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Allentown Brew Works
Categories: Restaurants American (Traditional) Nightlife Bars Pubs Food Beer, Wine & Spirits Nightlife Bars Lounges Food Breweries American (Traditional), Pubs, Beer, Wine & Spirits, Lounges, Breweries [Edit]
812 W Hamilton StAllentown, PA 18101
(610) 433-7777
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 11 am - 12 am
Fri-Sat 11 am - 2 am
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Late Night, Lunch, Dinner
- Music:
- DJ
- Best Nights:
- Tue, Fri, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Trendy
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
46 reviews for Allentown Brew Works
Review Highlights
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"The Beer Cheese soup was delicious." In 7 reviews -
"A few favorites included the Blueberry Belch." In 2 reviews
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"Fantastic happy hour specials on beer." In 2 reviews
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46 reviews in English
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Review from Kassie N.
Manassas, VA
2/29/2012
This was a pretty decent place! I was particularly impressed by the beer sampler - most places give you a large "shot glass" type of sampler. The sampler here was awesome (someone else has posted a photo for reference). Most of my party enjoyed the "Nutso" the most out of the entire sampler. Beers were priced pretty well, 5-6 dollars for a pint, (3 dollar pint specials) and 10 for the sampler.
The food menu was slightly less impressive. The menu boasts Pennsylvania Dutch style fare. Most of my party had the Perogi Casserole, there were all VERY impressed. A few "complaints" were that there wasn't enough tatziki on the gyro, the garden pasta was spicier than anticipated, the burger was overcooked. All the food options were moderately priced between 8-16 dollars.
That said, the service was fantastic. We were seated immediately, received our drinks and food with amazing timing. Generally with parties of 7 and more, they do not split checks, but the server was very understanding and made an exception, since it wasn't too busy yet. She was very friendly and made great suggestions.
Over all, next time I am in town, I am absolutely going to stop in here again! -
Review from Howard F.
4/21/2012
Having been here several times, and had the same sort of experience each time, decided it was finally time for a review. This is one of the few - maybe only - places I've been and continue to go to repeatedly even though its not particularly good. But (no offense to the fine people of Allentown) there's not a whole lot to choose from downtown, and there is something to be said for a varied menu and fine selection of beer. Also, the ingredients in the food seem to be pretty good.
So a nice selection of good beer, varied menu, good ingredients - yet the place manages to be far less than the sum of its parts. Maybe its the service, which has managed to be consistently OK at best, combined with an attitude that somehow manages to make me feel (every time!) like they think I'm doing them a favor by eating there. And they have a rare talent to screw up something each time (tonight it was forgetting our appetizer) and then be completely unapologetic about it (and of course not offer to make it right in any way).
The bar type food (nachos and wings) is pretty good - the more ambitious stuff is a cut above Applebees. The beer is pretty good and so if you're in downtown Allentown you might well want to eat there. Your meal will likely be OK but you probably won't feel good about it. -
Review from Sara M.
East Stroudsburg, PA
2/14/2012
I wish they would give 1/2 stars... Allentown Brew Works is a solid 4 1/2 stars.
Found the place browsing on Yelp... we were at the Lehigh Mall and wanted something that wasn't Red Robin-esque. AND, we are from the Pacific Northwest and love microbrews, having lived ot here for almost a year, we haven't found a good microbrew place yet, we haven't even found a mediocre one.
Saturdays at ABW is 1/2 price kids meals from 10 or 11-4 and then they had $3 mimosas and bloody mary's.... tempting, but we came here for the beer.
There were 2 1/2 of us, me, my hubby and our 1 year old. We got our drink, app and kid order in right away... Hubby and I both had the sampler. $10 for six 5 1/2 ounce beers, 4 are their flagship beers and then you can choose any other 2. The 4 Flagship beers are Knuckleball (blonde), Steelgaarden WIt (Belgian Wheat), Fegley's Amber Lager, and Pawn Shop Porter. I like darker beer, so I had the Nutso Brown and the Insidous Imperial Stout. Hubs likes IPA's, he had the Hop Explosion and the Hop'solutely. The beer here is very light, I didn't feel completely beer bloated after lunch. Which is a first! I enjoyed all 6 beers, which is a first, I even drank them all, I usually can find one that I don't like. My top two were the Steelgaarden (equivalent of a Blue Moon or Shock Top) and the Pawn Shop Porter. I am generally not a fan of Amber beer, but theirs was good. Hubby was disappointed in the Hop Explosion (said it had a weird taste), but he loved the Hop'solutely.
