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Ale House
Categories: Restaurants American (Traditional) Nightlife Bars Pubs American (Traditional), Pubs [Edit]
33 Main StAmesbury, MA 01913
(978) 388-1950
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
53 reviews for Ale House
Review Highlights
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"The beer selection is outstanding." In 13 reviews -
"I got some sort of coffeehouse porter which was great." In 2 reviews -
"The rib-eye/ mashed potato was my favorite." In 3 reviews
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53 reviews in English
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Review from Eric P.
Medford, MA
2/26/2012
This place just gets it right. From the outstanding beer selection to the food to the service, this place is just awesome. We went for the first time tonight on the way home from a long weekend trip to the White Mountains and were very impressed.
Beer: We really love beer and even seek out special bars to find special brews. This place has a huge draft list and an even bigger bottle selection. What's great is they even give a description of beer types and ABV for every beer on the menu.
Food: I was excited to see the short rib grilled cheese on the menu and our waitress mentioned it was one of her recent favorites. She suggested I try mushrooms on it and it was even better. The short ribs were well seasoned without being overly drenched in sauce. She had the french dip and it was just as good. By the way, the french fries are home made and I'm pretty sure the pickles are too since they were fresh and tasty.
Service: Our waitress was friendly and helpful when it came to ordering food and drinks. The manager even came over to say hello and check up on us. Always a good sign. It was clear this restaurant cares about their customers when they put the Oscars on one of the TVs for a couple seated near us.
All in all, a great comfortable atmosphere that was clean and well laid out. If we lived close by we'd be regulars. Too bad. -
Review from Stacey M.
North Andover, MA
5/8/2012
Went to the Ale House on a Saturday nite around 7ish. We didn't have to wait too long for a table so we decided to sit at the bar while we waited. There were 6 of us and 3 open spots at the bar - so the ladies sat - and the husbands stood! We were ignored for probably the first 15 mins we were sitting there...and it was busy - but not 10 person deep at the bar busy. I don't know if the bartender just couldn't be bothered with us b/c we weren't eating at the bar or what - but I hoped that wasn't a sign of the night to come.
After a short wait (20-25 mins on a sat nite) we were taken to our table. The ambiance of this place is great.. Open, 2 stories, great details - and the menu is fun. You can tell that they like to have fun here, don't take themselves too seriously - but take their food very seriously!! We got a few appetizers - calamari and pork and cheddar dip. We finished both plates clean - so yea they were pretty good!!!
Our waitress was very attentive and very accommodating as we had lots of questions and substitutions for our meals. The guys all got the same thing - it was a slider sampler of sorts - 4 sliders - roast beef and mashed potatoes, beef slider, lobster slider, and pork i think....and they all raved about them.. I got the sesame crusted tuna - which was also delish..but then we get to the good part - the dessert....
We ordered 2 desserts for the table - a chocolate lava cake and the smores calzone...which is hands down possibly the best creation ever made!!!!
All in all it was a good time...will definitely be back -even if its only for dessert!!! -
Review from Liz C.
2/23/2012
I love me some Ale House -- crazy good selection of beers, and they've got some pretty tasty, unique things on the menu (Sweet potato quesadilla with figs & maple syrup is unique, but was a little too sweet to eat as an entree), but I usually stick to a few favorites, like the drool-worthy Shepherd's Pie.
But.... and this is the only reason I take one star off... In recent visits, I've noticed the quality declining. When it first opened, the food was spot-on... you could tell they really cared about what they were putting on the tables. Now, I don't know if there's a new cook, or that they can't handle the volume in the new location or what, but the last few times I've ate here, the food has been bland. Most recently, I got the sliders, and the pulled pork ones had no taste, and the hamburger ones were cold. Also, there's no more Guiness Beef Stew on the menu? Booo!
Despite a few minor disappointments they do remain one of my favorite restaurants, and I highly recommend the fried pickles. -
Review from Beth C.
Fremont, NH
5/26/2012 1 photo
Outstanding. Beer list a+++ and food a+++!
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Review from Julie H.
4/21/2012
The place is always super-packed. They have a very decent beer menu but they are quite overpriced. C'mon $7 for an IPA? That's not cool. The bartenders were definitely on their game and very willing to help. The bar is pretty big, but we have never actually been able to get a seat any time we go. We had to stand. The people who go there are pretty yuppie-uppity. I may or may not go back- it hurts my wallet. 2 brews each was over $30.00 with the tip. Eek!
