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NewsOctober 2001
Headed to RI and CT for this trip. 2 Brewpubs in Providence, 2 in Hartford, 1 in Manchester. Tried to go to one in Willimantic but we couldn't find the town. We've been unable to find specific brewpubs before but we've never missed an entire town! In case you haven't noticed, we've switched to sharing samplers from the brewpubs rather than a few pints (or more) at each one. Keeps us legal on the road. Check out our reviews at Rhode Island/Connecticut Brewpubs.See Old News Here
Upstate New York Brewpubs Troy Pub & Brewery, Troy, NY - 8/95 -
The beer is excellent. I prefer the Oatmeal Stout, Porter, or Pale Ale but all categories of brewed beer at Troy are excellent. The atmosphere is also outstanding. It has brick walls, nice bar, and great deck overlooking the Hudson River - just a nice friendly warm atmosphere. The service is also warm and friendly. Food is good with a nice variety and everything is tasty. All other Brewpubs are judged against the standard Troy has established. 
I started out alternating between the Amber, the Rye and the Pale Ale. I've settled on the Pale Ale - you can't beat that hoppy finish. Ditto on everything else T said as to atmosphere & service (especially the service - the greatest staff I've ever dealt with). If you're there for dinner, you HAVE to try the Black Collar Stout Pie - comfort food at a higher level! They had a guest Steam for a while that was phenomenal. And in the fall, there's always the pumpkin ale. The last few years I mixed it with the pale because it was too sweet for me but it is always a treat. Van Dyck Restaurant & Brewery, Schenectady, NY - 10/98
The Van Dyck has a great bar atmosphere with oak/mahogany walls and bar. The brewed beer we tasted was very good. The food (appetizers) we tried were good. This is a place that I would definitely try again to experience more of the beers and atmosphere. I understand there is an upstairs and a new deck. Atmosphere at the Van Dyck is the biggest plus. Beautiful bar, lovely patio, friendly bartender. The beer was OK. Food was good. A definite stop when in Schenectady. The Big House, Albany, NY - several times since 1998
The Big House is very popular in downtown Albany. It has a wide brewed beer selection, all are very good. The atmosphere is good but the acoustics are loud. Food is above average. They have opened a 2nd place on Wolf Road in Colonie, which except for the beer is an average restaurant. I've been a couple of times, lunch and dinner. The garlicky waffle fries are a killer! Yum! But I can't figure out which beer to drink. None quite have the taste I'm looking for. Plus, they need to do major acoustical reworking here, no matter where you sit - bar, 2nd/3rd floor dining room - the noise level borders on assault. And this is even when the place is empty. I like the sampler glasses - a nice size for showcasing each beer's flavor. Ditto on the Wolf Road establishment. Original Saratoga Springs Pub & Brewery, Saratoga Springs, NY 8/98
This pub was disappointing. The beer was fair and the food was fair. The bar was small but adequate. As I recall we asked about some of the beers and the bartender was unable to answer even the simplest questions. Definitely a brewpub for the Bud/Michelob drinkers. The beer was swill. Food was passable. It's a good thing we were heading to the track - at least there we were throwing away our money with a chance on winning something. I rate this much lower than T. Malt River Brewing Company, Latham Circle, NY 6/98;6/99
Very modern atmosphere which I particularly do not care for. Located in a mall. The brewed beer we tasted was average and the food was fairly good. I would try it again to see any improvement. But at a mall there's always parking! Truth be told, once you are in the restaurant, you can't see or hear the mall. Beer was average, nothing that's going to keep me there. The food is heavily Southwestern accented. Going to go back on a Friday when they add extra hops to a cask of previously brewed beer for a taste test. Firkin Friday it's called. Albany Pump House, C. H. Evans Brewing Company - Albany, NY - 6/99
This is brand new. It is a renovated pumping station. Much of the original brick is showing and the new décor is quite appealing. A great lounge area with a fireplace, couches, and overstuffed chairs. I tried three beers. The oatmeal stout and brown ale both had chocolate flavor which quickly faded and became bland. The bitter ale was quite good. There are currently only 6 brewed beers available and two are wheat. Not a good selection. They say more are on the way. The food ordered was very good but pricey. The bartender was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. First visit and he bought a beer. At this time no growlers for sale. Good potential but a long way to go. First visit - they have 6 microbrews. I tasted their Blonde and their Bitter. I settled on the Bitter and will probably stick to that. Great building, similar to Troy's ambiance with the exposed brick and remnants of original building steel joists. In the dining room, a nice sized section is set aside with couches, coffee tables, and leather chairs. What a great spot for a party! Had the mushrooms stuffed with lobster as a snack and they were excellent. Bartender was very knowledgeable and even bought us a beer! Definitely a keeper. Davidson Brothers, Glens Falls, NY - 8/99, 8/00 This was a very good Pub. Tried 3 beers. Oatmeal Stout, Strong Ale and IPA . All were good. The menu had some unique items. I had a buffalo burger that was very good. The atmosphere was really nice. Brick with old pictures and decorations. Very warm and friendly atmosphere. Bartender was knowledgeable but no freebie. Their Growlers were unique and we bought one. Cost $13 and to fill $7. Good Price! Some beers such as the Strong Ale cost $11 to fill the Growler. We did buy a glass ($4.75) with the Growler and the Bartender gave us a 2nd one free. They posted the ABV for each of beers and apparently have people brew there and leave sample kegs. Both great ideas! Had the IPA, which was drinkable but not above average. The Oatmeal Stout is still very good. Neat idea - the Quality Control Club. For $55/year you get a newsletter and 22 oz beers for the price of a pint. Special nights throughout the year too. The sampler was unique too - a wooden disk with cutouts to hold the small pilsner glasses. Their logo was featured in the middle of the disk. Still 4 mugs for me.