Look, it's a microbrew place, I don't know if they had domestics, I didn't look- I'm sure that they did- but do you really go to a MICROBREWERY to drink domestic beer water? I don't. If you are of the Bud Light/ Coors Light crowd, give the Kuckleball a try.
We had the Bavarian Pretzels as an appetizer served with their cheddar beer soup, very good. Homemade. So good!
I ordered the meatloaf for our daughter, with mashed potatoes (red ones) and steamed veggies. She seemd to like it. I had the Philly Cheese Steak, it was better than the one I had in Philly and Hubby had the Fairground Bratwurst, and he loved it. Both came with fries, which were good.
Next time we are down in Allentown, we'll probably stop in. Very good food. Very good beer. And the service was good too. -
Review from Kyle N.
Mid-Cambridge, MA
4/13/2012
A hidden gem downtown Allentown. This bar has the best beer selection in the Lehigh Valley and constantly changes up the selection. Pricing is very reasonable, especially during happy hour. Their home brews are almost all great and make you regret ever shelling out for a Bud at a sports bar. It is great that you can come to this bar and actually hold a conversation on a Friday night even though it is busy. The bartenders and wait staff are knowledgeable and willing to engage you in a conversation. If you are a fan of the Bethlehem Brew Works, but dislike the crowd, this place is an excellent alternative.
The food is great for the money and much better than most brew pubs you will find. The burgers in particular are fantastic. They use local beef and it really shows. Monday night half priced burgers is a great deal. -
Review from Ali S.
10/16/2011
I wanted to really like this place akin to Rockbottom or Gordon-Biersch chains, but it is definitely on the same level as them without necessarily exceeding those expectations. The restaurant does have that yeasty smell, which is nice to know this place indeed is a brewery but it is not for everyone.
They had 14 beers on draft, including many variant seasonals. Both of the beers I had were good. Rude Elf's Reserve, a deceptively strong beer where you can barely taste the whopping 10.5% abv. It's slightly sweeter than dry, and resembles a glass of carbonated cognac. It wasn't memorable by any means, probably because I couldn't discern much of a hop layer to it. I followed it up with a Double O'Seven, a homage to Blue Moon with much more substance like a Blue Moon concentrate. This was indeed an excellent beer and I would have to try one next to their hefeweizen to see how it compares.
The beer and cheese soup was highly recommended by yelp, but it was a little too salty for my tastes. I think it would have been more appropriate as a dip for a sandwich than a true soup, which it is for the French dip I believe.
The chicken cheesesteak sandwich was rather plain, not very complex in flavor and not quite a cheesesteak either since it was served on ciabatta.
I give this place 2/5 on the food overall, and 4/5 on the beer, with a 2/5 on overall value since much of the menu is overpriced and they do margarita specials on Friday. Excuse me, a brewery with 14 drafts can afford to do a beer special every night. -
Review from Rachel B.
7/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
This was a pretty fun place to sample a couple of in-house beers and to try some fairly good food. It was better than just bar food.
My cobb salad was great. I feel as though a bad cobb salad is not only a disappointment, but it's also pretty inexcusable. If all the components come together well, with perfectly cooked ingredients, it's a home run, and that's how I felt about this salad. And it was really big -- big enough to take home leftovers.
The bavarian pretzel appetizer with the beer cheese soup to dip the pretzel in ... AMAZING. Wow. Hot and buttery pretzels that tasted more like crescent rolls that just came out of the oven. They weren't too hard and they didn't possess that overly "pretzelly" taste that I really dislike in a soft pretzel. These were from another world.
We also ordered their peanut-butter chocolate cheesecake to go, and it, too, was fantastic.
The service was great, and they had plenty of crayons for my 9-month old to eat ... I mean play with.
So what's the problem?
The beer, unfortunately. We tried a sampler with around 6 beers (can't remember the exact number). None of them were really good. Maybe the wheat beer was, but the others kinda tasted watery and without any real substance or "punch."
I'd probably return if I were in the area (as it were, we were only passing through for a night), but I don't know if I'd order their beer again. Bummer.
P.S. Funny story: I had to slip out around 8:30 or 9 to get something from the car. When I walked back in, there was a velvet rope and a bouncer inside who asked me for my ID! Hilarious.Listed in: Beer Buddies, Something's Brewing
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Review from Isabel O.