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Review from Eric R.
2/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
Party of 3. Strange.
Forty min. Never sat down.
I'll go back. But... Weird.
A review, in haiku.Listed in: Haiku Reviews
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Review from Gwen D.
Amesbury, MA
4/29/2012
This place is right near my house and my boyfriend and I go there almost weekly. The food is great, better than the spot next door to it, and their beer list changes at least weekly. The beers are always interesting and I love that they are from local breweries. The prices are pretty reasonable as well. The bar staff is awesome, we had a waiter yesterday that was knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the brewing processes and variety of beers.
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Review from Mar H.
Amesbury, MA
Updated - 4/5/2012
Great short ribs. Good place to hang with friends
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Review from Andy B.
Melrose, MA
2/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place is simply incredible. The food is varied and delicious, the beer selection is the best I've seen for a place not called "Sunset Grille", the service was impeccable, and the ambiance was cozy without being deafening. Any place where I can order Breakfast Stout, 3 Philosophers, and Choklat while pairing them with fried pickles, poutine fries, and a kielbasa plate with perogies and bacon-braised cabbage is a must-go every time.
I can't wait to go back! -
Review from D M.
Newburyport, MA
Updated - 2/28/2012
Guess I should update. They have changed locations, much better now, but the food has gone a bit downhill as many can here have stated. So the rating stays the same. Go to Wild Bites, Phat Cats, Molise, or Crave for food in Amesbury, go to the Ale House for beer and beer only.
Better - The atmosphere
Same - The great beer selection
Worse - Food, big disappointment lately1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/14/2009
I'll make this one simple:
Beer: The best selction around, PERIOD. You cannot go wrong if you are… Read more »
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Review from Emily M.
Amesbury, MA
Updated - 2/11/2012
All right, 3 stars really isn't fair. I've experienced enough good food, drink, and service there that I have to upgrade. One of Amesbury's best restaurants.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/27/2011
Been a bunch of times to the Ale House.
They have a great beer selection, of course. Every time I… Read more »
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Review from Greg T.
Haverhill, MA
11/14/2011
I am not quite sure how this place can be so much better than their sister restaurant (Barking Dog), but they are like night and day. We have been to the Ale House a few times, and we were back again this past weekend.
The 4 of us had nachos, onion strings, short ribs, shepards pie, steak frites and fried clams. All were really good, with the standouts being the short ribs (is there such a thing as a bad short rib? I don't think so...), shepards pie and onion strings. We always get the strings, and they are perfect every time. Not too greasy, but fried perfectly.
Dessert consisted of the smores calzone which is a staple every time we eat here. Its just damn good. The chocolate could be melted more, but not reason enough for us not to order it again. We also sampled the funnel cake fries, which were like little bundles of fried dough joy.
All in all, this place is a safe bet if you are in the area. We had a lot of beers as their selection is extensive, and the bill was still around $160. Not bad for 2 apps, 4 dinners, 2 desserts and at least 15 drinks. $160 is totally worth it when you know the meal will not disappoint. -
Review from Pete P.
Methuen, MA
2/19/2012
Been here many a time but the place has started to fall down in my ratings so in the last few visits Im starting to loose interest.
Last night was upsetting. Yeah they boast a huge array of beers etc but they did not have the three that I wanted. They had no Cider from a selection of 2(or more) They did not have any Toffee cake.No apologies what so ever.We sat in a dark corner which is very nice but all other tables had a light over the table. This one did not. When the waitress came over we had to use our phones to see the menu due to her blocking out the light. Next time I will bring a camping light. Please put a light over this table like all the others.
No more unique "kids sticky sticks." The main reason why 5 year olds choose the Ale house when given a choice is because of these sticks but these are no more.
The menu is slowly dwindling to "the usual" fair from others!
This was an evening of "sorry we are out" and we no longer care attitude.
I will savor the good old days! -
Review from Bryan B.
Amesbury, MA
6/30/2011
I just moved to Amesbury and decided to sample some of the local fare. We walked through the center and stumbled upon the Ale House, right next to this psychic shop with half a unicorn in the window. Ok, I'll bite.
We were sat immediately, even when it seemed the whole restaurant was crowded. The beer menu was extensive, including craft beers and mead. MEAD?! I don't care if it is expensive, it is a delicious treat I will definitely return for. I got some sort of coffeehouse porter which was great.