Nice place! Right on the main drag in Glens Falls which has changed a real lot since I was last there 20 years ago! We sat at the bar (do you sense a trend?) but after lunch we did go up and check out the second floor dining room. Nice. Dark wood, cool old-timey decorations. I had the Strong Ale, ESB and IPA. They were all good but I settled on the IPA. The appetizers we had to eat were quite tasty too! Bartender was knowledgeable about the 30+ beers that were on tap and, when we bought our commemorative Davidson's pints, he even gave us one free! Hey!, have you noticed that places are putting the alcoholic content of each beer up on their boards? Since the growler was relatively inexpensive and different looking we picked one of those up too! What the heck, we were going to the track and just knew we were going to be winners. $20 for a 2 liter filled growler is a darn good deal. I'd definitely go back. We split a Buffalo Burger and Stout & Spinach/Artichoke Dip. Yummy! Especially those pita bread quarters. I had a Black & Tan with their Stout & ESB. It didn't hold the layers but that's OK. What wasn't OK, it was a touch on the cold side. Then I had their Porter, again a good brew but DEFINITELY too cold. Still a good looking bar and great location and good bartender. But just barely 4 mugs this time only because the brews were too cold.
New Jersey Brewpubs Krogh's Restaurant and Brew Pub, Sparta/Lake Mohawk, NJ 6/99
Next to Troy this is the best Pub we visited. This is located in Sparta, NJ. This was a first time visited and we tried the Oatmeal Stout and the Pale Ale. Both were outstanding. We also tried a beer we are unfamiliar with ? Maibock. It had a fruity taste. I think if you like that type of beer this would be good but neither reviewer likes fruity. The bar food we had was excellent and the atmosphere was also great. This part of Sparta at the end of Lake Mohawk is particularly charming. I had their Ale and the Maibock. Liked the ale a lot but still needed more hops. Service was friendly and knowledgeable. And they filled our growler! Expensive to fill though, $12.00 versus $8.00 at Troy. It's a full-service restaurant and seemed to be busy for a Tuesday night. Low ceilings, lots of dark wood, friendly bar patrons too. Definitely rates a return visit. Long Valley Pub and Brewery, NJ - 2/99
This is in Long Valley, NJ. It is a nice pub but only offers their own Brewed Beer- Nothing else. The brewed beer we tried, 3 categories, was fair. The bar food we ate was unique and excellent. The atmosphere was very good. An old stone barn. They would not fill an outside growler. The first time we visited, it was closed for a private party so we went to a seafood restaurant next door. But we gave it a return visit. The two appetizers we had were great - the beer, just so-so. Busy for a weeknight. Most people seemed to be drinking mixed drinks rather than the brews. Downstate & New York City Brewpubs The Gilded Otter, New Paltz, NY 6/00
Although advertised as being open for lunch, it isn't. We tried to hit this pub back in May at lunchtime and to our dismay found it closed. But we did try again and here's our review. BTW, if you are coming from the south - do NOT use MapQuest's directions - they sent us to an entirely different town than New Paltz. Wasted a valuable hour driving around that we could have better used tasting beer.
I had 2 brews- the Oatmeal Stout and the IPA. Both were good but not great. The IPA had a very different taste, dry and hoppy. Took a few sips to get used to. A big plus was the large selection. They have about 9 beers on tap with 4 being constant. The other 5 rotate from a large selection. I didn't care much for the atmosphere, a lot of light wood. I did like all the windows and the Vats behind the bar. The people were extremely friendly. The barmaid was excellent and she introduced us to the brewer, Mike, and he was very talkative. Gave us a few samples. The Gilded Otter has a large choice of beers, 9 on tap (4-5 regular and 4-5 seasonal). It's a large restaurant/brewpub with 2 floors and an outside patio. A lot of blonde wood and large windows throughout. There were vats behind the bar and in the middle of the first floor. Service by the bartender, a young woman, was excellent and she was quite knowledgeable. Greg whipped out that business card and out came the brewmaster, Mark. He talked with us for quite a while and treated us to some samples! I had 2 Black & Tans - Oatmeal Stout and IPA and then Oatmeal Stout and Pale Ale. Both were very good but I preferred the one with the Pale Ale. Mike, the brewer, gave us tastes of his Pale & Red Ales and their Huegenot Light Ale. I liked the Pale, thought the Red was minty and thought the Light was his version of Bud (which isn't necessarily a bad thing - just not to my taste). Mountain Valley Brew Pub, Suffern, NY 6/00
We've heard this place is now closed. But the day we were there, the brewmaster stopped and chatted us up! He had us taste a few of their brews - the Maibock and an English mild. Like the rest of their beers, we found them to be fair but too sweet for our tastes. The food was decent - chili and French onion soup. No growlers available at the time. The beer was served in 20 oz fat beer mugs - different. We couldn't get a sampler because they didn't have enough of the little mini beer mugs! All they needed was 10 of them!