Allentown, PA
11/16/2011 14 Check-ins Here
We are here very regularly and it's a go-to spot for us especially if it's later at night and I just don't feel like cooking. Great apps and sandwiches. Pretzels with beer-cheese soup dipping sauce always fantastic, as is the gyro. Funnily enough I really love their chicken salad with apples, walnuts and grapes. I'll go out of my way to order it if it's on the menu. Love the martini menu (really, really miss the martini club!) They do a very nice job having interesting specials and I've noticed in the past year or so the menu gets updated with a little more regularity, which I like. Husband raves about the beer selection. Servers all very nice, happy to support a local spot.
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Review from Christine H.
Columbus, NJ
1/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
I stopped here before a concert on NYE, we were seated right away and greeted by our waiter who explained their beer selections. We had ordered the beer sampler and tasted 6 different beers. The french onion and beer and cheese soups were good. They offer seasonal beers but most of them were sold out. This place is a very cool bar, if I'm ever in Allentown again I would definitely stop in.
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Review from Jess M.
Philadelphia, PA
3/19/2011
Very cool brew pub with a great atmosphere and delicious in-house brewed beers. It always shocks me that the place isn't packed at every second. I think the street parking only (or garages near by) is a bit of a hindrance to patrons.
The house beers are good but I prefer the variety of seasonal that's ever-changing - lots of flavor. The bar tenders are friendly and it's a great place for a quick pint, a dinner party or just a great weekend night out. -
Review from Diane K.
Chicago, IL
2/22/2011
Check out their Sunday Brunch! Cheap Mimosas!
if you attend church, you can bring in your church bulletin and receive $2 off your meal.
Hallelujah! -
Review from Walter K.
3/2/2011
I hit up Allentown brew works on a Saturday night with a crew of hungry and thirsty dudes. There was a small wait for our table, so we made our way to the bar. The whole place was pretty packed, but service was still pretty good. The decor is new and modern, but not memorable. The weirdest thing was the club and hip-hop tunes that were loudly pumping all night. Not enough to annoy me, but certainly out of place.
For beer, the brewpub features ten of their own on tap. Four are their flagships, which represent the bar well. The knuckleball is a great session ale with subtle flavor; a good summer beer and a light 4.2 ABV. The wit was also a nice summer beer, very similar to Hoegaarden. Fegley's Amber Lager went down easy, but didn't have a ton of flavor. Similar to Troegs Hopback. Last of the flagships was the Pawn Shop Porter. It was a bit thin, but had a good flavor and went down more quickly than porters usually do.
My favorite beer of the night was the bourbon aged Insidious. It was a strong, flavorful, well aged beer. The Bushy's Pale ale was a standout as well, a good representation of a West Coast pale ale that is actually balanced instead of crazily overhopped. Brew works offers a beer flight of six 5.5 oz pours for $10. This is an great deal and offers a good sampling of all of the beer available.
We were so hungry that we ordered the appetizer platter to get a good sampling of the food offered. Chicken fingers, wings, and pierogies were all okay.
The app sampler also came with a small order of the bavarian pretzels. They were incredible. Really. The perfect combination of a breadstick and a pretzel covered in a butter garlic sauce. They were so good, in fact, that we immediately ordered a second helping.
For my dinner, I ordered a flatbread: bleu cheese, pear, walnuts, and prosciutto. The combination of these flavor was perfect, and I really loved this dish. Everyone else seemed to enjoy their food as well.
Bottom Line: The pretzels alone are reason to come here. For real. The beer is good too. They have some good happy hour specials as well. Dinner won't disappoint. I'm not in Allentown much, but I still have no doubt that this is one of their best offerings. -
Review from Kris G.
Allentown, PA
3/28/2011 16 Check-ins Here
Hubby and I have been going here for a few years now and we love it. I love their ambience and the chicken cheese steak is my favorite thing to get on the menu. We have tried their specials many times and have been impressed.
This place is OK for kids. They have a kids menu and high chairs with coloring menu. But I don't love coming here with my son for lunch on the weekends. Sometimes the service is a miss and we have waited more than a half hour for food. Anyone with a toddler knows that is not fun waiting in a restaurant. But it is still one of out fav places to go in the valley and we will come here when we have a sitter and can eat and enjoy the beer at our leisure. -
Review from Amy S.
