Brewpubs That Suck

[CrookedTail]

There's a sports bar near me that serves all beers in frozen schooners. I remember loving that 10 years ago when I was ordering Coors Light, but when I order a Stone IPA I don't want it to come to me partially frozen. Other than that it's a great place, I just need to remember to ask for a room temp glass.

At the same time no bar (and especially no place that brews their own beer) should serve beer in a glass that's came straight out of the dishwasher. Why don't you pop it in the oven for a few minutes while you're at it?

Rinse the damn thing with cold water before pouring beer into it. Warm beer tastes like crap.

 

[Grinnan5150]

I'm in the western burbs, but not sure which one you're talking about...in what city is this brew pub located?

It is in Geneva. I don't like naming names because I don't want to hurt local business, but I am really not a big fan of their beers. Others may like them, but they all taste sour and infected to me.

 

[ReverseApacheMaster]

There's a small chain here in DFW (Humperdinks) that has a few decent beers but most are mediocre at best. Some of the beers used to be very good but quality has gone downhill. Last time I went all the beers were ordered came out flat. We would tell the waitress and ask for a different beer. Same thing. After 2-3 attempts she said another table said the same thing before (so why keep bringing them?). I told her there was a problem with the CO2 and they probably needed to adjust the regulator. She told me the kegs all come carbonated so it was probably the main brewery's fault. So nobody fixed the problem and we left. Haven't been back since.

 

[Grinnan5150]

There's a small chain here in DFW (Humperdinks) that has a few decent beers but most are mediocre at best. Some of the beers used to be very good but quality has gone downhill. Last time I went all the beers were ordered came out flat. We would tell the waitress and ask for a different beer. Same thing. After 2-3 attempts she said another table said the same thing before (so why keep bringing them?). I told her there was a problem with the CO2 and they probably needed to adjust the regulator. She told me the kegs all come carbonated so it was probably the main brewery's fault. So nobody fixed the problem and we left. Haven't been back since.

I have been to Humperdinks on business. 4 years ago the beer was very good. I was there last year and would agree with you. Now it just has that sports bar BMC feel to it.

 

[bcgpete]

I hate when a brewpub has really ****ty food. I know it's about the beer, but in my opinion good beer is much harder to make than good food. I'd rather go somewhere with no food and expect nothing but peanuts/pretzels (and order a pizza) than go somewhere with a menu comprised of frozen stuff tossed in a deep fryer.

But if the beer is good I'll usually go back anyways...

 

[planetscott]

I feel so fortunate. Every brew pub I visit in my area is great. Certainly, some beers are better than others,and not every style is my favorite, but I have never been disappointed. The one time I was kind of disappointed was when one of the brew pubs hired a new brewer, then forced him to brew a bunch of beers in a hurry so they could have a coming out party for him. Several had diacetyl in them. I gave him a couple of months and damn that beer got great. So sorry to read that some of you have had numerous bad experiences.

 

[Grinnan5150]

If I ever hit the lotto I am going to open my own brew pub that will not have a "Blonde" for the BMC crowd and the menu will be all pit BBQ and pizza. Guy Fieri would certainly stop by to film a spot for DDD.

 

[vtchuck]

I have yet to encounter a lousy brewpub here in Vermont. A couple of the bigger brewers.. like Long Trail and Harpoon have pubs right on premises, so you can tour the facility, have a brew and lunch.

 

[jfrizzell]

If I ever hit the lotto I am going to open my own brew pub that will not have a "Blonde" for the BMC crowd and the menu will be all pit BBQ and pizza. Guy Fieri would certainly stop by to film a spot for DDD.

This! And no waitress will be allowed to say things like "this beer is like Miller Lite" or "that beer is similar to Blue Moon" or "it's a pale ale so it's really hoppy".

 

[theredbeard]

They just need to add "Artisan ale project" to their name, and idiots will fawn all over them, and talk about what wonderful complexity their sour beers have.

Are you making a jab at jolly pumpkin?

 

[planetscott]

this! And no waitress will be allowed to say things like "this beer is like miller lite" or "that beer is similar to blue moon" or "it's a pale ale so it's really hoppy".

awesome!

 

[PhelanKA7]

Yeah, there's a few sub-par brewpubs in Metro Detroit. But it balances out by the great ones, like Dragonmead.

The only one I got to in Detroit while I was there was Motor City Brewing Works. I thought it was pretty good. I loved their cheese/bread plate selectionand and there beer wasn't half bad. But the clientele was beyond annoying. There were some hipsters that I assume were Wayne State students incessantly banging their spoons on the table like they thought they were God's gift to improvisational jam bands. I realize that drinking establishments aren't going to be places of quiet contemplation but that kind of racket shouldn't be allowed anywhere.