had an IPA and found it to be too sweet. Then he had the Vienna lager and liked that. The brewmaster chatted us up (I gave the barmaid our business card!) He thought what we were doing was great and that we should go to a taste test class that Siebel (sp?) gives. YES! had 2 porters, quite tasty but again a little too sweet. Nice bar, dark wood. I had a sip of the lager and liked it too. But with the lack of mini beer glasses, growlers, etc., I had a bad feeling about the place - they seemed to be just hanging on. Turns out I was right as they've since closed.Western Massachusetts Brewpubs The Northampton Brewery, Northampton, MA 4/01
We stopped for lunch. The bar was very nice, blond wood, light walls. An outdoor patio and rooftop beer garden hadn't opened yet.
had chili which needed tabasco. had crab cakes. The bartender was nice, knowledgeable and pretty busy - she was the waitress for the tables on the first floor as well. Screwtop growlers were available for $7.50 plus a bottle deposit. Odd rules - you had to buy one already filled from a cooler and couldn't get an outside growler filled. We had 2 samplers: 4 6 oz. servings for $5.95. The first four beers we tasted were The Nonotuck IPA, a Steamer, Hoover's Porter, and Black Cat Stout. All four were flavorless. And the stout was just not drinkable. In a blind taste test, couldn't tell the difference between the IPA and the Porter. The second sampler included the Northampton Pale Ale, Redheaded Stepchild Ale (Irish red), Snowshovel ESB, and Old Brown Dog (nut brown ale). Out of all of them only the Pale Ale was worth a second taste - they were all watered down and pretty much flavorless. was enthralled with the big jug of tequila with jalapeno's but didn't have any! All in all:The Amherst Brewing Company, Amherst, MA 4/01
Nice place! Dark wood, dark green all around. Nice idea the way the counters were around the walls. Vince the bartender was knowledgeable. Again with the screwtop growlers! They were $8.50 plus deposit. They also had a mug club: for $50 you get a 20 oz mug that they fill for the price of a pint ($3.50). Their sampler comes as a "Flight of Four" or "Flight of Six". 3 oz glasses. We had their North Pleasant Pale Ale, ESB, Massatucky Brown, Henry Jackson Stout, Salamander Crossing Steam Lager, and Puffers Smoked Porter. liked the stout, the porter, the pale ale AND the ESB. like the stout and ESB but thought the smoked flavor in the porter was just too odd. The steam was not to 's liking either. Both thought the brown ale was too bland. Just as we were getting ready to leave, John, the brewer chatted us up. Definitely worth a return trip when the weather is warmer and we can sit out in front! We didn't try the food but if it's as good as the beer...!
liked the stout, the porter, the pale ale AND the ESB. like the stout and ESB but thought the smoked flavor in the porter was just too odd. The steam was not to 's liking either. Both thought the brown ale was too bland. Just as we were getting ready to leave, John, the brewer chatted us up. Definitely worth a return trip when the weather is warmer and we can sit out in front! We didn't try the food but if it's as good as the beer...!Maplewood Farm, Amherst, MA 4/01
Hoo boy, this is definitely not a brewpub! It's more like this year's gimmicky roadside restaurant for the traveler from NYC. When you first pull in, it looks more like a garden shop - it had a little store on the right, beautiful outside patio, smallish dining room and even smaller bar (sat 6-8). Blonde wood every where and lots of windows. 15 beers on their list, 14 available and 11 more "retired". They probably should have retired them all. Screwtop growlers were $8.99 plus deposit. We had the sampler, 6 4 oz glasses for $5.50 (cute glasses in a wooden plank). It consisted of the Hop Brook IPA, Creamery Lane Amber, Imperialist Pig Stout, Fat Dog Stout, and 2 more? Jeeze it's not on my sheet and I really don't remember tasting 2 more. Hmmmmm. Tried some of their homemade mozzarella sticks - quite tasty! Bartender was not knowledgeable but polite. thought the Imperialist stout was decent. thought the Fat Dog stout was OK. Neither liked the other beers.
