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Barley John's Brew Pub
Categories: Restaurants Gastropubs Food Breweries Gastropubs, Breweries [Edit]
781 Old Hwy 8 SWNew Brighton, MN 55112
(651) 636-4670
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 11 am - 1 am
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
43 reviews for Barley John's Brew Pub
Review Highlights
"And the IPA & Wild Brunette beers are top-notch."
(in 7 reviews)
"...serenely sheltered from traffic views by climbing hop vines."
(in 4 reviews)
"There is nothing like hand-crafted beer and cribbage."
(in 7 reviews)
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43 reviews in English
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Review from Kevin C.
Minneapolis, MN
10/20/2011
This is one of my few stalwart places to eat and drink in the twin cities. Food is above average and the chipotle pizza is awesome. In the summertime, their patio is one of my favorite places in minneapolis. Only downside is their tiny but that is also part of the charm.
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Review from Breanne K.
Minneapolis, MN
11/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
"Excuse me, sorry, excuse me... Are you sure this wall can't move?"
Seriously. My bedroom is bigger than this place. During the winter, it's going to be a real squeeze. There is practically no standing room in the bar area. And this makes it kind of hard to really enjoy your delicious beer. For only having 7 tables, they do have a decent turnover. After looking at the menu though, we could only justify ordering appetizers. My draw dropped because I hadn't even imagined that prices would be this high. $17 for a CATFISH dinner?! This is usually the cheapest fish at a restaurant, but for some reason it's pretty damn expensive. I can only imagine that the catfish are force fed a steady diet of gold....
The artichoke dip is unbelievable. I had to fight all urges to lick the bowl clean! And the portobello mushroom app was flavorful and tasty too. The Wild Brunette was a huge hit at our table.
One day when I hit it rich, I will justify splurging for my stomach. -
Review from Christian M.
St Paul, MN
1/25/2012
Great food, the make it yourself burger is amazing and I love that they offer grassfed beef. The beer flavors are very rich and bold, they're great. Very good spot to chill with family and friends eat, drink and have a good time.
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Review from Sam M.
Circle Pines, MN
10/8/2011
Try the IPA ... Yum. Food is very good too. I even liked the mussels here ( and I am not a big seafood guy).
Outside dining in the summer. Also a great place if you like scotch. -
Review from Ashley F.
7/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
After a shitty experience trying to eat at Travail, we somehow ended up here. It was everything we needed, good, simple food with a twist, and friendly service to boot.
The artichoke dip was good, especially with the addition of water chesnuts, which gave it an unexpected texture. The burgers were good, and huge (1/2), and Thousand Hills. The price wasn't bad for what it was.
And for $5 I had an awesome American Brown Ale called Wild Brunette. I got it because I had never had beer made with wild rice, and it was pretty awesome. It was dark and caramel-ish, with a very strong flavor. Also, kind of kicking 7.5% alcohol. One was all I needed. -
Review from Abe M.
St Paul, MN
7/21/2011
I have drunken at Barley John's many times, but this was the first time I've had an actual meal here.
I love catfish and I've had a craving for some good catfish for quite some time. I knew Barley's had some, so I wanted to try it out. It is a little pricey, but worth it. The deep fried catfish was good and hit the spot....nice and crispy! The fries that came with it were good as well.
The kids ate well too with Mac N cheese and the chicken strips. All delicious (I snatched a bite or two).
The growler: Barley John's sells growlers of their beer as many micro brews do. The price of the growler refill really depends on the beer you buy. I've had it as low as $3.50 and high as $13.50. The beers are sometimes a hit and miss, not in taste or flavor, but in availability. It seems the really good ones sell out fast. So get to know what is brewing and coming out of the barrels if you want what's fresh.
Drink up and enjoy! -
Review from Adam S.
4/10/2011
Maybe it's just me, but I don't think the food is up to the standard's it once was. Years ago their fried catfish was amazing, the past 2 times I've had it, it's been dry, fishy tasting, and I'm guessing it simply wasn't fresh. I dont know if I would order it again, sad, as it was once my favorite dish there. The rest of the food is "ok" but not great.
The Beer is still very good. Their bitter is very tasty AND low in alcohol so I don't have to worry about being hammered after two beers. Many of their other brew's are solid and their staff definitely knows their beer.
