“This is Our Version of the ‘Cheers’ Bar”

Just about everyone knows about the iconic bar from Cheers, a neighborhood bar where everyone knows your name, but few have found a Cheers bar of their own.

Luckily, if you’re in Arcadia, there’s a local bar where you can find your second family. Matt Denny’s has been serving beer, food and a good times for 17 years.

“It’s nice to come and just relax. They all know me, they know what I like to drink,” said Tom, a longtime patron of Matt Denny’s.

On Thursday they hosted a Holiday Ale Dinner for over 50 of their favorites guests. The family atmosphere was tangible as old drinking buddies greeted each other and the staff caught up with familiar faces.

“It’s a good thing to have a place to go,” said Tommy. He and his wife had their first date at Matt Denny’s and frequently return to the bar. This is their 15th time attending the Holiday Ale Dinner.

The Holiday Ale Dinner included two appetizers, salad, soup, an entree, desserts and ten beer tasters. This specially selected collection of beers had a holiday theme and included Stone Brewing’s Xocoveza which was tapped on site. This intense milk stout included notes of coffee, chocolate and pasilla peppers.

Each beer got a brief introduction from a beer representative and guests had a handy beer guide at their tables to keep up with the free flowing brews.

Thoughtful food and beer pairings included creamy butternut squash soup with Noble Ale Work’s Yoga Pants and Ahi Tuna with Brasserie Dupont Avec Les Bons Voeux.

Noble Ale Works beer had strong flavors of coffee, cacao and pumpkin spice which complimented the creaminess of the butternut squash soup. This beer also paired well with the light spinach and beet salad.

A few home brewers joined the fun and sampled sour apple beer, a refreshingly tart brew with hints of carbonation. After an evening of enjoyment, the last call beers were Port Brewing’s Santa’s Little Helper, a Bourbon barrel aged imperial stout with a hint of nuttiness and Firestone’s XIX Anniversary Ale, a dark, rich holiday-flavored ale.

The night ended with a raffle for brewing gear, limited edition brews, bar accessories and a rousing cheers to good beer and even better company.

Matt Denny’s is located at 145 Huntington Drive in Arcadia and you can reach them at (626) 462-0250, view their full menu at www.mattdennys.com.