As a proud ex-San Franciscan - and an avowed beer lover - I used to direct any visitor to the legendary Toronado, what I thought was the best beer bar in the country. I’ve traveled the world over, and almost all of the hardcore beer lovers I’ve met have either heard of Toronado or actually visited. I used to worship there regularly, taking in beers from the world over, and handcrafted specialty ales from local brewries.

So how is it that my faith in my own cosmopolitan temple of brew has been shaken by the Memphis outlet of a freakin’ chain with outlets in such un-cosmopolitan areas like Addison, Cordova, Fort Worth, and Raleigh?

For starters, let’s start with attitude. At the Flying Saucer, there is none. While at many a craft brew specialist +ahem+beersnobs+ahem+ you might be treated like some Miller Lite-swilling cretin for having to ask the difference between a double porter and a stout, you won’t catch any such flak here. The folks at Flying Saucer seem not only to love beer, but love serving it. To whomever.

Unlike many beer specialists, they also serve food. At first you might think it’s just bar food - which it largely is - but a closer look at the menu shows you that they have beer and cheese pairings. With no hint of pretense at all.

And while at other beer bars, you might get your 16 ounces of suds and side of condescension from some slovenly oaf who still lives in his parents’ basement (think Comic Book Guy from the Simpsons), many of Flying Saucer’s beers are served up by young hotties in little plaid Catholic school girl skirts and knee-high stockings.

And as you’ve washed your select cheese down with the appropriate brew, and ordered another round from a hot, young waitress (who is carrying a tray around a generally hot, young crowd), you can take a drag off your cigarette. (In the designated smoking section, of course.)

You see, the Flying Saucer understands beer drinkers. We’re not like wine or cigar snobs who need an untainted, controlled environment in which we can imbibe our vice of choice. Beer drinkers like munchies, hot babes, and the ability to do whatever we damn well please.

And just because we like to unwind and act unrefined while drinking our beers, it doesn’t mean we need to settle for canned swill like Coors Light or Miller Genuine Draft. I like to hang with the boys, eat fried food, and ogle the ladies while drinking GOOD beer, thank you very much.

Flying Saucer gets this. And I am now a convert.