I would go for the beer and food is only secondary. Worth a stop, but not worth going out of your way for.....A few years ago, this was 5 star to me..... -
Review from Kevin R.
Port Washington, WI
9/13/2011
Great place - interesting menu, good food, good beer selection, great atmosphere... I loved their spicy habenero hummus and their asian peanut chicken salad. It is great to find a place that is not afraid of actually making something have a little heat when they say "spicy".
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Review from Emily S.
Minneapolis, MN
4/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Ok, so the explanation after the rating pretty much explains my experience at Barley John's, "Meh. I've experienced better."
I was excited for a brew pub semi-close to my neighborhood. We arrived, and the place is super-small. You walk in, and there is a bar for maybe six people to sit at, and then the room opens up (a little) for some tabled seating.
I went there for happy hour during the week with a friend, and the place was moderately busy. The server was ok, the food (an appetizer, I can't recall what) was ok, and I guess the beer was good (I'm not a huge beer drinker, so I don't really have much to base my review on).
As the night wore on, people started playing cribbage...odd...but whatever.
I've heard good things about the outdoor patio, but I've only been there in the winter, so I guess I may have to try this place again in the summer, mainly because it's closer than most brew pubs. -
Review from Emily U.
Minneapolis, MN
2/17/2011
We have been trying and trying to go here, and finally ended up going here NOT on a Sunday (because they are closed on Sundays).
The space: very small, a little awkward, low ceilings
The food: The food was alright. I had mac and cheese with bacon, apples, and something else I can't remember. The portion was huge so I couldn't even finish half o fit, but it was good. My dining companion had a burger but complained it tasted too much of fire.
The service: was fine. Our server was actually a little awkward.
The atmosphere: My companion kept commenting on the fact that it was full of "creepy, suburban men." I looked around and did seem to notice quite a few Asian women with older-looking men (no judgments here though, since I am Asian) and just other random suburbanites. And I will admit the company was weird....just a lot of older people. We were the youngest ones there by at least 20 years.
Would I go back? Maybe. But I wouldn't go out of my way to eat there.
Also: if it's a weekend night, call ahead and get your name on the list. -
Review from Dennis L.
St Paul, MN
8/25/2010
Awesome beer!! I wish i could say that like everyone else before me, however i don't drink beer so i did not sample their inventory. Even so, their food is pretty damn awesome in itself. Tried the "J" pizza and one of their specials of the day, the Cajun Penne Pasta.
The pizza was a basic Hawaiian pizza but with caramelized onions and an extra layer of cheese. And for whatever reason the onions made a normal Hawaiian taste a heckouva lot better. How come i never realized that before? The Cajun pasta was full of flavor and had shrimp and crawfish in there for that seafood appeal. The creamy dish definitely got quite the kick in each and every bite.
Going back for more? No question. They had other things on the menu that i really wanted to try out too and if it's as good as the items i've tried already, sign me up as a full time patron of their establishment. -
Review from Jonathan E.
Minneapolis, MN
6/18/2010
As one of the 3 good brew pubs in the Twin Cities, I do enjoy going to Barley John's.
Generally, their food is very good. You need to have a pizza there! Whether a carnivore or herbivore, they have pizzas to meet everyone's demands.
The beer runs the spectrum of ratings. I am generally underwhelmed by their hoppy beers (but I am a hop head). Usually, I am 50/50 on the seasonal beers. However, this is dependent on personal taste. The Wild Brunette (made with wild rice) and the Old 8 Porter are never-fails.
The atmosphere is favorable. Cabin-esque. Unfortunately it is pretty small, so, on occasion it is difficult to get a seat. However, I love the feeling in the bar area. They have 3 little tables that have cribbage either built into the table, or boards available. There is nothing like hand-crafted beer and cribbage! The tap handles are hand blown glass - small, but attractive. In the winter, they have a fire pit on their patio! In the summer, the have hop vines scaling the trellis that closes off the patio from the road. (I am pretty sure they even use these hops in their beer!)
You should definitely stop here when you have time. Just make sure they are open when you want to go. Some hours are limited, but worth working into your schedule!Listed in: Beer Places I Would LIke to…, TTTC
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Review from Andy G.
