daekr

.
.

PDF Document was moved: https://bit.ly/2ulojle

.
.

If you are visiting Bend and you have every intention of checking out breweries while you are in town, Crux Fermentation Project must be on your list! Not only is it a relaxed, open atmosphere, it is especially family friendly. My husband and I, and our two little kids stopped by for some light food and beer and couldn’t have been happier! It’s a beautiful spot especially for a sunny summer day and the huge open grass area is very entertaining for kids and dogs. The venue has a bonfire and even corn hole set up for everyone to enjoy. The outdoor space was definitely my favorite because of the huge lawn area. Bring a blanket and make a picnic out of it! The afternoon we were there, there were also 2 food trucks which were super convenient. We ordered food from them, but ordered 2 flights of beer from Crux’s main bar inside. The flights were delicious and the service was very friendly and fast! I easily get discouraged with breweries that are too tight, loud and enclosed. Crux is the perfect venue for young families like mine that need space for toddlers to run off their energy. I definitely recommend it to everyone and plan on coming back again next time I’m in Bend!

EagleMonk Pub and Brewery – Menu with Prices – 4906 W Mt Hope Hwy, Lansing

My friend and I went on a quick trip to visit breweries in Grand Rapids and stopped at EagleMonk on the way home. Honestly, their beer was the best of the entire trip! We were the first people there of the day and sat quickly at the bar. The bartender was super friendly and helpful to choose one of many beers on their list. We both each got a flight, and the first beer I tried was my favorite of the whole trip! It was the Instigator, and even though the description said winter, I thought it was still not too heavy. Both of us enjoyed our flights while we hung out chatting with the staff and other patrons who stopped in. Everyone was extremely friendly, and the bartender was helpful to give us information about other breweries in the area and talked with us about other Michigan breweries. He also gave us a few additional samples for free while we waited for him to fill our growlers. The space is a decently sized inside and their outdoor patio is dog friendly and awesome. I was sad that we were just passing through because I would have loved to stay, drink more beer, and eat some of their pizza because it looked and smelled delicious!

Arbor Brewing Company Brewpub Menu with Prices 114 E Washington St, Ann Arbor

I came here for dinner with some friends the other day. The place is very casual and a lot larger on the inside than you’d expect! It was very crowded, and the wait was 40-60 mins. We didn’t mind because we got beer while we waited. I wished there was more standing room space though because it was so crowded it was hard to find space to stand and chat while we waited. Once we were seated in a comfortable booth we ordered more beer. We all loved the beer! It was delicious. I got the sliders for my meal and my husband got the chicken sandwich. The sliders were less than special. They came with onions and pickles on them. There wasn’t much flavor and they weren’t very unique. They reminded me of a burger I’d get at a fast food restaurant. The fries were average. I think the best part was the ranch – it was milky and good. My husband said the sandwich had more bread than chicken, which was disappointing as well. I’d probably only come back here for the beer and go somewhere else to eat. I was disappointed in the food. The menu wasn’t very unique either. Although it was a brewery and I think it’s hard to expect fantastic food from a bar-type establishment. However I have been to other breweries whose food was fantastic. So I think for a place that was this crowded and popular, I’d expect more from their kitchen. The atmosphere was definitely fun and a great place to come with friends for a drink.

