MKT Beer Market on Whyte

[barhonda]

I wish i can comment on the food but i didn't even make it there...

Sunday afternoon, the gf, gf's mom and I ventured down there to check out what the buzz is about and possibly some sun in the huge patio they have. I must say the place looks great on the outside and inside, does not bare any similaritys from the old ironhorse on the inside.

We were approached by an older hostess. From my understanding, a hostresses job is to ask for how many people there are in your party, patio/dining room, and if you want to be on the waitlist. But she went into a elaborated 5 minute shpeal about how it is really busy it is and that she doesn't know if she can put us on a waitlist. She made us go sit down on the couch. Came back 5 minutes later and said that she just talked to her GM, due to all the reservations they cannot seat us at all.

They boast about the huge patio and dining space they have on the Journal... Not being able to find seats for 3 people for 3pm on a Sunday really?

[bolo]

Same experience. It's new, it's busy and the hostesses are a little lost, but I'm sure it'll sort itself out in due time. The patio is beautiful tho.

[Sonic Death Monkey]

A few days ago I took a quick wander through and gandered at the menu. Impressive beer selection, they even have local brews on tap.

[Terry_H]

I was there a couple hours before you were there and I think what prolly caused a bunch of problems was that everyone on the patio came in (me included) when it started to pour at around 230, so no seats outside + everyone finding room inside created a bit more chaos than what is normally expected.

[Chmilz]

Haven't been yet, but I looked at the beer menu: what a mess. For a place dedicated to beer, they sure named the beer categories like it's for idiots.

"Smooth" and "Bold" are beer categories to pros? Menu should have been grouped by type or region, like IPA's or German. Glad to see they used metric. Prices are out to lunch though.

[jdk13]

listed on their celiac menu:

ROTISSERIE BEER CAN
CHICKEN FOR TWO
Slow roasted chicken, parmesan mashed potatoes, creamy coleslaw, Big Rock Traditional gravy

[Montrosian]

Originally Posted by Chmilz

Haven't been yet, but I looked at the beer menu: what a mess. For a place dedicated to beer, they sure named the beer categories like it's for idiots.

"Smooth" and "Bold" are beer categories to pros? Menu should have been grouped by type or region, like IPA's or German. Glad to see they used metric. Prices are out to lunch though.

Most of their customers are not going to be pro beer drinkers. So they have to appeal to the masses with those kind of things.

[jdk13]

Originally Posted by Montrosian

The majority of their customers arn't going to be pro beer drinkers like yourself. So what's frustrating for you is probably very helpful for others.

it's not helpful to go into a beer hall hoping or expecting to learn something more about beer or try something new and be greeted with broad adjectives and nothing about the region, process, or tradition of beer making involved in what you are tasting

[Montrosian]

Originally Posted by jdk13

it's not helpful to go into a beer hall hoping or expecting to learn something more about beer or try something new and be greeted with broad adjectives and nothing about the region, process, or tradition of beer making involved in what you are tasting

It still says where the beer is from does it not? cause if it does, then I don't see why this is such a big deal. The uneducated beer drinker (who this place is mainly marketed to) can still go there and experience different kinds of beer, talk about each one amongst their friends and evaluate each one, and still learn a lot from their experience.

[Chmilz]

Originally Posted by jdk13

it's not helpful to go into a beer hall hoping or expecting to learn something more about beer or try something new and be greeted with broad adjectives and nothing about the region, process, or tradition of beer making involved in what you are tasting

Exactly what I was getting at. This is the Chucky Cheese of beer halls, as far as the menu is concerned.

If a patron enjoys their beer, how are they supposed to know what else to compare it to later? I can't imagine the laughter if I went into a beer store and asked for an "easy drinking" beer, but not "refreshing", but I'd be open to "smooth" (three categories at MKT).

[Sonic Death Monkey]

Ah who cares about the beer, I only wanna be surrounded by pretty peoples!