Minneapolis, MN
After months of talking about going here, I finally made it the other day. I've become a huge fan of micro brew over the last 18 months and I fear that I may becoming a beer snob. Although I will always love a PBR tallboy so I think I'm safe.
I met a friend there for a drink the other night and I must say I was very impressed. Unfortunately they were out of the beer I wanted so I ended up having a porter from another brewer but it was tasty non the less and the bartender suggested it to me. As an added bonus, they don't have any shit macro brews in the joint, only good quality beer.
The bar is quite small and the decor is very northern MN which is awesome. There are no TVs which I also don't mind. They do however have a few tables made from the cross section of some big ass trees and there are cribbage boards drilled right into them. How awesome is that!
I'm definitely going to start coming here on a regular basis. It's my kind of place.
Ok, I think I'm done rambling now.Listed in: My ROTDs, The Places I Go Out, MSP Beer Bars
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Review from Melissa N.
Minneapolis, MN
12/28/2010
I'm not a beer drinker. But the food is fabulous! My favorite is the red pepper hummus app and the soups. Cozy place in an area starved for good, independent restaurants.
The one thing I would change is the noise level. There is something about the acoustics of the rooms -- every time I have been there, whether it is very crowded or not, I feel like I have to shout at the people I'm eating with. It's the thing that deters me from eating there more often, which is unfortunate because I love eating there! -
Review from Jennifer K.
Saint Paul, MN
5/1/2009
This place was pretty good. It had a nice patio and it is right by my house, so we might be back.
I don't drink beer-so I can't comment on that, but I had a great glass of wine, good service, and an enjoyable lunch with a friend.
We shared a small order of waffle fries, and they were hot and great, and they give you a ton for three bucks. I got the half sandwich and soup special, with beef soup full of chunks of meat and veggies and an egg salad sandwich. Egg salad can be tricky, because I don't like celery and forgot to ask about that-so it wasn't my favorite. The bread was soft though-and instead of getting a "half" sandwich, it was served on a little roll.
Overall, it was OK. The service was great-which was nice. There's lots of other places to try, so I'm not sure if I'll be back soon. We were there around three, and it was pretty empty. I heard it gets crowded later on. -
Review from Karen S.
1/31/2010
I would have loved to have given this place 4 stars, but when a brewpub is out of 2 of the 5 of their brewed beers on tap on a Saturday, I can't in good conscious pull the trigger on the 4th star.
What we did drink (Winter Ale and IPA) were very tasty. I was also super impressed with the food. I was expecting just bar food, but there's a lot of interesting stuff on the menu, including several vegan (I know!) options. BF and I split a bowl of the pumpkin curry chicken soup of the day. It was wonderful! Perfectly seasoned, and it warmed us up on a freezing winter day. I had the burger (boring, I know), but liked that I could add grilled peppers and roasted garlic as toppings. BF had the pork sandwich special. Also very tasty.
It's kind of a hike to get out here, but if you're in Roseville and want to try something besides a chain restaurant, come to Barley John's. Like others have mentioned, it's a really small place. Saturday night around 7 every table was full, but there were a few tables in the bar area. Outside patio for the summer too. -
Review from jenny A.
Saint Paul, MN
11/12/2007
The best bar to take a toddler, to, without exception. The staff are friendly and understanding when things get spilled. The beer is cheap and delicious (which always helps when you are with a toddler) and they have a kid's menu that includes more than just chicken strips (home made mac and cheese!) This review may scare away non-toddler bearing patrons, but generally there is enough seating that most people seem to be ok with a few rugrats. The bar food is really good. Pizza's are nice, burgers are excellent and the salads are even edible. When was the last time you had a decent salad at a bar?
Barley John's also sells their beer in take-away jugs called growlers. Their bitter is great, cheap and I like drinking it at home, after the toddler's gone to bed, even more! Hooray. If you are a fan of English style bitter, as I am, it is a real treat to actually be able to find it in the US. The added convenience of Barley John's growlers and the food make it truly one of the little things that keep people living in Minnesota when they could move somewhere the weather doesn't suck. Speaking of weather, when it's nice, Barley John's has a patio that is sheltered by hop vines. Very old world and you might actually forget you are in New Brighton. -
Review from Dan F.
Chicago, IL
2/18/2009
I cannot even begin to express how much affection I have for this place. Sure, it's out of the way. Sure the food is middle-of-the-road. Sure, it only seats about 30 people comfortably (in the winter).
