The Beer Mapping Project - Recent Location Reviews

Lightning Brewery

dikster - score: 83.3 — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:11:46 EST

Brewery
Date and time reviewed: Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:11:46 EST

Overall Score: 83.3
Selection: 4.5 | Service: 5 | Atmosphere: 3 | Food: N/A

Reviewer: dikster

Anice little brewery, friendly staff, great beers.
Their electrostatic ale is my favorite.
free tasting,
Near the Costco on Scripps/Poway Pkwy
This is a small operation in an industrial park, there is no restaurant, and atmosphere is industrial.
The fine hand crafted European style beers have a distinctive Lightning Finish: a crisp, clean aroma, pronounced maltiness and a prolonged and slightly bittering finish. Their beers are good to drink on their own, and great with food. They have proven that you don’t need to travel to Europe to enjoy beers of these styles and of this caliber!

Link to this Review at beermapping.com

Sonoma Chicken Coop

bobcat78 - score: 73.3 — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:39:31 EST

Brewpub
Date and time reviewed: Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:39:31 EST

Overall Score: 73.3
Selection: 3.5 | Service: 3.5 | Atmosphere: 4 | Food: 4.25

Reviewer: bobcat78

I'd say the food is more interesting than the beer here. They had 5 beers on tap, ESB, pilsner, hefe, brown ale and pale ale. The brown ale was very good and the pale ale was quite hoppy. Offered a seasonal but they were out when I visited and it didn't sound like they were planning one for anytime soon to replace it.

The food is interesting, pretty much anything you would want various pasta, wood oven pizza, sandwiches and seafood. You order at a counter like it is fast food and pick it up yourself. It is a sit down meal type of food, I guess it is so you don't have to pay for waiter service. You also have to go get your own beers however.

The building is in a trendy looking area and parking is at a premium. Plenty of tvs, good place to watch a game.

Link to this Review at beermapping.com

Gordon Biersch - San Jose

bobcat78 - score: 71.7 — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:33:25 EST

Brewpub
Date and time reviewed: Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:33:25 EST

Overall Score: 71.7
Selection: 3.5 | Service: 3.75 | Atmosphere: 3.5 | Food: N/A

Reviewer: bobcat78

The usual Gordon Biersch set up, although the location in downtown San Jose is very good and it has a really nice patio. Very small inside, both in the restraurant area and bar, so you have to fight for a seat.

Disappointing selection of beers - Hefe, pilsner, lager, swarzbier and marzen, pretty limited selection and rather on the light side, I suppose that is what is to be expected in a more tropical climate.

Link to this Review at beermapping.com

District ChopHouse and Brewery

Euktrain - score: 85.0 — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:30:49 EST

Brewpub
Date and time reviewed: Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:30:49 EST

Overall Score: 85.0
Selection: 4.5 | Service: 4.25 | Atmosphere: 4 | Food: 4.5

Reviewer: Euktrain

Good house beer, they have a wheat beer I enjoy, but I've had their Oktoberfest and others and have never been dissapointed. Food is great, steaks are prepared well and the potatos are awesome. A little bit pricier but worth it. It's near the Verizon Center, so it's busier before and after games and events. If you're eating I'd recommend reservations, but if you just want a drink the bar is big enough that you usually don't have to fight too hard for a spot.

Link to this Review at beermapping.com

Regional Food and Drink (R.F.D.)

Euktrain - score: 65.0 — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:19:53 EST

Beer Bar
Date and time reviewed: Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:19:53 EST

Overall Score: 65.0
Selection: 4.5 | Service: 2.25 | Atmosphere: 3 | Food: 2.5

Reviewer: Euktrain

I pretty much agree with BeerSox's review. This is sort of a sports bar, but more because they're a block from the Verizon Center than for any other reason. Definately busy before and after hockey/basketball/other events. But if you're there any other time it's a big enough place that you shouldn't have a problem. Good beer selection, lots of drafts and even more bottles to choose from. Service has been below average several times for me and friends. Food is typical bar food, nothing memorable.