[Chmilz]

So, did they rip off http://www.craftbeermarket.ca/ in Calgary, or did they license the concept. Craftbeermarket beer menu makes much more sense.

Calgary: http://www.craftbeermarket.ca/beer/wheat-ales
Edmonton: http://www.centuryhospitality.com/downloads/mkt_beer.pdf

[Franky Knuckles]

Originally Posted by jdk13

listed on their celiac menu:

ROTISSERIE BEER CAN
CHICKEN FOR TWO
Slow roasted chicken, parmesan mashed potatoes, creamy coleslaw, Big Rock Traditional gravy

Whoa...Got to try.

[Edmcowboy11]

I'm not a beer drinker by any mean but if a business is supposed to be a place to experience beer I want to have the chance to be educated about the beer that I'm going to try, otherwise I can go to pretty well any other bar and try what they have and then go elsewhere and try other stuff. When walking into a specialty business they should have as much precise information as possible.

[Chmilz]

Originally Posted by Franky Knuckles

Whoa...Got to try.

Save yourself $40:
1) Buy a chicken
2) Stuff a can of beer up it's behind (drinking half before you do so)
3) Rub with favorite seasoning
4) Bake/BBQ/Rotisserie
5) Enjoy both the chicken and cash in your pocket

Beer can chicken takes like 10 minutes to prepare and then set it and forget it.

[240GLT]

^ We bought a rig specifically for this purpose that holds the beer and the chicken, works absolutely perfectly. Can't remember where we got it though We cook this at the lake all the time.


The concept has been around forever.. For those who want to try something different, try Dr. Pepper or Orangina instead of beer

[bpeters]

Originally Posted by Chmilz

So, did they rip off http://www.craftbeermarket.ca/ in Calgary, or did they license the concept. Craftbeermarket beer menu makes much more sense.

Calgary: http://www.craftbeermarket.ca/beer/wheat-ales
Edmonton: http://www.centuryhospitality.com/downloads/mkt_beer.pdf

soon you'll be able to compare yourself. I believe Craft is going into former Hy's Steak Loft on Rice Howard Way.

[bpeters]

Originally Posted by 240GLT

^ We bought a rig specifically for this purpose that holds the beer and the chicken, works absolutely perfectly. Can't remember where we got it though We cook this at the lake all the time.


The concept has been around forever.. For those who want to try something different, try Dr. Pepper or Orangina instead of beer

good tip, my kids love root beer. I'm going to try that. Thx 240

[Chmilz]

Originally Posted by 240GLT

^ We bought a rig specifically for this purpose that holds the beer and the chicken, works absolutely perfectly. Can't remember where we got it though We cook this at the lake all the time.


The concept has been around forever.. For those who want to try something different, try Dr. Pepper or Orangina instead of beer

Pretty much any housewares store carries units of varying quality that keeps everything upright or however you want to prepare it. Good investment if you prepare a lot of chicken this way.

[Chmilz]

Originally Posted by bpeters

soon you'll be able to compare yourself. I believe Craft is going into former Hy's Steak Loft on Rice Howard Way.

I was asking if Century Group licensed some aspects of the concept or if MKT is a blatant ripoff. Just because Craft is opening up here doesn't answer that question.

[Terry_H]

I think bpeters was just trying to say that Craft is coming to Edmonton.

[Sonic Death Monkey]

I don't think "licensed" would be the right word...how about "inspired"? If Craft had plans to open in Edmonton, I doubt they would license the concept to a competitor. I think Century wanted to jump at bringing the concept to Edmonton before Craft. In fact, I think someone said that Craft was looking at the Iron Horse site at one point.

[Chmilz]

What a mess. First there was confusion when MKT ripped off the MRKT name. Now there'll be confusion since MKT ripped off the Craft Beer Market concept, down to the logos, menus, fonts, and almost all marketing.

I'm seeing a trend here.

[jdk13]

Originally Posted by Franky Knuckles

Whoa...Got to try.

unless you're actually celiac, in which case eating beer chicken with beer gravy would make you pretty sick.