But good golly, the beer cannot be rivaled.
I can't even remember how many times I went here for special occasions, drawn by the potent beer and confident and capable staff. It got to the point that the waitstaff knew what I wanted as I walked in the door. The beer ranges from lighter, more bitter offerings, to the darkest most luxurious porter you can imagine.
If it's possible to have a crush on a certain type of beer, than this is the place to develop one. And for the more brave souls, there are certain specialty beers that taste more like brandy (Dark Knight). Beware when jousting with the dark knight mind you. You WILL lose. So order a small snifter for the table and have all your friends brush your shoulders off for being such a pimp.
Run people, don't walk. I'm telling you, the fifteen minute drive from the cities is more than worth it. If you're lucky, you might end your night writing poetry on a napkin while one of the waitresses serenades you with a compilation cd entitled 'booty shakin' hits.' -
Review from Jim H.
Saint Paul, MN
11/13/2008
Been here many times. Very good food, great beers, and a terrific outdoor seating area. Love to spend cool nights around the fire pit enjoying their specialty beers. Big selection of top shelf scotch, also. Pizza is very good, but so are most of the items on the menu. Kind of pricey. Waitstaff has always been very friendly and helpful. The indoor area is very small so we don't get over here much in the cold weather.
Need to drop it back to 2 stars.
Gotta say that the last couple times have been a bit disappointing. Service seems to be getting increasingly slower. The servers are very nice but seem to forget about you at times. Our most recent visit included hamburgers that were very dry, bland and tasteless. Don't think that it is as good as in the past. Great beers though!! -
Review from J S.
New Brighton, MN
12/18/2009
First ~ It's a BREW PUB, but in reality, it's more like a micro brewery's tap room. Very small and cozy. The bar seats 12! There is a good variety of on-site brewed Ales. They have a world class porter. Their beers are big, 6-8% abv. If you are into fresh ale, this place is a must. The Beer, 5 Stars!
Second ~ The dining room is small, seats about 30. The hamburgers ($8) and grilled pizza's ($14) are very good. The main course selections are good, but a bit high priced for the location. Catfsh $17, Pastas $17, Tenderloin $28. The décor is like an old time "up north" resort. Lots of blond wood.
Third ~ The Staff is friendly and the customers give it a "cheers" warmth. -
Review from Nicholas P.
Minneapolis, MN
11/4/2009
Their Wild Brunette Brown ale is probably the best beer brewed in Minnesota! I went to a beer event at McCalaster College a couple of years ago, and my Dad, Uncle, and I after tasting all of the Minnesota beers, enjoyed the Wild Brunette the best. Sure enough, it won first place later on that day. It's made with Wild Rice and is so amazing.
This place is not what you would expect, first off, it's tiny. They have there own garden in the summer which they use in their restaurant. They also 'can' some of their vegetables as well...I believe. They grow their own hops, and host home brew events. There food is great, especially there burger (gotta get the garlic mayo). There beer is fantastic. The outdoor patio is great with Hops growing all around you and fire pits to keep you warm. What a gem. So glad I know about it and am able to enjoy it. You should definitely go and bring your family, friends, everyone. Make sure you have a sober driver though, because your gonna want to put a few back. Cheers! -
Review from Dolly V.
Chicago, IL
10/6/2008
This place is a gem!
The first time my boyfriend and I came to this place it was on a Friday or Saturday night around 8 p.m. It was PACKED. Then again, it was a really small space. Small, but quaint and comfortable. Surprisingly, we got seated within 5-10 minutes for it being so crowded. Beer was good *according to my boyfriend who has his degree in beer snobbery ;)* and the food was fantastic. We ordered two kinds of pizzas and split them both. Probably the best pizzas I've had at a restaurant. We finished off our dinner with a desert beer. service was great.
The second visit there was on a slow Monday night around closing time. Place was basically empty and the lighting was different *bright this time around* I was expecting a dimly lit place with candles like before but oh well...place still felt cozy.
When we first walked in, the bartender informed us that the kitchen was closing up but he'd check to see if they'd prepare something for us. Luckily,they agreed and we got our two pizzas in no time. Delicious as usual. Service, again, was great! -
Review from Chad H.
