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Categories: Breweries, American (New) [Edit]
Neighborhood: Downtown ClawsonMon-Thu. 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
Fri-Sat. 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
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The first time I went to Black Lotus this spring, we had the pizza, which we had heard was so great there...and it was. I also loved the Apricot Wheat brew.
So when our previous restauant plans fell through with my girlfriends, we went to Black Lotus. I was super disappointed that they stopped carrying the pizzas on their menus because it slowed down the kitchen too much. We all got burgers instead, which were good. However, they left off the cheese that was included in the description on the menu. Part of a great burger to me, is that melted cheese. They gave us some shredded cheese to put on top as an alterative.
Also, since I love to dip my fries in ranch, I have to say, the ranch was not good at all. It was that sour-y ranch that I don't care for that much. I did enjoy the beers again and know I may return just for that, but will probably stay away from eating.
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Back home we had the local brewery at which we were regulars. It had great beer, and really good slightly upscale food. If you are ever in Brea, CA, go to Taps-you won't be disappointed.
Since moving to Michigan we have been searching for a brewery that has the best of both worlds. Is it too much to ask that the beer AND the food be good?! Black Lotus seems promising.
We went for a late night dinner to celebrate the test Dustin had just found out he passed. Turns out the restaurant was having a screening of a documentary featuring the Detroit Science Center - someones friend did the music for the film. We didn't mind, so we sat down and ordered. The Hefeweizen was tasty and not too bitter, subtle hints of citrus. The menu claimed it was made in the Bavarian style and had hints of banana, but I didn't taste it. Dustin got the Pumpkin Ale, it was less pumpkin a more spice than other pumpkin ales. It was definitely different, its not for everyone (like me).
I got the plain caesar salad - and it was a big salad! Covered in parmesan cheese and came with three crostini. It was a good delicious salad, but it could have been better if a. there wasn't sooooo much parmesan. Now don't get me wrong, I love cheese, but there was not one bite of this salad that did not have a ton of cheese in it. Cheese overload is never good. And b. the crostini was just a piece of toasted bread. Lame! It should have had some seasoning, salt and pepper at the very least, or some garlic and olive oil if you're feeling festive.
Dustin ordered the Wasabi Salmon wrap with chips. The Salmon was not over cooked, the wasabi aioli was just as I expected. Again not exactly my thing, but Dustin loved it. Dustin says "it was tasty."
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I must preface my review with a little secret... I am allergic to beer. My reaction to it is quite severe... so much so that I'll even react to small amounts of it in beer batter. As you can imagine, this caused a bit of a problem for me growing up in Wisconsin, though I thankfully could tolerate a brat boiled in beer and then grilled.
"So what?" you ask. Why would I be so stupid as to spend my time and money in a place where I can't even enjoy the primary draw?
Well, because my friends keep telling me how good the beer is at the Lotus, I have begun the slow process of desensitization so I can join in the fun.
The food is pretty decent, the popcorn is free, the staff is friendly and the music pretty good so I currently give it a 3 star rating. The few tentative sips of the beer I have had at the Lotus (Epipen always within reach) have been quite nice though I really have no frame of reference when it comes to beer, aside from that first Pabst Blue Ribbon that started all my problems.
Go to the Black Lotus, sit back and enjoy. Its a great place to hang out.
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Decent Food. Very good to Excellent beers. My favorite, which is not always available I am afraid, is "The Gift".
Unfortunately the last time I was there a waitress tried to snatch my beer before it was empty without asking if I was done with it. I consider this a cardinal sin. When I called her back with my glass, she acted like it was a problem "for her". I was not amused. Other than this solitary incident, I really like this place. Keep an eye on your beer and there shouldnt be any problems.
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It's an okay little bar. I guess technically it's a "microbrewery" but the beer isn't really that great. I mean it's okay.