Link to this Review at beermapping.com

Yardhouse, The - Palm Beach

joejarboe - score: 98.3 — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 8:39:11 EST

Beer Bar
Date and time reviewed: Fri, 06 Nov 2009 8:39:11 EST

Overall Score: 98.3
Selection: 4.75 | Service: 5 | Atmosphere: 5 | Food: 4.5

Reviewer: joejarboe

The Yard House in Palm Beach Gardens is worth the visit. Although they don't brew any of their own beer they offer 100+ different types of beer on TAP. Don't bother to ask for a bottled beer - unless you want a non-alcoholic brand. They offer a wide range of domestic and international beers. The service is great and the food is very good. Beer prices are above average but they do offer a happy hour from 3-6pm Mon-Fri as well as a late night happy hour 9-12 Sun - Wed...

Link to this Review at beermapping.com

Brewzzi Bistro and Microbrewery - W. Palm Beach

joejarboe - score: 86.7 — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 8:35:21 EST

Brewpub
Date and time reviewed: Fri, 06 Nov 2009 8:35:21 EST

Overall Score: 86.7
Selection: 4.5 | Service: 4 | Atmosphere: 4.5 | Food: 4.5

Reviewer: joejarboe

Nice place to relax in downtown West Palm Beach. Both indoor and outdoor seating is available. They make a very good Double IPA but only offer it seasonally. Prices are above average but there is a happy hour during the week. This location is located in City Place. They actually make a number of Lager style beers rather than Ales - which I found interesting. One of the few breweries in the area.

Link to this Review at beermapping.com

Belga Cafe

Euktrain - score: 81.7 — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:56:12 EST

Beer Bar
Date and time reviewed: Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:56:12 EST

Overall Score: 81.7
Selection: 4.75 | Service: 4 | Atmosphere: 3.5 | Food: 4.5

Reviewer: Euktrain

Belga Cafe has an awesome selection of Belgian beers, both tap and bottle. The food is good but leans toward the pricey side. Crowd is a little more adult than a lot of places in the Capitol Hill/Eastern Market area (a good thing). It can get a little too loud for conversation if they're busy, and they usually are, but the beer selection and food usually make up for it. Check their website, they do a lot of special events, including beer tastings, beer/food pairings, etc.

If you like Belgian beers, this is a must visit.

Link to this Review at beermapping.com

Capitol Lounge

Euktrain - score: 56.7 — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:44:32 EST

Beer Bar
Date and time reviewed: Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:44:32 EST

Overall Score: 56.7
Selection: 3.5 | Service: 2.25 | Atmosphere: 2.75 | Food: 2.0

Reviewer: Euktrain

This is your basic Capitol Hill bar, mostly a younger crowd of interns/staffers that come by after work. Used to be a hole-in-the-wall dive bar (a couple of fires a few years ago added to this effect). But more recently they have done some remodeling, and for better or worse are at least attempting to improve the food. Service usually isn't that great, especially 5-7pm on weeknights when there are lots of people. Beer selection is above average, meaning there is more than just bud light on tap. It is within walking distance of the Capitol South metro station. It does have a limited outdoor seating/smoking area, but you have to show up pretty early or fight off the smokers to score it.

Link to this Review at beermapping.com

Brauhaus Schmitz

skanderbeg - score: 73.3 — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:33:38 EST

Beer Bar
Date and time reviewed: Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:33:38 EST

Overall Score: 73.3
Selection: 4.5 | Service: 4 | Atmosphere: 2.5 | Food: 3.5

Reviewer: skanderbeg

Brauhaus Schmitz is located at 7th and South, in a bustling crowded part of town in Philadelphia. The bar has high ceilings, tiled floors which results in a very loud vibe. The bar which is situated in the middle of the space has ample seating.

The beer selection is very good. While you may not find all german styles represented, you will find weiss, dunkel, schwartzbier, fests etc on tap, served in small or large glasses.

The food is as good as German food gets in Philadelphia. I had a very good schnitzel a la holstein complete with an egg capers and anchovies. Side dishes included home made spaetzel and delicious grilled brussel sprouts that had almost a horseradish like bite to them.

Parking is a problem as it is everywhere on South Street, so public transportation is a good bet.

Link to this Review at beermapping.com