Elite Event at Oblivion Taproom

I think this is one of the most fun Unilocal Elite event I’ve attended. I got to interact more with fellow Unilocalers!
The roasted pig was definitely the big hit of the night followed by the deviled egg made 3 ways! The food was incredible.
Thanks Colleen and Chef Goody!

I was recently here for the Unilocal Elite event, but I found myself ordering so many non-​freebies from the beer menu, I feel justified in reviewing Oblivion itself, separate from the event. This is not a dig at the featured beers on offer for free at the event, far from it (hey, I love Hopsecutioner and Wittekerke!) — rather, more of a testament to the extensive selection this place offers. I got my free hop hit, then moved on to explore the beer menu a little.
Walking into Oblivion, I felt like I was stepping into an old Judas Priest video with all the cartoonish hair-​metal décor, maybe something from off the «Painkiller» album with all the Harley-​riding skeletons. You know I want your touch of evil, baby. The parking lot is a little dusty (maybe that’s just tangential to the current Central Florida drought), lending further credence to the outlaw biker club roadhouse motif going on here.
For a bar that also serves food to the extent that this place does, the beer list is exceptional. If none of the forty (yes, forty) drafts catch your attention, have a look at the bottle list, as there are some interesting selections. For the drinker who doesn’t like beer (crazy, I know) but still wants to enjoy a fermented beverage, the cider list borders on absurd. Legend has it that this was curated in recognizance of and tribute to Colleen B’s love of cider — I think that’s what I overheard, anyway.
I chose an El Lector from Tampa’s Cigar City Brewing, a «dark mild» ale on nitro-​tap. Smooth, roasty and easy-​drinking at its relatively low alcohol level. Then, it was on to something more substantive — Rince Cochon from Belgium’s Haacht brewery. I’d never had this one before, and it turned out to be quite the interesting Belgian blonde. Strong one at 8.5% ABV, it showed a little of the honeyed pear/​pineapple sweetness expected of the style, but with a bit more of a tart, yeasty edge than I expected. I thought it was a pretty nice beer, good for the day-​drinking in which we were indulging. Then, it was on to something that made my mouth water as soon as I saw it on the menu, the Ola Dubh 18-​Year. This is not a beer for daytime drinking, more of a post-​prandial nightcap, but I didn’t care. If you’ve ever had Harviestoun’s «Old Engine Oil,» this is that beer, aged in barrels that once held Highland Park 18-​year whisky — with predominant flavors of bitter chocolate, peat, and smoke, it’s one to sip and savor. I could see it going well with some of the burgers on the food menu.
Which brings me to the food menu. The menu is heavy on burgers, wings, taters, chips — big time stoner food. In this regard, Oblivion reminds me a lot of Miami’s The Filling Station. That’s all fine and good, but if I had one piece of constructive criticism, it’d be the exact same I’d give to my hometown joint — I’d like to see some less-​heavy options. I mean, I’m sure the Poutine Burger is awesome, but if I kept coming back here to eat, I’d turn into a Poutine Burger, as well as need to retain a cardiologist. I’m not talking about an «Oblivion Lite» menu the way the lame-​ass chains do it — I’m thinking of spicy, interesting bar bites with bold flavors that can stand up to the flavorful beers served here, just not necessarily with all the heft. Extend some creative lighter options without sacrificing the Oblivion brand. Mussels in beer broth, perhaps, just to name one suggestion — I bet Chef Goody could come up with a hell of a broth. Scallops in a spicy curry sauce. Find something interesting to do with chicken. Grilled veggies. Etc, etc.
That noted, I’m still a fan. Service behind the bar was great, very friendly. I could see myself at the bar whiling away happy hours here, no problem.

A Big thanks to Pete, Missy, Chef G, Colleen and everyone else who helped for an amazing Elite event at Oblivion. Hubby and I had a great time circling around meeting people and reconnecting with some of the other elite folks we’ve met at past events. It was especially fun to meet some of the folks I’ve off lined with and fellow Unilocalers that live in close proximity, that I see regularly on my app when I check in. :) Good times, good people, good beer and food. Really, this event was right up our alley. Where else could you talk about backyard farming, the latest foodie spots in Orlando and other cities, FFF recommendations, sports teams, fake beards, beer UYE’s and zombie kill shots. (Head, of course!)
Hubby is a big beer fan and quickly settled into the Wittekerke Winter White Ale. I tasted through each beer offered and enjoyed each beer for different reasons, but would put the Terrapin Hopsecutioner as my fav. BOLD! The food was amazing, I’ll be back to Oblivion for the Paradise veggie burger, which my meat eating hubby kept sneaking bites of. He also thoroughly enjoyed the pulled hog and the pastrami sandwich along with many, many chips and salsa. Speaking of salsa, it’s rare for both us to be raving about the same salsas; the black bean, the regular tomato and the house made cheezy topping were all flavorful and amazing. Perfect beer food.
So many tasty menu choices for both veg and meat eaters, we will be heading back to Oblivion very soon! Not as quickly as James D did, but soon! :)