Alternative Brews

AB is a great place to stop in for a nice beer and a cigar. The selection of both is outstanding and the bartenders have been very knowledgeable about both every time I've been there. This is absolutely not the bar to go to if you're looking for a good beer but are sensitive to smoke, because there is bound to be a thick cloud of smoke hanging around this bar any time you go. It'll come with you when you leave too.

This is an enjoyable place for a stick and a drink. The house band that plays Wednesdays is not bad at all and they play stuff that their grandparents and I probably bought when they were first released. Which I can live with.

The proprietor made the road warrior feel right at home and the other regulars were friendly.

And prices were incredibly reasonable. I will be back when in town.

The fifth star comes when he puts in a reasonable walk-in humidor. Until then, I think I'll bring my own sticks as the selection was adequate but lean.

You will smell like smoke. If that surprises you, you have issues the bar can't fix.

WARNING: Wear clothes that you won't care if they smell like smoke after you leave due to the cigar smoke.

Other than that, Alternative Brews is a fun place to hang out. Especially if you are a guy and want a relaxing birthday party to smoke a few cigars and literally have unlimited amounts of selection of beers to drink. (My boyfriend's friend had their 30th bday there). I was very impressed by what was on tap but also what was offered for their bottle selection. Also it is worth to note that beer is half off from 3-7pm. Not sure if this is everyday but it was on the Saturday i went.

The bartender we had was fantastic and made great suggestions. I have learned from reading others reviews that they have also had great service which is crucial.

Overall I would go back again for this very chill place. So yelpers have a cigar and drink some brewskis...

Yes, their selection is better than the average bar. Yes, they have a two for one happy hour (but my bill was still $10 at the 2-1 price for average tasting beers). And yes, unfortunately for me, they ALLOW SMOKING in the bar. Yea, you read that right. Apparently this bar was grandfathered in after the smoking bans and also identifies itself as primarily a cigar shop. As a non-smoker (who loves that bars are smoke free), I think this fact should be more readily advertised on their website.

This place is probably perfect for some folks, but it ain't for me. I will not return here for several reasons: 1. smoking, 2. hours later, me and my gear still stink like my chain smoking ex, and 3. mediocre beer selection. For a place that advertises a wide selection of brews, I was disappointed by their draft list. For $10, I would rather go to Blue Monk and have one outstanding and totally unique beer than a mediocre brew in a bar so smoky that it impairs your taste buds.

The positives: The waitress was friendly, and you could tell that the folks that frequent this bar love it for what it is.

I hate to play the out of towner card, but I was recommended this place by a coworker and again spot on.

Live music, an a**load of beers, great cigars, and a down to earth atmosphere. I'd be a daily regular if I didn't live across the country.

Big shout out to Dan Fishet and all the staff for making me feel like a regular and a great cigar!

This place is for any beer connoisseur and not your typical UB student hangout, which is great when you just want to relax and have a beer you never heard of. The great thing is that they sell cigars and allow you to smoke in the place. Alternative Beer is the perfect name for this establishment because if you don't want the same old crap on tap, this is the place to be, but if you're an immature UB student, stay away, don't want to ruin the experience of others

My ol' stompin' grounds! Happy to see it on here!! Well, if you're more serious about beer than just Pabst Blue Ribbon (YUCK!!!), go to Alt Brews! They really do serve over 200 diff brands of beer. They also sell cigars & the folks that run it are very friendly!

BTW, drink enough varieties of the beers they offer & you'll get a tile on the wall of fame!

I've been going here for years.

What's not to love about a bar that has hundreds of bottles of beer, cigars and the occasional live blues band?

If you want to grab a cigar and go, shoot me a message and we'll go.

Long ashes.

If I lived within a 10 mile radius of this place I'd have issues. Loved the feel of it...cigars, nice whiskey and beer selection and a bartender that knew his Shiite about almost everything.
I'll be back!

This is a great place (as long as you don't mind smelling like a cigar for the next week) otherwise it has great beers, a lot of friendly people and the staff is more than able to pick out a new and exciting beer every time you walk in.