The last thing Tuscaloosa needs is another bar. For real, it seems like every corner from the strip to downtown, there is a place that will keep you hydrated until the next one.
But every bar in Tuscaloosa is sort of the same thing. There is a picture of Nick Saban located on the wall, a jersey adjacent to that picture, some guy in the corner ripping cigs, and the bar's name is normally a play-off of Alabama football.
What bar did I just describe? Houndstooth? Beartrap? High Tide? 1831? The answer is all of the above, because they are all essentially the same.
But what if a new bar opened and dared to be different. Well that is what Loosa Brews is trying to do. Located at 412 20th Ave., or directly across the street from Innisfree, the recently opened Loosa Brews is trying to carve out their niche in Tuscaloosa.
Okay, I’m going to come out and say it. Loosa Brews will not replace your going out spot. They will not replace Gallettes, Moe’s or Red Shed as your going out spot on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday night. But that is the point.
Loosa Brews is more of a craft-beer heaven, than a place to get Natty’s for 10 cents. It would be an understatement to Loosa Brews if I just said they had craft beers. No, Loosa Brews has one of the biggest selections of craft beers in Tuscaloosa.
They have every craft beer from local Alabama breweries on draft. Loosa Brews is also a store, and they have a huge variety of other craft beers available for purchase. You can also pick up growlers full of craft brew and ingredients to make your own batch. The bartenders are also extremely knowledgeable, if you don't have a clue where to begin.
I am a big fan of IPA beers and I asked the bartender what he recommend. I will be honest, I now forget what it was called. It was the one located next to the huge selection of Good People on draft. I believe it was called Sixpoint Resin Ale. It was a double IPA and about eight percent alcohol. It was awesome.
What makes Loosa Brews so great is not just the beers, but the atmosphere. Loosa Brews closes at 10 p.m., so if I am going to a bar before I go out, I want it to be different than my normal spots. Loosa Brews should be your choice, because it is mine. It should also be your number-one choice if you decide to skip the other bars and relax with your friends for the night.
The dark lighting, and relaxed atmosphere gives the bar a chill vibe. It is a bar that you and your friends can visit to catch up and have good conversation, all while sampling delicious beers.
You can hangout on the comfy couches in the front, or relax on the outside back porch. This is also the type of bar you could bring a girl out on a date, and she wouldn’t hate it. She would probably really love it. They also have a wine selection, if she doesn’t like beer.
Oh I didn’t even mention the most fun part. Loosa Brews has Donkey Kong. Yes! Donkey Kong. In the back of Loosa there is a selection of arcade games from the 1980s that customers can enjoy while trying the beers. There was a lot, and I couldn’t tell you the names of all of them, but there was definitely Donkey Kong. I'm a fan.
Loosa Brews will not be the bar that replaces Innisfree or Moe’s for your nightly escapades, but it is the bar you will begin to go to before you go out for the night. It will become your go-to spot to become knowledgeable in all things craft beer, instead of all things natty light.
Check out Loosa Brews tonight, and you will understand why I have become such a huge fan. They are open Tuesdays through Thursdays from noon to 10 p.m.; Fridays and Saturday from noon to 11 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 6 p.m.
Visit their website to find out more information.
