Davidson Brothers Restaurant & Brewery

12vman

New York

4.83/5  rDev +21.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$

Let me begin by stating this pub is one big reason I would not leave the Glens Falls area. I have too many friends who have moved away, only to ask me to bring a truck load of growlers to them next time I come to visit.

Most importantly, they brew the best beer around. I've been to many brew pubs, and have had my share of the good, the bad and the down right ugly. But Davidson's consistently brews great ales. My favorites include the IPA, ESB, Brown, Control-Alt-Delete, Dacker, Scotch, Wheat... Heck, I guess it would have been easier to state which style I don't prefer. Sorry, can't think of any. All are well balanced good representations of the style and VERY drinkable (trust me on this- the cab fare home is $7.00)

Brewer Rick Davidson is at home in his pub. He mingles with the guests like it's not even work. Very friendly, and makes everyone feel at home. The atmosphere matches the warmth of the host.

Finally, the food. While Davidson's will not be mistaken for a 4 star gourmet restaurant, they are good at their intended purpose. They serve up fine pub fare and specialty dishes that keep locals and tourist coming back for more. Try the Cheddar Stout soup, and you'll ask for a transfer to the Glens Falls branch of where you work. And the prices are very reasonable. Plan on a tab around $60 per couple plus gratuity, if each person drinks 2-3 pints, has an appetizer and a meal.

If you live in the Glens Falls region, I'm not telling you anything you don't already know. If you are not, make a point of coming to visit and stop by for a pint and a bite. Rick will hook you at "whatta have?"

08-15-2008 01:49:21 | More by 12vman

PCaravan

Texas

4.72/5  rDev +18.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

First, I have to say the previous reviewers missed the point when they said their IPAs weren't hoppy enough. All these beers are done with English style in mind which is never as over-the-top as American styles are. The emphasis on English beers is balance and drinkability. These beers excel in that.

After getting quality out of the way, I had the most fun there as I've had a pub in a long time. If you visit this place and the brewmaster/part owner, Rick Davidson is not there then you are missing out. If he wasn't doing such a good job here, he'd have an outstanding career as a stand-up comedian. An very personalbe too. As soon as I told him my name, I think everyone at the establishment, staff and customers, knew it as well. I'd give the place a 5 in terms of atmosphere but there was a bit of an unpleasant 'stale beer' smell as I walked in the door.

Service was great. Staff knew about the beer and how to talk about it to customers and were quick. They also seemed to gel well with Rick's antics.

I've seen more taps at brewpubs but it's rare to see as many worth actually having.

The food was good. I had a cup of soup, as previous reviewers raved about it, and some fish and chips. The soup (Buffalo Chicken Soup), while good, didn't blow me away. In fact, it was so thick I would call it a fancy cheese dip. No problem... a handful of tortilla chips come with it. Made for one of the better queso dips I've had. The fish and chips were on par with other fish and chips I've had.

While it wasn't cheap, considering where I was, I think it's not that bad.

Overall, this IS worth going out of the way for! Especially if you can catch Rick Davidson.

05-31-2008 02:12:26 | More by PCaravan

sudzweasel

Rhode Island

4.63/5  rDev +16.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

Spent a week in the Lake George area and had this place on the list of things to do while there. When I arrived with family in tow I was taken with the cool, outside dining in the waling alleyway experience that the place had. The mgr Harry ended up taking care of us due to the roll of the dice and it was great. We had the regular IPA that my wife and I were taken with - a nice, drinkable English style IPA that could be used as a session easily. Harry was more than willing to get me samples as I wanted and I had their very smooth and creamy Scotch ale and then their Mega Hop IPA as my second pint. I bought a case of their IPA for the vacation as well. The food was varied and delicious. I had a Thai tuna wrap that was outstanding and their sweet potato fries. The whole vibe there was so great that we all went back a second time two days later and had a repeat experience. The entire city has that old timey USA look and feel to it. Kudos to Harry and the other servers as they were all attentive and more than willing to make sure we had a great time.

