Conjoined to Devil Moon BBQ is Brewery Saint X; a brewery,
bar, and restaurant concept that shares a kitchen with the barbecue joint but features
a unique menu. Where Devil Moon BBQ is traditional (there are even spots in the
restaurant with wood paneling and family photos to appear like a rural barbecue
spot), Brewery Saint X is contemporary in its style, its food offerings, and
its beer.
The first thing you'll notice about the space is the open,
airy feeling. Floor-to-ceiling windows line one side so that you can easily see
the crowds who walk towards the Smoothie King Arena or Super Dome for games or
concerts. The gorgeous bar sit across from those windows, and the brewery area
can be looked at through the windows on the farthest side. This is not a brewery
inside of a loud, un-airconditioned warehouse.
The menu is divided in Snacks, Salads, Sandwiches, and
Plates with Snacks having the most options. I had the Smoked Gulf Fish Dip
which was made with black drum on the day of my visit. The type of fish can
change based upon the freshest catch from the Gulf. The fish is tossed in mayo
and fresh herbs and served with potato chips flavored with crab boil. Being a
fried potato freak, I absolutely loved the chips; they had an awesome crunch
and flavor. They made a great edible plate for the dip which was excellent. I
honestly thought it would have a strong fish flavor, but it was an herbaceous treat
with a little smoke and a little fish flavor to it. The dip is quite thick and
sticks to the chips well. There's no need to worry about it oozing off of the
chip before it reaches your mouth.
Because the dip doesn't have an overpowering flavor, the
in-house IPAs and pilsners were a perfect pairing. I had small sips of the Broken
Flowers German pilsner, Electric Mayhem hazy IPA, and Rain Mountain hazy double
IPA to go along with this course. I know that a lot of people have been turned
off from IPAs for various reasons, but I suggest giving the IPAs at Brewery
Saint X a shot. I found them to be bitter, but not extreme in any sense other
than the fact that they are slightly higher proof than typical mass-produced American
beers. And being paired with a smokey, spicy chip/dip appetizer, the bittering
agents work well to cleanse the palate.
I could not decide between sandwiches, so I had both the Smoked
Mushroom Burger filled with enoki and shitakes that had been smoked in the
smoker used for Devil Moon BBQ's meats. Obviously, the mushrooms were very
smokey, moist, and tender. Before I dug in, I was told that the mushrooms taste
just like pulled pork, but I didn't realize how much they would taste like that.
This is a perfect dish for someone who wants an authentic barbecue flavor without
the meat. The pickles offset the deep smokiness with a little tang just right. I
found that this burger went very well with the Swarm beer, a Czech Tmavy dark
lager. Both the food and the drink were dark and rich, but with a touch of
lightness to sweeten them.
My last entrée was the Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich which
featured a large crispy chicken thigh fried golden and only topped with some iceberg
lettuce and tartar sauce. The chicken was incredibly juicy with just enough
spice to be noticed, but it wasn't sweat-inducing. The sandwich came with a big
pile of fries that were definitely calling out to me. They were excellent with
the perfect crispiness on the outside and fluffiness on the inside.
The salty, spicy chicken and fries were perfectly
counteracted with the two fruity sours on the beer menu. Charm School fruited
sour ale has noticeable notes of passionfruit, mango, apricot provided by the
thick pulp that floats in the tropical beer. Pulp may not be for everyone, but
I enjoyed the burst of fruit with just a hint of vanilla after a hearty meal. Where
Charm School is bright and fruity, Livewire is darker and seductive. It's also
a pulpy fruited sour ale but with blackberry, raspberry, and cherry. This is a
great beer for that person who "doesn't like beer." It may persuade them to exit
their comfort zone and sample more items.
Brewery Saint X is not your average brewery. With a sleek
interior, an excellent menu, and lots of beer to try out, this is great for a
date night, pre-gaming, or just exploring the latest in New Orleans' culinary
scene.
