Crooked Goat has built a name on beers that don’t play it safe — fruited sours, hazy IPAs, and small-batch experiments that rotate often enough that regulars check the board every visit. It draws a younger, more laid-back crowd than some of the wine-focused spots nearby, a nice change of pace if you want beer over wine for a night. The taproom is casual and a little industrial, with a long bar and enough seating that you’re rarely stuck standing. It sits right in the Barlow, so it’s an easy stop to combine with dinner elsewhere or a browse through the shops beforehand. Live music shows up on the calendar fairly regularly too, so it’s worth checking their schedule if you want more than a quiet pint. Thursday through Saturday evenings get busiest, especially with a band playing, so arrive earlier if you want a table rather than standing room. Flights are the way to go here since the rotating list means you’ll probably want to try more than one thing before you commit.
