Reviews on PubCrawler from bill laubert PubCrawler.com - International Travel Search Engine Find Bars, Brewpubs and Microbreweries, Restaurants, Hotels, Bed and Breakfasts and Historic Landmarks
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Reviews on PubCrawler from bill laubert
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I visited on Saturday, October 3rd. Very Friendly people. Great Beer. Resonably priced merchandise-It's well worth the trip from Hornell. I'll be there as often as possible. Don't miss the maple and the pumpkin!
What a great place. Great bar tender, great variety--even from NYS! They must have an incredible distributor! I was there right before the 4th of July and wish I were still there. PEOPLE OF ST. LOUIS--KEEP THIS PLACE IN BUSINESS!! It is a Gem.
A buddy of mine bought a 6 pack in Owensville and we tried the three that he bought, Maibock, pilsner, and heffeweizen. All three were very good. None of the three are my favorite styles but all three were very good and I hope the next time I get back to the Owensville area I can get to Hermann and check out the brewery.
Unfortunately, my experience did not come close to the other reviewers. I arrived on a Saturday at about 5 after noon. There was none setting at the tables and 5 people at the bar--2 bar tenders and one waitress. I sat right in front of the taps. They are angled so I couldn't see all of them. I didn't see any beer menu so when the bar tender pulled himself away from the couple at the end of the bar, I ordered a Kona pale ale. When he delivered the beer he told he how much and I asked if I could start a tab? Only if I gave him a credit card. I truly truly hate that. I understand that there are those that will do a drink and dash--but there were only 6 of us and all at the bar. So our first exchange is that the bartender doesn’t trust me. I hoped to have lunch but before I could ask for a menu he went back to the couple at the end of the bar...and there he stayed. I finally spied some printed beer menus so I got up to get myself one--that didn't faze the bartenders or the waitress. What an impressive list of beers. The taps are only the beginning. Probably 25 taps but I'd say over 100 bottles. As I drank my Kona I kept trying to catch one of the bartender’s eyes to get a menu. Just didn’t happen. I noticed that Sixpoint Brownstone was on tap so I decided to try that and keep trying to get a menu. When I got my pint of Brownstone he was gone again before I could get a menu so I decided to finish my pint and go back to Macgregor’s for lunch. In all my beer travels, this was the first time I ever felt out of place in a beer bar/brew pub. Very cool design and art but this place is tucked away a bit much. If it weren’t so out of the way I might give them another try but coming up from Hornell, Macgregor’s is right there with what seems like hundreds of taps, good service, and you actually get a menu. Every place can have an off day, and I recognize that my experience was very different from others that have written here—but I’ll let them support this place.
This MacGregor's location has improved dramatically over the past few years. Several years ago you had to stand on your head to get someone to fill your beer. No so any more. Service is very good and the variety of beer is excellent. The bar tenders seem to be much more knowledgable about the beers too.
I stopped in here while in town for the brew fest in July (which is a great time and you should try to come to this—it’s worth the trip). Inside is very dark and no table service in the bar. When I looked at the menu the first thing I saw was “basket o’ smelt.” Luckily things got better. On tap that day was: lawn mower pale, black heart lager, IPA, wheat, Pilsner, ESP, (can’t read my notes—maybe amarillo?) lager, and Rubic Ale. They had a wide variety of bottled beer too; about 20-30 so there should be something there to please anyone. The IPA was a British IPA so it wasn’t bitter by any stretch of the imagination. The Wheat was cloudy with a nice clove flavor with a hint of banana. The ESB was amazingly hoppy for and ESP. The only reason I gave the service a 'so so' is that there really wasn't any, you had to go to the bar for each drink. I realize that is the British style but...
I stopped by this location on Sunday, July 20th 2008. I had been to the BBQ place a few years ago and like the beer (service and atmosphere, not so much). After 5 minutes at this location I was happier than I had been at the other location. On tap the day I was there: Scottish Ale, Pale Ale, Russian Imperial Stout, and E=IPA2, Pilsner, and Oatmeal Stout. I only had time to try 2. E was nice but the alcohol must be high—served in a brandy glass. It was very hoppy, but not so hoppy that it got sweet like some extreme IPAs can be. The stout was delicious. A mild chocolate nose and a very dry taste. One of the best stouts I’ve had. The southwestern burger was good. Service was accommodating enough but didn’t go out of their way to be friendly.
