Eel River Brewing Co.

htomsirveaux

Texas

3.33/5  rDev -19.4%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 2.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5 | $$$

Had a light snack here on 30 Aug 2012. Stop #5 on the tour up 101.

Fairly crowded when we walked in, and as we sat down we realized why. Thursdays are $2.75 pints all day. We lucked out! Seven regular beers on tap plus five specialties. Three TVs showing football and baseball. Beer garden outside, maybe 20 4 tops inside with space for 14 or so at the bar. Was actually pretty crowded, we briefly sat at the bar (mom inadvertently stole an older lady's spot and got the stink eye which was amusing) before a table opened up for us.

Lots of swag on the walls, flags, old saws, a buffalo head. Somewhat slow service and our waiter unfortunately had an amazing case of halitosis. Entrees a bit on the pricey side, but California + all organic = big money. We had the calamari, it was cooked well but slightly on the bland side.

$$$ for food everyday, $ for beer on Thursdays or during happy hour (1500-1830 daily).

11-09-2012 05:29:27 | More by htomsirveaux

psychoholicagogo

Oregon

3.7/5  rDev -10.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | food: 3.5 | $$

In the midst of a late summer weekend trek, I stopped by Eel River on a crisp Sunday morning. Right away I felt very comfortable. The inner workings of the place were quite visible from my position at the bar. They even had a nice veranda outside to take in the excellent Cali weather. The beers were good and reasonably priced as was the food. Speaking of food, I think the onion rings I ordered were amongst the best I've ever had. If I was still living in that neck of the woods I would probably frequent it often.

11-13-2005 01:01:51 | More by psychoholicagogo

Troyone

California

3.8/5  rDev -8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5 | $$

Located in a suburban area, this is an interesting Brewpub. Lots of local regulars frequent this location. There is advertisements for live music on certain nights, an outdoor patio, and the brewing room can be seen from the bar.

Most of the tap nozzles were brass at least one was stainless steel. The wood tables, chairs, and bar were nice. The kitchen was not in the open and the restroom was clean.

Service was friendly, prompt, and apparently some remember the names of the regulars.

Good selection of their own beers and no cask. Most of their beers were organic and all were possible notables. The Ravens Eye Stout was a definite notable.

The food was not bad but not cooked on a real grill. They do have organic and hormone free options.

reasonable

06-11-2005 09:09:09 | More by Troyone

rayzorwit

California

3.8/5  rDev -8%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$$

If you have time for only one brewery in the Eureka area, I would recommend going somewhere else. Otherwise, if you have a few days to spend in town, then this is worth putting under your belt.

I lived right around the corner from this place so it was convenient for me to stop in on a semi-regular basis. The ambience is fine, and it's the only outdoor dining area for a brewpub in town. I've met a couple of patrons and will say there are some good folks here (this is Friendly Fortuna at its best). The food is good. Exceptional to note are their beer battered onion rings.

As far as beer, I would deem it as okay. I have yet to try a beer that really called my attention, with the exception of their Exultation, which is definitely a must try as far as their beers are concerned. Unfortunately, any good beer of theirs usually fetches a higher price. Overall, you're looking at spending a little bit more money for food and drink.

02-23-2010 07:24:31 | More by rayzorwit

Mark

California

4/5  rDev -3.1%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5

A nice pub in a big rustic barnlike building. Friendly servers, great food, and good craft beer. When we were there the lunchtime crowd was NOT drinking beer. Way up in the boonies from the Bay Area, but worth a visit if your up in that direction. Fortuna seemed a friendly but unspectacular town.

06-20-2002 20:43:55 | More by Mark

rkuhnel

California

4/5  rDev -3.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

I go here occassionally, and have never had a bad visit. it is located just off the 101 Freeway and sits between a couple hotels. Lots of parking and a nice long bar and lots of tables. Service is always excellent and the staff is very friendly. They have an excellent selection of beers. The last time I was there I had their Fish and Chips, and the fish was about as good as you can ask for. Very nice atmosphere, better than average brewpub food, and an outstanding seleciion of beers makes this a place a beer lover will really enjoy. Their Ravens Eye Imperial Stout and Triple Exultation Old Ale are worth trying, and I also like their Organic IPA.