I'll have to check out Dragonmeade the next time I'm up in da hood.

 

[mattmcl]

I will gladly choose to live in a world where mediocre and bad brew pubs exist as long as I have the opportunity to experience the wonder of discovering those that are gems with great beer and a great atmosphere. Most of you must be too young to remember a world without micro/craft brews and brew pubs. Relish the choices available to you.

This. Also I'm spoiled, living in Boulder CO. I have yet to experience a bad brewpub here, even statewide. Of course, having the Brewer's Association and AHA down the street helps. Now, I've certainly had sub-par food at a brewpub, but I can live with that.

 

[RainyDay]

The one in Santa Rosa was Russian River which makes awesome beer anyways. I think that was more a complaint about them trying to make money off of people. Which it was confirmed that it was a "business" that was supposed to try to make money. I am about to move to Seattle and am pretty excited for the brewpubs up there. I am currently in Chico where Sierra Nevada definitely takes very special care with serving there stuff properly.

The beer culture is one of the biggest reasons i've stayed up here so long. You're in for a treat.

 

[Nateo]

Are you making a jab at jolly pumpkin?

I wouldn't know, since I've never had their beers. If their beers suck, then yes, I'm talking about them.

I'm a big fan of sour beers, don't get me wrong. I was at a beer bar (also nameless) who had one of the Bear Republic beers on tap (Red Rocket, IIRC). Either the keg or the lines were infected, I'm not sure which, but the restaurant knew about it, and were serving it as a "special, one-off" sour beer.

I also generally think it's a red flag when people call themselves an "artisan." That's what other people will say about you if you make good beer.

 

[UnDeadPresident]

This. Also I'm spoiled, living in Boulder CO. I have yet to experience a bad brewpub here, even statewide. Of course, having the Brewer's Association and AHA down the street helps. Now, I've certainly had sub-par food at a brewpub, but I can live with that.

I agree. I'm down in the Denver Tech Center, and there are plenty of great brewpubs around the whole Denver-Boulder metro area. Don't let yourself be fooled though, we have our share of sub-par places, they're just a MUCH smaller percentage than in most cities.

 

[RiffMagnum]

There's a small chain here in DFW (Humperdinks) that has a few decent beers but most are mediocre at best. Some of the beers used to be very good but quality has gone downhill. Last time I went all the beers were ordered came out flat. We would tell the waitress and ask for a different beer. Same thing. After 2-3 attempts she said another table said the same thing before (so why keep bringing them?). I told her there was a problem with the CO2 and they probably needed to adjust the regulator. She told me the kegs all come carbonated so it was probably the main brewery's fault. So nobody fixed the problem and we left. Haven't been back since.

Have you been to B.J.s off of I-35 and Heritage Trace Parkway? It's basically in Keller.
I haven't had the house beers yet, but they have a pretty amazing selection of craft and import beers.

 

[troyp42]

I havent been to one brew pub that has served bad beer and Ive been to a lot of them. Some arent exactly a beer I personally enjoyed but none were bad.
I think maybe because it costs so much to get started and run a brew pub here in Aust with all the local council bull$hit, governement red tape and then excise tax on top, that they need to make sure their product is a premium to keep people coming back.

 

[pstrohs]

Most people suck at their jobs. That's a fact no matter what industry it is. Most restaurants suck. Most brewpubs suck. Most people don't really care if their beer is bad, so the sucky brewpub can usually stay in business.

I agree that if it's worth doing, it's worth doing right, but for some brewpubs they just see the high margin on house-made beer. Never-mind the additional capital expenses and labor.

+1
When my wife and I try a new restaurant or brew pub we usually go in with low expectations with an off chance that we will be surprised with good service/food/beer.

 

[the_bird]

I have yet to encounter a lousy brewpub here in Vermont. A couple of the bigger brewers.. like Long Trail and Harpoon have pubs right on premises, so you can tour the facility, have a brew and lunch.

Madison's, in Bennington, has been about 50/50 for me - both food and beer.

 

[mxpx5678]

There is a brewery in downtown Oakland. My God it could be so great. It is old as hell and really beautiful. It is in a great location and very convenient.

I don't think they have ever cleaned their lines. They have Pliny on tap (the only place near my work). I've ordered it twice (months apart) and both times it tasted absolutely horrible.

I refuse to go back.

What one is that? I have been to beer revolution which is awesome and pacific coast brewing which is meh.

