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They take beer seriously at the Mermaid Tavern and Grille; seriously enough to brew their own. Guam’s only brewpub, located just two stones-throw from the Hagatna marina, serves up fine brews, food and live music for relaxing and merrymaking alike.
Its beer, however, makes it a rare find. The tavern currently offers three homebrews and soon will offer five alongside its domestic and imported beers, once new fermenting equipment is on line, vice-president Nadia Wood said.
For a relatively small-sized community, Guam has a ton of restaurants, and standing out from the crowd in a good way is a good thing. The Mermaid Tavern and Grille has found its niche.
“We’re probably best known as a microbrewery, the only one on Guam. We’ve been selling more than we’ve been making,” hence the increase in brew capacity, Wood said.
The restaurant’s Irish Red pale ale is ordered most frequently of the three brews now offered; the other two available are India pale ale and oatmeal stout. A word to the wise; these are not weak beers. They have taste – and a kick.
But beer is not the only thing being made at the Mermaid. The food is pretty serious too. From pizza and burgers to lamb chops and steaks to quesadillas and falafels and gyros, the eclectic menu, available online at <www.greatdeepbrewing.com>, really has something for just about anyone, at prices to fit even the most modest pocketbook.
“Our Greek platters are the most popular, Wood said. Maybe they should just call the place Popular, because it has become just that as an evening hangout for locals and military members alike, especially on the nights that feature live entertainment.
On Thursday nights it’s acoustic trio JLT. On Fridays, Deep Pacific Blues goes down, and on Saturdays, the Pago Bay Reefers take the floor.
Bruce Reynolds of the Reefers said the original goal of the band was to play familiar music using somewhat less familiar instruments like accordion, mandolin, violin and dobro. Band members play guitar and bass guitar as well.
The band has a wide-ranging repertoire, which includes music from the 1920s all the way forward to sounds from the new millennia, played at volume levels that permit easy conversation. The restaurant handles private parties, and parking is free and plentiful.
Check out the Mermaid Tavern and Grille at 140 Aspinal Avenue, Hagatna or call 472-BEER for more information. Live music shows run from 7 p.m. till 2 p.m.
Photo by Donovan Brooks
