Since opening two years ago, The Wall in Old Towne Orange has become beer nerds go to place for over 55 craft beers, wine, Kombucha, and nitro coffee on tap. The Wall offers tasty tapa style street food to pair with their pours, in addition bigger entrees like their juicy cheeseburger, honey walnut lettuce wrapped shrimp tacos and a fully loaded breakfast burrito. President, Dan Martinez, co-owner, Ryan Sauter and regional manager Mike Long work hard to keep The Wall stocked with the latest craft brews and have installed their self serve taps to let you pour your own tasters and full pints or you can have your waiter bring you your beer. The self pour system works with a card that tracks the amount of beer you pour, it charges by the ounce, a five ounce pour costs around $3, then at the end of your drinking experience the total is added up and that’s what you pay. It’s a fun way to explore the vast menu of brews to your own liking, the concept has been so successful that The Wall will be opening other locations in Southern California and Nevada.
IPA’s will always be numero uno but it’s nice to once in awhile enjoy a refreshing, crisp lager. Local craft breweries have been brewing their take on the Mexican style Lager with huge success. Mason Ale Works Cerveza Respeto (4.5% ABV) is a great example, recently winning a gold medal at the 2018 Ensenada Beer Fest in the Mexican style Lager category. They use German Magnum and Hersbrucker Hops with Pilsner and Vienna Malts (FYI the original Mexican Lagers were brewed by German and Austrian immigrants in Mexico in the mid 1800’s). Cerveza Respeto has a full body of flavor, crisp up front, with delicious malt tones and hints of corn. Mason Ale Works is opening up a tasting room in Tijuana and were originally only going to market this in Mexico but Respeto has been so well received they decided to can and market it here in the States, along with The Wall. You can find it at your local Total Wine & More. Step up your Cinco de Drinko game and pick up some Cerveza Respeto, limes not necessary!
The Wall, 80 Plaza Square, Orange, (714) 988-7700; thewallrestaurant.com.