 

[mxpx5678]

I agree. I'm down in the Denver Tech Center, and there are plenty of great brewpubs around the whole Denver-Boulder metro area. Don't let yourself be fooled though, we have our share of sub-par places, they're just a MUCH smaller percentage than in most cities.

I was in englewood,co last week and went to lone tree brewing. They had decent beers but nothing good. Their kolsch was full of esters and their hefeweizen was fermented too hot. Their stouts had no body. It was sad because they could be good with a few tweaks.

Everyone else got their IPA which they seemed to like.

 

[whitehause]

Man....after reading all this I feel so lucky to have a place near me that is outstanding. It's called Union Jacks Inn on the Manatawny in eastern PA. It's not a brew pub per se as they don't brew anything there, but an average of 400 different beers available, the bartenders are all knowledgeable(all have been there 8yrs+)and know what to recommend given your preference, they serve them in the right glass at the right temp, and will even tell you when one of the regular craft beers on tap doesn't seem up to snuff( it happens from time to time).I think a big part of this is that the owners really enjoy beer, and will have tastings with the staff and discuss what everyone thinks of a new beer. If your ever in the area, give em a try.

 

[doctorRobert]

Don't you hate it when you go to a brewpub and order a beer only to get a beer that just isn't that good?

I went to a place over the weekend and ordered their IPA. I had to send it back it was so bad. The beer either had an infection or their lines needed cleaned badly.

The second beer was just ok. Both mine and my wife's beer were fairly flat and had no head whatsoever. They obviously don't know how to balance their system.

It was just sad. If you're going to run a brewpub, at least bother to know what the hell you're doing.

Not all brewpubs are run by homebrewers "living the dream", but some schmuck with money that thinks it could be a good investment, and doesnt know the difference between lager and ale. and hires careless workers to make their product.

 

[jonmohno]

Lot of "average-ness" around here,and some above avereage-ness- ocasionally greatness once in a while.Kinda reminds me of my beer.

 

[whitehause]

Not all brewpubs are run by homebrewers "living the dream", but some schmuck with money that thinks it could be a good investment, and doesnt know the difference between lager and ale. and hires careless workers to make their product.

LOL....love the signature!

 

[illini0250]

Stockholm's in Geneva, IL, has an ambitious food menu that they don't always pull off very well, and their beers all have the same sour taste, no matter whether you're drinking a pale, a stout, or wheat. I went three times, and all three times I disliked the beer. It has been a good three years since I went there.

I like the place. I have been there, and they'd be better off without the house brew and maybe specializing in local micros. The food is very good in all my experiences and a nice atmosphere. I consider it a restaurant that happens to have some homemade beer, not a real brewpub.

 

[eanmcnulty]

I like the place. I have been there, and they'd be better off without the house brew and maybe specializing in local micros. The food is very good in all my experiences and a nice atmosphere. I consider it a restaurant that happens to have some homemade beer, not a real brewpub.

I agree about the environment. I really like the room. When I said the menu was ambitious I meant that I wasn't sure they could always pull it off and still have fresh ingredients. Some of the dishes were excellent and some seemed half-assed.
I didn't care for the beer at all.
Also, I want point out that I haven't been there in over three years. Things may have changed. I really WANT to like it. The room is very nice.

 

[Taypo]

Have you been to B.J.s off of I-35 and Heritage Trace Parkway? It's basically in Keller.
I haven't had the house beers yet, but they have a pretty amazing selection of craft and import beers.

BJ's and Humperdinks are both pretty meh, at least in my experience. If I'm going to a brewpub, I'm going to try the house beers. If I'm going to order a bunch of someone else's beers, I'll just go to the Flying Saucer. Saucer on the Lake is pretty rocking, and I avoid the Addison spot because of the crowd in that town. Its too bad the Ft Worth spot is so far away, I love the rooftop bar.

 

[Fly_Rodder]

We only have one "brew pub" here - they're ok, good, not great. Middle Ages, Ommegang and Saranac pretty much rule the taps elsewhere.

The single biggest thing a pub (and this isn't limited to brew pubs) can do to improve is to clean their damn lines on a regular basis. I travel quite a bit and have to stop in different places. I have some favorites and I have some "never agains" and the quickest way for a place to get on the never again list is to sell me a $5-7 draft through an infected line. A distant #2 is flat beer. Beer flavor and character is #3. Not cleaning lines and flat beer is a sign of laziness and not caring about the product that they serve. Flavor and character can improve if it's a brew pub and they're new.

There is a restaurant close to my office that was renovated by a TV show last spring. They pared the food menu down & cleaned up the place. We went there to check it out and grab some drinks after work and the lines were filthy. Never again.