We got a bunch of apps, including the fried pickles, BBQ tenders, fried calamari, and the nachos. The pickles are to die for, plain and simple. The vinegar from the brine mixed with the fry oil, with a touch of sour saltiness. The tenders were like anything you could make at home, and the calamari really left something to be desired. Not a whole lot of flavor, even with the banana pepper rings. The nachos were some of the better nacho apps I've had at a restaurant. Those were the first to go.
The waitress talked us into a dessert, the s'more calzone. This is not a dessert you want to have by yourself, and even with two people, it would be a challenge. The four of us demolished it's doughy prison in the search for a gooey marshmallow and chocolate center, which would put a hummingbird into a diabetic coma. The two scoops of vanilla bean ice cream on the side perfectly complimented the oozing marbled lifeblood of this dessert.
We went back 2 days later with my mother. I had the patty melt, which was incredible. My mom had the fried haddock sandwich which she was also very happy with. -
Review from Elena Y.
Updated - 1/1/2012
Had a cobb salad for lunch and it was tasteless and too expensive. The dressing really had no flavor at all. The frites were good though.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/30/2011
I visited back in October to meet up with an old friend. It was nice to see a cool, laid back place… Read more »
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Review from Jenna M.
Newburyport, MA
7/26/2011
I have been to the Al House for lunch and dinner. The lunch menu was a more limited menu, slower service.
I would recommend going for dinner for the best selection. The service was fantastic for dinner. The lobster corn cakes were fantastic. I was watching all those "cute" little sliders go by, I chose them for my dinner. I am not one to typically order a cheeseburger out, so this was a rarity for me. The nice thing was you get (4) sliders and had your choice to mix-n-match them. The selections were pulled pork, rib-eye with mashed potato, and cheeseburger of course. The rib-eye/ mashed potato was my favorite.
I aso recommend the frites with the blue cheese & balsamic, so yummy.
I will definitely be back here, the dinner menu had so many choice that I want to try.
We parked street-side, I am not sure if they have a parking lot, but parking was not a issue.
PS I am not a beer drinker, but the selection looked amazing.... -
Review from Patrick G.
Boston, MA
10/25/2011
Every time my girl asks me where i want to go for diner, my answer is inevitably "Ale House, Ale House, Ale House!!!" They have such a GREAT variety of beers on tap that they rotate constantly, providing the best selection of imports and domestic microbrews. This is beer lover heaven.
The menu is broad and varied and the food always come out nice and hot. The service at the bustling bar is freindly, but could sometimes be a bit more attentive. The only other knock, is that a place with such a great atmosphere such have music to equal its surroundings. They have an excellent sound system, but lately they are playing too much cheezy 80's hair band junk. All in all, this is the liveliest and coolest place to eat, drink and be merry in Amesbury! -
Review from George L.
Amesbury, MA
5/1/2011 5 Check-ins Here
A couple visits here and I can say the food isn't ALWAYS great but some of it is.
I loved the fried and baked fish. The Salisbury steak wasn't for me and the ravioli dish I tried last year also failed to impress.
Fried pickles? Thank you very much.
The beer selection is outstanding. Knowledgeable staff too.
pass -
Review from Don M.
Epping, NH
1/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
Bartender a bit of an a$$
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Review from Chris S.
Melrose, MA
4/4/2011
Decor:
The bar and adjoining seating were nice and comfortable. They had the fans going which made it a bit breezy inside. It was odd as it was cool and windy outside. They also have a standard seating area that we did not investigate but already had patrons who looked happy so we will give them a pending thumbs up. Low-key but well-done look and feel.
Food:
The beer is why we considered the 40min drive but the food menu is why we actually got in the car. Specifically, the Monte Cristo was excellent. It is on their hangover menu which is served until 4pm. It is served with home fries that are some of the best I have experienced. My girlfriend had the Breakfast Enchilada, which is much more of a breakfast burrito, and it was also good. For a beer focused environment the food quality was well above average and a great value for the money. Portions were more than fair. No experience with lunch or dinner here but will update my post after the next visit.
Beer:
The place is called the Ale House so we had high expectations. Great selection of taps and a nice variety of styles, breweries, and adventure. They also have a wide array of bottled beers. Skis or paddles are available for those wanting to try a little of everything. Is it the largest beer selection? No, but more than enough for 99% of the craft enthusiasts who don't want to drive to Boston to visit Sunset and their 100+ taps.