They used to have a brew called the English Gentleman, which looked and tasted like what I imagine stale urine to taste like. It was one of those things where you exclaim to your table, "Oh my god, this is disgusting! Taste it!" so everyone can share in the misery. A few of the ladies at our table remarked that it tasted very much like an english gentleman, but that's not something I have a frame of reference for, myself. Your mileage may vary.
The one big constant that I can recall is their Red Tao, which is their answer to a red, and it's not the best red I've ever had - Killian's does it better.
Honestly, the key to this place is that it's a decent place to sit down for a drink and cheap greasy food with friends, and being that it's a micro, the alcohol content is a little higher than normal so you can get ripped a little quicker if that's your speed.
There's better beer and better food out there. But this place does alright.
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We really love a Saturday afternoon visit to the Black Lotus Brewery in downtown Clawson for a great lunch a a couple of afternoon brews. They have a great expanded menu, with some really good food.
At the recommendation of one of the patrons out on the patio, we tried the Fried Pickles this week, which were outstanding. Not sure how they would stack up to Tony Packo's Fried Pickles, but they were pretty tasty.
The crew and atmosphere is pretty laid back, and just the kind of place you would expect of a local establishment, sort of a Cheers kind of place. Many of the regulars are Mug Club Members, which means you get a bigger mug of brew!
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Food is so-so, but who cares, if you're going to check this place out, you're most likely going because of the beer! Black Lotus brews are stellar. Haven't tried one yet I didn't like, though my fave is the apricot wheat. Outdoor patio in the summer = crucial.
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I first visited this restaurant last December. I needed a place to meet some friends after work. We needed to eat, but also wanted to be able to kick back a bit since it would be the last time we met up before I left the country for three weeks. This place was picked as the venue mainly because of a recent review in the Metro Times, and because of its central location.
It was a winner. The best way I can describe it is to call it a coffeehouse with a brewery. And, that's a brilliant idea if you think about it. Coffeehouses can be cool places to hang out, but beer makes everything better. Sitting on a couch with a pint in your hand and kickin it with your bros can be the perfect way to spend some time.
I went back for the first time this past Sunday, for my annual Brothers' Day celebration, and it has changed in some good and bad ways. Some of the brews have changed, but overall the beer is as good or better. It seems they have expanded the kitchen, because the food is to the point where it can stand on its own as a great restaurant, regardless of the beer. The downside of this is that they replaced the couches with more square tables, so the inside feels more like a restaurant than a coffeehouse. However, now that its summer, there's nothing better than sitting outside.
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We made an effort to try this place out on a few occasions, however opted out because it was so packed. This occurred on weekend nights.
We finally found the happy medium on a Wednesday night and were seated comfortably, although it was relatively busy.
The first impression of this place kind of reminded me off a European coffee shop. There is a rustic, yet clean element, no visible TVs, and outdoor open seating. The in-house brewed beer is visibly displayed on a large chalkboard and also available in a seperate beer menu.
The beer list contains about 10 beers or so with some variety ranging from but not limited to Heifweizen, Oatmeal Stout and IPA.
I tried the Apricot Heifweizen which was very good and perfect for the summer evening. I could very easily see myself bunkering down and trying their variety of beer. I also tried the "El Guapo" which was very good, very malty.
Everyone says the pizza here is fantastic, so we tried that. The White Lotus seafood pizza is made with seafood and cocktail sauce in lieu of pizza sauce. Very good! Interested in trying some of their other options.
One downfall, we ordered Caribbean Shrimp for appetizers. This particular appetizer was priced at $9.95. We requested that this come out seperate, but it came out with the pizza. No big deal, small detail.
When the shrimp arrived, we were surprised to see that there were only 5 shrimp and they were small, very small. For the $9.95 price tag, we would at least expect these things to be jumbo! I mean, the WhIte Lotus pizza was $10 and probably had more shrimp on the pizza then there was just the shrimp appetizer. Did not seem right to us. A little more consistency with the menu/pricing would be good.
Overall, this place has a few quirks, but has good pizza and good beer.
I recommend trying it out if you are a brewery/craft brewery fanatic.