Maplewood, NJ
4/10/2011
I used to live in this area, and frequently went to the Bethlehem branch of this, and now on subsequent trips to visit... I have to stop by for one delicious dish....
the beer and cheese soup. I'm actually surprised that more people haven't commented on it.... it's buttery and goes down so well that you will need a bowl.
i've also had the pulled pork sandwich-- which is really good... and the cheese steaks are done nicely.
The drinks are well-made and taste yummy... and of course they have a great selection of beers and can make good recommendations for you. -
Review from Gary L.
Brooklyn Center, MN
4/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
I had a chance to eat here yesterday and had a great
Philly Cheesesteak. The secret is in the bread, and they nailed it. My mouth is watering now, just thinking about it.
I tasted the porter as it was a bit early for a Bourbon Barrel Stoud and it was delicious. I'd live to return and taste the rest of their very prolific selection of beers and ales. Service was friendly and this goes on my nice find list. -
Review from Megan W.
1/22/2011
Believe it or not, this was the first restaurant we went to after we moved to the LV. It was pretty good - pretty upscale, which surprised me because of the area. The vibe of the place is pretty low-key and there was a really diverse group of people there, all with smiles on their faces which always makes me happy.
Their beer selection is extensive, I am a huge IPA fan and their IPA is really tasty.
Great menu with a lot to choose from, there's something for everyone - carnivores, herbivores, and picky eaters alike. We had nachos and a burger. The nachos were pretty decent, the nachos at Bethlehem Brew Works were definitely better...but I would order them again.
Service was pretty good. Even though this location is closer to us than Bethlehem Brew Works, we still continue to go to Bethlehem. Downtown Allentown is just...well...you know if you live here.
I hear they have a doggy-hour, we will probably check it out once the weather warms up. -
Review from Jennifer P.
Bethlehem, PA
10/24/2011 2 photos
I enjoyed dinner at this restaurant. I ordered the Southern Quesadilla. I don't know if it was cuz I didn't eat anything that day but that must have been the best sour cream I had. And I don't even like sour cream like that. I liked this location more than the Bethlehem one because it was more spacious as opposed to the Bethlehem one which is like a maze to walk through, cluttered and crammed. I believe both locations hold some comedy shows which I think is great. I'm looking forward to trying it again sometime soon.
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Review from Gene Y.
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ
8/9/2011
Stop being a little wussy. Just come to this place! You will not be disappointed!!!
This is a great place to meet up with an old college friend before a concert at the Crocodile Rock down the street.
Pros: Excellent beers all around from Steelgarden, the blueberry, the "copper porter" something, their flagship lager and the "blonde". I'm not a beer snob, but once you have these beers, you cannot go back to the regular crap in the market. Regardless of what economy it is, the $10 beer sampler cannot be beat! They will give you 6 beers to try and they're all great!
The ambiance is quite nice with pretty people from all over the Lehigh Valley area. Pretty people, I guess, makes this place a draw. Wow, nice to be single at this place. Perhaps, it was the beer goggles talking.
Occasionally, they have the $3.00 specials, which includes the 3 tacos with meat. So, if you're on a tight budget during this Great Depression of 2011, you can survive on this along with a pint. You'll have great stories to ramble on for your grandchildren while you're at a nursing home getting your diaper changed by non-American workers.
Cons: It's got a pricy menu for okay foods. Come on, $10 for a regular salad??? What recession is this stupid US government talking about? Recessions should reflect lower prices. Their foods are just okay, nothing to write home about. -
Review from veronika p.
Philadelphia, PA
7/28/2010
My man and I were really looking forward to visiting Allentown Brew Works - we had some time to kill before a wedding and figured that we'd fill up on tasty food and beer before eating who-knows-what at the wedding.
We started off with the calamari, which was decent. Our server ended up forgetting to put the order in for my boyfriend's food, and we had to notify him when the food runner only brought out my salad. He apologized profusely, and said it would be out in a couple of minutes.
Speaking of the salad...it was inedible. I ordered one of their summer specials, a spinach salad with strawberries, blueberries, goat cheese, "grilled" chicken, and a vinaigrette. The spinach looked like it had been sitting out the entire night, and was bruised. It was literally dripped in dressing; I had to shake the forkfull of food before I ate to remove some of the dressing. The chicken tasted like it had been microwaved; there were no grill marks, no evidence that it had been cooked in a pan - it was tough and difficult to eat. It was, by far, the worst salad I've ever eaten in my life.
