How many barber shops include a PBR with a $20 haircut? That's actually a genuine question, as I have no idea. What I do know is that Porter's does, and I do find that to be all kinds of awesome.

I mean, it's not like I would drink the PBR, but I appreciate the sentiment. Plus, you can go with a pop, so it's kind of a win-win situation.

A haircut with a beverage. Awesome, but how does the actual haircut turn out?

Well, as an avid reader of Sophisticate's Hairstyleguide™, I can say with some authority that Porter's did a great job. And for $20? That's way less than places like Regis charge.

A good bonus is that you don't need to micromanage the haircut here either. Having stylists straight out of high-school refusing to make a single decision themselves… It gets a bit old.

Really, the hot towel and neck shave alone is worth the price of admission.

As for the ambiance, it is quite different than any salon or barber shop I've seen. Nice hardwood floors, a mish-mash or vintage chairs and wall hangings… It all works, and it never feels like it tries to be hip or with it. It's just a cool space.

Friendly staff capable of something other than idle chit-chat is always a plus, as is the music playing over the loudspeakers. (I can only take that much Lady Gaga.)

Porter's is cash only, and making an appointment is required. Check out their website for more.

Really, this is probably the best $20 PBR you'll ever have. 

"Corporate Beer Still Sucks" proclaims Elysian's Loser bottle, and well in hand with the bottle's Sub Pop theme it goes. We could start splitting hairs here and mention Warner's ownership of Sub Pop, but whatever. Corporate or not, it doesn't stop Beach House's last album from being good.

Loser is a good beer too, and it's interesting to see the web's split opinions about the beer. I land firmly on the positive side, and I'd say it's one of the better pales I've tried in a while, right up there with Red Chair.

There's nothing to crazy or exciting as far as the look of Loser goes: A vaguely hazy golden orange topped by a foamy white head looks perfectly inviting, just in line with what you'd expect from a pale. The nose has a good mix of malts and citrus, with the hops making themselves known toward the back.

Loser is very, very refreshing flavor wise, which, to me, is the backbone of a good pale. The citrus makes itself known straight away, which goes very well with the dry finish. The malts have a clear presence, yet are balanced out by the hops. A sweet caramel flavor lingers after each sip.

This, then, is certainly a balanced pale. At 7% ABV it might be just a tad on the strong side for being a session beer, though with those refreshing notes… Enjoying a couple of them seems somewhat appropriate.

We could probably discuss back and forth if Loser is quite up there with Red Chair, so it's probably best to try them both side by side. You know, for science.