Submitted by Melissa Howsam — Correspondent
This week, check out Al Wallace: When your dad has a "cool chart" that diagrams the logistics of luscious libations, you're pretty much destined to be a hooch hotshot. So is the saucy story of Al, who got his start as a seasoned sip-slinger mixing it up at his parents' parties — tipple-table in hand — at the ripe age of 11. But let’s keep that on the DL. Now legal, and behind the bar off and on for over thirty years, he’s been calling Tyler’s Taproom in Apex home since the summer of 2009, where for this social sipster, a shift isn’t a toil, it’s a treat. But life isn’t all a gift of gab and grog. Over the years, you might have also found him booting around a ball as both contender and coach, bending the boards with a few bands or even adrift somewhere on the Appalachian Trail. For now, though, his regulars are hoping he’ll keep helping them drain drafts at Tyler’s.
Hometown: I grew up near College Park, Md., but consider Alexandria, Va. my hometown since I spent most of my adult life there.
If you have a drink in your hand, it's probably a: Beer or an Irish whiskey — Powers or Jameson.
Your regulars might say 'Al makes the best': When I was working nights in the past my peeps would ask me to make up drinks specifically for them, even when I was off. They called me the mad scientist.
Beer one must try: I like to drink locally; so I’d suggest Big Boss Big Operator, Lone Rider Deadeye Jack or Aviator FrostNipper — suck it up, hopheads; it’s the winter.
A good drink for a cold winter night: Spanish brandy — dark, rich and full of body. Also most Isley single malts.
You wouldn't cry in your cornflakes if you never had to make this drink again: If nobody ordered another layered shot, I would be one of the happiest bartenders in the world.
Your personality, in a word: Outgoing … I’m pretty outgoing so I like to think of my bar shift as my party, the guest as just that, friends and guests.
If you're not at work, you're most likely: Watching sports or reading.
If they made a movie about your life, who would play the voice of your subconscious? Matthew Broderick. He’s just sarcastic enough without being snide.
What song would play the opening credits? My theme song would be “Deacon Blues” by Steely Dan.
Movie you can recite the lines of: Tons, but I did one time have the bar doing “Dazed and Confused.” Between us, we pretty much did the entire movie.
Fav sports team: Washington Redskins.
Your guilty pleasure: Ultra-violent British and Japanese gangster films.
Your fav local hot spot: Don’t really have one. I live in Cameron Village so there’s variety.
If you could live in any fictional place, where would it be? Laporta from L. Neil Smith’s “The Probability Broach.” It’s a truly Libertarian place where everyone drinks beer, and you need one hundred percent votes to pass any law; so I could get high-grav beers ’cause I’m voting against any law that tells me what I can drink.
Song you never skip on your iPod: “Holiday In Cambodia” [by Dead Kennedys].
If you didn't know better, you'd think this song was written about you: “My Way” (the Sid Vicious version).
Last concert you went to: Probably, Queen with Paul Rodgers.
If you could have a happy hour with any person, who would it be and what would you say to them? Johnny Cash: Dude can you make me up a list?
Biggest celeb train wreck? Don’t really pay attention to celebrity news.
Fav '90s catchphrase: No '90s, but “Tres cool” from the '80s. I still use it.
You sometimes get mistaken for: Apparently, Jack Nicholson with hair.
People should know that you: Are not "that bartender."
A pop culture phenomenon you could live without: I just don’t get the celeb thing; so, probably tabloids.
Most random thing you've been asked to do while bartending? Perform a wedding. (No, I am not a minister, priest, rabbi or whatever. I have a minor in religion, and they were drunk).
What one thing do you wish you could tell people about patronizing any bar? The bartenders name is not pal, chief, bud, etc. If you don’t know his/her name, bartender, barkeep — or in my case, dude — will work.
Something people should drink more of: North Carolina beers. Six medals, including two golds at the GABF [Great American Beer Festival], and only four years since Pop The Cap [PTC is an organization that was dedicated to raising the abv on beer in North Carolina.]!
Other bars in the Triangle you have worked: Old Chicago in Wake Forest.
