South Street Brewery

nandemo1

Virginia

3.08/5  rDev -19.6%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3 | selection: 2.5 | food: 4 | $$

Visited this past weekend, was not overly impressed. Yeah I'll probably go back but I have a few criticisms:

1) Hours are horrible, they're closed Sundays and don't open til 5pm the rest of the week including Saturday.

2) Bar was nice and long, giving you a view of the fermentation tanks through glass windows, but the lack of light was depressing and made it seem more empty than it already was at 6pm. Lighting in restaurant area was only marginally better.

3) Beer selection was pretty sparse, a few lagers, a stout and the braggot dessert beer that I had.

4) Service was ok, but bartender didn't have much personality or beer knowledge.

I will say that the food I had was quite good and the prices seemed on par with other ale houses.

08-16-2011 22:56:55 | More by nandemo1

MagicHatter23

Virginia

2.3/5  rDev -39.9%
vibe: 3 | quality: 2 | service: 2 | selection: 2 | food: 4 | $$$

I've been to this place probably 20 times or more (my girlfriend's friends like to go there), and not once have I been served a worthwhile draft beer. While the beers that I've had have always been consistently flat (lacking carbonation), tonight I was served an Absolution Ale that had NO visible carbonation. This was the last straw, so I've decided from here out to stop giving their beers a chance and to just order liquor when I get dragged to this place in the future.

As other reviewers have noted, some of the beers have a decent flavor, but this is usually offset by the lack of carbonation. Most of their beers just taste and look uninspired. The flavors are muted and the mouthfeel of all their beers that I've tried is the same. I'm constantly amazed at how crowded this place always is and how much beer they sell, esp. at $4.75 a pint.

They do have bangin nachos.

01-22-2012 05:01:19 | More by MagicHatter23

CuriousMonk

Virginia

3.48/5  rDev -9.1%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5 | $$

Stayed at the 200 South Inn B&B and this brewery happened to be next door. My family and I decided to have dinner and drinks at the brewery. This place is dim-light and rather large and gives off a rustic environment. Beer vats can be seen through a large window behind the bar which was cool. The place had several beers on tap. Mostly were medicore - quite typical for a no-name brewery, but am always glad little towns have their own brewpubs for beer lovers like myself! The service was pretty decent as it was quite busy that night. The brewpub tries hard to be creative with their food which ended up quite decent. Nothing jumped out as WOW. Everybody at my table thought dinner was just fine and same went for the beers.

07-19-2011 01:54:00 | More by CuriousMonk

drtth

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -5.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5 | $$

During a recent visit I found the atmosphere a bit too noisy and throught the place is set up more for the single 20 somethings.

The quality of the beer and food was OK, but neither of the two beers I tried were really outstanding.

While the service was pretty good it was impacted by the size of the crowd and the noise level.

I thought the range of beer styles on offer on tap was fine and what you'd expect at a brewpub, their own beers.

While the food was OK I wasn't so impressed that I'll be making a special effort to go back.

Prices were fine.

On the whole this was an OK experience but I think that to get better enjoyment of this place one should pick a night that is not so crowded and nosiy as when we were there.

06-14-2011 02:21:33 | More by drtth

TAMU99

Virginia

3.88/5  rDev +1.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3 | food: 4 | $$

Caveat: sat at the bar - so I had fast and exceptional service.

Atmosphere is American casual - wood and copper decor in an old building near Charlottesville's historic outdoor mall (about a block away)
The bartender was friendly and very helpful. He refused to charge me for half a pint of a beer I couldn't stand ("collaboration ale" or something). Despite that single negative this was overall a great place! Everything from geo-bachelors eating alone (me) to groups of women and multi-gen families were dining that night. Seemed to be plenty of wait staff. The kitchen aroma and fireplace made the place smell great. There was baseball on TV at the bar and plenty of parking.

Now the important part - the beer was, aside from the aforementioned, great!!! Had a pint of JP Ale and then tried the sampler (see below). Also had a plate of the Blue Nachos (meatatarian version) and they were killer! Really some of the best nachos I've had.

In short, I think you'll enjoy your food and beer of you chose this great place.

