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Woodward Avenue Brewers
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11 am - 2 am
Sat-Sun 12 pm - 2 am
- Delivery:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night, Lunch, Dinner
- Music:
- Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Mon, Fri, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Yes
- Coat Check:
- No
- Drive-Thru:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Hipster, Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
134 reviews for Woodward Avenue Brewers
Review Highlights
"The raspberry blonde is amazing."
(in 24 reviews)
"Sundays is $2 pints, Mondays is half off food."
(in 27 reviews)
"love the photo booth they have."
(in 10 reviews)
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134 reviews in English
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Review from Xian Shane H.
Royal Oak, MI
1/10/2012
Pretty good beer. I've taken a look at a couple of their bar food plates, pretty legit for bar food.
The rasberry blonde is tasty and dangerous.
The WAB is a perfect place for a casual get-together (again). one of the places where you can walk in, sit down, get some drinks and chill out with friends. nothing crazy. no lines either.
simplicity is the essence of an awesome drunken fun night. and WAB knows that. -
Review from Evan M.
Howell, MI
12/28/2011
How can *anyone* recommend the food, let alone the Tex-Mex? I ordered a chicken burrito -- hold the beans -- and decided to splurge by "making it deluxe," which promised to douse the burrito in enchilada sauce, cheese, and red corn chili. Fast forward 35 minutes, and the burrito arrives: good size, yes, but there's barely any sauce on top; what's there is blatantly watery. Cheese was sparse, and looked unmelted -- a sign of the lukewarm temperature within. Chicken inside had decent flavor, but there was barely any cheese packed within, and I had a hard time spotting rice.
I get this isn't supposed to be fancy. I get that this isn't supposed to be gourmet. I understand that it's pub fare. But does it have to be mediocre? At these prices, it shouldn't be. When Chipotle, of all places, can serve a fresher, better tasting burrito for $3-$4 less, this was beyond disappointing.
As for the environment? We arrived 7 pm on a Wednesday, and ended up waiting about 44 minutes for a table for four. Server rarely remembered to check in, even when repeatedly walking past our table with empty drink glasses piled on the corner. While walking out to put more $$ in the parking meter (who knew 2 hours wouldn't be enough just to eat?), noticed a foul smell emanating from the bathroom at the top of the stairs. "Out of order," read the sign; I don't even want to know why. -
Review from Hymae W.
12/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
I love this place. Got order out from here the other day. Some supreme burrito, it was a 8.5/10. I also got a growler of there vanilla porter which was also great idea. Somehow my tap came to ~25 bucks tho which seemed high. I will be back again though.
Ohh, there parking kinda sucks. But what else do you expect for the area. -
Review from Ashley M.
Updated - 1/28/2012 4 Check-ins Here
New beers! Woo-hoo! They now offer an IPA instead of the pale ale and an improved hefeweizen. More reasons to love WAB!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/12/2011
Love love love WAB. We eat here most Monday nights for their half-off food. I'm in love with their… Read more »
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Review from Frances D.
Ferndale, MI
12/30/2011
Terrible terrible beer. I cannot say this enough. Vanilla porter and raspberry wheat being the worst - obviously brewed using too many artificial extracts. I live down the street so if I find myself here, I drink the guest tap. Food isn't great, either, but if you're into the hipster scene then this might be your spot.
If this place was BYOB, it would be awesome. -
Review from Ian E.
Ferndale, MI
1/28/2012
I have really mixed feelings about the WAB. I love the space, the feel of the bar and patio and always receive good service. The beer is just ok. The food....disgusting. I keep seeing people say it's "ok for bar food", but I don't understand how the food here can be described as "bar food". Bar food to me is something like Sneakers, New Way or Tony's. The WAB is a full on Bar AND Restaurant. I can't defend the food at all, even with the 1/2 off Monday special. The food was always bland and often times made me sick. I refuse to eat there ever again, but I wouldn't say no to meeting friends for a beer or two.
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Review from Alexandra K.
Astoria, NY
1/4/2012
I agree with my brother, Haroun K. It's all about the ambiance. Menus made out of license plates, quirky music and wait staff. Not the best drinks -- though large servings -- and I'll take his word on the food. Added bonus? I had an AMEX deal, so while the bill was $12.50, I only ended up spending $2.50. Not too shabby. Would definitely come back.
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Review from Brian M.
