Opinion: Balter Beerworks brews up tasty upscale bar food

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So, this post is long overdue. I’ve been so so so busy this semester–which isn’t a very good excuse, but hey I thought I would give it a try. I love writing about food more than anything else. In fact, I love it exceptionally more than working on history or biology homework, but unfortunately college doesn’t care about how you’d rather be spending your precious time.

Anyways, I ate at Balter Beerworks several weeks ago and am just now getting to write about it. I’m working on a separate freelance project where I write about new restaurants in Knoxville and it was on the list. So, I’m killing two birds with one fork by writing this review for TNJN.

Balter Beerworks is a pretty hip place. It has a very industrial look to the building which really emphasizes the fact that it is not only a restaurant, but also a brewery. The vibe in the joint is very laidback. It is a place that I can see both frat bros and families alike grabbing a bite to eat.

There are currently eight types of balter beer on tap. Each beer is handcrafted at the brewery that is connected to the restaurant. I was told that a very popular option was the “bear blend” which is a balanced Ale loaded with Three Bears Coffee Co.’s Brazil Poco Fundo. I’m not a beer expert so, I have no prior knowledge of beer lingo, but the waitress was very helpful in describing each kind.

While I know that the beer is supposed to be the star of the show, I really need to talk about the food. Now, I’m going to be honest with you guys because you are my loyal readers and because honesty is the best policy. I am so broke that I couldn’t even afford a beer here. That’s not because their prices are unreasonable, but it is because I only had ten dollars to my name when I visited. So, I ordered a water and the potato chip nachos. I managed to spend about $9 dollars and I had no regrets.

The potato chip nachos were very filling and for a poor college student that is very promising. The shareable appetizer features homemade chips topped with a blend of shredded cheese, black beans, cilantro and pico de gallo. There was an additional cup of queso that was on the plate. I think pairing homemade potato chips with queso is the most brilliant idea ever. The chips were so crisp and they paired so well with the cheese. It added an upscale factor to something as simple as a plate of nachos. My friend also got the fried chicken sliders which were super tasty as well. We ended up sharing both dishes which actually made for a fulfilling meal at a brewery.

I plan on going back to Balter Beerworks, hopefully when I can get a bit more pocket change to spend. I want to try the beer and expand my knowledge in that beverage area.

Overall, this trendy brewery and restaurant is a great place to take your friends and family. It has a nice patio out front perfect for enjoying the cool Knoxville air while sipping on a beer with your comrades. The prices are reasonable and the food is tasty. I’d say that’s a good enough reason to give it a visit.

Score: 18/20

Ambiance-5

Food-4

Presentation-5

Price-4

Balter Beerworks is located at 100 South Broadway St. in Knoxville.

Jessica Carr is a senior majoring in journalism and electronic media at UT. She is an independent food blogger. You can check out her blog by clicking here.

Featured Image by Jessica Carr

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