---
(didn't feel like pecking out full reviews for each of these so here's the short version)

Satan's pony - B+
Liberation - A-
Absolution - C
RyePA - A

Prost!

04-02-2011 00:23:46 | More by TAMU99

PreacherBrewer

Virginia

3.08/5  rDev -19.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 2.5 | service: 3 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3 | $$$

A - Right off the Downtown mall. Conveniently located next to lots of parking. Outside is old, brick and rustic. Inside is dim, cozy and welcoming. Art work is cool, and the bar is facing the pots which are viewable via large windows.

Q - The quality of the beers is inconsistent. This is one of their major flaws. They just can't seem to keep the good momentum going. When the beers are on, they are just average. When they are off, they are horrible.

Ser - Service is oh so slow. They have no sense of urgency at all. They ladies are nice, but if you need to get in and get out, go to the bar.

Sel - Beer selection is good. Food is unique.

F - Food is overpriced for the quality. It's very rich and almost too much, depending on your dish. They do provide you with hefty servings. Appetizers are decent.

V - Beer prices are $4 per pint. Food is slightly overpriced. So, for beer, good value. For food, no so much.

02-04-2011 03:50:48 | More by PreacherBrewer

Wilson27

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev +0.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

My favorite type of atmosphere, old hardwood floors, exposed ceiling, exposed beams, fireplace w/ fire going - great building for a brewery / bar. They display their fermenting vessels behind the bar nicely too.

Had two beers while I was there. Satans Pony Amber Ale - great session beer, I could certainly drink a lot of these. Little if any hop flavor, mostly a mild malty brew. Nice in color, light in mouth feel. Their JP Ale was a bit more hoppy, but still had the light mouth feel.

Food came quick and was great. Get the nachos!

11-22-2010 14:07:18 | More by Wilson27

Gavage

New Jersey

3.9/5  rDev +1.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

Easy to find this place off South Street, and there is metered parking across the street or a parking garage just a bit down the road. Walking in you notice some tables but when you walk around to the bar you see a huge copper top bar that can seat 25 or so. Windows behind the bar look into the brewing area and sets a nice vibe. There is also a cool fireplace in the middle of the room.

There were seven beers on tap during my visit. Hefeweizen, Dunkel, Satan's Pony Amber Ale, Liberation Lager, Nut Brown Ale, Lupulin Stout, and a J P Ale. The stout and pale ale were very good, some of the others where decent or dull.

Service was very attentive and the appetizers were tasty. This is a nice stop if you are in the area as pints are only $4.

08-08-2010 21:53:36 | More by Gavage

grinch7555

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +5.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

South Street was the first brewpub we visited during our Valley trip. We stayed overnight at the B&B two doors down and made it so easy to have a good time at the pub. Located in the Historic area of Charlottesville. We started at the bar which was crowded along with the dining area. Was able to get a table in good time and had a dinner (party of 6). Had the stuffed trout which I though was excelent. Since we didn't have to worry about driving had a few pints along with the sampler. The Hefeweizen was very good along with the Lager. The best was their Amber Ale. When your in Charlottesville I would suggest a visit and if possible the B&B so you can stay later and enjoy more.

07-31-2010 02:07:50 | More by grinch7555

veech

Tennessee

4.05/5  rDev +5.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5 | $$

This place is well advertised in the tourist literature, but could be a little out of the way depending on where you are staying in C-ville. Situated in an old downtown brick former warehouse/who knows what it had a cool historic, but familiar vibe as so many brewpubs do. Artsy vibe, with several artsy types both behind and in front of the bar. It was very early on a Thursday afternoon so we were almost the only people in the place upon arrival, but the place was packed by the time we left. Service was friendly and prompt, and we were seated very quickly after briefly chatting up the bartender/perusing the taps. I did the obligatory sampler of beers and ended up enjoying their Russian imperial stout and flagship beer, Satan's pony, the most of any of them. None were incredibly memorable, but all were true to style and tasty. The rack of ribs was surprisingly delicious, as was all the food sampled really. I would recommend this as a stop for a hungry and/or thirsty traveler if in Jefferson country.

07-13-2010 20:45:18 | More by veech