Livonia, MI
12/7/2011
The goods: Great spot, right on Woodward. Place was busy, but sat down right away. Very clean dining room, with a cool vibe. License plate menus! Beers are good with growlers available to go. :D Rueben was good, but slightly on the small side. I suggest a "pint-o-rods" for an app. Cheap and tasty, with 3 kinds of mustard to dip your pretzels in. Service was fast. Prices are good.
The Bads: Normal burgers are not on the menu? (Guess I have to go to the Emory for that.). I liked the beers on the guest taps better than their beers.
The verdict: I've been here on several occations through the years, and never had a bad time. Good food, good beers, good service. That said, I feel like this place could be so much better than good, but they aren't. Oh well, maybe someday. -
Review from Erica M.
Ferndale, MI
12/5/2011
Don't like the food. Don't like the beer. Love the WAB. Do you follow?
The food is boring and just kind of "there." Granted, this is much more forgivable on Monday nights, when they have half off all things edible! On these occasions, I go for the Turkey chili or the taco salad...something that will lay a good base for the...
Mediocre beer. Don't get me wrong. I'll drink it. It's not that it tastes especially bad, it's that it always gives me the WORST hangovers the next day. Not sure if it's their keg system or the beer itself, but even just one of these and I am dragging a** the next day.
In spite of all of the above, this place really does have something about it. It's cool without being too cool. You can show up in a dress or yoga pants. Nobody cares.
Sitting outside for happy hour in the summer is the best.
And the jukebox is Awesommmme. -
Review from Chris D.
Boston, MA
12/3/2011 3 Check-ins Here
WAB is a brilliant gem in a scruffy setting - and it shines. The upstairs / downstairs arrangement with the Loving Touch pool hall makes it even better.
The basics are all there: The beers are solid, but not genius. The Fall Ale had some sort of haze issue, which the bartender noticed and swapped out for a better one without me even asking. The pale ale is solid and tasty as well. Foods are all accounted for, with a generous thought given to vegetarians - unusual for pub fare. I've never had anything less than solid, friendly service here.
I really enjoy watching people. The clientele are broadly "hipster," but with a wonderful Detroit edge. 20 somethings, 30 somethings, and a few 40+ folks mingle, chat, and drink their worries away. Obscure music plays, and wireframe christmas trees hang from the ceilings to celebrate - perhaps - some pagan holiday known only to Ferndale. -
Review from Brion R.
10/6/2011
"I'm not always in Detroit, but when I am, this is the place to go"
I was here the day it was born (I mean opened). I've always enjoyed the wonderful craft brews in a variety of flavors and the good, solid food. Since then, the successful owners have expanded to own many other nearby establishments.
Summer in Detroit would be incomplete without a Growler from the WAB. Or hanging outside and have a bite and their delicious beverages. the WAB is like an an old car, maybe it doesn't have the latest gizmos, it won't win you any races, but damn it is comfortable to drive.
Tips: Rarity of the good jukebox. Raspberry Blond Beer is and Amber beers are top. -
Review from Kristin G.
Royal Oak, MI
8/4/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Beer=mediocre, Food=mediocre. But I keep coming back. Why? I like the casual feeling of the place. It's easy. It's fun. I've had some really great nights out with friends here. If you want a spot to meet up with a friend and catch up on things, it's a great spot. They have a nicely stocked juke box and a pool table & photo booth. Their "thing" is license plates, which are peppered all over the walls and even the menus are made with them. It's location is perfect: on Woodward just south of 9 mile. Right in the heart of Ferndale.
Mondays rock, they have 1/2 off all food items after 4pm. My hubs and I like to split the "Topopo" Salad. It comes in a GIANT mixing bowl type salad bowl. It's salad greens mixed with black beans, jack cheese, tortilla strips and salsa. The dressing is really nice and creamy meets tangy with tomatillo and avocado. It's not going to blow your mind, but it's tasty and a great price for the amount of food you get.
As for beers, my "go to's" are the Custom Blonde and the Ruby Lager. I'm not a big fan of sweet beers but lots of my gal pals like the Raspberry Blonde. Give em a try, decide for yourself!Listed in: Watering Holes, Dance Monkey Dance!
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Review from Jennifer B.
Ferndale, MI
9/12/2011
During my most recent visit (09.10.11) my date ordered the chicken and avocado quesadilla, which was incredible. (The table next to us actually interrupted our conversation to ask about it because it looked and smelled amazing.) Disappointing was the bruschetta that I recommended. It was served on toast. You read the correctly - not a nice Italian bread or French banquette but a piece of toast that you would use to prepare your kid's PB&J.