Service:
Very friendly, knowledgeable, and quick. They really seem to know their beer and that helps when the more obscure beers make it on the list. Food came out quickly and as requested. when it was time to close out they took care of us without a wait.
Pricing:
On the whole, very reasonable. The food seemed like a great value and the beer seemed like it was priced on the average side. The only exception is noted below on the pricing of skis.
Issues:
My only complaint in general is that when you get a ski they charge 1/2 the price per beer for 1/4 the amount of beer. When you finish a ski you will have consumed 1 beer but paid for 2. They explained it upfront so it wasn't a surprise. With that said I am all about value and this seemed like it wasn't.
Other than that the only issue are the plates they use are a little small. We both had food falling off the plate. Don't confuse this with small portions as that is not the case. Plenty of food could use a slightly larger vessel.
Overall:
We are definitely coming back, definitely getting brunch, and definitely drinking more beer.
Cheers,
Chris -
Review from Chris Q.
Lawrence, MA
Updated - 7/21/2011
Went back for dinner with my girlfriend recently, got the same server as last time, and her performance is consistent, plus was cool with the fact we were in a little bit of a rush, and the beer still comes in a glass so that's good. I got the patty melt, she got the clam plate. I have to say i wasn't very impressed with the patty melt, the beef was flavorless and kind of greasy (how does that make sense?), i was a bit surprised, but it wasn't inedible. The clam plate was great though, the breading on the clam is a bit different, a bit crunchier which gave them a great texture. Tartar sauce had great flavor, and so did the coleslaw (and i hate coleslaw!). I feel this is a better weekend lunch spot when you want to have a couple quality craft brews than a dinner spot, but dinner is still pretty good.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/16/2011
just came back from a very pleasant dining experience at the Amesbury Ale House with my girlfriend.… Read more »
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Review from Anonymous F.
Boston, MA
2/25/2011
The thing about this place, is that it attracts a mixed crowd. All in the same dining room you have people wearing khakis, dress pants, jeans and sweat pants. Amesbury is a melting pot of economic status, thus it attracts all types of clientle.
Ive been there for a couple of visits and I always leave satisfied.
For starters, they offer a number of different soups. Their chili is very good and their Guinness beef stew is awesome.
Other starters are their Ale House Belgian Style Frites which is just fancy for saying that they make their own hand cut french fries. Other favorites are their oven roasted wings, nachos and blue cheese buffalo sticks.....thats right, breaded blue cheese sticks thats are coated with buffalo sauce and served with ranch dressing....AWESOME.
For entrees, their signature balsamic braised beef short ribs are good choice. Ive also had the steak frites which was very good, the herb roasted 1/2 chicken and the shepherds pie (not a real shepherds pie, made with short rib rather than lamb).
Despite the fact that the shepherds pie was not a true Irish dish, it was absolutely delicious.
They also offer a great pub menu, speaking of pubs......lets not forget the beer selection. Incredible......from irish beers, to dubels, to tripels....this place has it all. Draft, bottle, pilsner, lager, draught....anything you can think of. That alone is a reason to come back. -
Review from Matt P.
Rowley, MA
10/7/2011
We tried this place a few times. The beer selection is excellent, definitely the best in the area. Unfortunately, that's where the good part ends. The food is marginal, not bad but not great either. The service here was atrocious which was really disappointing. During our visits we sat with empty glasses for quite awhile before the server asked us if we wanted another. Our server was also kind of rude and certainly unpleasant. We won't be back, which is unfortunate considering their A+ beer selection...
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Review from Matt H.
Durham, NC
10/2/2010
The Ale House is fine. I don't mean that as a criticism. In fact, the place offers just the sort of experience you would expect. It just doesn't wow.
The run-down:
The service was decent. My wife waited a bit too long for extra salad dressing, but our waitress was generally helpful.
The menu was NOT as helpful. It's downright confusing. Their burger is listed as a sub-item under 'Club Sandwich.' Huh? There's very little design work here--kind of surprising for a place with such an intentional decor.
Yeah, the decor. It's pubbish--brick, exposed timber... very much standard for the genre, but cozy nevertheless. The new location is nice, too; Amesbury is a pretty town, and the Ale House would make a perfect dinner stop after a day of shopping and exploring. Its large, street-facing windows look out on a quaint, almost European-feeling village.
And the food? Like I said, it's fine. Sandwiches in the $10 range, appetizers a few dollars less than that. I'd say it's SLIGHTLY overpriced, but only by a dollar or two on each item. Still, it's no gastropub--you'll find no specials here, nor many quirky, "foodie"-targeted dishes.