Hop Valley Brewing Co – Menu with Prices – 990 W 1st Ave, Eugene

My dad wanted to visit a brewery and try some beer samples while in Portland. Unfortunately we didn’t have the time, so we figured we’d find one that offers beer flights at a reasonable price. I browsed through the many breweries in Eugene, Oregon and came across Hop Valley. They seemed pretty legitimate (from the little I know about beer), and seeing how they make their own beers (in those giant machines?) this place was worth a shot. The brewery is actually relatively large with a ton of parking. We came during off hours on a weekday afternoon and there was a good amount of people. I like how they have an open window that allows you to see all the machinery. The workers were friendly and super helpful as they helped us get started and answered our absurd questions that my sister and I had. You can order flights in 6, 9, or 12 selections. They have a selection of beers on tap that they rotate out every so often. Since I am not a beer connoisseur by any means, their menu with a short blurb describing the beer really helped us out a lot. So we went with 9 beers to try. I believe the price was a dollar something for each one, making it a very affordable flight. Tried the vanilla infused porter, purple cole, bubble stash, mango stash, citrus mistress, hefe, hop valley blonde, reveal, and charmin’ swine. I have to admit that after trying every single sampler, I’ve come to the conclusion that I don’t like beer. And if I ever feel inclined to drink it, I’d prefer something that was sweeter and not so bitter. I think I enjoyed the lighter and fruitier beers. They all began to blend together and taste the same, but I think I really liked reveal and hefe. The beers were served in a cute leaf tray where there were numbers that corresponded to the numbers of the list that you wrote down for the beer. That way you can keep track of what you’ve tried. tl;dr – A good selection of beer and the flight is a great deal. Even though I don’t personally enjoy beer, I thought it was a nice way to end our Oregon trip.

The Riot Room – Menu with Prices – 4048 Broadway St, Kansas City

I came here to see an alternative indie band and the doors were supposed to open at 7pm. They didn’t open until 7:15 and everyone waiting was cold outside. I did will call and it was no problem getting in. The venue was a lot smaller than I had anticipated. I ordered a drink for me and my friend. My beer tasted flat and really off. They definitely need to get their lines checked. I asked for a different beer and the bartender had an attitude. I even offered to pay the difference. When I went to use the restroom, the guys bathroom door was wide open and continued to stay open after people closed it. The ladies restroom is right across the guys so yeah. A staff member also entered the ladies room without knocking, and the women in the restroom were very unhappy with good reason. The concert didn’t start till what felt like forever. Once it did, the concert and the rest of the night went well. It felt more like an intimate concert because the space is small. I would probably not come back here and pay more for a band in hopes they find a better venue.

Boneshire Brew Works – Menu with Prices – 7462 Derry St, Harrisburg

I am giving this place five stars because Boneshire proves that if you make a good product people you don’t need all bells and whistles. With that being said- I can’t really can’t give an honest review of the beer because I am not huge into beer. I wouldn’t know the difference between a pilsner or pale ale (those are beer things, right?). The guy I am seeing loves beer so I have been to more breweries around the Harrisburg area in the past 7 months then I ever have in my life. Boneshire is his favorite *note to self, gift cards here would be a great gift for him* We went together for the first on a Friday night. All the reviews about the location are true. It is in weather worn strip mall & doesn’t look like much from the outside. Inside is a “barebones” industrial style renovation.. is renovation the right word, idk. But you have the brick walls, uncovered ceiling, etc. The staff was nice and accommodating. I never know to order when it comes to beer so I rely on help from everyone around me. Lol. I was able to try a few and pick which I liked the best. Don’t ask me what it was. They have a bunch of games to play but the games need a little TCL. New batteries, some of missing pieces, etc. I know if anyone reading this has kids they are rolling their eyes at that statement; TCL for board games. Overall I would go back if I was with someone who liked beer.

Missing Falls Brewery Menu with Prices 540 S Main St suite 112, Akron

Weâ??ve been to quite a few breweries around the country and we think that we just found our favorite selection of beers! We enjoyed two flights and bought a glass to always remember this place by. The owner took the time to shake the hand of a veteran who sat next to us. You can truly feel that this place is his baby. It shows in the quality of beer and friendly knowledgeable staff. Ethan the bartender was great. Heâ??s the epitome of someone that you want talking to and taking care of your customers. Genuine and personable. Canâ??t wait to come back! Thanks for making us feel so welcomed!

