The Livery

kbutler1

Minnesota

3.85/5  rDev -9.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3 | $

Wow, driving through Benton Harbor was a little depressing with lots of boarded up windows and an overall feeling of being "down". I started to think that making a side trip to The Livery was a mistake but I was pleasantly surprised! As you walk inside, there are stairs leading up and down, down being the bar area and up being additional seating and a stage. As we went down we were greeted by a nice gentleman behind the bar. We were there during Friday lunch and the bar was filled with patrons so we grabbed a table. My girlfriend and myslef both grabbed some samplers and ordered up a pizza. The beers were mediocre to really good and the food was tasty as well. As we were on our way out, we ventured upstairs to peak at the stage. Why in the hell is the bar downstairs in the basement!? The upstairs is awesome with old exposed brick, a grain elevator and plenty of seating. There is a small barr too but I'm not sure if they have draft lines all the way up there. This place to me just screams potential and hopefully the surrounding town can support them, I know I'll be back next time I'm headed that way.

04-04-2011 17:01:00 | More by kbutler1

MilwaukeeCrusher

Wisconsin

4.86/5  rDev +14.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Stopped on a fortunate day, when the IPA was only days old. You could have poured the beer in a sort of respirator device so that I could have breathed it all day and I would have been happy. Blurted out I think I like it better than Pliny.... was I in euphoria?

As for the rest of the line up, they were all solid although I also liked what I believed to be called a Norwegian Brown. I didn't have a growler and they were out but alas the bartender asked the masses if anyone had an extra growler. Into the night one went and minutes later I had my growler. This is a great place, which would be even cooler if they had a few unique or weird beers available and seems a little tiny bit pricey, but those are minor crimes when talking of the magnifitude of the mighty Livery. Will definitely go back, as I have been there 4 times already.

01-13-2011 07:29:09 | More by MilwaukeeCrusher

goast8127

Michigan

4.21/5  rDev -0.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | $$

Reviewed 10/29

We visited this place on the way to Chicago. It was early afternoon, so there wasn't much of a crowd. Mike, our bartender, displayed an excellent knowledge of his products and the brewing process and industry as a whole. He was able to provide insight into how his beers were made, give an indication as to why we tasted things the way we did, and encouraged criticism and feedback from us. He is a perfect example of someone you'd want presenting and serving your beer. We sampled all 13 beers on tap. My favorite was the barrel aged Dixie O'Flynn Irish Stout.

We only visited the basement portion of the bar. It was clean and serviceable, and what you'd expect from a brewery in the basement.

01-07-2011 18:47:48 | More by goast8127

LilBeerDoctor

New York

3.2/5  rDev -24.5%
vibe: 1 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | food: 3 | $$

Reviewed on 6/27/2010.

This is an odd place. It is located in a very poor town with lots of abandoned buildings and a general dingy overtone. Inside was not much better (at least the downstairs, which is where I was). There is a small bar and the rest of the space is taken up by cafeteria/mess-hall style round tables. Even the bathrooms were dingy- metal stalls (which clanged loudly and felt like a prison-bathroom) and thin metal sinks. As far as the patrons, they were all locals. You'd think that with the kinds of beers the Livery puts out, they'd be more used to beer travelers but I definitely felt out of place. The one bartender there was odd although attentive I suppose. The food was pretty good (I got the potato soup) although the menu is not too extensive. I'm not sure what they make themselves as there didn't seem to be much of a kitchen. Anyway, the beer was fairly good (or at least interesting), they also make their own cider, and there is a lot to choose from. But overall, an odd place and I don't think I'll be visiting again.

12-23-2010 21:54:21 | More by LilBeerDoctor

Dogstooth5

Illinois

4.58/5  rDev +8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $

After hearing about this place for several months, my wife and I decided to give it a try one Sunday afternoon on our drive back home from a visit to South Haven, Mi.

When we first walked in, we could tell it was a local bar. We walked down to the basement to see two people sitting at the bar, and the barkeep. I thought to myself, "what did I just drag my wife and baby into." We took a seat at the bar only to discover you can't judge a book by its cover. I tried two of their beers and we ate lunch. The beer selection was unique and the beers I tried were above average. The staff was extremely friendly.

When finishing up, I asked the barkeep for a growler, to my dismay, they were out and it would be a few weeks until more came in. This was a bummmer, because the following weekend, a group of friends and I were planning a brewpub/camping weekend in southwest Michigan and a few growlers from The Livery would pair well. Mike, the barkeep, generously offered to leave two of his personals for me to pick up that next Friday.

Fast forward to Friday. The Livery had a decent number of people in there. There were two growlers with my name on them, We sat played games, drank lots of delicious beer, and were able to take the two growler camping. We had a couple handpulls and several beers from the tap. The weekend was a success and The Livery played a nice part.

I highly reccomend this place to anyone who is passing by Benton Harbor. Good Food, Good Beer, Great Atmosphere, and Great people.

10-27-2010 15:20:07 | More by Dogstooth5

djmitche

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev -6.8%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3 | $$

I wasn't sure what to expect here - from the other reviews, this is something of a neighborhood bar in a fairly small town. I was even more worried when we walked in - big round communal tables, pretty brightly lit, and no table service. A great chance for a city kid to make a fool of himself.

