[Welcome to Snap Judgment, a new regular Blogtown feature wherein I'll be dropping by places both old and just opened for a one-dish fly-by, and developing an opinion based on that singular experience. Basically, it's the complete opposite of what I do each week for Last Supper. I don't expect to get it right all the time. I do expect you to correct me.- PAC]

Did I feel at all out of place because I walked instead steering my cruiser down to Apex Beer Bar [1216 SE Division]? Yes, but mostly because it meant I didn't get to represent by chaining up at the extensive bike parking area or sliding my helmet into one of the many helmet cubbyholes.

Truly, Apex is gunning to be a beer soaked wonderland for cycle enthusiasts (be they of the motor or pedal variety). That's not just because of bike racks or helmet holders, but also because nothing's better after a long ride than plopping down in the sunshine with an appropriately cool beer. Yesterday, with temperature hovering in the mid-sixties and blue blue sky overhead, Apex was offering both in spades.

Here's the important parts: Apex offers an extensive selection of taps, both foreign, domestic, and local. It also offers a huge area for outdoor seating that rivals the interior square footage. It's easily one of the largest beer gardens on the Southeast side and will certainly be the sunniest when the weather is cooperating.

Here's the less import but still important parts: You've got to love the Apex pint rinsing system that both cools the glass and clears away any traces of sanitizer with a high powered jet of water. Also impressive is the high def tap-list that lists the most import things to know about your beer: name, origin, price, alcohol by volume, and size. Another plus? The pinball room that features overhead mirrors (kinky) and currently sports Theater of Magic, my favorite table of all time. (I mean, it has one of the easiest multi-balls and some seriously cool magnet usage—Shoot for the magic trunk!).

Some concerns: Rainy days could make the interior feel a bit cramped should it get very busy. Alternately, the fact that the beer garden is situated on an expanse of blacktop with currently little shade could make the outdoors a tad uncomfortable in the height of summer heat.

The food situation: Word is that Apex will be allowing in food from the neighboring Los Gorditos, and I'm assuming with Portabello opening in the building kitty corner it's likely you'll find vegans munching happily on to-go pasta while they enjoy a little brew.

Snap Judgment: I'll be back. This is going to be a mad-bikey summer joint, and I suspect there will be more than a couple two wheeled hook-ups out amongst the Apex picnic tables as the weather warms. How could there not be? So much skin, so much spandex, so much beer, so many bikes.