07-03-2008 21:51:41 | More by sudzweasel

HopDerek

Pennsylvania

4.6/5  rDev +15.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | food: 5 | $$

Stopped by for a late dinner on our return from Montreal. Quite easy to find using their website directions with parking lot in the rear. Only hard thing was actually finding the building late in the evening, as there is no lit sign. Decided to eat outside since it was a nice evening, but there is also a very nice old pub looking bar and seating inside.

Had around 10 beers on tap, tried the sampler for 6 and got a pint of the Oatmeal stout for free with the purchase of a t-shirt. All the beers were wonderful, most in the British style and very creamy. Service was excellent and our server was very knowledgable. Food was amazing, especially the Buffalo Chicken soup. Definitely a place I look forward to getting back to the next time I find myself anywhere near Glens Falls.

07-23-2007 15:24:55 | More by HopDerek

MTMugs

New York

4.58/5  rDev +15.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4

Nice place! Right on the main drag in Glens Falls which has changed a real lot since I was last there 20 years ago! We sat at the bar (do you sense a trend?) but after lunch we did go up and check out the second floor dining room. Nice. Dark wood, cool old-timey decorations. I had the Strong Ale, ESB and IPA. The Oatmeal Stout is still very good. The appetizers we had to eat were quite tasty too! Bartender was knowledgeable about the 30+ beers that were on tap and, when we bought our commemorative Davidson's pints, he even gave us one free! Neat idea - the Quality Control Club. For $55/year you get a newsletter and 22 oz beers for the price of a pint. Special nights throughout the year too. The sampler was unique too - a wooden disk with cutouts to hold the small pilsner glasses. Their logo was featured in the middle of the disk. We usually hit this once a year on our way to the track. Well worth the visit.

03-25-2004 14:03:25 | More by MTMugs

ecoboy

Rhode Island

4.45/5  rDev +11.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4

I had to go back to make sure the first time wasn't a fluke.

I really like this place, especially considering its downtown-in-a-small-city-that-goes-quiet-on-weekends location. I've dined outside during a nice stouty Sunday Brunch and had dinner alone at the bar on a midweek evening. Outdoors is a wide alley between two downtown buildings, no more no less, but the good service and the other happy patrons liven it up. The bar area is one of those old fashioned huge old west big wood monstrosities with cubbies for breweriana. Brewer's kettles are visible through the glass to the left. Overall effect is Davidson shouting to its rooftops that it is dedicated to beer and ale.

Both times, the server was informal, patient, chatty and efficient. The food was on the good end of (pub grub + dinner menu.) A great number of pint choices and now that I've tried four or five, I'd go out on a limb and say they're all well done. I enjoyed the Scottish and the IPA during dinner and bought a case of IPA to take home. Bottles are actually done Pugsley-style by Shipyard in Portland, so it really was like taking them to their home.

Agree that the IPA is not spectacular big-hop-tastewise, but I would give it really high ratings for drinkability. Saratoga and Lake George both have fine brewpubs, but while in the area, I suggest an extra stop at Davidson's.

04-17-2003 09:34:38 | More by ecoboy

aerozeppl

New York

4.43/5  rDev +11.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

So we were up this way and finally made it in. Great old building located right on the main drag. Large outdoor seating area with umbrellas in the like located in the old service alley. The inside of the pub was very cozy. Big copper kettle visable right up front. The bar was old (in the good way). Walls were covered with old beer stuff. The service was excellent from the top down. The brewer even stopped by to see what we thought of the beers. I had the IPA which was good and the lady had the scotch ale which was really good. I got the Buffalo Chicken soup which was stellar. Had a burger after that and it was good. This place does a very brisk business and after visiting I know why. Lunch was very reasonably priced and good. Will definitely stop by again if up North.

07-28-2009 00:37:13 | More by aerozeppl

kmdeihl

New York

4.4/5  rDev +10.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

Found the atmosphere was enhanced by the owner Rick working the bar and dinning room going table to table to take a few minutes to talk to his customers. The staff was excellent and at times took their cue from Rick's banter. The food was excellent we had stuffed shrimp and filet. Soup was seafood bisque made on site and taste great. All this and a American wheat made for a very pleasant dinner. We can't wait to come in the summer when they have outside seating and live music three nights a week. We will be eating here evry chance we get.