**SINCE THIS REVIEW OCCURRED, I learned that Black Lotus no longer serves pizza.**
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The hubs started homebrewing a few months ago. Holy hell. Why isn't everyone hopping it up to do this too? From the Brewmaster Marc I'm told it's "easy" (I wasn't good at chemistry, in fact cheated my whole way through so. . . not true for everyone), fun (also debatable, as fun for me doesn't quite smell this bad) and cheap. The last one I can agree with. Righteous.
Black Lotus was brewing up a storm when we arrived on the first chart-topping temp day of the Spring season. Post-frisbee golf, pre-sundown-patio-sitting-drunk fest, we were poised for some serious consumption. When I lived just down the street from this corner post, I wanted BL to be my Cheers. My haunt. Where I could get a free brew with a wink and a smile, in a pinch.
Sadly, I moved to Chi before that could happen. . . so this visit was somewhat sentimental. BL has an ever-changing, always-high-alcohol-content selection. I sampled quite a few from my group's pints, but my absolute favorite is the Funkin' A Apricot Wheat Ale. Oy gavelt. They also have super high alcohol content brews served in delightful snifters conjuring ascots and bellows instead of brewski. . . for the classy set, that wants to get drunk quick.
To set a base in the gut, there's a old-fashioned popcorn maker with unlimited refills, but the menu isn't too bad. We rather enjoyed when you could order a pizza from Buddy's or bring pasties from Barb's and enjoy your BL beer. But they make the effort with bar basics, they're just not worth the calories. Tositos and Pace I can get at home.
But go for the beer. Many beers. And bring buddies. Laugh and carry on until the sunsets and then drink some more. It's a lively place where you can bring and make friends. *clink*
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This is in the quaint and cozy downtown Clawson - it's a little more intimate and peaceful than nearby Royal Oak. I liked this place simply because it was a no frills, unpretentious, yet hip place to have a couple of GOOD, and I mean GOOD microbrewed beers with some nice complementary bar food appetizers. When they have a glassed off room that you can see the big brewery vats that make the beer - that's when you know they mean business about beer! We were here during happy hour so the chicken wings we got were very cheap - they weren't the best wings in the world - but that's good, I wouldn't want them to be because that would take attention away from the in-house crafted beers. They signage for the beers even shows the ABV of each beer, which was pretty neat! What kinda kick you lookin' for, sonny!?!?!?
People thought this was:
The Black Lotus Brewery is an excellent place to eat, drink brews, and relax with friends. The brews are light, tangy, and full of flavor. My favorite is the Funkin' A Apricot brew. It's very refreshing to the mouth! Other good ones are the Imperial Red, World Wide Wheat, and The Gift.
BL also has great lunch/dinner dishes, like the grilled chicken panneni, the Turkey Lurkey sandwich, the burrito, and any of the pizzas are super.
The ambiance is well rounded here. I like the high ceilings and NO SMOKING atmosphere! We visit this brewery at least twice a month.
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My boyfriend and I came here for the first time while visiting Detroit. We were very impressed and would gladly go again.
The food was VERY vegetarian friendly. We had the ruben and substituted tofurkey. It was awesome! We then had the the boarwalk nachos which were truly amazing. Cocktail sauce was surprisingly amazing on nachos!
Of course they also offered a great selection of home brews. I did the sampler and enjoyed every one!
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The first time I visited Black Lotus was the first weekend it opened. I wasn't exactly impressed, but I gave them another chance and I'm so glad I did!
I hear Black Lotus has teas and wines, as well as beer, but I am a creature of habit when I find something I like-- and I like the Apricot Wheat. Granted, I have tried pretty much every beer this little gems brews (some better than others).
Here is a list of my Black Lotus Favorite Things:
* Good, interesting beers: I recommend the Apricot Wheat or The Gift.
* Free wi-fi: Just ask for the password. There are actually a decent amount of outlets too!
* Nonsmoking inside: Thanks for looking out for our breathing health!
* Local entertainment: World Music night is hoppin'!