When my boyfriend finally got his burger (10-15 minutes later), he said it wasn't that bad. The caramelized onions were decent, and it was cooked as he had asked.
I might come back for drinks if I'm in the area, but you couldn't pay me enough to eat their food again. -
Review from Monica S.
1/10/2010
Allentown, on a Sunday night, in the middle of winter, feels like the apocalypse.
Think of a street called something like Main Street or Third Street or Park Street. Then think of a pharmacy or a cobbler or a vacuum repair shop. And finally, envision a single open bar. That's kind of what it felt like.
If the complete and final destruction of the world is in fact upon us, and if our demise begins in the sleepy town of Allen, then at least it's comforting to know that our final hours can be spent in the single open bar...and that that bar makes its own beer. Surprisingly modern for an otherwise deserted whistle-stop. -
Review from Dave H.
10/30/2008 9 photos
Friends and I had dinner here recently.
While waiting to be seated, we stopped in their downstairs lounge (Silk). When the elevator doors opened, we saw a party underway, with a cute entertainer dressed like referee, twirling a sparkling hula hoop around her waist - not sure what was going on , but there were lots of kids around. We retreated, after figuring out the difference between the 1 and 1R elevator buttons.
For an appetizer, a few of us took shots. Our friendly server (Beth) brought out a few Jolly Rancher shots, and the world was good.
For my meal, I got the West End Kobe burger, which had a half-pound patty of "imported Wagyu Kobe beef" (mine was cooked medium) served on a kaiser roll with lettuce, tomato and red onion, with a choice of two toppings (got black olives and sauteed bell peppers). It was solid, with a moist patty, just a bit pricier than expected. My coleslaw side and the jalapenos Beth brought rounded my meal out nicely.
Between the lounge, sexily-lit bar surface, and chill music, the Allentown Brew Works gets my vote. Pay them a visit if you're in the area! -
Review from Joe L.
Allentown, PA
5/27/2008 1 Check-in Here
The Allentown Brew Works boasts several different establishments under one roof - Silk Lounge (basement) the main restaurant (main floor), Biergarten (outside), High Gravity (second floor), Hamilton Room (banquet events). I can speak to the main restaurant and High Gravity.
Main Restaurant: The food is pretty good. Above pub grub, but not the most exquisite dining experience you'll ever have. The menu is different, but on par with, sister restaurant Bethlehem Brew Works. Now, I'm a beer snob. That's where this place shines, and earns its four stars. Great beer, made on premises. The menu features a fixture of standard brews, plus a rotating list of seasonals. I have yet to have a bad beer here. I've had beer I didn't like, but nothing low in quality or without skill. (Pawn Shop Porter is a favorite on the regular list; they had an excellent bock on tap Memorial Day '08.) Fantastic happy hour specials on beer. The bar menu, martinis especially, is excellent for those of you who are not into beer.
High Gravity: I was at a private event at this bar. Nice dim atmosphere (for those of you like me who enjoy crawling into - and out of - a dark wood-lined pub), great looking bar. The beer menu is in-house drafts and exotic bottles, mainly from Shangy's in Emmaus. Great for regional or round-the-world beer tours, or those of you unwilling to part with an insane amount of money for a case of something mysterious at everyone's favorite beer retailer.
On a side note, the Allentown Brew Works is part of a downtown Allentown revitalization project in the former Harold's Furniture Store on Hamilton Street. Built with substantial tax breaks and public grant money, it is a testament to what a tax-payer funded revitalization project can bring. Also, Allentown Brew Works beers are available at Allentown Iron Pigs minor-league baseball games.Listed in: My Neighborhood, Top Restaurants
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Review from George G.
Little Falls, NJ
12/6/2010
Allentown Brew Works has quite an extensive selection of beer they make. Most recently, I had the pleasure of being a vendor at the Allentown Brew Works Craft Beer Festival 2010. The festival Allentown Brew Works runs is the best of all festivals I have been a vendor at to date.
- At 25$ advanced registration, the festival price is very cheap. It is 35$ for late registration.
- Great value for 3 hours of unlimited sampling and free food buffet which includes fajitas (with guacamole even), breaded mushrooms/corn, french fries, etc.