North Country is easy to find, just a short trip off of I79—and even if it weren’t it would be worth it. I first had their beer at the brew fest in Erie, PA in 2008 and stopped in on my way back from Indiana in July 0f 2008. On tap the day I was there: northern lite, breakfast blend mild, squirrel nut brown, station 33 firehouse red, altbeir, paleo (?) IPA, stone house stout, mother’s milk stout, and another stout—but I can’t read my notes. I tried the IPA, the stout that I can’t read my notes for, breakfast blend, squirrel nut, pale, stone house stout, fruit bowl, and mother’s milk stout. WOW. I’d forgotten I’d tried that many of them. All of them were exceptional—even the fruit bowl. They added strawberry to their light beer—I know what you’re thinking—my stomach turned as they told me about it but I tried it anyway. It was not sweet and had a nice refreshing flavor. Both of the stouts were dry. The stone house stout flavor was more of coffee and the other was more chocolaty. The service was very friendly and accommodating. The food was good too. I had the Bull Runner sandwich. It was sort of a combination of Beef on Weck (for we western NYers) and French dip. I would imagine that during the school year this place is very busy but on the summer afternoon when I stopped by it was quiet.
I have been to Prison Brews twice, once in August of 2008 and March of 2009. I am so happy that there is finally a brewpub in Jefferson City. Both times the beer was very good. I always sat at the bar, so I think my service may have been better than other reviewers have mentioned but during both of my visits the bar tender would walk past my empty glass several times before it donned on him to fill it. He was very nice though, and has a good memory. When I was there in March he remembered me from my visit in August. On tap in August (I have lost my list from March) were Go to Jail Ale, Ain’t your Honey Wheat, Class “A” Amber, Cell Mate Pale Ale, Big House IPA, and Death Row Stout. As I said before, all were good. Of note though is the Pale Ale. In addition to the regular qualities of a pale, this one also had a nutty flavor. As odd as it may sound, it was good. The stout was a little thin but had a very nice chocolaty caramel flavor. The food is nothing to get excited about—it’s not especially bad, it’s just not great. In March I got the pork tenderloin sandwich—it did border on “bad.” What I got was a greasy disk of pork matter much smaller than the bun. This place is worth a visit. It’s on the other end of high street from the capital so politicians aren’t around—or at least they are well disguised. The consistent prison theme is a hoot too, i.e., the sign for the rest rooms says “gas chambers.”
I have been to the original St. Louis Brewery location several times but December, 23, 2008 was my first visit to Bottleworks. If you are more interested in food—you should go to the taproom location. Not that the food here is bad, it is that they provide a rather limited menu but the food was good. My favorite thing about this location is the shop—you can create your own 6-Pack. That might be available at the other location, but it wasn’t the last time I was there. On tap the day I was there: pale ale, #15, Hefe, Dry-hopped IPA, Christmas ale, Oatmeal stout, pilsner, Oktoberfest, and ESB. The Christmas ale was very good, a hint of spice, a hint of hop, very hoppy nose—delicious. The dry-hopped IPA was very clean for a dry-hopped beer—no cloying aftertaste at all. The coffee stout is consistently delicious—bottle or on tap.
I stopped in on Thursday March 12th. It's easy to find in a neighborhood that is slowly being revitalized. There beer was good--not exceptional, but good. On tap the day I was there: Black Dawn, Coffee Porter, 1984 Golden, APA, Bright Side Brew, and Porter Stout. The coffee porter was good but did't have much of a coffee flavor, but a solid porter nonethe less. The APA was very clean, not cloying as some bitter beers can be. The porter stout had more coffee flavor than the coffee porter. The service was friendly but not that attentive. The bartender had to wait on the bar and the house. It was a bit of a challenge to get a refill. THe food wasn't that spectactular. I wasn't bad but not as bad as the wait staff said. The day I was there, a reveiw fo the place appeared in the RIVERFRONT TIMES. The RFT was not too impressed with their food. The wait staff was not happy. I really didn't have anything that tested the cooks--a burger an fries. The burger was fine but the fries were awful--limp tasteless logs of mashed potatos. I bought a logo pint glass and the bar tender kept taking it away because she thought it was a dirty glass. About 10 miles down the road I realized I had left without the glass. The next day I called to see if they could send me an email coupon and I would pick the glass up in June--the next time I was to be in St. Louis. The woman I talked to was very bizzar. The said they would send me the glass, I said that was not necessary, if they could just mail me a coupon or send an email, I was happy to stop in for lunch or dinner in June and pick up the glass. She assured me that she would do it--and then she went on to tell me how attractive she was and that she was the 'hottest bartender" they had. This was not the bartender I had. Anyway, it's been a month and I havent' heard a word from them. It's a $5 glass so it's not that big of a deal but the woman just fell all over herself saying they would get it to me--and I've gotten nothing. If convenient, I'd probably go back.
