Baseline Tap House opened last September at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. While we originally had mixed thoughts about the location replacing the infamous Writer’s Stop, we found solace in the ever-changing selection of beers. We were also happy that the carrot cake cookie was saved from Writer’s Stop and moved to Sweet Spells on Sunset Boulevard (which is closing soon, so the cookie will be moved again to Trolley Car Cafe). More often than not, we find ourselves with a 20 oz. beer from Baseline while walking around what’s left of Hollywood Studios.

The location opened with three snack items: A cheese board, a gigantic pretzel, and spiced nuts. Each were relatively good, especially when paired with the beer. Recently a Coffee-rubbed Rib-Eye Steak Puff with Olive Salad was added to this menu, we stopped by to have a brew and check out the new food.

Coffee-rubbed Rib-Eye Steak Puff with Olive Salad – $11.00

While we weren’t quite sure how a steak puff would be served, we were pleasantly surprised. The flaky puff was topped with a generous portion of beef with a creamy dijonnaise sauce on top. Fortunately the olive salad was served on the side and not on top of the puff; that flavor profile and texture would not have worked. There’s a slight coffee flavor on the rib-eye making for a really great flavor among the juiciness. $11 may seem a bit much, but you can easily share this among two people while enjoying a few beers.

Beer Flight – $10.50

We say ever-changing beer menu because the distributor gets limited shipments from California and supplies what they can, resulting in beers being changed very quickly. This time around we had a flight with samplings from Lagunitas, Sierra Nevada, Angel City, and Ballast Point breweries. What’s really unique and cool about the beer served here is that it’s all from California. Napa is for auto parts and some tacky wines, but California has shown great aptitude in the growing craft beer craze.

Skywalker Wines – $13.00

Another interesting note is that Baseline Tap House is serving Skywalker Wines. They have a Pinot Noir ($13) and a Chardonnay available most days, sometimes adding the Rose to the mix. We tried the Pinot Noir and felt it a good value if for no other reason than to be able to say “hey I’m drinking Skywalker wine next to Star Tours.” Your mileage may vary, but the Skywalker Wines aren’t readily found across the nation so it may be a great opportunity to try something unique.

 

Topher Wallace