But my worries were unfounded! We plunked ourselves down at the bar and ordered up some beers. The 'tender was happy to talk to us about the beers, and although we didn't need any, he offered sips to a number of other folks while we were there.

This seems to be growler central for the area - we must have seen a dozen growlers filled while we were there, and everyone seemed into the beer.

The food is nothing to write home about, although the veggie sub was perfectly fine, and we managed to make a meal out of it.

Two of the beers were "hand pulls", which I take to mean a beer engine. This is usually less carbonated than a tap beer, but the beers we got were completely flat and warm. Maybe I'm ignorant of "hand pull", but we didn't finish those samples.

You'd be remiss to skip this brewery. Creative, exciting brews, taking some risks, and local fans drinking locally.

10-15-2010 04:39:38 | More by djmitche

Bung

North Carolina

4/5  rDev -5.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

Visited on a work trip to Buchanan MI, but I used to live in St. Joseph, unfortunately this was not here at that time.

Three levels to the place, basement which has the pub, beer garden which has a small food co-op in it during the summer/fall, and an upstairs room they conduct trivia and other larger events in. Beer garden is nice, but I imagine only usable about 6 months out of the year. Basement was nice and cozy, yet spacious enough. 1 pool table, bunch of board games, 2 tv's. About 10 tables, some round and a few smaller high tops along the wall. L shaped bar with maybe 12 seats.

Beer and ciders. Large selection of stuff that looks to change quite frequently. Looked like the brewers put a lot of interesting stuff out their, not just 6 regulars and 1 or 2 unique ones. Biggest problem for me is that eveything is an IPA, Belgian or some mix of the 2. Going with the rescent trends I suppose. From reading some reviews, all their stuff has fruity and or hoppy tones, even if it really shouldn't. Tilt Kilter and Steel Wheels Stout I had were not exception. Both good, just hops and fruit where more maltiness are required.

St Joe/Benton Harbor are kind of small communities, I find most people to keep to their little groups. The 5 years I lived there I learned their is a ton of animosity towards outsiders(Chicago or FIPS). Mostly the people that live in the area couldn't get out and are angry they are still there doing service careers. Still enough friendliness here and the service was knowledgeable and efficient.

Sandwiches looked good, Turkey Club I had was more than adequate. Pretzels and some other small items available also, don't remember what they are.

A bright spot in an otherwise depressed area, though the area is certainly trying.

08-21-2010 19:15:41 | More by Bung

alleykatking

Indiana

4.24/5  rDev 0%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $

Came here about a month ago on a big brew trip.

A- When we were there it was only a couple of people on a Sunday. The place was dim and open. A tv was on and that was about it. I think there were 2 pool tables there and some boardgames. Just very laid back overall.

Q- The quality of the beers I had (and I had a bunch) were all fantastic. You could tell someone took the time to make sure these brews came out right.

S- The service was par for the course. Nothing over the top but always made sure to get what we needed. Also, took the time to chat for a quick second with us when he had a chance.

S- The selection was very good to say the least. A huge selection overall of everything you could imagine. Cask, barrel aged, and the rest were all included on tap.

Overall this place was a nice change of pace from the crowded brewpub with some ok if that craft beers. The overall price for everything was some of the most cheap I had seen that day. And personally I can't wait to get back there.

08-18-2010 01:03:29 | More by alleykatking

coreyfmcdonald

Georgia

4.35/5  rDev +2.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 3 | $$

Visited The Livery on business in mid June 2010.

The atmosphere is very, well, different. This is definitely a locals bar in a small town. However, the staff and clientele were very inviting and willing to strike up conversation. They had open mic night, and I was VERY impressed by the talent. This place was apparently an old livery (go figure), and the feel of the building was very interesting.

These beers were great. I had a sampler, and by the end of 2 visits (I had to come back the following night), I ended up tasting a total of 7 beers. All were very unique and none typical to style (which I enjoy and appreciate - not for everyone).

The service was good, not outstanding. I had no issues here. The bartender was willing and able to discuss the beers in detail.

The selection is where this place shines. They had 3 casks, 4 ciders, 2 barrel aged beers, and had interesting takes on a scotch ale and coffee doppelbock. This may just be the most interesting beer selection I have ever seen at a brewpub. Everything is very unique, and it looks as though they rotate pretty much everything, too.

The food was mediocre - definitely an afterthought. However, come here for beer, not food.

Everything was reasonably priced.

I would come back here anytime I was in the area, and would add this to the list of brewpubs I'd like to visit during a Michigan roadtrip. This would be a great day trip from Chicago, too.

06-18-2010 14:46:36 | More by coreyfmcdonald

bassmantin

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +6.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

This place is really great. It was recommended by the guy at Tabor Hill, so we stopped in after visiting Jean Klock Park.

The place was relatively empty on a Sunday afternoon. The bartender let us sample several beers before making our selections. I had the IPA, and it was amazingly floral. I tried to get it in a growler, but they were running low. My girlfriend had the Dunkelweizen, which was very sour. It reminded me of a lambic, and I really liked it, although it was not what I expected. I ended up buying a growler of it.

We had the spinach artichoke dip, and it was good. The whole menu looked good and reasonably priced.

They also had a selection of cool t-shirts.

Really cool place. If I lived in Western Michigan, I would be a regular here!

04-11-2010 21:24:38 | More by bassmantin