I just had the O'Reilly's Stout again tonight at a bar in Alfred, New York; Cafe Za. It was better than I remembered. It is a light stout--good for summer. In the dark of winter I would probably be disapointed but great for summer--a nice mild coffee flavor.
I get the feeling that this place--along with all the development in this area hasn't been there long. I have been to the RAM in Shaumberg, IL. This one had a lot the same feeling--high ceiling, big screen TVs, but also good service, food, and beer. The bourbon BBQ meatloaf sandwich is incredible--but let's get to the beer:
IPA: cloudy, amber, with a nice critris nose. The taste is nice but not as hoppy as the nose would suggest. It was good, though.
Blond: Looks like InBevBud. No nose but had sort of a vanilla malty taste. Better than I expected from a blond.
Hefe: A strong banana nose with equally strong bananna/clove taste.
Butt Face: Love the name! No nose--a malty nondescript taste--the taste doesn't live up to the name.
Total Disorder Porter: No head or nose but a very nice porter flavor.
71 Pale Ale: On their board it said "hoppy"--my thoughts? Not so much. Really malty and nice but not hoppy at all.
I don't mind a beer chain as long as it doesn't get a "mc brewpub" feel and I think RAM does a pretty good job.
Don't judge a book by its cover. The exterior and the area just inside the door made me wonder if I had made a mistake....I made my way to the back and found the bar. Ahhhh. It was a little smokey and the music too loud (God, I feel old typing that) but the beer and the service were great. I had the IPA, Java Sout and the Wheat Ale. I had just driven from Cleveland and the IPA was my first--delicous. Java Stout is available only in bottles--it is really good. It tastes more like coffee than beer. I loved it! The Wheat Ale was a bit flat--I don't mean that in a bad way--although I was concerned when it didn't look like it had much fizz--it didn't but it was very good
I can't say enough good things about this place. This was the first stop on my way to the Indiana Brewers Festival in Indianapolis. It was a little tricky to find but that could have been due to my lack of familiarity with the area. The bar tender was a little ditzy but she was very pleasant. The food was good too. On tap were: golden blond, blueberry ale, li'l warrior pale, hefe, oatmeal brown, back stout, marzen, and kolsch.
Li'l Warrior Pale: 4.4 abv; 60 IBU. This had a luscious clean hoppy flavor--not cloying. It is really bitter but a nice summer drink.
Oatmeal Brown: 5.2 abv; 40 IBU. Has a thick creamy head with a truly unique flavor. It almost turns sweet, but doesn't and finishes dry. You'll have to try it for what I've written to make sense.
Black Rye Stout: 5.8 abv; 33 IBU. This was "motor oil" black. No head, chocolaty nose, and a malty bitter flavor. Probably one of the best stouts I've even had. I had to go out to my car to get my phone and ran into the brewer. I told him how much I enjoyed this stout. After I got back to my seat, he brought me a sample of a stout that is about to be tapped: he made it with Reeces Peatnut Butter Cups. Now, I don't like peanut butter so I was a bit hesitant to try it--but it was delicous! It had a very chocolaty/malty flavor, but finished dry and nutty like a nice nut brown. I wouldn't have expected it to be that dry given the sugar in the peanut butter cups. If you live in the area or are passing though, give them a call and see if this has been tapped. It was really delicous.
The stout and the IPA were some of the best I had in all my travels.
I drove over to Lodi for lunch one day near the end of June. I sat on the deck of the restaurant and enjoyed the view while enjoying lunch and a sampler of Wagner Valley beer. 6 4-oz. samples will set you back only $7. I had the hefe, maple porter, IPA, oatmeal stout, dopple bock, and lager. The IPA was by far the best--but then I am a bit partial to hops. the dopple bock has won several awards--not my favorite style but it wasn't as sweet as I remember. The lager tasted a lot like the dopple. The maple porter was more smoky than anything else--I liked that. I was concerned that it would be sweet, but it wasn't.
