Sunday 31st of January 2010 11:45:10 AM

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The reincarnation of Stimmel's is a deli, carry-out, and beer bar. It's located across the street from the Henry County courthouse, in downtown Napoleon, Ohio.

The main entrance opens to the market. The room is enveloped by beer. Shelves are along the walls and a few rows are in the center of the room. The deli/baked goods counter and register are along the back wall, and the wine room is to the right of the front door. The bar is found past the wine.

Stimmel's bar room occupies the northern half of the building. The bar itself is a long wooden structure with seating for 15(or so). There's a nice wooden back bar and a classic look to the area. The room is surrounded by a balcony which they use for their weekly wine/beer tastings. There were two or three flat screen televisions in the room, but they weren't intrusive. The room had a cozy level of volume, a room that invited conversation.

Service was very good. The bar got busier as the evening went by, but the bartenders kept on top of things very well. I should note, there isn't table service. All drinks orders are taken and received at the bar. (just don't sit a table and wonder where your waitress is)

Stimmel's bar has about twenty taps. On my first visit, there was DFH 60 Minute, DFH Raison D'etre, GLBC Edmund Fitzgerald, GLBC Conway's Ale, BBC Bourbon Ale, Magic Hat #9, Bass, Goose 312, Honkers, and Delirium Tremens. (That's all I can recall the morning after) All pints were $3.50, except for the Delirium which was $4.50.

Food menu is limited to the Deli counter. They do two soups a day, which they rotate, and serve about ten different sandwiches. I had a sandwich called the Maumee; roast beef, pepper jack, and a variety of fixins. We also grabbed a bag of chips to split with our group, and the cook brought out some salsa for us, which I thought was a nice gesture.

The store's selection is very nice, but they don't carry the variety of the better stores in Toledo. Considering the location, it's amazing. Founders, Bell's, Dark Horse, Great Lakes and a few other regional breweries are carried. They also stock a very nice choice of German beers, and add a few select Belgian and british ales, and you've rounded out a very nice selection.

Stimmel's stands out. It's unusual to find this degree of selection in quality in the farmlands of Northwest Ohio. Honestly, the draft beer selection is better than anyplace I've visited in the greater Toledo area. I know I will be back.

4.23.2010
Visited with Bill, the owner. The community's response to his beer bar has been strong. He was proud tell me they're about to axe the Bud Light tap. The training wheels are coming off.