Gulf Coast Brewery – Menu with Prices – 500 E Heinberg St, Pensacola

We are new to the area and love to discover local breweries. Found a Groupon for Beer Flights for 4. We spend a Wednesday evening there for several hours. Service was great, Debbie was attentive and ensured our glasses were never empty for long. The beer was on-point. I’m a fan of Stout’s and the Laid Back Milk Stout is a new favorite find. The variety of beers available made sure we all had something we enjoyed; and all of our taste are vastly different. GCB has cornhole, ping pong and other games available for entertainment. Later in the evening, the place went from a handful of us to a full bar. Even with the uptick in business, our glasses remained full. A definite recommend for a laid back atmosphere, friendly staff and patrons and fun entertainment.

Pretentious Beer Co – Menu with Prices – 131 S Central St, Knoxville

Matt had already established a barometer of quality with Pretentious Glass Co. next door. So when he opened the brewery side, the bar was pretty high…pun unintended. The bar started out as a beer bar, showcasing beer from some of the best breweries in the city and region. Even after they started brewing their own beer, the continued that tradition, sharing their beer selection. Which shows that their business truly does support others. The beer. First off, the beer is tasty and delicious. They tend towards lighters beers (IPAs, Goes, etc) as opposed to Stouts, Porters. I know that can be seasonal, but they still tend more that way. Which isn’t bad, just good to know going in. Those lighter beers are crisp! They also pair their beers to the appropriate beer glass in a way unlike any others…because they literally make the glasses! I also love seeing the glass handles around town at other bars and breweries. It’s an easy signifier of quality!

Himalayan Bites Menu with Prices 1424 NE Cushing Dr, Bend

Up here for my son’s annual lacrosse tournament, and the thing to do while in Bend is going to a microbrewery or tap house after our games are done. This time we ended up at On Tap. It’s a great place that’s very family-friendly and they have a wide selection of beers plus, as seems to be the norm in Bend, they have food trucks; one of which is Himalayan Bites. Wanting something different, I ordered the Shaapta which is a spicy stir-fried beef dish tossed with green onions and bell peppers, seasoned with a variety of Himalayan spices and red pepper, and garnished with fresh cilantro. The dish comes with a nice salad with a vinaigrette dressing and a scoop of brown rice. Included with the meal are two dipping sauces. One is much like a salsa and the other seemed like a cilantro cream sauce. I’m not sure, but I preferred the cream sauce. It was wonderful. BTW, if you like spicy food like I do, when they ask you how spicy you want it, tell them to make it really spicy. Otherwise, they’ll probably dumb it down. When I asked for very spicy, the guy asked me how hot was the hottest I’ve ever had, and when I described a Thai basil chicken I’ve had in the past, plus a Habanero/Scotch Bonnet pepper sauce that I make that has 50 to 60 peppers per quart. He just smiled and said that I’ll really like this dish then. I was not at all disappointed. Though the pepper heat was not that strong, it did build up over time to a pleasant burn. And hey! What better way to soothe the heat than with another beer! The Pilsner I had with my meal was a perfect complement to the dish, but I really loved it with the IPA. The bitterness of the hops really brought out the sweetness in the peppers. Without needing to say more, I highly recommend this truck if you’re over at On Tap. I heard they’re also at Crux, so if I happen to go there, I’ll try a different dish. I don’t think I can go wrong with Himalayan Bites.

Hop Street Lounge – Menu with Prices – 7215 E 22nd St Suite 101, Tucson

The place is really nice and has a great vibe. I tried the beer flights but was not impressed by any of my choices. I chose all the sours, cider, fruit beer, and a few pale ales. I am not a big beer drinker so I thought my choices would be okay but I didn’t love any of them. Out of all my choices I liked the rose cider the most but still it wasn’t the best. I will be back to try the wine and some of the beers in the fridges they have. Its a really nice place but the beer flights just didn’t do it for me.

