After several delays and two premature "it's open!" posts from Thrillist and DailyCandy last week, The Roadhouse in Brookline (1700 Beacon St) is in fact open for business. We've been waiting with bated breath for this one, as we're hoping it will serve as a release valve for the supply-demand problem Boston's craft beer scene currently faces. While we love hop-tropolises like Bukowski's and Deep Ellum, these tiny joints can no longer keep up with the growing number of self-proclaimed "beer snobs" in Boston; over the last few years, we've watched these misanthropic haunts become as scene-y as a Saturday night at Gypsy Bar, with the same long lines and disturbingly high levels of ambient sweat. We're ready for a new spot where we can actually belly up to the bar without throwing some 'bows.

Roadhouse seems to present a near-perfect solution for the crowds problem, with its spacious two-bar setup, large outdoor patio, ample street parking and easy T access. Like its sister restaurant, The Publick House, the Roadhouse features a long list of beers scrawled in chalk on the walls, a relatively expensive but manageable comfort food menu, a smattering of rough-hewn tables and an equally rough-hewn staff, many of whom are veteran servers from the Publick House. The wide windows and flat-screen televisions give it an open, friendly appearance that feels less claustrophobic than the Publick House, and the down-home menu (heavy on pulled meats of all kinds) underscores its more mainstream vibe.

However, the beer menu is still as sophisticated as ever, with an emphasis on American craft brews. On opening night, we easily found seats at the circular bar near the door, and our friendly bartender (a transplant from Cambridge's West Side Lounge) plied us with as many beer samples as we wanted before we finally settled on our pints of choice. Last call came too soon, around midnight, but our bartender promised that closing time would soon be pushed to 2a.m.--a godsend in sleepy Brookline.

On future visits, we plan to investigate the menu, which has all the BBQ classics -- beef brisket, mac 'n' cheese, collard greens and baked beans. The Roadhouse also throws a few bones to the vegetarians, with a portobello sandwich and a veggie burger (made with the same ingredients as the one at Publick House). We're especially looking forward to football season, since now we have a place where we can hopefully watch some ball (even though Tom Brady won't be playing), without sacrificing our need for good beer, BBQ and ample elbow room.

(Photo credit: Roger Metcalf)