Eli Cannon's Tap Room

slander

New York

4.5/5  rDev +7.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4

I think they had 28 beers on tap, mostly american micro brews. Many were regional New England beers (Magic Hat, Otter Creek, Sam Adams, and some of the local CT beers), but they also had an English ale or two on, as well. Had the Magic Hat Ravell as my first beer, which was a very pleasant sighting for me. They have cask lines but nothing was flowing off them and the guy next to me said that nothing was on cask the last time he'd been there. They also have an adequate bottled beer list but nothing that reached out at me and made me deviate from the tap lines.
I gave service a "4" because the kid behind the bar knew nothing about the beers he was pouring. His response to inquiries was mostly "I don't like dark beers" Okay, all well and fine, but I didn't ask you if you liked it, I was asking you what you know about the beer itself. They had a tap for the Sam Adams Bugspray and he couldn't tell me anything about it, what is was, nothing.
The food was good, although my buffalo chicken fingers were done up swimming in hot sauce. They have a pretty expansive menu that I'd like to have another go at. Atmosphere is wonderfully comfortable, barber shop chairs and a couch in the forward area to chill at and booths and tables in the back for slouching about and throwing back a few.

02-28-2003 08:15:34 | More by slander

ILOVESTOUTS

Connecticut

4.95/5  rDev +17.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$$

My ole watering hole for nearly the past 10 years... so this review may be biased.

Atmosphere: Very eclectic decor. You could spend hours in here just staring at stuff on the wall. Lots of tap handles line the walls and the decor also changes seasonally. Very cool beer bottle chandeliers in the bar area. Lots of local garb on the walls and above the bar as well. You can almost always strike up a conversation in the bar with anyone, usually around beer. Summer time...this place has the patio I envision my backyard to be. You have to see it for yourself...Hint: there's a beach

Quality: Best tap lines in the state. The bar manager there is an avid homebrewer and knows his craft beer. Always fresh and clean draft lines, with the chalkboards having the date the line was tapped, a very nice touch that I would like to see in more places with lots of lines.

Service: Bar service is top notch, always friendly and knowledgeable. Wait times, especially when the patio is busy, can be a tad long if you're at a table(both inside or out) but the bar service is quick and efficient.

Selection: Sorta goes hand in hand with quality. 36 rotating draft lines... not too many to be overwhelmed but enough for everyone. There are a few import staples(Guinness, Stella, etc..) however, Eli's has a top 3 draft list in the state in my eyes.

Food: The food quality while unique and eclectic(similar to the decor) used to be a tad better when they really focused on creole dishes(ie: Alligator and crawfish) but I love some of their food and they seemed to have streamlined the menu to not offer as many choices, but the more popular offerings. Food prices have gone up, but so have portions sizes as well over the years.

Value: You pay for what you get. A night at Eli's is never going to be the cheapest night out, but you may find yourself sipping on an out of this world beer for $4 or $4.50.

05-17-2013 18:35:26 | More by ILOVESTOUTS

BrewsterPunky

Connecticut

4.5/5  rDev +7.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4 | $$

Hands down the best pub/restaurant in the state. Great selection of current and seasonal beers on tap. Simple and tasty menu items. Anyone who's ever visited this eclectic pub will agree.

Oh, and bring a sharpie marker to scribble your name on the wall (it's encouraged).

Stinky Wizzleteats rating: 5 out of 5 Happy Happy Joy Joys

03-13-2013 16:20:12 | More by BrewsterPunky

CT_Homebrew_Guy

4.3/5  rDev +2.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

Great spot to grab some quality brews! Atmosphere is unique and laid back. Selection of beers on tap is one of the best in the state. ~Cheers

01-10-2013 02:38:43 | More by CT_Homebrew_Guy

devonlandry10

Connecticut

4.75/5  rDev +13.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 5 | $$$

I lived within 10 miles from this place for the past three years, and had no idea of its' existence. Excellent place, even for a family dinner (if you don't mind the noise). LARGE back area though I have not seen it in the spring/summer time. Staff is super friendly and helpful, but I have not had the opportunity to talk to them about the brews yet, so I can't comment on full knowledge yet. Food is excellent, so much so that Saturday evening is Eli cannon night for my wife and I. Always a great selection on the board with the day it had been tapped. Normally have a cask on as well, but not always.I'm very disappointed I didn't find out about this place sooner, it is a true gem among the many bars in Middletown.