THE BOOZE
I like that they carry local stuff though I always get the beer.
* My date got the raspberry blonde to start and it tasted mostly of rasberries. A little fruity for our taste.
* I love the ruby ale and it's all I get.
* The pale ale is also pretty tasty.
The beer menu isn't as extensive as other area microbrews but for the price, location (walking distance from my house!) and overall vibe, it's worth coming back.
PERFECT DATE LOCATION
I've found this is the perfect 2nd date location, or perfect place for a nightcap. (Example, during a different visit, a date and I had dinner at Anita's and two beers at WAB to cap the evening.) The atmosphere, good service and pretty decent menu make it a great place to be yourself and get to know someone.
GROUPS
I've also been with a group and found that just as fun and the staff as accommodating. In this case, it was the micro-brew meeting group so I didn't know anyone particularly well. One person drank too much - he was quiet but slurring his words - and I was impressed that our waiter was attentive enough to cut him off. It saved all of us the challenge of that conversation. -
Review from Chad O.
Royal Oak, MI
12/15/2011
Mmmmm...Hefeweizen, other than that average in my book.
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Review from Joe B.
9/13/2011
I know a lot of people are crazy for the WAB but I just can't get on board. The food is actually really good for bar food and the portions are generous - so 3 stars there.
The beer is just not up to par, sorry to say and perhaps that's a bit harsh but it all seems a little one note. I like some serious diversity in flavor backgrounds and a willingness to get a little crazy from time to time. The raspberry blond is one of the better beers but I'd like something more adventurous out of them. So 2 stars there.
That being said, I concur with Kristin G., the ambiance is pretty chill, a little hipster but it has a cool Motorcity vibe to it with all the license plates hung. The downstairs open air seating is pretty cool too-a good spot for a first date and it's refreshingly busy on a sunny afternoon. The upstairs has a pool table and a cool vintage photo booth while the seating is along huge windows that overlook Woodward. Very cool! 4 stars here. So I'll stick with the 3 stars for the whole shot since the owners have began a small monopoly in the area and I really like the Emory and the Loving Touch. -
Review from Jessica S.
Detroit, MI
5/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
Yeeeeesh, WAB.... what happened?
When I lived in the Ferndale-area, this was like, our default spot on Monday nights. The bartender was an acquaintance of ours, it wasn't terribly far from the house, the prices were decent as was the beer selection, they have pool tables, food, that funny little photo booth and an alright jukebox.... not a bad spot to hang.
Admittedly, it had been about 2 years or so since the last time I had set foot into the WAB. Not for any particular reason; it just hadn't come up on the list of "Places to Go" within our social circle. We got in a little after Midnight on a Wednesday evening a couple of weeks ago. The place was DEAD. Literally, 4 other people in the whole place-- 2 of which were friends of ours that we were meeting there. Whatever. Not a dealbreaker by any means. We all grabbed seats at the bar and ordered drinks. I was pleased to see that the Raspberry Blonde was still on tap, and happily ordered a pint of my old favorite, as well as an order of the chips and salsa (Garden Fresh, yeah!) for our group to nibble on. (If it would have been earlier, I would have opted for the taco salad. OMG, with a little extra dressing, so yummy!)
The service was spot-on, the chips and salsa were delicious... the beer? Ugh. Wow. Definitely did not taste like I remembered. I nursed my pint for about an hour and 15 minutes, just trying to make it through. (Awoke the next morning with a nasty headache as well :( After one beer... whaaa??) The little photo booth seems to have seen better days as well. Took 20 minutes for our strip of photos to develop, and when they did come out, the ink was smeared and the photos were so dark you could barely see them. That thing needs some serious service work done, or it just plain needs to be put out to pasture.
Extra creepy points for the short, brown-haired guy who spent most of his time either behind the bar, seemingly glaring at us (maybe the 6 of us coming in ruined his plans to go home early?) or walking around looking pissed off. Oh, and he actually locked the doors on 2 of us while we were outside smoking-- after we specifically asked the bartender if we could go outside and smoke and not get locked out, seeing as it was right around last call. We had to call one of our friends who was upstairs sitting at the bar to come down and let us back in. Kinda rude there, chief! (That's right, I called ya 'chief.')
