Jackie O's Pub & Brewery

rembrant

Ohio

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

Jackie O's could be the prototype for how to do a great brewpub. The layout is quirky, a tad worn and funky in ways but strangely comfortable. There's basically two seperate brs linked by an outdoor upper patio ( you can smoke there) and each of the Brewery + brewpub has it's own crew, entertainment (at times) Beers, soul...etc. I enjoyed the crew. I tend to interact with the people at places I do business and here everyone was great, even if it was a busy release weekend. Odds are you can chat with Brad, a rising star in beermaking. He's cool and tries to find a minute to talk beer when he can.

The beer...is great. Not every one quite hit the mark, but when there's a dozen (or thirty) interesting and often WORLD CLASS beers to enjoy....I can't expect every experiment to come off perfect.

The food I had was very good,not cheap, but reasonable.

I was there for a Special but Friday night was a mix of BA's, locals, OU students and I enjoyed them all.

Athens is some distance from Cincy, Columbus, Pittsburg...there's no "Big Town" very close ( hour-2 hour cruise) but at least there's good roads. The logistics are a limitation. Were it a 30 min drive...I'd be there every week. So would a lot of BA's.

As for the "college crowd" the night before I sat at a table with a bunch of college locals half my age and had a great time. How are pretty college girls not a plus? I was getting random hugs. I did lecture a young PBR drinker. Yeah, PBR is $2.50 but you can get a PINT of one of the best ever Porters for $4...and it's VASTLY more intense. Major advocating. I convinced him.

Naturally, at a release, it's busy but there's a bonus of a hundred BA's bringing bottles from outside the region. I got tastes of some GREAT brews beyond the many great taps.

09-21-2011 18:37:14 | More by rembrant

MarkIntihar

Michigan

4.8/5  rDev +9.3%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$

Decided to review based on my 8/27 visit for the bottle release. I had high expectations for Jackie O's going into my visit, and they did not disappoint!

I arrived around 11:30 p.m. the night before the release, expecting to find a mad house and long line. Instead, I found that Jackie O's has basically two lots, one side being the brewpub side and the other serving as the public house, and because of this, the crowd was easily alleviated. There was live music playing in both rooms, and the crowd was lively enough to enhance the experience more than anything else. I sat at the bar and was well taken care of by the bartenders, even had a nice conversation with Johnny.

The group I was with came back to the public house at 9 a.m. the next morning for breakfast beers and the bottle release. Everything was well organized, and there seemed to be plenty of room in the public house for everyone who grabbed a ticket to find a table. The wait staff was incredibly friendly and helpful, and for the most part very knowledgeable about their beer. I was even able to get our waitress to save some of the Kuhnhenn stout I brought for one of my bartenders from Friday night.

The food at the public house was very good as well. I ordered one of the pizzas and it was excellent. In addition, the tap list at Jackie O's was unbelievable. I can't even recall how many variations they had of everything, but with it being my first time there, I made the mistake of trying just about everything they had, which lead to me getting a much later start on Saturday evening.

All in all, my trip to Jackie O's was a great experience, and I look forward to going back for the next release!

09-15-2011 14:29:16 | More by MarkIntihar

dorianmarley

Ohio

4.31/5  rDev -1.8%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | $$

Jackie O's is a gem. It is a mix of entrepreneurial spirit and backwoods, bluegrass charm. Everything inside appears to be wood except for the fermentation tanks and Appalachian locals. If you weren't in Athens, Ohio, you would think that you had stumbled into some sort of hip ski lodge.

The beer selection isn't big, but precise. There isn't a throwaway beer on tap. Their own beers are good, not gimmicky. They try to really execute a style. And their guest beers are really fine choices. They are typically from Michigan: Founders, Bells, etc., which helps the whole experience feel local, which it is.

There isn't a cooler place to go to in Athens, except for maybe the converted 18th Century insane asylum up on the hill. But they don't serve beer, and it's not that far of a walk anyway.

09-10-2011 02:56:31 | More by dorianmarley

jale

Michigan

4.95/5  rDev +12.8%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$

I have visited Jackie-o's a dozen times and every time I wish I could stay longer. The staff here always make you feel like you are important. Two bars are connected via an outdoor deck area in the rear of the place. One has T.V.s and is a bit larger. One has no T.V.s and is more intimate for conversations with friends. I love the spent grain pizza made from the grains used in the brewing process. Other items on the food menu are also very good. Brad makes great beer and he is awlways trying something new in brewing. This is probably my favorite pub I have ever been to. Great food, great beer, great atmosphere, and most of all great people make this a must stop for anyone.

09-02-2011 13:23:43 | More by jale

Brophmonster

Illinois

4.7/5  rDev +7.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $

Just visited here for the 8/27 bottle release.

WOW all around. I was there in a party of 4.

Atmosphere was very relaxed, roomy and well lit, thanks to a few skylights. Looks like an older "college bar" building, you know, a little "worn out" but comfortable and relaxed.

Quality was top notch. Lot of taps, 38 I think, with quite a wide array of styles represented.

Service was fantastic. Even with the crowd for a bottle release, we got all of our beer and food quickly. And with the upwards of ~50 beer samples we ordered, NONE were incorrect or even in the wrong order on the sample glass platter. Great service, nothing else to say.

Selection was awesome. Quite a variety on the multitude of taps. Large breakfast menu, large lunch/dinner menu. Couldn't ask for more.

Food was good. Had biscuits and gravy for breakfast, tried some of the hash brown omelette as well. In the afternoon we had some veggie pizza and some fried cheese curds, which were surprisingly good.

Value is where I'm convinced I will make the trip back. The across the board quality for what you pay cannot be beat. After we left all we could talk about was how cheap it was for what we got. If we were at "brewpub X" in the Chicago area this bill would have been 5 times as much.