thought the Imperialist stout was decent. thought the Fat Dog stout was OK. Neither liked the other beers.People's Pint, Greenfield, MA 04/01
Nice small, cozy bar. Dark wood, green walls. Very busy on a Thursday evening - we barely got seats at the bar and people were waiting for tables. had the Broadfork Stout and thought it was a good average stout and would order it again. had the Brakeshoe Porter which was good but had some taste to it that was odd. But, these two brews were the first on this tour that were served at the proper temperature for a Porter and Stout. Hurrah! Although we didn't get a chance to try them, People's Pint had six more beers on tap: an ESB, the Extra Ordinary golden ale, the Provider Pale Ale, the Pied pIPA, the Farmer Brown brown ale, and a rotating cast conditioned ale. They had growlers for sale - screwtop ($6.50) and the German style fliptop for ~$23.00. They also had a 5 glass (4 oz) sampler for $4.50. The bartender was nice and answered all our questions even though it was busy. This place merits a return visit when we have more time. But based on the atmosphere and friendliness of the bartender and patrons:
had the Broadfork Stout and thought it was a good average stout and would order it again. had the Brakeshoe Porter which was good but had some taste to it that was odd. But, these two brews were the first on this tour that were served at the proper temperature for a Porter and Stout. Hurrah! Although we didn't get a chance to try them, People's Pint had six more beers on tap: an ESB, the Extra Ordinary golden ale, the Provider Pale Ale, the Pied pIPA, the Farmer Brown brown ale, and a rotating cast conditioned ale. They had growlers for sale - screwtop ($6.50) and the German style fliptop for ~$23.00. They also had a 5 glass (4 oz) sampler for $4.50. The bartender was nice and answered all our questions even though it was busy. This place merits a return visit when we have more time. But based on the atmosphere and friendliness of the bartender and patrons:BrewPub at 34 Depot, Pittsfield, MA 10/00
The bar was very nice. Brick backdrop and the dark , rich wood all around. They had 5 brews on tap. The barmaid, and she admitted it, had no clue as to the beer. She couldn't even tell us what she had on tap without looking at the taps. But she did poor us free samples- 6 oz. A big plus! I had a white bean chili in a bread bowl. It was good but could've been spicier! There were no growlers (barmaid didn't even know what a growler was) menu of beers. As to the beer. I began with the Irish Stout. I didn't think much of it. There was a hint of coffee taste and that was the only taste. Next was an IPA and it was very good. Nice bitter taste like a true English IPA vs the American IPA. I finished with a Black and Tan, with the Irish Stout and IPA. Quite good! Met my cousin Lib over there for lunch! I stuck to the black and tan with the Irish Stout and IPA. It was OK. The food was nothing to write home about. I liked the place though I thought it was really more of a restaurant than a brewpub. If I were in Pittsfield I'd go again.Maine BrewpubsGritty McDuff's, Portland, ME, 08/00
Was by far the best in Portland. It is in the Old Port tourist section and has a great atmosphere. The brick and old wood is neat. The brews were very good and had a variety. The bar people could've been friendlier but they were busy when I was there so maybe during an off time they would be.Sebago, Portland, ME, 08/00
This is a restaurant that also wants to be a brewpub. The food is excellent. The brews are drinkable and the bar people were terrible. The atmosphere is mallish, which I don't care for. Stone Coast, Portland, ME, 08/00
I had stout in this pub that was decent and a burger that also was decent. The atmosphere is nice and friendly. But I only stayed for one brew because the barman apparently couldn't be bothered to wait on me. And it wasn't busy. Boston/Eastern Massachusetts Brewpubs Watch City Brewing Co., Waltham, MA 04/01
Looked like the type of bar we like, dark wood, etc. But once we settled in, nah! Service was poor and there wasn't anyone in there except us and the waitstaff. Once again screwtop growlers were available for $8.95 plus deposit. We had a sampler - 4 6 oz glasses for $4.95. We had the Moody Street Stout, Chocolate Thunder Porter, Hops Explosion India Pale Ale, and the Up Yer Kilt Scotch Ale. If only the porter and stout were a touch warmer...This place might have moved up a notch. If only the bartender had come back around to his side of the bar and served us... decided this was a college bar and we just didn't look like college students! liked the logo and bought 2 glasses (and broke one 10 minutes later). No clue what the food menu was, as I said, the bartender never came back to ask us if we wanted to see one, never mind refilling our sampler. Based on the lousy service:
decided this was a college bar and we just didn't look like college students! liked the logo and bought 2 glasses (and broke one 10 minutes later). No clue what the food menu was, as I said, the bartender never came back to ask us if we wanted to see one, never mind refilling our sampler. Based on the lousy service:North East Brewing Co., Allston, MA 04/01
This was one of the brewpubs we visited last year (see review directly after this one). Nice bar, dark wood. Seven beers on tap. We had a sampler of all seven for the price of six. 4 oz glasses - $5.75 Mug clubs seem to be the way to go - $39.95 here gets you a 23 oz mug refillable for the cost of a pint and 25% off food Sunday-Wednesday plus other specials throughout the year. The bartender, Nicole, was knowledgeable and friendly - her favorite brewpub is Gritty MacDuff's in Portland which went to and reviewed last year! Screwtop growlers are $9.75 (getting closer to the city) Didn't check out the food but the sampler consisted of St. Brendan's Bock, Nor'Easter Light, Bostonia Blonde, Nor'Easter Copper Ale, Lobsterback IPA, Black Sow Stout, and Abbey Brune Brown Ale. , after pouting because there was no porter, picked the St. Brendan's Bock as the best of the bunch with the Copper Ale a close second. liked the IPA the best.