Props to Masha for the great service. She's the only reason this isn't a 2-star review. Other than that, a very disappointing experience. -
Review from Anna S.
6/30/2011
The WAB is oookkkaaaaay. It's not great. I don't really get it. I've lived in Ferndale for over 5 years and we've been here several times. The 1/2 off food on Monday was the big draw, but we hated battling the crowds, and frankly, the service and beer isn't great-enough to warrant the battle.
Since I enjoy my fried foods, I could never figure out why they didn't have fries and that's a turn-off. I was OBSESSED with the taco salad for a while and then I had a saddening epiphany. Allow me to explain:
The taco salad is tasty - it's lettuce, tomatoes, black beans, seasoned ground beef, cheese, tortilla chips and 1,000 island dressing. I LOVE this combination, and I kind of longed for it weekly. Until recently, I went back after a long stint away, and another girl I was dining with also had the salad. While eating, she exclaimed, "it's just like a Big Mac!" Then it dawned on me - there's nothing "special" about the salad, really. It's just a familiar combination of flavors that already go together. Not that that's bad, or wrong. But it just took the air right outta my balloon and I realized that the salad was just good in a generic, I-already-recognize-this-flavor-combination kind of way.
I've just never been impressed with the service or the beer, either. The service at The Emory is much nicer. Again, it's not a bad place, and I would go back; I just don't feel it's anything to write home about. -
Review from Rachel B.
Well, it certainly didn't help that we visited the WAB on possibly the most disgustingly humid day of the year so far. But I did really like the garage door that opened up and let the breeze roll through. We were covered, but it felt like we were sitting outside.
I really enjoyed my Hefe Weizen. But then I got reeaaally sleepy afterward. What?! Reading other reviews has brought me to the conclusion that something about this brewery's beer is making people feel hung over after only 1. I did also try my sister in law's Raspberry Blonde, and it was just ok. She loves the Vanilla porter, and were it not 90 degrees outside, I might have opted for that too.
Food was not too great. Nothing to scream about.
The service was fine, but certainly not friendly. I took it upon myself to grab a high chair and return it when I was done (not sure if that's protocol, but when you work in a restaurant and you've got nothing in your hands and are waiting on no one, and you see someone with a kid in one hand and a big-ass high chair in the other, you should probably help. Just sayin'!)Listed in: Something's Brewing
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Review from Nickie P.
6/2/2011
We went there last night and enjoyed being able to sit outside. I ordered the Raspberry Blonde, which had a nice, light taste. My boyfriend tried the mead, but we were both disappointed...it was advertised to be like sangria, but was not nearly as tasty or sweet as we thought it would be. He got some sort of porter after, which was pretty good and had a nice chocolatey aftertaste. We also had a pizza which was just fine.
All the drinks were very cheap, which was great. Overall, I'd say the food and drink here isn't anything too exciting, but I would go back just to sit on the patio and have a drink in the summer air. -
Review from Andrea H.
Royal Oak, MI
11/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
The beer was awesome....but the French dip sandwich, not so much. Hardly any meat and no cheese!
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Review from Andrew R.
Garden City, MI
5/16/2011
Not bad, but not too great
I always seem to have a good time when i come here, but it has more to do with my friends then the bar itself. The beers are good, but they don't rotate their selection enough/at all. The food is OK, but nothing really to talk about. Finding a seat here is always a pain in the ass, no matter how big or small your party might be and the waitstaff ranges from great to horrible. -
Review from Chris L.
Allen Park, MI
10/31/2011
WAB has awesome brews. During the fall the pumpkin beer is phenomenal. Food is great as well, I am a fan of the pretzel stick/mustard assortment.
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Review from Annette J.
Dearborn Heights, MI
12/21/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Family confession: my Grandma likes a good growler from WAB. But who can blame her? When I told her I was going out to WAB for lunch one day she asked me to bring her some beer. What can I say? She likes a cold one now and again. So a beer was delivered and she's a fan!
I too, am a huge fan of WAB. One of my favorite spots to grab a bite and a beer and hang out. Love the crowd that trickles in, their commitment to the community (loved hitting Crafternoons there for a drink and some handmade shopping and their sponsorship of DIY Street Fair makes the event), and the super swell staff.