- Vendors are treated well being asked constantly if they need anything such as more ice. Lunch is provided between sessions to allow for networking and relaxing with a pint or two.
Finally, I have also had the pleasure of eating here a few times following Dorney Park and have always enjoyed their wings and beer. -
Review from Vanessa W.
Bethlehem, PA
10/28/2007
Finally made it here after hearing nothing but good things about the restaurant and nightclubs. If you're expecting the super casual menu and atmosphere of the Bethlehem Brew Works, think again. This place has a much more upscale feel to it, especially the menu. I was here for a business event in the Hamilton Room which is more of a ballroom type atmoshpere complete with chandeliers. I had a salad with chicken which was yummy. The apple pie for dessert was only ok though. Service was good. I'll have to come back for a real meal next time.
UPDATE: Had some drinks and appetizers downstairs. A mix of people hanging out at the bar. Food was good. Waitstaff was excellent. Drink was yummy. The event room upstairs was really neat. Two thumbs up! -
Review from Amanda C.
9/29/2010
Seems like the only restaurant in Allentown open on a Sunday. Food was basic but good. I had a decent veggie burger and salad, my friend had a sandwich she enjoyed as well. We shared a spinach artichoke dip that was pretty delicious.
Shared a beer sampler that came with 6 or 8 generous 6 ounce beers to taste. I really liked a seasonal raspberry wheat and a pilsner I tried.
Some ingredients were locally sourced, food was better than the other choices in the area(Applebees and Friendlys), beer was worth trying. Go here if you end up in Allentown. -
Review from Jaime k.
Bethlehem, PA
10/12/2008
I finally checked out the new location after generally describing the Bethlehem location as "Ehhh" with a shoulder-shrug. Usually Bethlehem was just too crowded/had too much of a Banana Joe's type crowd for me on weekend nights.
I liked this location better! Well, let me rephrase - center city Allentown intimidates me a lot more than NYC, and I admire their attempt to revitalize the downtown, but until everything else on Hamilton St. catches up, I'll be clutching my purse and sprinting to my car. But I had a better time here than I ever did at the Bethlehem location.
It seemed surprisingly uncrowded for 8pm on a Friday night, perhaps because the place is pretty big, or maybe it doesn't get busy until later. In any case, we were seated immediately. Our server was friendly and on top of things without being smothering. There were photos of other locally owned LV business and owners on the walls which felt... endearing. The crowd was mixed with sharply dressed singles, after-work at the office groups, and jeans and sneakers sports fans cheering on the game (whatever game it was). This is really a place that can appeal to everyone.
We ordered the beer sampler - only $8 for 6 sample glasses of YOUR CHOICE of beers! I love getting the sampler when I go to a brewery, and this is the first place I've been to that lets you select the beers you want. Our waitress didn't even seem annoyed as we were totally unprepared for this decision and had to quickly read the descriptions of about 14 options.
Also, for those of you on a budget especially, they have a selection of about 6 'house beers' (standards brewed year round) and on Fridays from 5-11pm they are $6 pitchers! You get about six glasses out of a pitcher, so this can make for a really inexpensive night out! They also have many other specials throughout the week, including comedy nights on Tuesdays which I'm dying to check out.
I didn't see any of the other rooms aside from the ground level dining room, but there was a nice atmosphere in the place and I'm excited to go back. -
Review from Lisa G.
8/4/2008
Decent food, waitress was pretty good. But the host wasn't all that. Had a burger, so nothing too crazy. They were able to find some fresh avocado, so I was a happy camper.
I would probably go back if I was ever in Allentown again. But I kinda doubt I'll go there again. The town was pretty dead.
If you're thinking of grabbing a coffee after your meal, you might as well stay at the restaurant, because everywhere but Dunken closes by 6pm. -
Review from Andrew L.
Boulder, CO
6/7/2009
Great beer selection. A few favorites included the Blueberry Belch. Their Hefeweizen lacked complexity but was still pretty good.
A good lunch or dinner for two is well under $40. The beer sampler was a great deal (six 5.5 ounce glasses for $8.50).
The Beer Cheese soup was delicious. Good beer battered fries too. -
Review from Charly J.
Bethlehem, PA
2/25/2010
My hubby & I finally visited the ABW this past weekend. Other than the headache of trying to traverse the One-Way street maze in Allentown (boy I REALLY needed a beer at that point!), our experience @ the ABW easily surpassed our many visits to the Bethlehem Brew Works. The food @ the ABW is MUCH BETTER than the food @ the BBW.