went to and reviewed last year! Screwtop growlers are $9.75 (getting closer to the city) Didn't check out the food but the sampler consisted of St. Brendan's Bock, Nor'Easter Light, Bostonia Blonde, Nor'Easter Copper Ale, Lobsterback IPA, Black Sow Stout, and Abbey Brune Brown Ale. , after pouting because there was no porter, picked the St. Brendan's Bock as the best of the bunch with the Copper Ale a close second. liked the IPA the best.04/00 Nice joint, decent service. This place has games! Not video - board games like scrabble, clue, monopoly!!! Screwtop growlers are $9.75. had a sampler Nor'Easter Light, Lobsterback IPA, Naughty Monkey Abbey Ale, Bostonia Blonde, Black Sow Stout and MacFearsome Scotch Ale. had a black and tan - no separation but darn tasty! We munched on some fries but have no clue as to the rest of the menu. I think we'd come back here.
had a sampler Nor'Easter Light, Lobsterback IPA, Naughty Monkey Abbey Ale, Bostonia Blonde, Black Sow Stout and MacFearsome Scotch Ale. had a black and tan - no separation but darn tasty! We munched on some fries but have no clue as to the rest of the menu. I think we'd come back here.Cambridge Brewing Co., Cambridge, MA 04/01
This place is set back in a little square, all brick and spiffy. There are 4 regular beers and two seasonal or special brews. Lot's of windows, blonde wood and jazzy background music. Screwtop growlers $6.60 for a half gallon. There is no sampler per se, but you can get 5 oz glassfuls for a buck each. We had the Regatta Golden, Tall Tale Pale Ale, Cambridge Amber, Charles River Porter, Bitchin Bitter, and Scotch Ale. thought the porter was decent and the amber, while pretty much tasteless, was drinkable. Yuck to the rest. liked the porter too. We didn't stick around very long - the place didn't lend itself to that. Probably because the bartender was too busy eating his pizza and chatting up a friend instead of us. His loss!
thought the porter was decent and the amber, while pretty much tasteless, was drinkable. Yuck to the rest. liked the porter too. We didn't stick around very long - the place didn't lend itself to that. Probably because the bartender was too busy eating his pizza and chatting up a friend instead of us. His loss!Boston Brew Works, Boston, MA 04/01 & 4/00
This place is right across the street from Fenway Park! Big place with a small bar in the front and a huge one in the back. There's a lot of room for that pre- and post-game crowd. There were 16 beers on tap in '01 and 19 beers on tap in '00. Huge menu - something for everyone. Bartender's were pleasant and knowledgeable on both visits but each time, once we were served we were basically ignored. And we were not there when it was crowded. Their top seller is the Bunker Hill Blueberry Ale - you should have seen the blueberries floating in the beer - looked like a lava lamp!. Screwtop growlers are $8.95 with a $2.00 deposit.
04/01 4 4oz glasses in the sampler presented in a wire basket. We had Curley's Irish Stout, Buckeye Oatmeal Stout, Bottom of the Ninth Porter, and Fenway's Favorite IPA. thought the IPA was fair and the Porter was good. The Oatmeal didn't have a strong flavor but filled your mouth nicely. The Irish stout was tasteless. agreed about all except the IPA - it wasn't worth drinking. Nice place and all but overall we wouldn't try it on a game day or make it a regular stop. Same rating as before.
thought the IPA was fair and the Porter was good. The Oatmeal didn't have a strong flavor but filled your mouth nicely. The Irish stout was tasteless. agreed about all except the IPA - it wasn't worth drinking. Nice place and all but overall we wouldn't try it on a game day or make it a regular stop. Same rating as before.04/00 had the Cask Conditioned Curley's Irish Stout and Fenway Pale Ale. Both were decent. drank a Muddy River Porter and a black & tan with the Curley's Irish Stout and Back Bay IPA. The porter was the better of the 2.