[GizmoForMayor]

Originally Posted by Chmilz

What a mess. First there was confusion when MKT ripped off the MRKT name. Now there'll be confusion since MKT ripped off the Craft Beer Market concept, down to the logos, menus, fonts, and almost all marketing.

I'm seeing a trend here.

Apparently Century Hospitality Group abandoned originality somewhere along the way...

[Municipal Man of Mystery]

Wow, this place only has a 34% rating on Urban Spoon and 2 / 5 stars on Yelp, with a lot of poor reviews. Not good at all, yet it still always seems to be packed, for now. The real test will be to see how it's doing in six months.

I checked it out for the first time on Sunday as well - beer was OK but a rip-off. Nicely done up, but it really just seems like your typical run-of-the-mill Edmonton bar complete with big-screen TVs blaring sports and the usual "bros" in pick-up trucks and Ed Hardy. It reminded me a bit of the Pint or Hudson's, but with a bigger (and more expensive) beer selection. Not that I mind sports, bros, or the Pint, but I was hoping this place would be a little different, more "German bier haus," I guess. Some more obscure European beers and microbrews would be great, too.

[Chmilz]

^Full of dudebros? Now I'm definitely going to give it a pass, though I was already turned off by the crazy prices. I'll stick with Pourhouse down the street.

[Sonic Death Monkey]

A new place is always going to have hiccups. If Craft Beer Market is indeed opening on RHW, it should draw a better crowd than the bros and Ed Hardys

[Municipal Man of Mystery]

Not trying to scare you off, maybe it was just the one time I was there, and not everyone was a bro-dude, just a lot of people were. See for yourself.

Can't wait for the downtown beer market! Apparently they're hoping to open in July: http://blogs.edmontonjournal.com/201...-with-72-taps/. Beer selection seems similar to MKT's, but hopefully the prices are a bit more reasonable.

[Sonic Death Monkey]

So there'll be two beer markets within staggering distance of each other in the downtown core!

[IanO]

Prefer to see a branded restaurant, but I would take it.

[Chmilz]

Originally Posted by IanO

Prefer to see a branded restaurant, but I would take it.

Subway will oblige your request.

[bpeters]

Originally Posted by Chmilz

^Full of dudebros? Now I'm definitely going to give it a pass, though I was already turned off by the crazy prices. I'll stick with Pourhouse down the street.

X2

[IanO]

Originally Posted by Chmilz

Subway will oblige your request.

I am talking a Milestone's, Moxies, Cactus Club, Keg.... and while I want unique independents in the area, we need a diverse mix of indy and brand to attract people. Brands will bring a lot more people to the area who will then explore and return.

[PJC]

Originally Posted by IanO

Prefer to see a branded restaurant, but I would take it.

You talking about where Craft is going? (Old Hy's location.) Don't worry, by your definition of "branded", having been to the one in Calgary, Craft will attract a crowd.

[Chmilz]

I thought this was a thread about an overpriced Whyte avenue beer hall concept ripoff full of douchebags and lousy reviews?

[Frank Wilson]

Originally Posted by Chmilz

I thought this was a thread about an overpriced Whyte avenue beer hall concept ripoff full of douchebags and lousy reviews?

Now THAT'S funny!

The wife and I were there a few weeks ago, and we'll never go back. It looks like the ideal stop on Whyte at about 1:45 AM after you've blown about $220 bucks at 9 or 10 other places on the Ave. all of which seem to be virtually the same. 10 - 12 years ago the Ave. was far more interesting and unique. Now it feels like another boring mall.

[Sonic Death Monkey]

Spent some beer and patio time at MKT recently. The service and atmosphere was all fine, no complaints from me. They had the extremely excellent Celebrator as one of their Beer Flights, so they earn full marks from me on that score! Now let's see what the other beer market pubs will offer.

[IanO]

Checking it out Thursday, will report back.