Eden Prairie, MN
10/16/2008
I really like this place. I used to go there after work all the time when I worked in Roseville. The beer is homebrewed. They have as good of burgers as I've ever had and the pizza was good as well, everything is made of top notch ingredients. The food is a little on the pricy side though.
But the food is not what I come there for. I like microbrew beer and this place has some good beer. My recommendation will come with a caveat warning however, if you like your beer smooth and flavorless you will not like this place. Microbeer brew has a strong taste and the beer here is the strongest I've tasted at a microbrew (because they only make ales). They even have some very strong, very potent stuff that comes in a snifter glass. I believe it is every Tuesday they pop open a cask and have cask ale available for the night.
The thing I like best about this place is they often set up a bonfire outside on summer and fall nights. I love bonfires and nothing is better than sipping microbrew beer in front of a bonfire. Tucked away up on a hill in Roseville, it is easy to pass by without noticing it. But if you like strong microbrew beer you will love this place. -
Review from Sarah D.
St Paul, MN
4/29/2008
I went for the first time to Barley John's a couple of weeks ago, and I was pleasantly surpised.
It not only features great beers - I'm a pale ale fan - but GREAT food. Though all I had was catfish 'n' chips, it was very tasty, and the soup I chose with the meal was "only" vegetable-beef, but it was the best of its kind I've ever sampled.
The place itself was charming, and we sat at a two-top made from a "ring" of wood with a built-in cribbage board. I have yet to learn; what better way than over some good, home-brewed ale?
I will be returning soon to have more great food and beer...and hopefully we can get there early enough to get patio seating.
*The only thing 'wrong' I could find was the lack of indoor seating - it's a very small place. Well worth it, however! Also, in the summer the place nearly triples in size due to their patio area.
Note to dog-lovers: It's a dog-friendly patio! -
Review from Corey C.
St Paul, MN
8/2/2009
This place is AWESOME!!! I grew up just a few miles from here and when my parents divorced my dad moved within walking distance of this place and for years I watched this property go from a A&W to some run down asian food place...it almost seemed like no one could make anything work there, till one day.
I'm not much of a drinker but I did sample a few of their beers, and I have to say some of the best tasting beer I've ever tasted!!!
But regardless of the great beer which seems why a lot of people go there...I'm here to review their food!!!
The grilled pizza, AWESOME! Me and my girlfriend split a pizza and a burger.
I wouldn't have thought it, but the Barley John's Burger is going on my "Best Burgers" list at number two (Can't beat the nook) it was awesome!!! Its just your typical burger and fries, no out of the ordinary toppings on it, but WOW it tasted like they cooked it on a charcoal grill and not some nasty gas grill.
The pizza was awesome too, we ordered the "Pizza H" which consists of spinach, artichoke hearts, and goat cheese cooked on a grill. I tend to like softer and thicker pizzas, where this was a thin and crispy one, but I tell ya it was the best thin and crispy I've ever had!!!
I highly recommend getting a pizza or a burger, what beats pizza/burger and a beer?
Also, the waiter staff was awesome, very knowledgeable about the beer, food, and they never missed a step.
Great place for a date!!! -
Review from Mac R.
Minneapolis, MN
5/10/2010 1 Check-in Here
I've been going here monthly for years with a group of 4-6 people. We always order the burger or brats and a lot of their wonderful brews. The burgers are excellent, worth every cent. And the IPA & Wild Brunette beers are top-notch.
As the other reviewers mentioned, it is a small pub, but cozy. There is a lot of room on the patio and you'll get some shade from the home-grown hop vines growing behind you.
Overall, it's a bit pricey, but they produce some outstanding food & beer. For me, I'll stick with the in-house brews during happy hour & the burger as they've never let me down. -
Review from Peter K.
9/12/2009
This place is kinda weird but I guess in the end, it's pretty darn good considering where it's located.
I say that I think the place is weird because the ambiance is that of a local townie bar (there's seemingly no attempt at giving it a certain "look" whether that be trendy or rustic or anything; it just is what it is). There's a nice outdoor seating area -- not much of a view (unless you like looking at a parking lot) but hey, it's better than nothing.
You come here for the beer. I had an oatmeal stoat -- *really* tasty. They seemed to have a good variety of beers they brew in house and other interesting beers on tap.