The food isn't out of this world but it's great bar food. Tasty, filling sandwiches, great pizzas, and the most garlicky chicken nachos I've ever had. For realzies. These nachos? They're awesome. I don't do spicy so anyone looking for a plate of real zingy nachos may be disappointed but the chicken on there is so delectably garlicky, it was love at first bite. And 50% off their menu on Mondays? Hot damn. Nachos for everyone! The beer selection is great. Big fan of their raspberry blonde. It's even better on a warm summer's night on the patio.
The space is awesome. Plenty of room to chill out both at the bar or at a table. Photobooth (was out of order last I was there but hopefully that will be repaired soon), pool table, and a killer jukebox playing some sweet rock and roll both local and beyond. Lovely decoration for the holidays right now too (love the hanging christmas trees!). The crowd is great, not annoying or bro like. And did I mention the staff is swell? They are. Kevin, Staci, and Paula in particular are just gems.
WAB is a totally kick ass local bar with tasty, cheap eats, good beer and good tunes. Love it!Listed in: Garlic is Grand!, Brewhaha!, B'gock!, Fun in Ferndale
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Review from Cate W.
Ferndale, MI
9/24/2011
Dear WAB,
I like your raspberry blond beer, and I like your patio. I like your afternoon drink specials and I wish I liked your food. I know it's bar food, but being the sister restaurant of the Emory, knowing they're capable of those burgers, means you ought to step it up a little. I recently ordered your beef burrito, after asking the server her impression ("It's really good!") and was completely underwhelmed. When it arrived it was cold and virtually spiceless. The cheese was cold inside of it. I didn't send it back because it was 8:30pm and I'd been expecting to eat supper around 7pm (e.g. I was way too hungry to complain).
WAB, when I order a burrito, even a faux Mexican burrito, I am expecting something in the way of seasoning, and your dish was lacking. Furthermore, one of your employees said it was good, which makes me wonder whether something is wrong with me or with you. Since hunger is the best sauce (this isn't mine, but someone else's maxim), I'm going to say something is wrong with you. Sorry. I liked the description of the chicken and avocado quesadilla, so maybe I'll try that next time and write a retraction. For now, maybe jazz up the burrito? -
Review from Brian A.
Let me give it to you straight: If it wasn't for the half-off Mondays, I probably wouldn't come here unless invited.
The beer is just mediocre; I fully admit to being spoiled by Kuhnhenn's in Warren (true masters of the art), so other local microbreweries just end up tasting "homemade" rather than truly "crafted."
That said, I'm a fan of their well-chosen guest taps. The other night I had Delirium Noel, which was phenomenal. The in-house brews? Meh.
I've been here four times, and all four times I've received what I would describe as "perfectly mediocre" service. The staff is friendly and non-pretentious, but they are inattentive and easily distracted by friends/regulars. I've had several situations now where I was waiting for quite a while for some sort of attention, and I noticed my server was chatting happily with others. When you DO get attention, they're very nice and perfectly professional. 50/50.
The food is really uninspired. I have yet to discover a dish that wowed me. The feeling I get is "I could have made this at home." The menu makes things like the "Tuna Bacon Grinder" sound very exciting, but what you end up with is GFS tuna with too much mayo, served on a bun with a slice of bacon.
After four different attempts at finding a "wow" meal, I'm settled on a solid three stars.
WAB is the very picture of perfect mediocrity. -
Review from Wally S.
12/14/2010 1 Check-in Here
I really didn't get to spend much time here but from what I did experience, WAB was OK. Their pale ale was good and a pint hit me in the head quite quickly.
The food on the other hand as dea a. mentioned was "meh". The pizza looked real good, but tasted very generic.
When I'm out in Ferndale again, I'll give this place another go. -
Review from Kristee B.
Detroit, MI
7/6/2011
When I turned 21 and didn't know much about beer or care much about food, I loved this place. I lived up the road, and it was an easy hike and a fun place to hang out on the weekends. Since I've learned a few things, I don't think the WAB is much to write home about. For me, it lost its luster when I found out that all their food is frozen and then microwaved. And their beer...meh. It depends on the batch, really. I've had great Ruby Red Lager, and I've had nasty Ruby Red Lager. The brewer is very inconsistent. I'd say their biggest claim to fame is their Custom Porter. You can't really go wrong with that one, unless it's a 90-degree day, because who wants to drink a porter on a hot day? They do have a great patio and also some nice window seating upstairs, but otherwise, meh. Just meh. Oh, but Monday is half off food night, so if you like half off microwaved food, do it!