Many of the food selections @ the ABW were similar to the BBW selections w/ a few differences. Their flagship beers were a bit different as well. We each ordered our own beer sampler (6 - 5.5oz beer samples for $8.50), which is available @ both Brew Works. I opted for the chicken gyro, which was a daily special, while my hubby tried the regular gyro wrap sandwich on their standard menu. Both sandwiches were delicious! I even liked the coleslaw better @ ABW than @ BBW (not as watery)!
Even though ABW is farther away from us than BBW, I would rather venture to the ABW for their food & beer & just visit the BBW when I have just a thirst. -
Review from Joyce M.
Allentown, PA
5/28/2009 2 photos
This is a great place for visitors to the Lehigh Valley, especially if you couple your Allentown Brew Works visit with a trip to a downtown museum. America on Wheels or the Lehigh County Heritage Museum are naturals for guys. The Allentown Art Museum more for the ladies. In any case, leave your kids at Dorney Park and explore what else we've got brewing.
They have a lot going on here with respect to special promotions and events. At various times of the month you will see: Martinis and Manicures, Green Drinks, Yappy Hour (bring your dog), Tickle Me Tuesdays (for comedy acts) and, more. Go. -
Review from Shelby S.
Allentown, PA
1/25/2009
Both Brew Works are my default "go out" places, as I like the beers and the atmosphere, two things that I am a sucker for. I dig the food (oh hello bratwurst sandwich with sauerkraut and stone ground mustard) and I can't rave enough about the Neuweiler Ale or the Rude Elf Reserve or many of the other fantastic beers they offer up. I am partial to the Allentown Brew Works since it's closer to me and I can always find parking on the first try.
I also attended a holiday party there upstairs on the second floor (possibly third; I am having trouble recalling) and was amazed at the elegance and warmth of the space. It's high ceilings and big windows were such an amazing backdrop for a holiday party. The catered food was pretty good and the beer, as always, was excellent.
As for the area that it's in, I can only hope that this place helps bring other businesses into downtown Allentown, so it can shake off the nasty rep that it currently has. Downtown has a lot to offer in terms of space and architecture. Clearly, the owners of the Brew Works noticed, took advantage of that and made one successful (and delicious) business. -
Review from Regina K.
Downingtown, PA
6/28/2010
A friend and I met here before a show at Crocodile Rock over the weekend. We each had two pints of the seasonal brew, Blueberry Belch. It was delicious. We split an order of Thai potstickers (sauteed, we had a choice between sauteed and fried) which were delicious and served with a spicy chili sauce. I had the fish and chips (not the best I've ever had, but satisfying) and my friend had a wrap (messy, but good). The waitstaff was attentive, but not annoying. The place was full, but not too crowded.
If I lived in town, I'd probably come here on a regular basis, but as I live in South Jersey, and don't have the occasion to come here that often, I probably won't be back any time soon.
The meal was also incredibly affordable; $30 per person including tip. For two entrees, four beers, and an appetizer, it was an incredible deal. We must have gotten the beers on a happy hour special. -
Review from Ben D.
Elizabethtown, PA
3/23/2009
The Brew Works is great for a night on the town but it is also diverse. They offer a downstairs night club atmosphere and freshly minted wife and I had our reception on the third floor Hamilton Room, which is as elegant as it gets.
For frequent customers, there is a 'mug club,' with various benefits for loyal customers.
The food is great quality, service above average, and various meal options for most budgets. -
Review from Eric M.
Cranford, NJ
5/15/2009
I knew I wanted to go out for a good beer. Allentown Brew Works did not let me down. They brew their own beers and I had a sampler of six of the seven choices. All were delicious, but I would recommend one of their seasonal beers, the Maibock.
The menu was full of dinners from bar food to fancy seafood dishes. What made the difference was the beer symbol which showed which dishes were made with their beers.
I am looking forward going back and will have to buy a growler next time. -
Review from Stephen R.
Hokendauqua, PA
2/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
Delicious beers (especially the Hop Explosion IPA), tasty food (Pear Bleu Cheese Pizza), stylish yet unpretentious atmosphere (there are 3 floors with 3 different bars and 3 different vibes). Also, lots of respect is due to the Fegley family for helping to revitalize downtown Allentown.
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Review from Candi K.
