Iron Springs Pub & Brewery

emerge077

Illinois

4.14/5  rDev -0.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $

Great little place worth a detour in Marin county. Apparently George Lucas hangs out here...

Music was eclectic and soulful, heard the classic "Be Thankful for What You Got" by William DeVaughn segue into bluegrass, then into some classic rock. Decor was clean and sort of colorful in a southwest palette, with murals of rolling hills and hop bines in the dining room. Little Jerry Garcias were hiding around the place. Bar side was to the left, modern industrial bar back, with windows exposing the brewing equipment behind the bar.

A good variety of house styles here, was glad to see a wet-hop harvest ale, as it was that time of year. Also an IPA, DIPA, Stout, Rye, Kölsch, Coffee Porter, Hefe, Okto, Schwarzbier, "Alsatian Pale", Amber, and a handful of others. Had a 2nd pint of the JC Flyer IPA, which was the standout favorite.

Bartender was super nice and explained their beer lineup, and came by with free swag when he heard it was our first time in. Also offered a couple samples of drafts to help decide on a beer. Overall a very laid back, friendly brewpub with a good number of locals supporting the place.

10-14-2011 02:49:45 | More by emerge077

flexabull

California

4.08/5  rDev -2.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

Arrived here on a busy Friday night. Same location as the old Ross Valley Brewing. That place was pretty good, this place is better.

Atmosphere was crowded, and very family friendly. A bit stale, and a few babies crying. But not unpleasant at all.

Service was good. Our server was a bit slow at times, but it was really busy, so no problem.

They had about 8 beers on tap. A nice wide variety, the two I had were solid and tasty.

Food was good, and the portions were large. My "half" salad was more than enough for me. And the soup was tasty and filling.

Prices were fair.

I'd have no problem going back... a nice little place.

05-07-2007 03:18:29 | More by flexabull

Georgiabeer

Georgia

3.83/5  rDev -8.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

Pretty good brewpub in the weird little hippie/yuppie town of Fairfield. The place itself is in a rather drab little shopping center, but it does have a patio out front and is fairly comfortable inside with a bar area and a seperate dining area. Lots of wood. I was there during happy hour and the bar was packed, so I sat in the restaurant and had dinner along with some brews. I had already had a couple of their beers over in Berkeley, so I knew the brew was good. Nice selection, probably 10 or 12 of their own beers on tap in a good range and well made. The service was enthusiastic if not the most informed. Food was very good- I had a slightly pricey but killer burger. It is all pub food, but well crafted and a few dishes strive to be a little fancier. Well made. Good little place, I'll be back when I'm in the area.

09-21-2007 21:13:12 | More by Georgiabeer

Troyone

California

4.08/5  rDev -2.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

Located in what appeared to be a type of plaza, the place is interesting. The employees are friendly and knowledgable about their beers. The regulars and locals are also friendly.

At this point I was kind of wasted from the previous places I visited today. I do recall padded booths and maybe some chairs; wooden tables, chairs, and bar (I think). Kitchen was in the open and viewable from the bar and dining area. Restroom was clean.

Service was friendly and prompt.

Good selection however no cask, I think the bartender said the cask (handpump) device was brought in on certain nights for their cask beers. Notables were the IPA and their hoppy amber.

The food was good and cooked on a real grill.

reasonable

05-23-2005 07:58:35 | More by Troyone

elNopalero

Texas

4.8/5  rDev +15.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $

This is exactly the kind of unsung, under-the-radar small-town sort of place that could be your next favorite local, easily. Something about Iron Springs makes me think of family and community every time I visit—it’s not just that it’s family-friendly, with half the structure a restaurant and the other half a bar area, but that you end up feeling like family after a few pints here. The bartenders and waitstaff are all super friendly. Seems like everyone who is a regular is on a first name basis, patrons and employees, from the cooks and servers all the way to the managers and head brewer. I don’t make it out here often enough but I’m always glad when I do.

11-29-2012 08:44:15 | More by elNopalero

mjl21

California

4.3/5  rDev +3.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

I have become quit a fan of this place. It is usally over looked by people who instead go to Maring Brewing or Moylans. It is much better than when it was known as Ross Valley Brewing.

The bar area is tiny and gets cramped during the weekends. The dining area is decent and can accomadate both small and large groups. There is also a private room that is available. There are several colorful chalkboards with their daily beers and some Grateful Dead stuff lines the walls. The place fits in well with the vibe of Fairfax. There is always a good mix of singles, couples, and families.

The food is much better than Brew Co. or Moylan's. They make a great pulled pork sando, burger, and French dip. The fries are good and the pickles they serve with the sandos are awesome.