* Patio seating: Michigan Summer Evenings here rock.
* Expanded menu: Try the Lotus pizza. DELISH!
* Free parking
Black Lotus is located right on Main and 14 Mile in Clawson, a mere 3 miles from downtown Royal Oak (which has gotten a bit too trendy and vanilla for my tastes).
The only reason Black Lotus isn't getting 5 stars is that when they expanded the menu, the prices went up considerably. I liked being able to get a normal sized burger or sandwich for under $5. It was great when I needed to get out of the house or office to write. Now that the menu is a tad pricier (more like $8-10 for a burger), I don't go as often. But, if you want to go, I'd be glad to come have a beer with you at the Black Lotus!
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I will give it a 4 based on the fact that I think it deserves a better rating. I think 3 and a half stars is Perfect. I like the beer her, but is that saying anything? I'm not sure because I can find beer I like everywhere. I like coming here on Tuesdays and I totally have a huge crush on one of the waitresses (similar to liking beer - I have alot of crushes). That's an interesting story not to be told on a review site.
Meanwhile I like the atmosphere and they have a resident band that plays every Tuesday. The music is simply fantastic. I see these cats around from time to time too. The people and the vibe are cool - it's pretty social for the most part, but I have ran into a few douche-bags I suppose.
I am not a smoker but smoking is outside? I mean seriously? It's a bar. People can fill their livers with alcohol but God forbid they smoke a cigarette while doing so! That's just dumb. It's like having a 24 hour Music Channel or an All Cooking network.
Dumb (but in this case I'm serious not sarcastic - well I mean about the smoking. The Ron Burgundy lines are meant to be sarcastic even though they're serious. Man It's 3am. I can't explain this right now!)
Here:
http://www.youtube.com...
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I am a fan of the BLotus, more for the atmosphere than the beer.
I love beer - whether I'm in the mood for a Miller Lite or a tasty Bell's Oberon. I have tried a ton of beers from accross the country and have a very good idea of what I like and what I don't.
That being said, the beers here are hit-or-miss. I think their pumpkin seasonal is one of their best creations. But the IPA is awful. The oatmeal is OK, not great but drinkable. I would throw the People Mover Pilsner and the Wheat in the same category. The apricot is actually pretty tasty, but I can only have one or two of these before I need to abandon the fruit beer. I would like to see them try some new recipe's with their staple menu (IPA, pilsner, wheat, etc.). I am not alone in this thinking - most of my friends have the exact reaction to this bar.
We keep coming for the atmosphere and the location. No smoking - THANK YOU!!! If you smoke, there is a patio on 14 Mile, which may be a bit inconvenient for you (but at least you are making the choice of inconvenience). Seating is well laid-out. There are a bunch of different size tables and there are some couches to one side of the bar. WiFi and interesting reading materials are available for the working/intellectual drinker.
I have only eaten here once (a couple years ago when all they had was a George Foreman). For some reason the hall from the back parking lot still smells like George. The parking usually isn't a problem. You are in Clawson, not Royal Oak where you have to drive around forever to snag a spot. This is a huge benefit for me, although I still frequent R.O. bars and restaurants.
There is also a stage area for bands. I have heard some excellent music here! I have never been annoyed by a band here, which is a good thing.
I would definitely recommend the BLotus and it's a must-try for sure. Change your staple beer recipes and you will bump up to 5-stars.
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On a good day, Black Lotus could be the best brew pub in town. Guarded, but high praise for a place that has made some of the best beers I've tasted locally. "The Gift" is a pretty solid Belgian that blows the doors off of Bastone. What I really want to come back for is their "Honey, Hemp and Oats." Wow.
Not a big fan of their Apricot or Raspberry beers, but just about every other one is enjoyable.
The food at Black Lotus seems to take the same sort of experimental flair towards pub fare: Romano nachos, BBQ sauce made with Apricots ... all very interesting and tasty. The only thing holding them back here is the the microscopic size of the kitchen which translates into potentially long waits for food.
