Mule ("Irish Mule"), and Margarita ("Smoked Margarita") also piqued my interest. Another plus? Sarasota's very own Drum Circle Distilling's award-winning Siesta Key Gold Rum prominently displayed behind the upstairs bar. Suggestion? Add the "Spiced Siesta Sunset" to the cocktail section of the menu. The ingredients are on the back of the bottle.

German Pretzel at World of Beer in downtown Sarasota (staff photo / Wade Tatangelo).

German Pretzel

EATS: Here's a combo that will likely never let you down. Start with one of WOB's signature cocktails and then just as you're switching to your first beer, time it right and your German Pretzel with house-made beer cheese ($10) will arrive. The soft pretzel I had today was bigger than my big head and totally delicious, light and fluffy and full of flavor. I took turns between dipping in the beer cheese, honey dijon and spicy brown mustard, all three doing a fine job of complementing my terrific Bavarian twisted bread. Next, a Chimay Tripel ($12) to go with World of Beer's equally exceptional Chimay Burger ($12.50), which is a half-pound burger covered with imported Chimay Classique cheese, sauteed mushrooms, caramelized onions and served on a toasted brioche bun with house-made Chimay aioli. It's one of the best burgers I've had in recent memory. I also highly recommend the cole-slaw with kale and granny smith apples. Other menu items range from onion rings and pickle chips to flatbreads and a classic reuben to salads and Belgian waffle s'mores.

The upstairs bar.

The upstairs bar (Herald-Tribune staff photo by Rachel S. O’Hara)

SCENE: The exciting but all-inclusive menu was reflected by the crowd today, with hipsters huddled at the bar next to guys in work attire grabbing a burger and beer on their lunch hour. I expect more of the same in the future. This is a place for everybody with an appreciation for quality drinks and tavern food.

CALENDAR: World of Beer — Main Street, it's official Facebook sobriquet, is throwing a grand opening party on Saturday that starts at noon and finishes at night with the always entertaining AC/DC tribute band Highway to Hell.

World of Beer
1888 Main St., Sarasota; facebook.com/wobmainstreet

Have a suggestion for a place or event to be featured in Bar Tab? Comment below, email to wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com or contact me on Twitter: @wtatangelo For past Bar Tab columns, slideshows and SNN videos visit the archive.

World of Beer
1888 Main St., Sarasota; facebook.com/wobmainstreet

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WADE TATANGELOis a content producer who has been an entertainment editor, reporter, columnist and reviewer at publications nationwide. He is a Hershey, Pa., native who grew up in Tampa and graduated from the University of South Florida. Wade joined the Herald-Tribune in 2013 as entertainment reporter and writes the weekly Bar Tab column. He can be reached by email or call (941) 361-4955.
Last modified: April 29, 2015
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