We would come again if we were in town, but I don't think we'd go out of our way. -
Review from Tuck R.
Boston, MA
10/10/2010 1 Check-in Here
Checked this place out based on the great reviews.
PROs: KILLER beer list. If I was just going for beers, this would have 5 stars. Lots to choose from. Not the most I have seen, but the most around. Great atmosphere, cool decor. Loved the fried pickles and frites.
CONs: Sandwiches are overcooked and soggy with grease (I had the pastrami). My wife's grilled cheese was boring, but she did enjoy the tomato soup. -
Review from Rebecca O.
Haverhill, MA
1/1/2008
This new spot in Amesbury recently opened up.
It is owned by the same people who own the Barking Dog in the spot where Tanya's used to be.
The decor is minimal. Lots of windows. A little chilly inside. Booths, tables and a separate bar area.
The food is upscale pub food. The nachos were made with already melted cheese (velveta or cheeze whiz) and soggy. The mini "burgers" were AWESOME. They come in four types: hamburger, cheeseburger, prime rib & mashed potatoes and pulled pork. ALL of them were very tasty.
We will go back and definitely get those again. Worth checking out if you are looking for someplace new.Listed in: Alphabet Soup
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Review from Elaine A.
Medford, MA
4/5/2010
The Ale house is another one of my go-to spots.
This place is a traditional pub, in the "public house" sort of way: They love it when you pack into a booth and order beers all night. No complaints ever from the friendly waitstaff when you're not ordering food(although I overtip when I'm not running up with tab from the kitchen). They even have a lounge-style area with big cushy couches to accommodate and lazy session with you and your friends.
Food: um, deep fried pickles on the menu. That's all you need to get me in the door. Their menu has both standard pub food, and some really classy entrees, done right. Their molten chocolate cake is amazing, too, with raspberry sauce drizzled over it.
Beer: here's the best part. They have a huge beer menu. They have almost all of my go-to beers here: Alagash White, Wachusett Blueberry, Guinness, Sam and Sam seasonals. But, they offer lots of non-standard beers here on tap and by the bottle. Some of my favorites here include:
*Spaten Franzikaner Hefewiezen - I'm a sucker for Hefs.
*BBC Coffeehouse Porter - A great malty mocha-flavored nitro. Creamy and delicious.
*Meantime Chocolate Porter - I love me a beer that tastes like chocolate cake.
*Dieu Du Ciel Rossee D'Hibiscus - a great winey taste, with a flowery nose
Their selection is huge and ever-changing, so come back often and give their different options a try. Fair warning though: great beer sometimes comes with a hefty price. Some of the beers are upwards of $30.00 for real rare specialties that require a lot of craftsmanship, shipping, or special ingredients or conditions. So be sure you're watching the menu prices when you order.
Otherwise, cheers and enjoy. -
Review from Kat H.
Beverly, MA
5/5/2010
My husband had raved about this place so many times that I'd sort of concocted my own idea of what exactly it looked like--a bit of the Wildhorse Cafe mixed up with Alchemy and the Peddler's Daughter's atmosphere.
Not so. Not so at all.
It has an almost ex-Bickford's like layout, but with a bar and a mini-lounge section (couches & all). Plenty of wood paneling, but not in the worst way; large windows face the parking lot & downtown. There's some decor, but it definitely didn't have the pub vibe I was expecting--really, I have to admit, I was disappointed. And if the atmosphere isn't up to scratch, can the food really be all that good?
Turns out it can.
Their beer selection was absolutely superb (24 beers on tap, I think?), and their food is outstanding. Really outstanding. I had their Coconut Curry Chicken Soup, and I very seriously thought about ordering a bowl to take home and have for lunch the next day. Hard core love for this soup--just the right amount of curry, vegetables, chicken, and plenty of coconut, and obviously homemade. Cannot count how many times I've ordered soups in restaurants only to have some manufactured syrup shoved at me...this was perfect even later at night.
The Goat Cheese Salad was also amazing, with a beautiful chunk of obviously-fresh cheese; a good amount of apricots sprinkled around the perimeter of the plate; bright, springy greens; and a satisfactory amount of cashews that I had to chase around my plate for a while. You cannot spear those things!
I got a few bites of my husband's prime rib sandwich, and more than my fair share of his frites--and these are the type that you need some great malt vinegar to sprinkle on them. Deserving.