I've officially made myself hungry and thirsty. See you there tonight.
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I haven't eaten here yet, so I can't comment on the food, but the beers I know and I like. My favorite is the apricot wheat (be careful though, I couldn't drive home after 3 or 4) and they used to carry a raspberry wheat that was even better. I wish they would bring it back.
I absolutely LOVE that it is non-smoking! I wish the rest of Michigan would follow suit...
Happy hour is a great deal and my favorite place to go after work with friends for a couple tall ones. My friends only gripe is that they don't serve wine. If they aren't going to make their own, why not have a couple bottles on hand for patrons that want it?
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Were I the Comic Book Guy from The Simpson's, my one-liner for this episode would be "Worst brewery ever."
I've been here a couple times and I wanted to believe the first time was a fluke but the second visit cemented it: this place is terrible. I'd love to comment on their home brews but guess what, I didn't get to try them! On both visits, spaced months apart, I was informed that they were all out of two to three of their micro-brews. How does a brewery run out of beer?! Here's an idea: close the doors. You're not offering the only reason to walk in the door so why open for business?
Waitstaff is mediocre when on their best behavior and downright pissy when not. Prices aren't good and the new menu is unappealing. The dishes all sound positively vomit-inducing and the final product that reaches your plate is well ... vomit-inducing.
Want to eat? Pizza Hut is across the street and it's a better quality meal. Want to drink? Too bad because they're all out!
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Great laid-back atmosphere, friendly and accommodating staff. Not to mention that the beers are tasty as well.
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I wrinkled my nose at the non-smoking policy, but decided to be a big kid and give it a spin. The bartender was extremely smiles and puppy dogs, which is great because I happen to love both.
I got the oatmeal stout which was pretty decent, left my palatte with no complaints. The guitar light fixture (which I was sitting under) definately needed a some dusting, and I'm no white glove Nancy. Just surpried me because most non smoking places you go to are meticulously clean...and the brewery was not busy at all.
I was approached toward the end of my beer and asked if I wanted another round....nah...not that my experience was bad, just that the enviroment was lacking...not the best place to talk shit or get rowdy.
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I hate beer. I think it all tastes like horse urine. But I saw an article about the barbecue chicken nachos at Black Lotus, and decided to give it the old college try. After all, I've been kept awake by their live band every Wednesday night for the past year. The least they can do for me is a tasty plate of nachos.
And yes, I felt like a fool going to a microbrewery and not ordering any beer. But the food was so good that I didn't mind the whole feeling-like-a-fool thing.
The barbecue chicken nachos are tasty--everything that article made them out to be, and more! Generous pieces of chicken, lots of cheese, a flavorful and spicy barbecue sauce, and salty chips... delicious!
The Bayou Burger with chicken breast was also a great menu find. Served on an almost-Bavarian-pretzel bread, the gorgonzola cheese, bell pepper spread, and Cajun seasonings provided a deliciously complex array of flavors.
The menu emphasizes organic and local products, and is also veggie-friendly.
You'll find me here frequently from now on. Never would've thought this beer-hating spend-Friday-night-at-home kind of girl would fall for a microbrewery.
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Went here tonight for dinner. Really enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere of the place (especially eating outside!). Ordered the apricot wheat beer...and found it to be scrumptious...not too overpowering on the apricot flavor, but just enough to make you appreciate it. I definitely am hooked now. Also had the Bayou burger, which I found to be quite yummy, albeit it could have been a bit spicier for my tastes. Our waitress was attentive, checking on us several times to make sure we had what we needed. They have a fairly big selection, from sandwiches to burgers to pizzas and more. My husband ordered a "beer flight." I ended up being pleasantly surprised when I sampled his porter beer, which tasted like a great blend of coffee, chocolate, and beer. I say go for the beer, but stay for dinner! It'll at least help you sober up... :-)
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Now, my friends (actually one in particular) are bigger fans than I am of 'The Lotus.' Still, I think it's a serviceable, valuable and yes, tasty local destination. The 10ish original beers on tap are well made and range from basics like the Pilsner & IPA to the exotic Apricot Wheat and Yelper-favorite Oatmeal Stout. I find something good about each one and any amateur to semi-pro beer connoisseur will enjoy perusing Lotus' offerings. At least once.