Badger State Brewing Company – Menu with Prices – 990 Tony Canadeo Run, Green Bay

Badger State Brewing Company has been around since 2013, and already, they have taken up the number one spot for local breweries in the Green Bay area. When there are six total breweries in the immediate Green Bay area, two of them being historical institutions (Titletown Brewing and Hinterland Brewery) and the others relatively new up-and-comers, it’s important for Badger State to continue brewing exceptional beer. The Good: Several things immediately stand out at Badger State. First and foremost, the list of options. There are several standard options that Badger State offers year round, all varying in style and flavor. Where Badger State really shines are with their pilot series, limited release, and seasonal brews. To my knowledge, these are only available in the taproom, so in order to try out some of their best options, you’ll need to visit. They also have guest taps from other independent breweries, and several non-alcoholic options. Another great aspect of Badger State is the physical location. It is located a few blocks from Lambeau Field, so getting to and from the brewery is a breeze. The building itself is huge! There is a wonderful outdoor beer garden where they host a variety of live music, or just as a place to hang out in the nice weather (plus, dogs are welcome!). The taproom is a decent size with plenty of table seating and bar space. Down the hall from the tap room is a small gift shop, great for any beer lover in your life. Finally, there is the event space. I’m not sure on the exact numbers, but it is BIG and BEAUTIFUL. If you are looking for a wedding, conference, or fundraising venue, I would highly recommend you contact their staff and book the space. They are also large supporters of other local businesses and host a multitude of events throughout the year. The Bad: There is only one unfortunate issue I have with Badger State, but it is easily overlooked: Unlike a few other breweries in the area, they do not serve food. It’s incredibly annoying after having a few beers and finding yourself hungry. They serve giant pretzels in the tap room, but that’s it. HOWEVER, it is important to note, there are options. Badger State allows carry-ins for food, encourages folks to use delivery services, and (weather permitting) there is almost always some sort of food truck(s) out front waiting for hungry customers. As they don’t have to balance a restaurant and brewery, they can focus solely on brewing great beers (which they do). The Ugly: It is always great to see businesses succeed, and one measure of that is how busy the brewery is. Badger State has ample space for beer lovers, but the taproom and beer garden can fill up quickly. If you don’t like large crowds, I recommend avoiding Badger State on event days, or weekends as it gets loud and packed. Finally, I’m not sure how often this occurs, but when we went in for our brewery tour, there were quite a few small children in the tap room. I assumed that the tap room would be 21+, but it appears this is not necessarily the case.

Good Word Brewing & Public House – Menu with Prices – 3085 Main St, Duluth

Yay, finally made it here! I have no idea what took me so long to get to this brewery that sits right near my dad’s place in downtown Duluth? I’m actually upset with myself, since I don’t typically pass up breweries but LORD, they are popping up everywhere! So, you see my 3 stars? This is only due to my first visit and it has everything to do with the limitations of beer options and nothing to do with the good food and great atmosphere. Actually, their food here is WAY above par (or is that below par, b/c aren’t golf scores better when it gets in the negatives? who came up with above par and below par anyways b/c it completely contradicts the actual terminology behind golf?). Side tangent, anyways … I dropped in here with co-workers to take one of our VP’s out while she was in town for training. The atmosphere is amazing, love how the place is decorated. It presents a very upscale vibe on the inside and more “brewery” vibe on the outside. Our service was also fantastic. Food – best I’ve had at any brewery. We had boiled peanuts to start with … ummmm, i ATE the shells. They were delicious, and the shell had all the flavor in it. Yes, you can tell I’m southern by that statement alone. We also had another appetizer. Totally forgot what it was b/c i was immersed in my beer selection while they were ordering it. I did take a picture, and it wasn’t bad at all. My meal was the Summer Panzanella salad. It wasn’t huge, but very big on flavor. I’d recommend it! The beer selection was certainly lacking. No stouts, no porters and the ciders they had were not part of the flights. I did both of the guest taps (creature comforts tritonia, classic city lager) and the ohpelia berliner weisser plus donna saison. The berliner weisse was OK, didn’t care too much for the saison. I loved the classic city lager, and ordered a full pour of that. I’m not much of an IPA fan so the other options didn’t interest me as much. I base a big part of my rating on beer selection, so I hope to come back again and change this rating to a 4 or 5 if the selection grows. Otherwise, this place is a great stop! Great food, atmosphere plus other craft drink selections with beer. Look forward to checking them back out in the future.