Restaurant
Unclaimed profileThe Peanut Barrel
East Lansing, MI · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
The Peanut Barrel runs on beer first: 11 taps with Michigan craft options like Bell's Two Hearted, Old Nation M-43 NEIPA and Bell's Oberon, poured in 16oz, 24oz or 60oz drafts. The Specialty Drinks list leans on a signature Long Island family, with the Famous Long Island limited to two per customer, plus an Italian Margarita, Aperol Spritz, Spanish Sangria and Michigan Mule. Wine comes by the 6oz or 8oz glass, and the whiskey list names 19 bottles including Weller 12 Year, Weller Full Proof, Eagle Rare and Blantons.
- What should I order?
- Start with a draft from the 11-tap list; Bell's Two Hearted, Old Nation M-43 NEIPA or Bell's Oberon are the Michigan craft anchors. If you want the signature cocktail, the Famous Long Island is the house drink and is limited to two per customer. The Italian Margarita, Aperol Spritz and Michigan Mule round out the Specialty Drinks section.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Beer drinkers who want Michigan craft options on draft, including Bell's and Old Nation, will find the most to work with. Cocktail drinkers who like a broad list spanning Long Island variations, margaritas, spritzes, sangria and mules will also find plenty. Whiskey drinkers looking for allocated and premium bourbons such as Weller 12 Year, Eagle Rare and Blantons have a 19-whiskey list to choose from.
- When should I go?
- Monday brings $2.00 off 60oz pitchers all day, and Wednesday offers $4.00 well drinks and $5.00 select call drinks. The happy hour lunch special adds a pint of Labatt or Miller Lite for $1.50.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Draft beer is available in 16oz, 24oz and 60oz sizes. Monday pitchers are $2.00 off all day; the lunch special adds a pint of Labatt or Miller Lite for $1.50. Wednesday well drinks are $4.00 and select call drinks are $5.00.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The beer program is the anchor: 11 taps with multiple Michigan craft options, three draft sizes up to 60oz, and a Monday pitcher special. The cocktail side has a named Long Island family with a two-per-customer limit on the Famous Long Island. The whiskey list runs to 19 names, including allocated and premium bourbons such as Weller 12 Year, Weller Full Proof, Eagle Rare and Blantons.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
A Specialty Drinks section built around a signature Long Island family, with the Famous Long Island limited to two per customer. The list spans margaritas, spritzes, sangria, highballs, bloody marys, coffee drinks and mules, including Italian Margarita, Aperol Spritz, Spanish Sangria, Michigan Mule and Pepper Bloody Mary.
Menu strengths
- — Signature Long Island family includes Famous Long Island, Blanco, Hawaiian Island, Long Beach, Purple Rain, Peachy Beachy, Blue Motorcycle and Love Island.
- — The Famous Long Island is the named signature drink and is limited to two per customer.
- — The list spans margaritas, spritzes, sangria, highballs, bloody marys, coffee drinks and mules.
Standout selections
- — Famous Long Island: vodka, gin, rum, triple sec, cola and sour mix; the signature drink, limited to two per customer.
- — Italian Margarita: Cabo Wabo tequila, amaretto, Grand Gala triple orange, sour and a splash of orange juice.
- — Aperol Spritz: Aperol, sparkling wine and soda.; Spanish Sangria: Spanish red wine with triple sec, brandy and orange juice served in a pint glass over ice.
Pricing: Wednesday: $4.00 well drinks and $5.00 select call drinks.
Wine
A Wine section with glasses in 6oz and 8oz options. The list names Salmon Creek Cabernet Sauvignon, Salmon Creek Pinot Noir, Powers Chardonnay 2019, Brut Sparkling Wine and Te Henga Sauv Blanc. Spanish Sangria is made with Spanish red wine, triple sec, brandy and orange juice, and the Love Island cocktail includes a sparkling wine float.
Menu strengths
- — Wine by the glass is offered in two pour sizes, 6oz and 8oz.
- — The list includes Salmon Creek Cabernet Sauvignon, Salmon Creek Pinot Noir, Powers Chardonnay 2019, Brut Sparkling Wine and Te Henga Sauv Blanc.
- — The Love Island cocktail includes a sparkling wine float, and Spanish Sangria uses Spanish red wine with triple sec, brandy and orange juice.
Standout selections
- — Salmon Creek Cabernet Sauvignon: black cherry, olive, juniper and anis; full bodied.
- — Powers Chardonnay 2019: fresh, succulent stonefruit with a citrus backbone.
- — Te Henga Sauv Blanc: New Zealand wine with lime blossoms, kiwi, herbs and grapefruit.
- — Brut Sparkling Wine: touches of apple, pear and lime.
Beer
Eleven beers on tap with multiple Michigan craft options, available in 16oz, 24oz and 60oz drafts. The list includes Bell's Two Hearted, Old Nation M-43 NEIPA, Bell's Oberon, Blackrocks 51K IPA, Guinness Stout, Cheboygan Brewing Blood Orange Honey, Yuengling Lager, Saugatuck Blueberry Lemonade Shandy, Eastern Market Flip-flop Weather, Miller Lite and Cider Boys.
Menu strengths
- — Eleven beers on tap with multiple Michigan craft options.
- — Draft beer is available in 16oz, 24oz and 60oz sizes.
- — Monday special is 60 oz pitchers $2.00 off all day; the lunch special adds a pint of Labatt or Miller Lite for $1.50.
Standout selections
- — Bell's Two Hearted: American style IPA hopped exclusively with Centennial hops.
- — Old Nation M-43 NEIPA: New England IPA with Calypso, Simcoe, Citra and Amarillo hops; citrus and tropical notes.
- — Bell's Oberon: wheat ale with spicy hop character and mildly fruity aromas; 5.8% abv.
- — Guinness Stout: nitrogen-infused draught stout with roasted barley, caramel, coffee and chocolate notes.
Pricing: Monday: 60 oz pitchers $2.00 off all day. Lunch special: add a pint of Labatt or Miller Lite for $1.50.
Spirits
A Whiskey section with 19 named whiskeys, including Woodford Reserve, Weller 12 Year, Eagle Rare, Blantons and Weller Full Proof. Cocktails reference specific spirits such as Cabo Wabo tequila, Buffalo Trace bourbon, Detroit City Distillery Michigan Rye, Sheep Dog peanut butter whisky, New Amsterdam vodkas, Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, Malibu Rum and Parrot Bay Mango Rum.
Menu strengths
- — Whiskey section lists 19 named whiskeys.; The list includes allocated and premium bourbons such as Weller 12 Year, Weller Full Proof, Eagle Rare and Blantons.
- — Cocktails reference specific spirits including Cabo Wabo tequila, Buffalo Trace bourbon, Detroit City Distillery Michigan Rye and New Amsterdam vodkas.
Standout selections
- — Weller 12 Year: listed in the Whiskey section.
- — Weller Full Proof: listed in the Whiskey section.
- — Eagle Rare: listed in the Whiskey section.; Blantons: listed in the Whiskey section.
Pricing: Wednesday: $4.00 well drinks and $5.00 select call drinks.
How it sits with the food
The venue's roots are in juicy burgers, cold beer and peanuts, so the draft list and the Pepper Bloody Mary, garnished with bacon, pickle olives and limes, sit naturally alongside that food. The Spanish Sangria and Italian Margarita also work as beverage-first choices without leaning on the kitchen.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
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