Our waitress was fun and super-friendly, and the service was quite fast; the band wasn't bad, and thankfully kept the volume to a reasonable level. By the time I'd left, any thought of disappointment had fled my mind, and I could only look forward to the next time I'll be back. -
Review from Mark M.
Merrimac, MA
1/28/2009
I've visited twice so far, and both times were great dining experiences.
On the first visit, I ordered the Braised Shortrib. This was a huge portion of fall-apart-tender beef in a delicious wine-infused sauce. So big, it looked more like a pot roast than a short rib. It was served over a creamy, tasty risotto. For an appetizer, we had the deep-fried pickles. As bizarre as that sounds to us New Englanders, they were fantastic. Slices of salty, tangy pickles dipped in a light batter and fried to perfection, with a spicy remoulade dipping sauce. You have to try it. Trust me.
On my second visit, on a snowy Sunday night, we brought the whole family (3 kids, ages 9 to 14). We enjoyed listening to live Irish music while noshing on food from the pub side of the menu. My wife and I shared the "sliders" and fries - 4 mini sandwiches, which we got to choose among hamburger, pulled pork, or rib roast with mashed potato. The hamburger slider was a little overcooked, but the pulled pork and rib roast were great. A bargain at $9. A tomato basil soup was a bit too sweet and thick, but satisfying. My daughter had a tasty, if simple, cheese quesidilla. For desert, we all shared a slice of dense chocolate cake. A bit on the small side for $6, but so yummy - it was gone in seconds.
But the big draw, for me, is the beer (this is the "Ale House" after all!) They have at least a dozen interesting and varied beers on tap - everything from Dogfish Head IPA to Leffe Belgian Abbey Ale to local favorites like Ipswich Ale. And a "kick -the-keg" special for $3. Plus dozens of bottled beers. Their beer list is published as a multi-page pamphlet. My understanding is that the owners, who also own the Barking Dog down the street, make sure there is no overlap between the beer selections of the two restaurants, both of which are extensive and phenomenally varied. Very impressive!
The only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is because they DON'T HAVE A WEBSITE! What's up with that? I like to check out restaurant menus on-line, to see what their seasonal specials are, etc. It would also be nice to see the latest beer list on-line. The Barking Dog has a website - why not the Ale House? C'mon folks, get into the 21st century!
Update: August 26,2009:
THEY FINALLY HAVE A WEBSITE!
5 stars! -
Review from Daniel S.
Beverly, MA
5/16/2011
One of my newest favorite finds north of Boston is the Amesbury Ale House. It's a 30 minute drive from my place, but totally worth it. I love beer. I mean I really really love beer, and I'll specifically look for any restaurants that serve up craft beer. Amesbury is top notch for their beer on tap. It's always rotating, each week offering up at least 5 newly tapped selections. There's always a cask brew on tap too. (I believe they have 30 taps total, but I'm not positive) The bartender's/wait staff know their stuff. Not sure how to pronounce a certain Belgian, don't be embarrassed. Just point to your beer and and they will say it for you without pretentiousness. They are also very personable, and have good senses of humor. Having hit up most of the "beer" bars in Boston, it's nice not to be met with snotty hipster attitudes. I've said this before, and I'll say it again. Being welcomed with a smile is really important. I don't want to feel like I'm putting someone out by just being there. Luckily this place has friendliness in spades.
The place is big, with plenty of room at the bar if you get there early enough. On weekend nights it's usually pretty crowded, as you'd expect. You'll have to wait a bit for a seat, but the bartender's seem to be great at eye contact, even if you are hovering behind people at the bar. We were giving a 30 minute wait upon entering this past Friday night, but we all had drinks in our hands within five minutes of being there. I like that. I really like the layout/style of the building. Best part of all, it's located right next to a little water fall out back.
The food is quite delicious. The Patty Melt is cooked right and flavorful. Nachos are crunchy and covered in all the right stuff. Beef stew is meaty and good. The steak bomb quesadilla is fantastic. No complaints here food wise. I just tried their smores calzone and it is amazing. I usually don't order desserts, preferring just to have another beer. On future visits it will be a struggle for me to not order this as my main meal. It's just that good. The prices are reasonable for both beer and food.
For beer lovers, I've had Ballast Point Sculpin on tap here a couple of times. Loooooove it. Check out their facebook page, because they always update whenever they tap a new brew. -
Review from Althea W.