This is the part where 'the snarky' enters stage left.
Unless I wanted hot dogs that tasted like grilled cheese (or vice versa) I wouldn't eat here. Their "kitchen" resembles my freshman dorm room but instead of the George Forman Grill, they've upgraded to a bonafide Hotplate 3000. Everything is cooked on the same griddle and sub-par at that. After 4-5 7% ABV Stouts I would consider some Nachos, let's just put it at that. Also, they recently started selling 'handcrafted' wines. The joke about distilled Welsch's grape juice is too easy so we'll just move on.
That said, I give it another star for congeniality. A friendly group of regulars and patrons, it's a neighborhood place that encourages conversation, laughs and more. The open mic provides nice ambiance and your chances are good you'll see some entertaining and talented acts.
Finally, I commend this place for whole-heartedly embracing local biz-nass and culture. It's through and through a local place that loves being an asset to the Clawson & Metro D area. Overall, a friendly, fun place to enjoy a pint.
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Now that Black Lotus has food, the place is a total winner.
The original beers are fantastic, and they have a sampler if you simply can't make up your mind. The bartenders are knowledgeable and friendly and I swear one of them is in the Orbitsuns.
Great vibe, especially in the summer.
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I just love this place. Great beer (my faves are the Hefewizen, Hemp, and a very "licoricey" Belgian), relaxing atmosphere, big & open, outdoor seating in summer, nonsmoking. And they have steadily improved their food menu to the point where I like eating here, which is rare for me & pubs. Staff is very friendly to me, always. Definitely recommended.
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wife and I decided to duck in to the Lotus to hide from the rain today. First time we have been there. Best micro beer I have ever had, no funky after taste and our burgers were huge and tasty. The server was amazing and so friendly and knowledgeable about the area.. Planning a birthday party there.
Clawson's only microbrewery, Black Lotus Brewing Company is a must for beer lovers. This family owned business prides itself on handcrafted beers and free trade teas. The microbrewery offers around ten handcrafted brews at a time and always carries a seasonal beer. There's always a little of something for every discerning drinker on the menu: stouts, pilsners, lagers and beers infused from everything from coriander to apricot.
The microbrewery also has a full menu with burgers, paninis, nachos and salads. I wouldn't recommend stopping in for the food, although I have been told the burgers are fairly tasty. If you make the trip to this Clawson bar do it for the beer.
Scrabble and other board games are available for patrons when the bar isn't offering a ball game on the big screen or live music from local acts.
On Tuesday's Black Lotus host Temperature Tuesdays with DJ Temperature 2040 spinning hip-hop, soul, and funk for free.
The brewery is non-smoking, but they do offer a cozy, fenced in area for the nicotine addicted. For more info check out the brewery's website at http://www.blacklotusb...
I lived a couple of blocks away from this place and it was an excellent place. The no smoking policy was great. You could go after work, and not go home all smoky. The food menu was never quite nailed down when I was there. My only problem was that the in-house made pizza was pretty bad.
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Black Lotus seems like a rendition of Dragonmead, without the period clothing and huge selection.
Inside they have a very bland seating arrangement - everything is super clean and modern (as in it feels like the set design from THX1138). They have a small stage and have open mic nights... which can really go either way, but a lot of the times I've been there I've heard some decent acoustic sets. Don't expect the next Bob Dylan to show up here, but it sets a good ambiance.
I'd have to agree that the beers are hit or miss. Generally I'm a fan of stouts, and their oatmeal stout really isn't the best I've had, but it's acceptable. I liked the red and the IPA... but I'd stay away from anything really "light"; I had a couple, and they tasted like blond colored water.
If you're in Clawson and don't feel like driving, it's a good place to check out. Otherwise, I'd recommend trying Lily's or the Royal Oak Brewery.
