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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 30, 1992)
Arts^Entertainment Brewpub tantalizes beer lovers’ taste buds New cafe offers plenty of beer, food, atmosphere By Mark Baldridge Senior Editor It wasn’t long ago that Nebraskans suffered under the iron hand of the major bo^r brewers; choices and tastes were limited. But then they were introduced to the wonderful world of microbrewing and suddenly everyone’s a connois seur. Today wc Lincolnitcs have two, count ‘em, two brewpubs to choose from. AsofOct. 16,Crane River Brcwpub and Cafe is on line and running, brew ing five kinds of beer and the occa sional seasonal flavor. Owned and managed by Linda Vcscio and Kristina Tibcl (who also serves as head brewer), the place is literally flooded with atmosphere — so bring a snorkel. The menu tells you that in addition to restoring the original tile floor to the historic Commercial Club Build ing, the restaurant also sports a bar inset with rock from the Platte River Valley and a dining room laid with carpet “produced from fibers spun from recycled plastic pop bottles.” When I arrived, incognito, I sat at the bar in my usual “timid customer” mode and wailed. After a minute a "suit” came along and sal next to me. A bartender appeared as if summoned by the expensive tic and sharp lapel. “I’d like a menu,” I said and the fellow seemed mildly surprised. I don’t think he’d noticed me there in my T-shirt and shorts. But after that-lhcy were pleasant enough. I say “they” because I sud denly had two bartenders waiting on me—when I took out a notebook and started taking notes on the quality of the beer. Then I let them sec me drawing pictures and one of them went away. It never fails, act like a reviewer and the quality of service miracu lously improves. As a conscientious reviewer I felt compelled to try every kind of beer they made. And here’s where the story takes an upturn. The beer was excel lent, unlike anything I have had be fore. They offer four-ounce tasters for 50 cents and I had six of them. (One flavor was so great I had to try it again to see if I had been imagining things.) The Platte Valley E.S.B. (Extra Special Bitter) was like the beer they brew in dreams. A red beer, it was beautiful to look at, to smell, to touch, to taste — if it had made a noise it would have chimed like bells in heaven. The menu says it’s the head brewer’s favorite. Obviously, a woman of taste. Another fine and original beer is the Whooping Wheal. It’s a tradi tional German-style summer ale — again, according to the menu — and comes served with a lemon slice. The color of apple juice, this beer has none of the abominable sweetness of some lighter beers. But it’s as re freshing as a glass of iced tea in Atlanta — where iced tea has the status of a house wine. The Zlate Pevo is almost smoky Courtesy of RCA Records Clint Black will perform with Aaron Tippin Saturday evening at Pershing Municipal Auditorium. Pershing holiday performance to feature singer Clint Black From Staff Reports _ Pershing Municipal Auditorium will be the sight of a Black Halloween Saturday evening. Country and western singer Clint Black will perform at 8 p.m. in sup port of his latest album, “The Hard Way.” Saturday’s concert is one of 150 tour dates that Black will perform this year. Black is known for his hit songs such as “A Belter Man, Killin Time,” “Nobody’s Home,” “Walkin’ Away” and “Nothing’s News." Opening for Black will be Aaron Tippin. Reserved scaling is $19.50. Tick ets may be purchased at the Pershing Auditorium box office or through all TickctMasterlocations, including the University of Ncbraska-Lincoln Ne braska Union. * ' « Robin Trim^rchi/DN Sean Strough, right, chats with friends at the newly opened Crane River Brewpub and Cate at 11th and R streets. Clockwise from center front are Robert Eckerson, Ron Schmidt, Shawn Farriter and Nancy Thiel. flavored, il has a tang that slays with you. The flavor changes as you drink it, but il never fails to please. And the Homestead Pale Ale is an amber beer, similar to Lazlo’sCaptain Donovan’s. The only low point is the Good Life Stout, but only if you really like your stout... well... stout. If dark beers have frightened you in the past, you may find this beer more to your liking. The food, judging by the french fries and the black bean soup, is good standard fare (for Lincoln even quite good), if just a little pricey. So wear a tie, come prepared for atmosphere and taste the new beers in town. You can’t hardly not enjoy your self. Cinema quality of ‘ Dr. Giggles proves to be a laughing matter "Dr. Giggles" By Gerry Beltz Staff Reporter For the most pari, the sloppy teen age hack-’cm-up movies have been dodged by the theaters and get re leased straight onto the video shelves. Unfortunately, movies like “Dr. Giggles” (Plaza 4,12th and P streets) have stil I been able lo ooze onto movie screens nationwide. Music provided by Brian May (leg endary guitarist for Queen and Starflccl Project) would be enjoyable if one didn’t have to watch the movie to hear the soundtrack. Larry Drake (the finger-chopping gangster in “Darkman”) portrays Evan Rcndcll, an escaped mental patient whose father was a small-town physi cian who cut out his patients’ hearts while they were still alive. The angry townspeople dragged the father into the street and stoned him to death, but his 7-ycar-old son (whoallcgcdly helped him) was never found or seen again. Now, some 35 years later, Evan has returned to the small town of Moorchigh to avenge his father’s death and to continue his father’s work in heart transplants. — ** The film degenerates into the typi cal slasher Hick syndrome, complete with Drake delivering morbid one liners akin to his character. “It’s time to do what a doctor does best!” Rendcll says, as he reaches for his golf clubs. Naturally, his victims arc the un suspecting teen-agers of Moorehigh. All arc portrayed with the depth of a shallow puddle. An annoying subplot throw n in is the recently discovered heart condi tion of one of the teen-agers. Golly, will Doctor Giggles My to save her with his untested techniques and tools and leave a bloody trail ol her friends and relatives in the pro cess? Will he do it with even more snappy one-liners that Freddy Krueger hasn’t used yet? Probably. (Weekend preview ** “Reaction" (Theatrix) at fie Howell m, ^Theatre, today and Saturday at 8:30 p.m. -'■"''and Sunday at 2 p.m. $2 The ChrJe Duarte Group (guitar blues) —at the Zoo Bar, 136N 14th fit., today, Saturday and Sunday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. $5 today and Saturday, $4 Sunday. k~"CIOud Nine” (University Theatre play) ft in the Studio Theatfe of the Temple B Building, 12th and R streets, today and B Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $6 for Bmudonta and 18 lor adults. ™ Hubbard Street Dance Company at the Lied Center for Performing Arts toddy and Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $22, $18 and $14 tor adults with half-price available for students. University Symphony Orchestra at Kimball Recital Hall, Sunday at 3 p.m. Free admission. David Badders DN