Food+Drink

Keystone Crossing’s New Beer-Focused Eatery, Northern Tap House

Lauren Fisher, photos by Andrea Paulseth |

TAPS & APPS. Northern Tap House recently opened its doors in the former Roblé location (it has the same owners) and boasts 42 taps and a full menu.
TAPS & APPS. Northern Tap House recently opened its doors in the former Roblé location (it has the same owners) and boasts 42 taps and a full menu.

On Saturday, March 3, Roblé Tacos + Tequila closed its doors. When they re-opened on Monday, March 5, it was to welcome guests to Northern Tap House, a new venue for beer enthusiasts and lovers of pizza, burgers, and classic appetizers. In the weeks preceding the switch, Roblé closed in the afternoons to provide time for staff to train on the new menu and policies. However, the repainting and redecorating took place during the very short time the restaurant was closed.

Northern Tap House boasts a grand total of 42 taps. Most bring forth beer from breweries as near as Eau Claire and as far as Sweden. However, two are devoted to wine, and yet another two yield the same margaritas one might have had at Roblé, made with fresh-squeezed lemon and lime juice. Gretta Hunt, the restaurant manager, hints that in the near future nitro will also be available on tap. But be careful! Wait too long to try a new brew and you might find “You missed it, sucks for you!” stamped on the tap list.

The menu sports specialty and build-your-own pizza, wings, tacos, and burgers.  Soup and salad serve as lighter fare, and the walleye fish fry is available any day of the week.

The Tap House is owned by the Letnes Restaurant Group, which operated Roblé and currently owns Milwaukee Burger Company and Grizzly’s Wood-Fired Grill & Steaks. Despite recognition as the best new restaurant in Volume One’s most recent Best of the Chippewa Valley Reader Poll, Roblé simply wasn’t bringing in enough traffic, according to Hunt. However, the group is considering reopening the taco joint at a different location – possibly in downtown Eau Claire.  “We did love Roblé as a concept, and we think in the right location it would do a little bit better,” she said.

Hunt plans for Northern Tap House to celebrate beer all year with events featuring brewery representatives and special suds. On April 2, they began their month-long National Beer Day festivities by tapping one of only 18 existing kegs of Summit’s Rum Barrel Aged Union 6. More events will be announced throughout April.

Northern Tap House • 5020 Keystone Crossing, Eau Claire • (715) 895-8226 • To peruse their beer list and learn more, visit their website at northerntaphouse.com.