Not the best microbreweries I've been to. Quality of the brew is less than sophisticated.
Wait staff not so good either. Slow service. Too slow on getting the bill. So slow that when I got home, I asked if my partner paid for the bill. 'no, I thought you paid for it'
honest mistake! oups!
(luckily a kind friend in our party group covered for our mishap!)
I guess I get a 2 star customer rating!
I think the first thing to consider at a brewery is the beer. With that in mind, I don't think Black Lotus is anything spectacular yet.
We sampled a lot of the menu, and found some decent beers. Their IPA is probably the best one on their menu, and their oatmeal stout was decent. The rest of the beers weren't particularly memorable, with the exception of a high-alcohol seasonal that had some nice unique spices and the amber being something I'll avoid in the future.
As for the service, we went on a Friday night and the place was packed. One of the employees saw us looking for a place to sit and came over to let us know a couple seats at the bar had opened up. The rest of the night they were quick to respond. I didn't quiz them about the beers, so I don't know how knowledgeable they were, but I'm happy to get quickly served on a busy night.
While there are some better breweries in the area (Kuhnhenn and Dragonmead come to mind), I've been to worse. I'm hoping that this new brewery will improve with a little age and I can come back to Yelp to add a star or two.
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One time I was in a liquor store and there were some scantily clad "Miller Girls" trying to get me to buy Miller beer. I asked one of them what their favorite beer was, and she said "Ew, I don't drink beer! I only drink vodka!".
I feel as though the wait staff at this place would have responded the exact same way. The beer was decent enough (I had an oatmeal stout and a red lager), but everything else was all wrong.
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Some of the best hand crafted beers available in Metro Detroit. The oatmeal stout is very good, and I'm not a fan of stouts generally. It has almost a coffee flavor to it. Very good.
The owner is very friendly. You will likely meet him if you visit as he likes to make the rounds.
I'm not sure what one of the previous reviewers saw here, but I personally found it a great place. I have visited several times, sampled many of the beers and have found the wait staff to be knowledgeable and friendly.
The environment is clean, non-smoking and very open, allowing for larger groups and open conversation. Prices are fair for the quality of the brews, and while they are not all memorable brews, they are much more enjoyable than traditional American domestics while having comparable draft prices.
the beer brewing is apparently a task that takes some ironing out of the wrinkles... cause the black lotus is figuring out its identity. or maybe the beers are just damn good? i guess it doesn't have to be any more complex than that. the hip hops is good, the pumpkin was great (altho they might not be doing that anymore), and they have a tart raspberry which the waitress recommended mixing with the red and it takes a bit of the tartness out of it... i tried that. and then tried another. i'm pretty sure i like it a lot, but i might have to try 10 or 12 more to be sure.
also, they've been selling food and have really expanded the menu of late. the pulled pork was... oh man... dangerously good. it was served with some slaw on it, and was killer. try it.
pizza's good... and they've got a great lunch deal. hear that people?!?! GREAT LUNCH DEAL... GO THERE FOR LUNCH... seriously. burger, chips and a beer for $5. try the turkey burger, it's got the slightest bit of a kick and it's great.
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okay... let me preface by saying, i'm not much of a beer drinker. *gasp!* i know, you don't hear… Read more »
Beer was passable, ambiance was akin to a sterile Chuck E Cheese, and the waitstaff was depressing yet .. serviceable. A short bland review for beers that hit me that same way. Could be a great neighborhood spot - I did see a Vespa group meeting there, which is worth a few cool points.
The beer is average with the IPA being the best that I tried. They did have about 10 brews from which to choose. We went for a friend's engagement party and we had plenty of room to talk and move around. I would go back again; the beer just didn't leave a lasting impression is all.
Troy, MI
Category: Sports Bars
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Category: Sports Bars
Neighborhood: Downtown Royal Oak
Category: Breweries
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Category: Italian
These are the places that have contributed to the…
Well, since I don't live there anymore I can put…