They usually pour 12 beers and on occasion have a cask conditioned ale. I always enjoy their IPA, Casey Jones Double IPA, Dark Path Lager, Sless' Stout, and Barstow-Lundy Barleywine.

The service is always good and waits for drinks are small.

My only complaint is that I would like to see them update their website regularly with what is currently being poured.

02-15-2009 02:04:38 | More by mjl21

colonelforbin

California

4.22/5  rDev +1.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

Really nice brewpub located just a few blocks from downtown Fairfax. Outdoor seating, a bar and recessed bar type area behind the main bar along with a good sized restaurant area.

They generally have between 8-12 beers on tap at any one time, including some nice hoppy offerings. They do a pretty solid job with their IPAs (Casey Jones, JC Flyer and others), and that's what I usually fill my growlers with. Their Sless Stout is good and they make a nice coffee porter as well. Other various offerings include a rye beer, some lighter ales, a kolsch and I think they have lagers from time to time as well, but not 100% sure on that. They also have some barrel aged beers from time to time but don't go expecting one of those to be on tap. They do a barrel aged beer month, which I believe is in February (coincides with strong beer month in SF and SF beer week as well).

Can get crowded on weekend days as there are many cyclists that stop in for a pint or two and other folks, mostly locals, I imagine. Pretty family friendly with the restaurant seating area. Outdoor seating area is nice too, and there are heat lamps for chilly days. Someone there is a Grateful Dead fan as there is various GD paraphernalia adorning the walls.

Service is friendly and nice. Definitely recommended, not too far off 101. Great atmosphere and very solid beers.

09-30-2011 08:05:59 | More by colonelforbin

bcm119

California

3.95/5  rDev -5.3%
vibe: 2 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

This place has above average beer for a brewpub, and much-above average food. The atmosphere inside leaves a bit to be desired, but on a warm summer day the tables outside are a great place to sit and watch the old hippies and mountain bikers go by.

The beer tends toward the hoppy side, but most of it falls within the normal range of balance and drinkability for the region. The Epiphany ale seems to be their flagship and its a good all-around ale. The IPA is good and the double-IPA is also quite good. These aren't Moonlight or Russian River beers, but they are consistent and on par with most norcal beers.

Food here is good quality. I like the sausage plate, with a bratwurst and banger, excellent potato salad and plenty of saurkraut and red cabbage. The burgers and fish tacos are good too. Servings are very large and prices are reasonable, considering you're in Marin county.

The atmosphere indoors is a little lacking, but its hard to explain exactly how. Its not particularly cozy, or hip, or hippie. Its just functional, and theres a vague sense of being in a strip mall store. But the good food and beer make it a worthy stop after a hike or bike ride.

01-22-2008 03:12:28 | More by bcm119

xhcadamx

Maine

4.5/5  rDev +7.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 3.5 | $$

From notes...

A - I usually go to brewpubs to try the beer not for the atmosphere. This is a very basic brewpub. Comfortable chairs and clean table. Some hippy stuff on the walls. Very kid friendly during the day on the weekends.

Q - All the beers at Iron Springs are quite tasty.

S - I have been a couple of times and have always been impressed. Some of the servers know more about beer than others.

S - There is always 12 + taps available. Doesn't get much better than this as far as variety is concerned.

F - I have only tried their appetizers and they weren't bad but weren't memorable either.

V - Pretty good prices considering it's in Marin.

12-27-2008 19:40:06 | More by xhcadamx

ubermick

California

4.08/5  rDev -2.2%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3 | $

I'm a big fan of Iron Springs. It's a destination of choice for many a mountain biker returning from a loop on Tamarancho, and a great hangout for locals. And their beer shows why.

The Fairfax Coffee porter is tremendous, served through nitro, and worth the extra wait for your pour. (My barmaid the last time didn't exactly have the art nailed down, but she did try!) The Epiphany is an explosion of hoppy goodness in your mouth, and the Honey Bunny is supremely refreshing after the afforementioned bike ride.

And that's just what I had yesterday.

Their food is hit and miss. Typical bar fare, their nachos, burgers, etc. are all tasty and good. Their ribs come caked in fat, and were inedible. Seafood tacos are okay, their meatloaf is most tasty.

Ambiance depends on who you are, and when you're there. It is, as many have noted, a kid friendly place, which may not be the atmosphere you want in a bar. In the evenings though, live music and beer flowing after the kids have gone to bed, while discussing conspiracy theories with the locals is a fun time.

It's a hike to get to if you're just visiting the Bay Area, but if you like nature, a little zaniness, and good beer, head on out to Fairfax, and check out Iron Springs.

03-26-2008 18:19:57 | More by ubermick