04-09-2007 00:28:01 | More by rkuhnel

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev 0%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

When it opened in 1995, it was America's first Certified-Organic brewery.

Tucked away between a Super 8 motel and a self-storage facility, the porch and overhang on the motel side opened onto a sea of standard restaurant tables and chairs. The short, all-wood, "L"-shaped bar was on the left side, headed aft. Off to the right was a really extensive biergarten populated by some VERY skittish kitties. The kitchen was all of the way aft, along the back wall. The brewhouse and several FVs were visible behind the back bar. Outdoor were several cement slabs from the former Clay Brown Mill, on whose site the brewpub now exists. A new facility, nine miles away, was soon to come on line with national distribution forthcoming.

Update: It has not only happened, but we actually get their beers in PA!

Their philosophy included five (5) credos which all revolved around good customer service. Our server's name was Yuneun (Yoon-Win). David Bourn was their kitchen manager. I had Italian chicken noodle soup for lunch. It should be noted that they also offered fresh baked pies.

History: As regards their logo, the Olympic and Eel River RailRoad (O & E R R.R.) used to haul lumber and gives its name to the Climax California Classic Lager. Along those lines, be sure to take note of the B & W photos along the right wall.

Beers: CA Blonde (5.62); Organic Extra Pale Ale (4.8); Organic Amber (4.7); Organic IPA (7.0); Organic Porter (6.3); and Hazlnut Porter.

08-24-2008 22:45:36 | More by woodychandler

TheLoneGunman

Illinois

4.18/5  rDev +1.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

This is an excellent organic brewery. The food was tasty and I must say the onion rings rivaled Hop Leaf's. That's saying a lot.

The bar is huge. I mean really huge. The dining area is very comfortable and they even have an outdoor area. This is a great example of a brewpub that caters to families during the day. Lots of locals eating and many of them were not drinking beer. Things liven up in the evening and the beer really starts flowing. As I said, the food is good and the portions are BIG.

The beer is darn good. I wasn't disappointed in any of them. Whether it is by chance or not, I don't know. But I have not had good luck with other organic breweries. If you are in Northern California, you really should check them out. They deserve your time.

05-12-2006 00:43:24 | More by TheLoneGunman

VegasBill

Nevada

4.33/5  rDev +4.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5 | $$

This is one micro that I have been looking forward to returning to.The inside is very big even huge and there is an outside patio, they call it a beer garden, with warmers for the spring and fall.The beer is very good quality and they have won hundreds of awards including some at the GABF. I found a new appreciation for the Triple Exultation which I tried last time I was here and did not care for but this time I was talking with the bartender and he explained that this is a version of Old Peculiar but with a lot more hops. Well mention hops and you have my interest, so therefore the new appreciation.
The food served here is organic even to the point of raising their own beef . The food is very tasty and high quality , during the day and early evening the restaurant is very busy with food customers and little beer being served, what a shame. That changes later in the evening. I like this micro so much that next time I head up the coast I will arrange more time for Fortuna.

08-04-2007 06:03:44 | More by VegasBill

beerguy101

California

4.38/5  rDev +6.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4

After spending most of the day driving down the Oregon and California coast. I stopped at Fortuna for the night. After checking into a motel, I asked the desk person if there was anywhere to eat except the Denny’s. She said “well there is this brewpub right over there!” Brewpub?? Damn how did I miss that? Located in a big rustic barn like building, it captures the mood of the North Coast well. The waitstaff was great; my waitress didn’t charge me for the samplers I tried. There were at least 8 beers on tap. The menu was varied with lots of selections: burgers, salads, pasta and the like. The food is plentiful and excellent. I was too tired to spend more time there than a few beers and dinner. But it was totally packed by 7 PM on a Thursday night. It is most definitely worth a stop if your in the area.

10-14-2003 05:35:01 | More by beerguy101