12-23-2011 21:07:45 | More by kmdeihl

Bierman9

New Hampshire

4.34/5  rDev +9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Davidsons doesn't look like much from the front, but enter on the side and things get promising. It's a dark, woody place, but I get a warm feeling there. As you enter, the place is laid-out lengthwise from left to right. The bar is just a bit to the left and in the back; dining to the right, and in front of the bar to the left, also. I believe there was upstairs seating as well. To the far left, fronting the windows, are the brewing tanks. Old knick-knacks, bier paraphernalia and sports equipment hang from the walls and ceilings. There were 10 biers on tap (ranging from Blonde to Scotch Ale and Stout) as well as 1 bottled offering. Our pert little bier-tender (Genelle?) was attentive and fairly well-versed in their biers. The biers were generally well-made, though nothing I had knocked my socks off. Worthy of a visit if you're in the area. Prosit!!

overall: 4.34
atmosphere: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: n/a | $$

54

02-03-2003 15:19:10 | More by Bierman9

slander

New York

4.33/5  rDev +8.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

Functional navigator and co-pilot that I am, I had completely mapped out the path to Burlington via all over the place. (Evil) Davo's drivin', I'm riding shotgun, what could possibly go wrong, right? I figured we'd need lunch up North somewhere and Davidson Brothers seemed like it could have been kind of almost sort of nearly along the way...
Up the Northway, a ways South of Lake George yet, a right turn off the exit, and an eventual brewpub on the main drag in town. Actually, a real good scene as seen from the street, as the entrance is through a side... well, it's not quite an alley, it's a lot wider than that. It's like a mini street blocked off for the restaurants on both side of it to have outdoor seating (or something). Davidson's got about 2 and a half dozen tables out there for their part. In through the side door, we're seated front row center at the bar. It's a straight wood job, seating nearly a dozen. The bar and the massive mirrored back unit came from an area bar gone under. Booze and glassware on the unit, case bottles, growlers and beer trays above it and a blackboard to the right of the bar unit listing the taps and their ABV's. The 2 walls running the length of the building are old brick. Wood rafter ceilings, deep green plaid wallpaper uppers and dark green lowers, spotlighting overhead, TV's in the corners, a firehouse wagon unit suspended from the ceiling, and wood and brick lined kettles in a small room in the front along the windows. A dozen tables run the room, mostly along the large windows looking out on the outdoor seating area. An ancient cash register sits on the end of the bar and the walls are adorned with framed Davidson Brothers ads and articles.
Upstairs, a small "L" shaped copper topped bar seating a half a dozen. Massive brick walls, a giant framed mirror, spot lighting, and large windows overlooking the street and the side outdoor area. Tartan plaid wallpaper, bookshelves, and about a dozen and a half tables riddled about. To the rear of the floor sits a game room, a small area with a pool table, foosball, a pinball machine, darts, table bowling and a TV. There's also a bookshelf loaded with children's books.
Meanwhile, back at the bar, 10 house taps and Michelob Light. The sampler gives you 6 beers of your choice. The Brown was done English Brown style, very nice, the Irish Red sweet & malty, the Double Hop IPA had a good bite, the Oatmeal Stout silky, roasty & oaty, the Belgian Triple sweet and very nicely done, the Magnum Hop IPA was crazily alcohol-ee, also quite good. They also let us try the Summer Wheat, slight banana flavor, and the Hop Scotch which was good and malty. All the beers were real damn good, and oh by the way, growlers for $7.95. Owner Rick Davidson gave us the history of the place, and asked us if we'd heard of his "beer guarantee" (Um, no). "Well", he says, "If there's any beer you don't like, I'll finish it for you". Nice try, Rick, get your own beer, I'll be finishing all these.
As to the aforementioned lunch, I had the jumbo wings with the tangy Asian Orange sauce and a turkey club, both were very good.
Good beer, good food, should be enough to hold me until we get to VT.

08-01-2005 00:29:58 | More by slander