had the Cask Conditioned Curley's Irish Stout and Fenway Pale Ale. Both were decent. drank a Muddy River Porter and a black & tan with the Curley's Irish Stout and Back Bay IPA. The porter was the better of the 2. The Brewhouse Cafe & Grille, Lowell, MA 04/01
What a place! The Brewhouse Cafe & Grille is part of the Lowell Brewing Co. and is a three story showpiece! The first floor houses the brewing company, a lovely restaurant and a bar. The second floor had 3 bars! It was more of an entertainment center with one whole side given over to pool tables and some video games. There was a dance floor too. There was a third floor too, but I forgot what went on up there - either a disco or more video games and pool. We didn't check the second floor out until we were on our way out and probably would have preferred the atmosphere up there - then again we might not have left either! We ate and drank at the first floor bar, a beautiful blonde bar in a glassed-in room. We had their sampler 6 6 oz glasses ($5.95), since only 5 of their beers were available we doubled up on the Oatmeal Stout. Along with that we had their signature beer - the Harvard Lager, and Boarding House Ale, India Pale Ale, and Scotch Ale. had potato skins and had chicken fingers. LARGE portions and delicious. thought the Oatmeal Stout was great as did . Both liked the three ales too. The Harvard Lager was OK, just not our to our taste. Bartender was personable, quite chatty but new to the job. No growlers. Can we pick this place up and move it to our neighborhood? Please?!
had potato skins and had chicken fingers. LARGE portions and delicious. thought the Oatmeal Stout was great as did . Both liked the three ales too. The Harvard Lager was OK, just not our to our taste. Bartender was personable, quite chatty but new to the job. No growlers. Can we pick this place up and move it to our neighborhood? Please?!Brew Moon, Boston, MA 04/00
This is a chain. Very nice place near the theater district in Boston. The bartender was great - knowledgeable and personable! had a seasonal, the Rogger Lager, a rye lager and liked it a lot. had an upside down Black & Tan - the Eclipse Oatmeal Stout was on the bottom and the Orion's Irish Amber was on top - guess it's really a Tan & Black. hehe. We didn't spend a whole lot of time there nor did we try more than the one beer each. But it was nice and worth a return visit.
had a seasonal, the Rogger Lager, a rye lager and liked it a lot. had an upside down Black & Tan - the Eclipse Oatmeal Stout was on the bottom and the Orion's Irish Amber was on top - guess it's really a Tan & Black. hehe. We didn't spend a whole lot of time there nor did we try more than the one beer each. But it was nice and worth a return visit.Back Bay Brewing Co., MA 04/00
Good thing we were in Boston now - the joint is closing this month. It has to be because of the lousy service - the bartender sucked. Of course, he could have had a bad attitude because he was going to be out of a job by the end of the month! had the ESB and thought it was OK. was in a quandary because they were out of their only dark beer, a porter so had the ESB too. Pints were $4.25 and growlers were $21.00 and $8.00 to refill. Nice looking bar; glad we made it before it closed.
had the ESB and thought it was OK. was in a quandary because they were out of their only dark beer, a porter so had the ESB too. Pints were $4.25 and growlers were $21.00 and $8.00 to refill. Nice looking bar; glad we made it before it closed.Commonwealth Fish & Brewing Co., MA 04/00
Cool copper bar and tabletops and glass all around - this is by the Fleet Center. There were 8 beers on tap. had the porter and thought it was good but a bit cold. had the classic Stout and liked that too. This place was a little too bright and trendy for us but decent beer and prices.
had the porter and thought it was good but a bit cold. had the classic Stout and liked that too. This place was a little too bright and trendy for us but decent beer and prices.Owen O'Leary's, Natick, MA 04/00
No one told us this one was in a hotel! The Hampton Inn to be exact. We must have driven by the place 3 times. Once we finally got in, it turns out that this place again has jumped on the brewpub wagon and is basically a tourist (or hotel patron) trap. Although it is a lovely bar, the bartender knew nothing about the beers on tap and didn't seem to care. had the stout which he thought was pretty bad. had the porter and thought it was good but a bit cold. And to 's delight, the bar subscribed to NTN! But that didn't make up for the so-so beer and the hotel bar atmosphere so:
had the stout which he thought was pretty bad. had the porter and thought it was good but a bit cold. And to 's delight, the bar subscribed to NTN! But that didn't make up for the so-so beer and the hotel bar atmosphere so:John Harvard's Brewhouse, Framingham, MA 04/00
Oh my god! It's another brewpub in a mall! Once you get into the pub, you do leave the mall behind. Nice looking bar but a little too chainish, if you know what we mean. had a black and tan and didn't care for it. had the porter and thought it was good and at a good temperature so had another! had the cask conditioned Irish Stout and a Pale ale. Both were decent. tried the Pale Ale too and thought it could have been hoppier. All in all, not too bad, and in fact, better than our mall brewpub so:
had a black and tan and didn't care for it. had the porter and thought it was good and at a good temperature so had another! had the cask conditioned Irish Stout and a Pale ale. Both were decent. tried the Pale Ale too and thought it could have been hoppier. All in all, not too bad, and in fact, better than our mall brewpub so:San Diego, CARock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery 11/00
It seems this is a chain. It hasn't reached our part of the country yet. We went on a Monday night so it was pretty much into NFL mode, which is OK if you want that kind of thing. Nice dark wood downstairs with booths and tables and TVs everywhere. They had a cool loft with another bar and pool tables (and more TVs) I had their specialty brew - a Porter. It was very, very good and should be on their menu all the time. So I had another. I also had a couple of sips of their Sunset Stout and thought that was pretty good too. The only drawback was that both were served too cold. While we didn't have anything to eat, I grabbed a copy of the menu and it looked interesting. It was too crowded to chat with the bartender but he was there when we wanted a refill. I don't know if they have growlers or samplers.New Hampshire/Vermont7 Barrel Brewery, West Lebanon, NH 09/01
We stopped in for lunch. This brewpub has 5 regular brews, 3 seasonal brews and 1 daily cask-conditioned. It was a nice joint, light wood & green/red colors throughout. Vats were along the back of the bar - good view! Growlers are available - screwtops only. Their sampler is 6 3 oz. mugs for $4.50 and we tasted Hanover Beer (Pilsner) - a little too flowery, RIP Stout - lived up to it's billing - dark, rich & roasty!, New Dublin Brown - mild, roasty, nutty and good!, Red 7 Ale - not very good, Champion Reserve IPA - bitter & hoppy & very good!, Ice Rock Canadian blonde ale - touted as crisp & refreshing and it was. After the sampler, had a Black & Tan with the stout and IPA and thought it was great. had the stout and was quite content.