I ordered the rigatoni. It was okay but nothing to write home about. The food was a bit on the pricey side (high teens). Since I haven't tried anything else, it's hard to say the restaurant is overpriced in general but at least the rigatoni is.
Normally I would give a place three stars after an experience like this but since finding good beer is a high priority for me, the excellent beer that can be found at Barley John's makes up for their overpriced food and the townie bar feel. -
Review from Brandon W.
St Paul, MN
3/25/2011 4 Check-ins Here
Fantastic!
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Review from Stacy S.
La Mirada, CA
10/27/2009
Beer - A++
This place is excellent. I was on a beer tour of Minneapolis for the weekend and we decided to make Barley John's our first stop on the tour.
Barley John's is not ordinary. The food is great (had the cheese bread for our breakfast) and the rest of the menu is on par with almost every affordable upscale brewpub out there. The place was empty when we arrived, but quickly filled up over lunch.
This is not your typical crowd of brewpub people. There were a great deal of midwestern moms and their daughters, couples, and people who didn't even order beer. Tragic. The beer was incredible. I would highly recommend getting a sampler to taste the extraordinarily different flavor profiles from this brewer. He tends to go off the beaten path with Wild Rice, Rye, and pure craziness.
The bartender was awesome and saw how much we loved the beer, so she encouraged us to try all that were on tap. Took a growler for her troubles, and went to the next stop wondering why we left in the first place. I could easily have spent the whole day getting myself canned and loving life. -
Review from Kevin M.
Minneapolis, MN
7/9/2008
I am a child of the north woods. Though I grew up in the city, my heart has always been with all things pine-smoke scented. I make an annual pilgrimage to Grand Marais MN on the North Shore of Lake Superior. Barley John's reminds me of all this. Inside, it is pleasantly decorated with knotty wood and tree-ring cribbage tables, but outside is what matters. You sit in the middle of a semi-industrial suburb on a patio that used to be a fast food parking lot, but with the vine-covered lattice, cast-iron fire pit and locals BSing and playing music around the flames, you forget that you're only a ten minute drive from MPLS.
And the beer. I can't speak about the food, but eat well first, then try this little tour: Their Little Barley Bitter is a lovely start to the evening, a classic bitter ale, hoppy, but not too forbidding for the uninitiated. Move on to the Old Eight Porter - named after the U.S. Highway that still runs through downtown New Brighton, an old stockyard town, it is crisp but dark, with just enough bitterness to speak of the town's past. After that the Wild Brunette wild rice brown ale has a great earthy finish that will compliment the woodsmoke coming from the firepit out front, and if you're feeling adventurous finish off (before calling your cab) with the Dark Knight. It's the Old Eight Porter, but double fermented and aged in bourbon barrels, served in a snifter at 13.5% ABV, and with all the complexities of a really good whiskey. Your tongue will never look at craft beer the same way again.Listed in: The Winners' Circle
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Review from Maess N.
Eagan, MN
Updated - 8/27/2009
Sorry just had to update this to get it above the uninformed 1 star review that was put in. Its a micro brewery for god sake, not a high end restaurant, perhaps certain reviewers should take that into account when they take their spoiled Boston posteriors there.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/3/2009
I've been frequenting this place for almost 10 years now.
Their house brewed beer is always great.… Read more »
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Review from Cassandra M.
Saint Charles, IL
8/6/2010
I just have to admit, I was not expecting to like this place enough to give it 5 stars, but it was close to our hotel, had gotten good yelp reviews, and my boyfriend felt like having a burger, so I wanted to check it out. I ended up loving it more than he did! I got the Grilled Tempeh Kabobs to eat, and to drink, a Little Barley Bitter. The kabobs had tempeh, red and green peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, and onions. They were so delicious! We ended up getting a growler of their Nut Brown Ale to go too.
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Review from Jennifer A.
Ramsey, MN
5/28/2010
This is a new favorite. After a few word-of-mouth recommendations from friends, we finally stopped in for dinner tonight.
Beer: Best maibock I've ever had. Crisp, fragrant, perfect. My husband enjoyed his IPA, nice and hoppy.
Scene: Speaking of hops, we had a great seat on the patio overlooking the organic vegetable garden, serenely sheltered from traffic views by climbing hop vines. In addition to a beautiful sunset, did I mention the organic vegetable garden?