9/28/2008 1 Check-in Here
Decided it was about time that we tried the new Allentown location after having had dinner at the Bethlehem location a few times. I'd heard a lot of people say it was a lot nicer than the Bethlehem location, so I figured it was worth a shot.
It was pretty busy for a Sunday evening anywhere, let alone downtown Allentown. The bar only had a few chairs open, and they were clean out of booths, so we ended up at a high table beside the bar. Our server was generally friendly, though service was pretty slow.
The Fegley's Fondue of French Dip was good...I really like their beer/cheese soup as a dip for the fries & the sandwich, though I don't think I'd like it on its own as an appetizer. My husband enjoyed his pulled pork, but didn't think it was really on par for good Southern barbecue. Our dessert, the cranberry bread pudding, was one of the best bread puddings I've had in a long time. It's listed at $5, but when the bill came, it said $6.50. When I questioned the server, she said it was because of the ice cream (they do charge $1.50 to make a dessert a la mode), but the description clearly states that it is served with ice cream - as did many of the other dishes. They removed the extra charge, but I was a little concerned that they are stating one price on their menu and then clearly charging customers other prices. If you want to charge extra for ice cream, that's fine, but I don't think you should advertise that the dish comes with ice cream and then charge extra for it. I just ordered the bread pudding, not bread pudding a la mode.
Plenty of good beer on tap to choose from, and the Allentown location has great daily specials, as well as great happy hour & late night ones. I don't believe the Bethlehem location offers nearly as much on that front.
I didn't really feel that the downstairs was any more upscale than the Bethlehem location, but it is a lot more roomy. I feel claustrophobic sometimes in downtown Bethlehem when it's busy.
We'd go back, if we were in the area. I'm not sure its worth the extra drive from Bethlehem, though, when you've got a very similar place right in town. -
Review from Pavan G.
Orange, CA
7/31/2009
I came in here once on a Saturday with some friends. We ended up eating here because it was one of the only restaurants open for lunch in the area. When I walked in, I was astounded at how beautiful and well laid out the restaurant was. Plenty of atmosphere, lots of freshly brewed beer. I've been visiting Allentown for a few years now and I've seen this area develop. I remember thinking that a restaurant/brewery like this is just what this area needs.
I sat down with my friends and ordered a beverage. Soon after, I ordered my meal. I ordered one of the specials (lobster ravioli) because I wanted something that would come to our table quickly (I wanted to make sure I could get back to work on time). Our waiter was less than friendly. He actually seemed annoyed at us for ordering food. It actually seemed like most of the staff shared this sentiment. Our hostess seated us but treated us as an inconvenience even though the restaurant was basically empty! My 2 friends got their meals promptly while I waited and waited for mine. After waiting a while longer, and seeing my companions finishing their meals, I asked them to package mine to go because I had to get back to work. I've NEVER had to do this at a restaurant. This was especially annoying because I wanted to believe in this place. The atmosphere and the facility itself are unbelievably beautiful however I cannot forgive a rookie mistake like this. They offered no compensation at all. For me a restaurant is about the whole experience and my experience here was embarrassing. I'm giving two stars instead of one because my friends seemed happy with their meals. If they hired some people that can take an order into a chef and could crack the occasional smile, this restaurant could be closer to shining to its full potential as being a diamond in the rough in Allentown. -
Review from M A.
Rosemount, MN
2/9/2011
Nice selection of beer. Nice variety of food. Like the build your own Kobe beef burgers.
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Review from Ethan A.
Allentown, PA
8/16/2009
The Brew Works is mediocre. Don't let anyone tell you different. The food is pretty good, not great. The beers are decent, not favorites. There's not much left to say after that. I've been there a number of times, since businessmen seem to enjoy taking people there for lunch, and been wholly underwhelmed each time. I won't tell you NOT to go, but I won't tell you it's a must-have, either.
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Review from Rosa D.
Allentown, PA
5/11/2009
This place is a real cool place to visit. If you are a non-smoker, this is the place for you if you want to dance the night away.
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Review from Mike P.
Leonia, NJ
11/6/2008
I spent much of the last week in A-town working on the Obama campaign and this place was a godsend. Excellent service from a well-trained staff. Outstanding food and drink in a relaxing, classy environment. The Beer & Cheese soup is great. All of the craft beers I had were excellent. My highest 'recommends.' This place, in a safe, well-lit part of town deserves to be much more busier than it is.