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Review from Tara Z.
8/5/2011
Okay, so maybe I was a bit too drunk by the time I finally went inside to really appreciate this place, but major points from me for sponsoring the Pig and Whiskey festival. The staff was so helpful--my friend and I traveled down for the festival, so we called the brewery in advance for hotel suggestions in the area. They even remembered us when we actually showed up for the festival!
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Review from Jason M.
Ferndale, MI
Updated - 9/19/2011
I added a star to my previous review because I'm impressed that the WAB folks added the buy-your-cup-and-save-it feature to the DIY fest. I maybe falsely believe that I had a lot to do with that health saving feature of this year's fest. Think I'm crazy? Well, I can tell you I know they have read my review because it was implied that I should stay away from their bar/restaurants for awhile. That's an easy request to accommodate seeing as I have already boycotted their establishments since last summer. Don't believe the hype. There are plenty of better spots in Ferndale to eat and drink.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/24/2011
I'm done with the WAB and their sister bars, the Loving Touch and The Emory. I have had a string of… Read more »
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Review from Jennie C.
Huntington Beach, CA
1/4/2011
Best Bloody Mary of my life.
Phil should be knighted.
Here's what it is:
A tall, perfectly mixed beverage with a killer garnish--THREE olives on a tiny plastic sword (and let's be honest: they should always be on a sword), slices of crispy cucumber hanging off the glass, and a pickle spear in the drink.
The guy next to me at the bar volunteered that NOTHING about this drink appealed to him, and I countered that everything he hated was exactly what I loved about it. If it were nutritionally possible, I would try to survive on pickles and olives alone. To each his own, dude.
Cheers! To the most polarizing beverage the world has ever known! -
Review from Sarah E.
Wyoming, MI
3/2/2011
This was my first time here and I have to say it wasn't exciting. The food was okay the service was lacking.
Over all, it wasn't memorable, or delicious. Next time I'm in the area, I'm going to pick somewhere else. -
Review from Matt W.
Troy, MI
6/2/2011
The WAB is a lot like Myspace. It was awesome in 2004 but not so much anymore.
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Review from Lauren W.
3/3/2011
The WAB is one of my favorite places in Ferndale. I love the beer, the food is decent bar food and I love the atmosphere. (Oh! And the menus! Love the license plate theme)
My favorite menu items are the quesadillas and the French Dip sandwich...seriously the dip is one of the best I've ever had, and I've had lots of them.
Best part? They have happy hour. On FRIDAY! Not many places do that. I believe from 4-7 p.m., you can get $2 pints of their craft beers, and $3 Jack and Jim drinks. They also have apps for half off. Can't beat it. (this may just be a winter thing, so be sure to call ahead to ask)
The blonde, Hefe-Weizen and vanilla porter stout are delish, but my absolute favorite is the raspberry blonde...can't go wrong with fruity beer (can't help it, I'm a woman!) - just enough of a fruity taste that isn't too overpowering or sweet.
If you're in F-dale, this is a great, casual place to go...but get there early. Most nights, especially in the summer when the patio is open, it gets pretty busy. -
Review from Victor R.
Ferndale, MI
9/3/2011 10 Check-ins Here
Been to WAB several times and we love it. The beer is great and so are the salads. Try the taco salad, its enough to fill even a big guy like me as an entire meal. The vibe is a little hipstery but the food and beer make it worth it. Out door seating right on Woodward is great when its nice out. Half off entrees on Monday afternoons.
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Review from Tom L.
2/27/2011
A few friends and I went to some local theatre at the Baldwin in Royal Oak to see Rent. It was a great show, but the prelude was a wonderful meal and conversation at one of my favorite breweries, the WAB. I've been to the WAB more times than I can count over the last few years. From a quaint sidewalk-side dinner in the summer to a wedding reception that took over the entire second floor, the place holds some exceptional memories. Those memories are created by the environment of the WAB but also by the exceptional food and beer that they serve.
As an avid beer connoisseur, I've always enjoyed the WAB both for their own brews as well as the guest brews they house. On this most recent visit we started with some pretzel rods and delicious mustards and accompanied that salty goodness with some delicious cold barley soup. I enjoy the Ruby Red. It's sweet taste and light hops make it a beer that goes down again and again...and sometimes again. I've not found any of their beers I don't enjoy, and have found a number of guest brews as a result of my patronage!
