Up until last September when we bought our house, Tim and I lived in a townhouse apartment in Malvern, PA. Malvern is located on the Main Line, a very uppity, somewhat snooty area of southeastern PA. Strangely enough, this wealthy town also happens to be the home of the most awesome hole-in-the-wall bar ever — The Flying Pig Saloon.

Having lived within walking distance of the Flying Pig for about a year and a half, I believe I have the authority to say that Main Liners have got to check this place out. The beer selection is extensive. They’ve got 23 taps, which always include two or three Belgian beers. And though a good portion of the taps are just typical regulars, like Guinness and Stella Artois, most are devoted to some of the best, and sometimes hard-to-find, American craft beers.

For example, on a recent visit, I was able to have Russian River Pliny the Elder on draught. Pliny was recently voted the best beer in the country by members of the American Homebrewers Association. It has amazing hop flavor and aroma, and the dry finish really lets the hops shine. Having Pliny on draught was a rare treat for me!

I also got to try Southern Tier Imperial Chocolate Coffee Stout, which was just… wow. It tasted like chocolate milk on steroids, with a subtle hint of coffee. Very sweet and full of chocolate flavor, yet it didn’t leave me with a cloying aftertaste.

They also have plenty of PA locals on tap. Tim got to try Dock Street Ginger Wheat, which had such an interesting flavor, very refreshing and enjoyable.

In addition to the draught list, they’ve got about 6 bazillion bottles to choose from, all of which are available for take-out. We snagged a few bottles for our cellar, Russian River Damnation and Lost Abbey Carnevale Ale among them.

The food at the Flying Pig is, well… nothing to get excited about. Most of the menu is standard pub fair, like chicken fingers, fries, mozzarella sticks, and sandwiches. Your best bet is to stick with those types of selections; some of their entrees are a bit iffy. But if you’re looking to eat with a fork, I’d recommend the shepherds pie.

The atmosphere is definitely quirky. You can expect to see an overwhelming number of flying pigs hanging every which way, as well as strings of Christmas lights and beer signs. It’s dark, with lots of wood paneling, and tables, chairs, and high-tops strewn about almost haphazardly. It’s absolutely casual, and a great laid-back, happy hour hotspot. So if you’re in the area and looking for a great watering hole with an incredible beer selection, check out the Pig!