Food: Habanero hummus to start--I'm pretty sure this was homemade, with just enough heat to keep it interesting. Delish. Finally, a place that's figured out the dip-to-dipping-apparatus ratio! Plenty of pita triangles, grilled and sprinkled with something yummy.
I had the roasted vegetable sandwich with heavenly goat cheese on their FANTASTIC bread/bun/brioche?, and the pub fries are much better than average. A lot of veg sandwiches are bland, funky (too much mushroom or eggplant), mushy, or drippy = an afterthought on the menu. This was exceptional. Portion size wasn't insanely huge, not tiny, just right. My husband's burger looked like something from a photo shoot, with actual tomatoes (not the grainy gross fakers we usually get this time of year) and another kickass bun.
Service: A+ -- very professional waiter, cool tattoos, told me a bit about the tomatoes, peppers and squash they're growing when I asked, and he seemed to be working the whole restaurant by himself.
Other: You can sub organic brown rice pilaf for fries (?!), organic greens on the burgers, killer-looking pizzas and salads, too. Can't wait to try their homemade salsa, too. The folks behind us ordered some awesome-looking kabobs with the rice (it's an appetizer) and raved to us and the waiter about how much they love them, telling the waiter they'd better not take the dish off the menu. I'm trying that next time.
Speaking of, can I go back tomorrow? -
Review from Michael N.
Minneapolis, MN
2/13/2009
Great place! I've only been here in the winter and it's kind of small and can get loud but it has a good atmosphere; the beer and food are both excellent. The wild boar is delicious - the Dark Knight Returns, 13.5%ABV! I'd like to come back in warmer weather since they seem to have a nice patio area.
Listed in: BEER
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Review from Vanessa B.
Minneapolis, MN
8/18/2010
Great beer, friendly staff, large outdoor patio. The beer is inexpensive ($4) for how awesome it is.
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Review from Genya D.
Arlington, VA
1/9/2010
Went here with a group of six people on a Friday night. It was very crowded (lots of people standing waiting for a table) and extremely noisy. Very difficult to carry on a decent conversation. Not a place for a relaxing, leisurely or romantic dinner on a weekend.
The food was very good (had a hamburger and their wonderful waffle fries, and a portobella mushroom app) and very affordable. If you ask, they have a sampler flight of all their beers (but not on the menu). Their Wild Brunette Brown ale is very good.
All in all, a good place. Just be prepared for a wait and a noisy environment. -
Review from Andrea B.
3/16/2010
Come here for the beer. Stay for a nice bonfire outside on a summer night and great service. The inside is small, so if you want to seat a group in the bar, you'll be disappointed. The place used to be an A&W drive-in, so the inside is really limited, especially when you realize they're brewing a lot of beer in there, too. If you're into homegrown beers, this is your place. Also, if you're more of a liquor person (as my friend is) they pour a stiff drink here, too. The bartender is kind of aloof, but he does his job quickly. I hear good things about the food, too.
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Review from Mike C.
Shoreview, MN
6/23/2009
Great things come in small packages! It's tiny and it is a bar, restaurant and a brewery with really good food and great beer.
There are hop bines growing on the trellis just outside off the patio area.
The staff are friendly and patient. Prices are good and portions are just right. I loved the waffle fries, crisp on the outside and moist and tasty on the inside, try them with mayo the way that the Dutch and Belgians eat Frites.
Highly recommend this as a casual eatery with really good brewed on the premises beer and also guest beers. They have a very extensive array of single malt whisky.
Try it you'll be glad you did. -
Review from Jess L.
3/5/2010
This place is one of my boyfriend's favorites. He recently introduced me to it, and I can't wait to go back. I also can't wait to try one of their beers. I wasn't feeling up to snuff when we went. :/ My favorite server from the Chatterbox in Minneapolis works there, too, so that made me happy. :) The food was spectacular, and the decor is fun. I love the tables made out of Barley John's tree with built in cribbage boards. Can anyone teach me how to play for next time?
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Review from Aaron W.
Minneapolis, MN
4/28/2010
Other than the bitter, the beer is top-notch...especially the Anniversary Ale. I was surprised at how good the food is...just beware the Spicy Chipotle Pizza...they aren't kidding around! The place is small inside...so it's best to head over on a nice evening and enjoy the patio.