had a Black & Tan with the stout and IPA and thought it was great. had the stout and was quite content.McNeill's Brewery, Brattleboro, VT 09/01
We got into Brattleboro around 3:30 and McNeill's wasn't open so we walked over to the Windham Brewery/Latchis Grill but it was closed too (for renovations). So back to McNeill's just in time for it's 4 o'clock opening. Jeeze, they should have taken a few more hours and cleaned the joint up. It reeked of stale beer and something else indescribably bad. Now I like the old neighborhood dive atmosphere alot but this was just a little too divey for me. But if it were cleaned up, I'll bet it would be a nice drinking establishment. The bartender was quite knowledgeable about the brews and that was a plus. Prices were on the low side too - $2.75 for a pint. You can get a sample of any of their beers for sixty cents in a rocks glass! So we did. But they only had 4 rocks glasses (mismatched to boot) so the bartender had to pour us 4 at a time and rinse the glasses out for the next set. Everything she poured was at the correct temperature! But the quality of the brews varied widely. We split samples of all 13 beers on tap. And they were:
Blonde Bombshell - OK, mild but with a bubbly tartness
Firehouse Amber - too mild
Ducks Breathe Bitter - no taste at all
Brewhead Brown - pretty darn good
Slopbucket Brown - tasteless
Wheat Wright - just needed a touch more flavor
Alletage Altbier - wow! Pretty darn flavorful
Exterminator Dopplebock - oh yuck
Champ Ale - didn't like it. thought it had a nice warmth to it
didn't like it. thought it had a nice warmth to itESB - cask conditioned - no special no bitter no taste
Summer Bitter - again nothing there
Deadhorse IPA - the flavor was there!
Can't give this place more than:
Maple Leaf Malt & Brewing Co., Wilmington, VT 09/01
Ah, Wilmington! I had some great times there in HS! Ward's Beach...Senior Skip Day...underage drinking... Who? Me? Nah! Before I get lost in these memories, back to the brewhouse at hand! Nice place. Dark wood, comfortable bar, friendly people, 6 beers on tap. A mug club! (35 bucks, 20 oz mug, discounts on Sundays/Wednesdays plus lots more), but no growlers. Their sampler was 6 4 oz glasses for $6.50. We had the Golden Harvest Wheat - not very wheaty and with a bad aftertaste, the Maple Nut Brown - a little to cold but good - probably the flavors would be better if a touch warmer, Starks Golden Ale - mild but OK, Sadawga Springs Pale Ale - smelt and tasted like perfume, Wolaver's Organic IPA (guest draft) - too flowery, not very hoppy, and the Hogback Porter - the best of the bunch - still a little too cold even though it was our 6th beer on the sampler wheel but that good porter flavor! Yummy! The brewer chatted with us and gave us a taste of his Oktoberfest and Fathead IPA right out of their fermenter! Liked the Oktoberfest but not the IPA. Because I liked the atmosphere and the people and the porter:
Madison Brewing Co., Bennington, VT 09/01
Nice looking restaurant, very small bar. The second floor was cool too with a patio and old pictures including some of Albany, NY! They have growlers, both screwtop and fliptop. Their Stark Hose #1 Raspberry and Willoughby's Scottish Ale weren't available that day so we sampled their:
Buck's Honey Wheat - served with a lime. We're not fans of wheat beer but this was pretty darn good
Suckerpond Blonde - summer lager that should have been dropped in September - why do they make this stuff? LOL, we tossed the lime in and improved the taste 100%
Benny's Brew Pale Ale - Flavorful, hoppy but not much of a finish - good beer for yardwork
Old 76 Strong Ale - didn't like it at all - too fruity/flowery. thought it started nicely but the flavor disappeared too quickly
didn't like it at all - too fruity/flowery. thought it started nicely but the flavor disappeared too quicklySquirrel's Breathe IPA - supposedly the hoppiest - ha - what hops?