The food at the WAB is nothing to shake a stick at either. I love the flat bread pizzas. The BBQ chicken is my favorite but from Tex-Mex to salads, to their delicious loose burgers, the WAB's food doesn't let down. Its worth noting that my most recent visit was also with two veggies and they were thrilled with the grilled vegetable wrap. The Thai wrap, the sandwiches...its all great! Not to mention, you can wash it all down with a delicious root beer float or Sanders hot fudge Sunday.
One of my favorite parts of the WAB is that they do it right. They do their best to keep it local and are always the first place to support local events and activism. They're the kind of local that makes a community proud and when it's proprietors continue to expand (owning the Emory and the Loving Touch), you know they love the community as much as the community loves them. This is a great place...get here, open up your Michigan license plates, and enjoy! -
Review from Nicci K.
Royal Oak, MI
4/20/2011
I love the WAB. It is one of my favorite bars in Ferndale. I don't think I have had a beer I didn't like here. The raspberry blonde is amazing. The food is just ok.
Typically I'm here to hang out with my knitting group to hang, have some appetizers, some brews and to knit. The service has been excellent despite that we are normally a large group.
Love the Happy hour throughout the week and half off food on Mondays. -
Review from Henry B.
12/22/2010
I like the beer here. Not bad but not great. I was here for a Yelp Elite event on a Monday and they gave us free pizza. It was half off Monday so food was cheap for food too.
The bartender working that night was pretty busy so getting a drink was difficult. I had to do a little clap thing to get his attention. To his credit, he apologized for not being attentive.
Food here is bar food so take that for what it's worth.
It's not a place that prides themselves on service or food but it's a good place to get a drink with some friends to catch up. -
Review from Joey J.
Updated - 5/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
White rice inside the burrito? Shakes head and mutters shoulda read my own review before coming back here. The Vanilla Porter is still a great beer, though.
Listed in: Beer, Beer, Beer
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/22/2009
This review is based upon dozens of times being in this place, from the era where I lived in… Read more »
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Review from drew k.
Detroit, MI
4/4/2011
After drinking over 1,000 different types of beer, i have decided that WAB is the official king of crap. Nice work. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to absolutely sucking ass to achieve this status. The beer is not only flat and tasteless, but has notes of infection due to an unclean brew house. I highly doubt that they even brew with cracked grains and probably use flavor concentrates to achieve tastes like "raspberry." The management should take note that the guest tap may be the best seller in the house and is usually tapped out. I wish it didn't suck so bad, it was the closest bar to my house for two years and I am always hesitant to make my way there even on half off food Monday, which is still overpriced garbage. Speaking of which, exactly how in the hell do they "cook" food there anyways? It seems like every item on the menu comes frozen, dried concentrated and prepackaged, kinda like convenient sysco food products. Yummy. Reminds me of really bad frozen TV dinners stuck in a microwave and then a salamander to toast. I'm pretty sure they do not have a single stove top burner or oven in the house. hmmmmmm....
The bar staff is pompus and conceited. Table service is usually on point tho. I can't be hating on some of the floor staff who has never let me down. The crappy bar service comes as no surprise. Finicky, pissy, poorly tattooed hipster d-bags in Ferndale working at a crappy bar? Surprising to say the least.. I usually go for that air or confidence mixed with a little drunk, but these peeps are hella out of control and super annoying. Especially the bartender who scoffs at every order like I am asking for a kidney donation.
One night I was alone and ran up a twenty dollar food tab on a Monday. The bartender exuberantly pointed out that I was expected to tip on the full amount of the bill that was half off by circling the amount on the tab and double tapping the bill with his pen. I was getting up after paying to use the bathroom without leaving a tip on the slip. I had a credit card and was leaving cash which was in my front pocket. Even before i had gotten out of my seat to reach in my pocket, this fool snagged my cc slip and was jocking me like i had stiffed him. Really? What a chache box. I have been serving my whole life and would NEVER approach a customer like that, and certainly would not stiff anyone, including those who check their greasy ass jersey shore haircut in a knife more than they check on my drink. Long and short. Please, please, please avoid this place. I have no particular reason to give them a bad review other than the whole place is sub standard and i love beer enough to type about it. Cheers. -
Review from Dawn A.
Pacifica, CA
6/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
My boyfriend took me here and it was tasty. I had a Scrumptious Salad that was HUGE! Got the dressing on the side and took the left-over half to go for the next day's lunch!