Overall one of THE BEST brewpubs I have ever been to. Highest recommendation.

08-28-2011 17:27:15 | More by Brophmonster

InebriatedJoker

Ohio

4.8/5  rDev +9.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$$

I had to review this place after I went to the latest Release (August 27th).

This is a brew pub I wish was a little closer to my house , it would be a regular stop for me, from the intricate wood work on the tables to the paddles they serve samples on the look of the place is amazing, clean restrooms and clean in general for a bar type atmosphere.

The wait staff was a little overwelmed because of the amount of people at the release but they were friendly and exceptional considering the amount of work they had before them.

The tap list in both bars they have were out of this world, Finding a beer on tap that will satisfy you isn't a very hard task here - something for everyone and then some.

The food was stellar as well - From their spent grain pizza to their breakfast sandwich ,great potions with very reasonable pricing.

Will definitly visit again.

08-28-2011 13:45:11 | More by InebriatedJoker

Photekut

Azerbaijan

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

I have been to Jackie O's now 3 times for beer releases and can't believe I have not reviewed the place yet.

The atmosphere is great on a release day, but the night before sitting out on the patio was a better option than sitting anywhere near a speaker. It was pretty loud.

Quality is great. Every beer I have had there I really enjoyed and the food is excellent.

Service I am giving a little bump to because Id imagine service is better when it is not so crowded on a release day, but the quality made up for it.

Selection ( of beer ) is incredible, and ( of food ) they have something for almost anyone.

Food as mentioned tastes great. I have had breakfast and lunch several times and have tried different things each time.

100% worth a stop on a release day or not. If I did not live 6 hours away, Id be a semi-regular.

08-24-2011 22:49:19 | More by Photekut

Rhettroactive

Virginia

4.66/5  rDev +6.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Siege06nd and I hit this place for the 6/25/11 bottle release. We were throughly impressed, and eagerly awaiting our next visit.

Jackie O's is split into two sides: brewery and bar, which are connected out back by a really pleasant outdoor courtyard. The brwery side is smaller and very woodsy, with a small stage and a really comforting cabin-like feel to it. The bar has a large board with all of the beers and their descpritions on tap. The staff is top notch, and everyone approached us with a smile and a good understanding and respect for the beer. The proper glasswear is also used for each beer, which is much appreciated.

The bar side is about twice as big, and has a bigger, longer bar. The vibe is similar, though the motif is a bit more rustic. Here too you'll find a big board with a tap list, and quite a few more taps at that. Keep in mind that the two sides share some similar brews, but each side will have a few that the other doesn't. Again, we were greeted with professional, high quality service.

We didn't have any food, as we came to drink. I will say though that everything looked and smelled delish, and I plan on having a proper meal on my next visit. I know they use a lot of local ingredients in their grub, as well as reusing their brewing leftovers.

FYI: Make sure that if you need to use the toilet for more then a #1, you do so before hitting Jackie O's. They don't have any toilet seats or toilet paper in the men's rooms.

Being from DC, the prices are insanely reasonable. I think John bought the five of us four rounds for less then $60. Plus John and I each got a fresh growler and a fill (Raccoon Dubbel and Golden Spice, respectively) for a mere $32.

I've fallen in love with Jackie O's, and I can't wait to visit again. Every aspect of their business is top notch, and I thank both Art and Brad for creating such a wonderful haven for outstanding craft beer.

If you're in the area, or considering making the trek, don't hesitate on stopping by. It's a magical place.

06-26-2011 18:40:22 | More by Rhettroactive

kaips1

Kentucky

4.35/5  rDev -0.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.5 | $$

jackie o's my new favorite spot in ohio, my buddy and i went for the latest bottle release and got to see the place in action the night before. when we first got there, there was entertainment in the brewery with a small somewhat older crowd all locked in on the performance on stage. Now on the public house side it was more barish to what im used to and it seems that the college kids dont leave for the summer like most places, i saw lots of heineken light and newcastle and pbr. the whole time my buddy and i are asking each other whats wrong with these people, some awesome stuff is on tap and extremely reasonable prices and yet they are drinking swill in my book. The food was a little pricey but it was very good, i had breakfast there on release day and it was much needed. Besides the awesome beers and tons of cool ba's i got to meet and share beer with the highlight had to be meeting Brad and getting to chat with him for a second. I will be going back here and ill be recommending it to everyone i know that can appreciate this very cool special place.

06-26-2011 05:27:34 | More by kaips1

tat2dhllblly

Ohio

3.83/5  rDev -12.8%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 4 | service: 2.5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$

Ok, first off the beer is great. I have yet to have a bad or even average beer here. The year rounders and seasonals are a step above most anyother brewerys selection and flavor profile. I hold the beer quality a close second to 3 floyds year rounders. And there guest bottles are wide and well represented but not so many that the ones you get have been sitting to long.

The food is well done without slapping a huge tag on it (a problem that I have with many breweries like 3 floyds, Goose Island, Great Lakes, etc). The pizzas are the best in town.

The bar itself needs some help. The "hey, we are in a college town" is a bit over bearing. The decor could use a huge makeover. The windows are covered up and the light that does get in has to fight through dirty, hand spotted windows. Most of the tables are elevated and one has the choice of bar stools or bar stools. Our you can sit in the smoking area outside the back. The atmosphere is dark and reminds me of a third shifter bar. The staff has good knowledge of their beer and the guest bottles but if you are not a regular at the bar or a group of young college girls then you are greatly ignored.

Jackie O's could really rise above and beyond. The beers are amazing as is the food but like the college kids down the street they need to grow up.

06-19-2011 16:54:12 | More by tat2dhllblly