03-15-2012 04:23:56 | More by devonlandry10

lamp

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev +1.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

Always great beer selection on chalkboard complete with day tapped. Sit at bar, dining room, or outside weather permitting in their beach themed backyard. Many special events on their calendar and beer tastings usually every Tuesday. Some construction recently downtown so parking can be a slight challenge but not bad. Menu is huge, from appetizers to wraps to sandwiches, burgers, etc. sure to please all. Website, facebook, etc to find out what is going on there. Also a mug club with a waiting list, I believe for regulars.

11-04-2011 11:44:43 | More by lamp

ScottieD

Connecticut

4.28/5  rDev +1.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.5 | $$

I have been to Elis several times and enjoy it each time I go. It's got a very interesting vibe with dentist chairs, leather furniture, blackboard lists of beers on tap, and a nice outside patio area. Taps rotate fairly often with a good selection. Bartendars are pretty good and recommending beers to try and ones to avoid. Food is fairly good for pub grub, but it's the beer that reigns supreme here. Not a great place to watch sports due to a lack of quality TVs and placement. However, it's a great place to go in the greater Hartford area for quality beer selection and a cool vibe.

10-15-2011 01:43:01 | More by ScottieD

zoolzoo

Connecticut

3.88/5  rDev -7.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5 | $$

Nice place, sort of small. Crammed with trinkets and junk. The atmosphere is kinda punk, writing on the walls and tables is encouraged, apparently. Lots of flyers and stickers everywhere promoting local music and other riff raff, cool. I really like the little lounge area with the comfy seats, though Ive never seen it unoccupied. The bar is small, always crammed with people. The raised booth area feels private, which I like.

The selection is pretty much on par with other CT spots. The grub is a step down from my other fav CT spots, but still good. The service is questionable, as I have had a couple good experiences and a couple bad ones. If I were more local Id be here often.

04-18-2011 19:47:12 | More by zoolzoo

spydo99

Connecticut

3.93/5  rDev -6.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

This is my local. Worth a visit - especially in the summer. They have outdoor seating, where I constantly have to remind myself, "yes, you are still in Middletown"

Beer selection is ample and the kegs are fresh. They always have something worth trying again or for the very first time.

They pull an excellent pint of Guinness. (When all else fails)

One of only a few places I have been able to find a regular pint of Bellhaven. They have a strong selection of inernational beers to add to their local craft brew selection.

Pub Grub is just that - pub grub. I make sure I am coming in to drink when I eat. Pretty good college hang out - but not exclusively a college hang out (which is good for me!)

Note - Some construction happening in old parking lot - but don't let that deter you!

Cheers!

04-11-2011 23:25:19 | More by spydo99

swierczt

Connecticut

3.65/5  rDev -13.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

I've been frequenting Eli Cannon's Tap Room for about 14 years now, it's the best beer selection that is close to home for me. There are thirty something taps that rotate on a regular basis and about another 20-30 bottled offerings. No Bud Light or Coors served at this establishment. Sometimes the beer offerings beyond the dedicated taps (Guinness, Smithwicks, Bass, Boddington's, Hoegarden, Newcastle Brown) are more interesting than others.

The service can be good at times, but down right horrible when the place is busy. The same can be said for the food. Don't be surprised to wait at least 45 minutes to an hour to get a table on a Tuesday night or over the weekend. Reservations are not accepted in advance. It is easier to get a table during the summer months when the restaurants capacity stretches outside.

Popcorn machine is a nice touch while waiting for a table. Lots of interesting stuff on the walls to look at and they keep adding more. If you are into hot stuff - lots of hot sauces to try or buy. Just ask your server.

Food is typical pub grub - nachos, burgers, wings, quesadillas make up the majority of the menu. All of these items run between $10-$15. Prices have definitely gone up a bit over the past couple of years, but that seems to be the case no matter where you go these days. Most beer offerings run between $4.50-$6.50 a pint, with higher octane, short pours (12 oz.) running between $6-$11.

Overall, worth checking out at least once.

02-28-2011 21:25:54 | More by swierczt