Otter Creek Stovetop Porter - guest draft - Otter Creek...Porter...what more can I say!
All in all:
Rhode Island/ConnecticutUnion Station, Providence, RI 10/01
Nice looking restaurant in the basement of a building in a nice cluster of revitalized downtown buildings near their mall. We were there for lunch, and it's a very big lunch business. The bartender was nice AND knowledgeable and chatted with us even though she was busy the whole time we were there. We had a pizza and tried the Sample Tray (5 oz portions) of their six beers. Their Northern Light Lager is brewed for the masses - darn those Coors drinkers. The Friar Brown Ale had raving but didn't like it. The Golden Spike Ale got a thumbs up from us both. The Oktoberfest was watery and tasteless. What were the other two beers we had? Ooops, don't remember. Their mug club has a 19 oz personalized pewter mug and includes Monday and Thursday night mug club specials plus other perks. Anyway, due to it being a little pricey, more restaurant than brewpub, we'll give it:
raving but didn't like it. The Golden Spike Ale got a thumbs up from us both. The Oktoberfest was watery and tasteless. What were the other two beers we had? Ooops, don't remember. Their mug club has a 19 oz personalized pewter mug and includes Monday and Thursday night mug club specials plus other perks. Anyway, due to it being a little pricey, more restaurant than brewpub, we'll give it:Trinity Brewhouse, Providence, RI 10/01
Cool building - corner lot with 3 sides of windows out into the streets. This place was just blocks from Union Station in a less renovated part of town. Great atmosphere and beer-related decorations - old trays and beer cans. Dark wood bar, booths and tables. Just a homey atmosphere. Patrick, the bartender was very nice especially since we popped right in at the legal opening time, not giving him much time to set up! Big joint too - had a basement bar that was open only in the evening. Their "Tasting Tray" is $6.75. We had:
Brillig Ale (Altbier) Trinity Kolsch - described as "pale, light-bodied, low hops" - yeah but it still needs flavor and there wasn't much.
Trinity Octoberfest - this was decent - had a good malt/hop balance
Foggy Bottom Ale - got 's "oh yuck" award - no hops, no taste.
's "oh yuck" award - no hops, no taste.RI Ram Lager - same as Foggy bottom
Russian Imperial Stout - liked this stout with it's good chocolatey flavor. decided after the second sip that it was good too. Had great texture and held to the side of the glass very nicely!
liked this stout with it's good chocolatey flavor. decided after the second sip that it was good too. Had great texture and held to the side of the glass very nicely!Cask Conditioned Nut Brown Ale - this was great! nice nutty flavor, good from the front of the tongue to the back. Just wunnerful! More please.
Rhode Island IPA - nah, where is that dry bitter finish? where is the finish?
I just wish Trinity was closer to home.
Hops Restaurant Bar & Brewery, Manchester, CT 10/01
Run the other way screaming if you ever see one of these 70+ chain restaurants. It's a cookie-cutter type place with boardroom designed layout, menu and beer. It is not a brewpub because it doesn't brew beer, it brews swill. We had their sampler and tasted their Clearwater Light, Lightening Bolt Gold, Thoroughbred Red, and Hoptoberfest - all of them tasted exactly the same - terrible - heavy esters from the first sniff to the last sip. The only halfway decent beer was the Alligator Ale - even though it started badly it did have a nice finish. We left at least half of each beer in the glass and bolted first chance. Can we give minus mugs?
no mugs
City Steam Brewery Cafe, Hartford, CT 10/01
This brewpub is in downtown Hartford - parking is a problem. But we found a small inexpensive lot close by and popped in for a quick visit. Definitely a nice place! Dark wood, lotsa windows. We had their sampler - 5 cute little mugs. The Colt 46, a lightly, colored, flavored and lo-cal lager was exactly what it wanted to be - not our choice of beverage but it was good. The Blonde on Blonde, wanted to be a bitter ale but was only a step up from the Colt. The naughty Nurse Pale Ale again was not spicy nor bitter, just bland. Now! The City Steam Ale - excellent! And P.V. Porter was cask conditioned and beautiful! Again, can we move this one closer to home?
Since we're partial to porters and steam ales:
Trout Brook Brewing Co., Hartford, CT 10/01
This brewery was supposedly closed but we got directions to the brewpub and stopped in. Nice place out in an old manufacturing/factory district. Doesn't seem to be in full-swing as a brewpub, more a bar/restaurant. There were only 3 of their beers on tap and the clientele seemed to be a mixed drink/bottled beer crowd. After tasting their beer... We had Mike's Light Ale, the Nut Brown Ale, and the Thomas Hooker Ale. The only decent one was their concession to a lite beer; the Nut Brown and Thomas Hooker (supposedly their signature ale) were too awful for words (except ester).
Sorry, but: