The Drafting Room Taproom and Grille

ColForbinBC

New Jersey

4.4/5  rDev +0.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

My first trip to the Drafting Room was for the Victory/Heavyweight release party. Went back there recently for on a non event weekend night to get a real feel for the place. And I must say, a very high quality bar with an excellent rotating tap selection and a large cooler of bottles proudly displayed in the small bar area. Bartenders know what they are doing and had a tidbit or a suggestion for everything they brought over.

Food was pretty solid, with a pretty extensive menu.

Only negative was that smoking was allowed in the bar, and given its size, its can be a little much.

This place is highly recommended for a visit.

02-09-2008 23:42:28 | More by ColForbinBC

NJpadreFan

New Jersey

4.4/5  rDev +0.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.5 | $$$

The Drafting Room- Exton

My wife and I showed up for the Heavyweight/ Victory fest. Got here in about an hour. Easily got seats but the place filled up quickly afterward. We were here at 11:45am.
Anyway, Excellent tap selection, excellent bottle selection. My portabella sandwich was very good, my wife's turkey burger was mediocre. The waitress did a fantastic job even though see had to deal with a packed room! Much farther from me than the Spring House establishment but just as good if not better. A definite spot to hit if you're nearby.

01-08-2008 00:02:29 | More by NJpadreFan

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev -3.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.5 | $$

I went down to the Drafting Room in Exton w/ BitterBeerFace and Mughugger for the Baltic Thunder release. Walking in the bar side noticed the draft tower and beer cooler prominently displayed in a somewhat small eating/bar area.

The selection is pretty darn good, with a plethora of local beer -Victory had several beers featured that day and the menu is even divided by locals and Countries for ease of ordering. The service was pretty good considering the crowd the Baltic Thunder release brought to the place. We were checked on frequently and everyone was friendly. A member of management even replaced a dish when asking if everything met our satisfaction.

I found the food to be just above average since some items were great and others were ordinary. The atmosphere is better than average for dining and bar atmosphere w/ nice decor and some of the big beers were displayed on the mantle to get your attention. I enjoyed the cheese plate shared and the flight offerings very much.It was fun to meet many other BA's like: Phatz, gottajiboo2, Beer Island, etc. also. I am sure I will be back to the Drafting Room.

edit-I have visited the Drafting Room several times since I continue to be impressed with the commitment to craft beer - ex. West Coast Beer night and brunch brought harder to find stuff like Pliny and Racer X, SN Chico IPA.

01-07-2008 15:41:32 | More by Slatetank

HopDerek

Pennsylvania

4.83/5  rDev +10%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 5 | $$

I've been going to the Drafting Room in Exton for a little over a year now, and at no time have I ever been disappointed in the least. With a great and always changing variety of microbrews on tap and a great bottle list, it's almost impossible to not find something that appeals to everyone. The staff, especially those in the bar area know their stuff, and after a few trips, they begin to know you as well.

The bar area seems a little on the small side, but usually it isn't too hard to find a seat, and there is sufficient standing room. Only downside to the bar is that smoking is allowed, but the dining area is smoke free, so it's not that bad.

As far as the food goes, whether it be lunch, dinner, or just a snack, they've got a wide variety of fantastic items; from nachos and wings, to burgers and sandwiches, to fondue, to steaks and seafood dishes. Their daily specials are always unique and delicious, and their happy hour prices are very reasonable.

12-31-2007 20:54:25 | More by HopDerek

gwong

New York

4.58/5  rDev +4.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Went here as part of a Philadelphia region bar trip on a Saturday in the mid-afternoon. Sitting at the bar, the service was great with knowledgeable staff who know their beer and are friendly. They have a wonderful, varied selection on tap as well as a good collection of bottles that can be drank on the premise or taken home at a discount. The prices are reasonable - four beers and a four sample flight came out to less than $30. The only drawback would be the smoking but we were at the bar and it was to be expected. Smoking aside, the atmosphere is great and is well worth the trip.

12-05-2007 19:26:17 | More by gwong

mfhlucky13

Pennsylvania

4.63/5  rDev +5.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

The Drafting Room is one of my favorites. The beer menu was great before most places in this local thought of having a beer menu. The food is great too. They have excellent dinner specials on the weekends and their rotating taps always have something good to offer. Today I had a Dupont Moinette (blonde) and the time before, Cantillon Lou Pepe Framboise both on tap. Watch their website for their monthly beer styles. This month is Brown Ale. Check this place out, you won't be disappointed. If you like dessert get the peanut butter pie.

11-17-2007 00:34:44 | More by mfhlucky13

shertz

Pennsylvania

4.65/5  rDev +5.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$$

Went here with fellow BA's Phatz and HombreWing after the Brew Club trash pickup. The day was planned weeks before to be here for the One Final Victory for Heavyweight and the release of Baltic Thunder. However, due to the bottling issues it was postponed for another day. In any case, we decided to make the trip anyways and I'm glad we did. Started with a pint of Pliny the Elder and then went to Sierra Nevada Harvest Ale. Both spectacular and fresh. Nice full bottle list to compliment the nice draft list. Had a bowl of Chicken Gumbo for $4.50 that was very tasty and spicy. The only problem I had with the place was the smoke at the bar so we sat in the dining room. The service was as perfect as you can find. Waitress was cute and very attentative and seemed interested in our beer talk. The manager stopped by and chatted for close to an hour eventhough he was quite busy. He even gave us a sample of the Baltic Thunder, wow, awesome beer. I wish this place was closer because I would probably live there. It certainly was worth the drive and very convenient to I76.

Cheers,
Scott

10-21-2007 11:17:35 | More by shertz

mymrnngjckt

Pennsylvania

4.63/5  rDev +5.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$

I have frequented this place a few times. Each time is a better experience than the prior. The draft selection has always been phenomenal. The last time I was there they had, Cantillon Lou Pepe Framboise, Rogue 10,000, Allgash Curieux & Weyerbacher Muse all on draft. The bottle selection is equally impressive. The staff has been top notch. Both times there I sat at the bar and the bartenders were attentive and knew their beer. They even offered samples before I tried them. The food is also superb. The salads and sandwiches I had both times were amazing.

I really recocmend this place to any one passing by.

07-25-2007 17:38:52 | More by mymrnngjckt

tgbljb

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +2.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

Visited this establishment for Sunday brunch. We ahd reservations and we were promptly seated. Our server soon arrived and took our drink orders and we all selected the brunch. The selection of food was excellent and well worth the price. Tere was a very good assortment of beers on tap and I was able to find 2 beers which I had yet to try. The beers were sevred promptly and the buffet was always well stocked. If you are looking for a place in the area to have Sunday brunch and a few drinks, I highly reccomend the Drafting Room.

05-05-2007 23:50:20 | More by tgbljb

dbatch

New Jersey

4.22/5  rDev -3.9%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

My first weekend off from tax season, and I wanted to check out a new place, so I met my friends for a few. When I walked in, I was confused, it looked more restaurant than beer establishment. But I was lead to the bar, which was on the smaller side, but then saw the coolers full of beers from all over. The beer list was impressive, as was the knowledge of the bartenders. It was IPA month, and they had Gordon Oskar Blues IPA and Hop Devil on cask. I also had my first Weyerbacher Simcoe IPA, which was fantastic. The list was extensive, a lot of locals such as Victory, Troegs, Sly Fox and Yards. There was a little taste of everything on the beer list as well, from Ales to Wheats to Stouts. For the size of the place, it was amazing they had that many on hand.

For dinner, we sat in the restaurant area and had a nice meal. I ordered the bacon wrapped sea bass. Not bad, but a little dry. Overall, I'd highly recommend going.

04-22-2007 20:08:14 | More by dbatch