A Tap Room Fan Favorite Goes Blue
If Pebble Beach Golf Links is the canvas where great stories are painted, the Tap Room is the gallery where these stories are marveled at, oftentimes into the wee hours of the night. Walk in most evenings and stories of the day that was reverberate throughout this historic place. Thousands of rounds played by guests from around the world have been recalled here – the good shots, the bad ones and everything in between. Last September it was Dwyane Wade who celebrated the shot of a lifetime after acing the par-3 7th, treating everyone within the Tap Room walls to a round on him. In February, Wyndham Clark celebrated after the elements declared his course record of 60 had earned him his third PGA TOUR win.
View this post on Instagram
And more than two decades ago, one of the most venerable figures in the game was a central character in a fabled Tap Room story. Ahead of the 1992 U.S. Open, Payne Stewart was the reigning champion having defeated Scott Simpson in an 18-hole playoff the year prior. Roughly a month prior to the ’92 Championship, Stewart took a scouting trip to Pebble Beach and ventured into the Tap Room one evening. Without his signature knickers and cap, he looked like Payne Stewart, but one patron in particular refused to believe it was him. For proof of identity, Stewart offered to retrieve his U.S. Open trophy which he had in tow, but only if the gentleman would fill it with champagne upon his return. Moments later the patron was convinced and indulged in an evening that might have sold for thousands at auction.
In short, whether you’re a U.S. Open champion or a weekend warrior, the Pebble Beach experience is not quite complete without dining in the Tap Room. And while the venue is known for its old-school charm and fan favorite staples on the menu, it’s a new pairing that is painted blue that has the critics raving.
Johnnie Walker has curated the Johnnie Walker Blue List creating label cocktail pairings intended to push the boundaries. From California, to New York, to Chicago and Miami, this program is being rolled out country wide. And at The Tap Room, Chef de Cuisine Shane Cassidy has just the thing to add to the list.
“The Kobe Brie Burger is a classic menu item in The Tap Room,” says Cassidy. “Johnnie Walker Blue Label is a great pairing with the Kobe Brie Burger as the richness of the American Wagyu Beef and Brie cheese lends to the structure of the spirit. Subtle notes of hazelnut, honey, oranges, and sherry complement the Brie well as the finishing smokiness and pepper contributes to the beef.”
Two classics, perfectly paired within the walls of a golf haven amongst walls adorned by more than a century’s worth of history. In case you’re like us and ready to make a beeline to the Tap Room, here’s the link to make a reservation. And for those enjoying vicariously, we’ll keep a seat warm for when you arrive!