This place is worth the stop--a beautiful drive from anywhere-and you can also hit Rooster Fish in Watkins Glenn, and Market Street in Corning--an nice pub crawl for a summer day or an autumn afternoon.
The fact that Emipre is open again has reaffirmed my faith in a higher power! Empire consistently had great beer in Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse. Now that they are back in Syracuse only, they have maintined their consistency. The day I stopped in I had the IPA, Hefe, and the Blueberry Wheat--all were great. They told me that they were not planning to reopen in Rochester--but a boy can dream.
A buddy and I stopped in on April 10th. I was pleased to see that the beer variety and quality as well as the service was as good as the last time I was there over three years ago. If the place were closer, I'd be a regular
I went to Roosterfish back in 2005--I think, not long after they began serving their own beer. My comment was, "I think this place will get better with age." Well, I haven't been to the place, but on 8/17/07 I had all three of their offerings at the Four City Brewfest in Rochester--all three were excellent. Of the three the only one I am certain of was the heffe--probably because I'm usually not too thrilled about wheat beer--theirs was excellent! I am looking forward to getting back to Watkins Glen and having their beer in more than 2 oz. samples!!!
I've not been to Davidson's since 2001 but I am hoping to get into that area in October so I was reviewing the comments. Apparently the place has lived up to my experience 6 years ago and it will certainly be on my list for this trip. It speaks well of the owners that they check and comment on this site. Other brew pubs/breweries could take a lesson.
I hadn't been to Bullfrog in 6 years but I was on my way home from Philly and decided to stop in. On tap were Edgar IPA, Alternative ale, old treehugger, diabolique, Billtown blond, Williamsporter, inspiration red, and the guest was Church Brew works honey nut. Since I had many about 100 miles yet to drive I only had th IPA and thw Williamsporter. Both were as great as I remembered. Luckly, before I left Hornell, I thought about stopping here so I tossed my growler in the car and cold take some IPA home. 6 years is too long!
I had a great time here on the afternoon of 11 June 2007. I had just come from the King Tut display and fought 3 buses of 10-year olds the entire way through the show--I was in DIRE need of beer. The bartender on duty was great. He knew his beer and had a great sarcastic wit. None of the beers on tap were your run of the mill type beers. My favorite was the Berliner Weisse. They squirt this green goo into the glass and then fill it with weisse--just incredible. Not a style I typically like but this was great. I sat there and had 3 or 4 pints of it (in addition to the others I tried) but all is fine because a) didn't have to drive and b) alcohol is so low on this I could have sat there the rest of the night and drank it. The hoptimus Prime was very hoppy--but one of those that was so hoppy that it was almost sweet. This place is great fun and good beer.
The bar at this place is huge. There was one bartender. There were about 8 of us scattered around the bar. The bartender would just disapear to one side of the bar. I waited about 10 minutes before my presence was achnowledged. I only had two beers--I would have had more but it wasn't that great and I couldn't get the bartender to come and fill my glass. I asked for a glass of water and that's what I got--A glass. Such a nice location and tons of space, what a shame to be so dispointed.
Don't go on a Sunday after 8PM. They are in a mall and keep mall hours. Only bar menue avaiable. The order of wings had 6 of the tiniest wings I've seen. The Prussia's Pride was pretty good, though. The others were nondescript.
I was there on Tuesday 12 June 2007--what a disapointment. The beer was just awful. The IPA tasted like ferminted green been juice--I know as I had a batch of homebrew IPA go bad and it tasted exactly the same way. The nose was fine but the first taste was alcohol and then it went to that icky flavor. I choked it down hoping for an improvemtn with the Pacific pale ale--no such luck. It tasted like the IPA only not quite the harsh alcohol taste. For the third, I had the churchill mild. It was more malty and had a bit of a nutty taste. However, it too had that nasty ferminted green bean taste to it. They must have the nastiest set of pipes coming from their kegs or have gotten bacteria in their yeast cause that beer was awful!
To east I had the Pesto Chicken wrap which came with fries and cole slaw. Well, the wrap was fine. There was one (1) fork full of slaw in the little plastic cup and about 8 french fries on the plates. What a rip off. Pint glass was $6!! It was printed on 2 sides but come on!