Andover, MA
9/4/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Most places either have a good beer selection OR good food.. The Ale house has both! Great tap selection and extensive bottle list. Friendly attentive servers, nice atmosphere and good specials!
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Review from Peter F.
Amesbury, MA
1/8/2012
This is a great place to meet friends for dinner and drinks. The food is great and diverse. Would recommend that you call for a reservation if you are going to go there on a Friday or Saturday night. The staff is alway great .
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Review from Ryan M.
Amesbury, MA
8/16/2011
The food is fantastic, the atmosphere is always friendly and welcoming, and the beer list is simply unparalleled in the area. Great attentive (but not overbearing) service. Grab a Chimay trappist white and some sliders while you're watching a sox game.
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Review from Topher D.
Salem, MA
5/14/2011
Good food, great beer selection, knowledgeable staff (who generally let you sample beers before buying). I'm a fan.
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Review from Cliff B.
Nashua, NH
3/2/2011
The Alehouse is pretty darn good. I ordered the pan seared tuna... delicious. They also make a decent jack & Water - - I will try beer next time. The restaurant is located in an historic building near the center of town - - beautiful interior and super high ceilings.
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Review from Liz F.
Portland, OR
12/18/2011
This place has THE WORST FOOD. I really seriously can't believe it has four stars. I am hoping its because of their rather impressive beer list, which means next to nothing to me now that I have had several very very bad eating experiences here. Take for example the last time I was there. I ordered tomato soup and grilled cheese with bacon. The bread was pretty much raw and the cheese wasn't melted. The bacon was old and slapped on haphazardly. Worse still, I swear the tomato soup they served me was warm (not even hot!) marinara sauce. I have never EVER in my life been so disgusted with a meal. I sent it back, as did TWO other people in my party. For a while their fish and chips had been reliable and I would order them (only ever going at the behest of family members, for the beer of course) but eating their fries now is like being handed burnt potato skins, fried in dirty DIRTY oil. Disgusting. Not to mention the waitress spilled an entire glass of wine on one of my companions. Or the fact that my husband asked for a medium well burger, was served a RARE burger and when he sent it back, they seared the ends of each section of the sandwich and gave it back to him. So it was still rare. They couldn't even remake it. Probably because everyone else was sending their food back too. And just to make this EXTRA clear: I have been to this place many, many times. This is not a one off bad experience review. If you go here, get beer and beer only. You can't even rely on the french fries.
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Review from Nils M.
Amesbury, MA
We love this place, it's our "local". GREAT beer selection, constantly changing, always a friendly staff, and the owners and managers know their regular customers and are always welcoming. Food is good too!
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Review from Jonathan K.
Nashua, NH
1/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
The beer selection is great, it's hard to find a place with a good variety like this on tap north of the city. The addition of wild yeast ales rounds out the constant variety. The food is good as well, cream of celery root soup and shepherds pie are favorites of mine, although some dishes are overpriced for how much they serve. I am a huge fan of the beer selection though and this is my main draw...Southern Tiers "Pumking" being on tap is a treat like no other as was the Troegs "Flying Mouflan"...wish I lived closer
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Review from Felicia S.
Amesbury, MA
Another "go to" spot for us in town when we feel like getting out for a great beer and some delicious food.
We've been fans of the Ale House since they were in their old location up the street, and love the new space. Huge bar, plenty of seating.
The beer selection is huge, my only nit is that I think they are a little on the pricey side. We had 4 beers last night between the two of us, and the bill with tip was right around $40.
The food on the menu is consistent and good - some favorites are their dinner salads - the spicy chicken or the seared scallop. The beet salad is a great vegetarian choice. The ahi tuna entree is one of my favorites - a generous amount of properly seared tuna over wakame and cilantro rice pilaf. Lick my plate clean when I get this one. The steak frite is ordered by my usual dining partner many times and is never a disappointment. Marinated turkey tips are usually moist, and flavorful, kind of comfort food since they're served usually with mashed potatoes and green beans, all good with me!
Similar to The Dog, we've found the menu specials to be hit or miss. The most recent item ordered off of the specials list was a 'hit' for sure - the mac and cheese (which I believe is now a menu item!) -
Review from Jeffrey N.
Salisbury, MA
2/22/2011
Best micro-brew restaurant in the area. Food is average. I would most likely go back to sit at the bar for food and drinks before I went back for a sit down dinner.
