Bluegrass Brewing Co. - Theater Square

RoninWai

Texas

3.2/5  rDev -12.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 3 | food: 4 | $$

(I'm writing this review two years after the fact so bear with me if I don't have a lot of detail in my review. )
My wife and I went here after visiting family for Thanksgiving. I grew up in Louisville as a kid and I was pleased to see how much the town got built up downtown.
The beer choices were good and the buffalo burger was great. I enjoyed the food and the atmosphere. Like one of the reviewers above, we were there for a late lunch and it wasn't too loud or quite. Our waitress was prompt and helpful. I enjoyed the Cardinal lager and bought a growler of it to take home.
I'm definitely going to check it out again next time I'm in town.

12-29-2012 19:57:16 | More by RoninWai

jwjon1

Delaware

2.3/5  rDev -36.8%
vibe: 2 | quality: 2.5 | service: 2.5 | selection: 2 | $$$

I hate writing less than positive reviews, but they can be useful so here goes. I've had bottled beers from Bluegrass before, none of which stood out, save for a bal aged stout which was soured and wretched. Nevertheless, was in town and the 4th st location was across the street from my hotel, so figured I'd give it a shot. I had just arrived in L'ville that day and had a beer at Against the Grain, L'ville Beer Store, and dinner at Holy Grale. Great start, with my excitement at the L'ville beer scene increasing with each stop.

Then came Bluegrass. My enthusiasm fell off a cliff. Tried the Homewrecker and American Pale Ale. Blah and blah. Especially the Homewrecker. This is a DIPA? Really? It's a sticky mess with no real hop profile--and this from a fresh batch on draft. The APA wasn't much better.

Anti-impressed and frankly bored.

10-24-2012 02:14:57 | More by jwjon1

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3/5  rDev -17.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 2 | selection: 3 | food: 3.5 | $$

We sat outdoors so only a portion of the atmosphere was in the control of BBC - there was traffic on the street and plenty of pedestrians going by. Unfortunately, we were down wind from another table where everyone was smoking cigars and it was less enjoyable than I desired.

The beers were properly served and tasted as I expected (and similar to other reviews).

The service at this BBC establishment was awful - had to be one of the worst servers I have ever had in all my years of going to bars/restaurants/brewpubs. It took well over 15 minutes just to get the menus and put in a drink order, then it took quite a while for the food to be delivered. Additionally, after the food was dropped off we did not see the server again for about 40 minutes - I got so desperate for another beer that I went to the bar and got one myself.

The selection was about what you would expect for a brewpub, I think they had about 10-12 different beers available on tap. They seemed to cover a decent array of styles, some regulars and some seasonal.

The food was decent for pub fare but not anything special.

Prices seemed to be about average for the area and I would consider it reasonable.

05-29-2012 22:54:49 | More by dbrauneis

FanofHefe

Illinois

4/5  rDev +9.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

Stopped in for a quick bite to eat and to have a couple of beers on a Saturday afternoon. Promptly seated and asked if we wanted to watch the game with the noise or have a more quiet seat in the back. I thought that was courteous.

I asked for an IPA and th waiter quickly told me what they had and brought it out promptly. The wife and I ordered a sandwich and split it. Nothing spectacular on the food side but very decent.

The atmosphere was pleasant and the front near the bar seems like a good sports bar environment. The 2 beers I had were solid.

Overall, a good experience. If you're in the area, I'd recommend it.

02-18-2012 21:52:05 | More by FanofHefe

ndolover

Minnesota

3.28/5  rDev -9.9%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | $$

Located just south of the "LIVE" area in downtown. This old brick building has some character.

The place had a good vibe, but nothing to write home about. The service was quick and helpful.

The beers on tap were all their own. They some crazy stuff too! Alt's and Raspberry Meads come to mind of some interesting selections. The IPA was good, with alot of Simcoe hops throughout.

The smallish bar and subdued atmosphere put me off a bit. However, I would like to come back and give it another try. Worth a stop if you are in the downtown area.

11-01-2011 19:20:35 | More by ndolover

TheBeerAlmanac

Kentucky

3.43/5  rDev -5.8%
vibe: 2 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4 | $$

A: Stopped in after a concert one Thursday evening. Only a handful of people inside, not a lot of enthusiasm.

Q: Food was really good, beer was decent too. Was a little surprised to see so few beer options on hand.

S: Waitress seemed uninterested, like she was ready to get out of there. Came by rarely, only when needed. But she did take care of everything we needed, so there's that.

S: Decent menu, various options. Again, just wish they had a better beer selection.

F: Had some pizza, it was really good. Finished it off in our hotel later that night. I'd go back again.

10-17-2011 01:50:03 | More by TheBeerAlmanac

KYBrewgrass

Kentucky

4/5  rDev +9.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

Right across the street from the Palace Theater, this is a great spot if you're pregaming for a show. If otherwise, it is still in a convenient spot close to everything downtown. I had lunch here summer 2010 with my wife.

A - 4 We were there for a late lunch, and it was quiet. I like that, though! The patio was a nice and relaxing spot to have our lunch.

Q - 4 The food and beer were both well-crafted. The beer I've discussed elsewhere as being very solid in general; it's the same case here. The food was tasty and hot and how you'd expect it. It's not upscale but it is definitely good.

Ser - 4 No complaints here. Not overly attentive but our needs were met just fine. As I said, it was a slow and quiet afternoon, which probably trickled down to everyone. It was fine.

Sel - 4 A good menu of both food and beer. They have the standard offerings on tap as well as seasonals that would surely offer everyone's tastes something. I wish they had more guest brews, but if you're going to a brewpub chances are you're looking for their beer anyway.

F - 4 As mentioned previously, the food was tasty. It wasn't fancy or anything, but it was nice.

V - $$ For a brewpub downtown with decent food, its prices were reasonable. They were what I expected to pay.

04-12-2011 13:26:34 | More by KYBrewgrass

Shrews629

Kentucky

4/5  rDev +9.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

I must say that I really enjoy this place. I have been to this particular pub 4 times and everytime I thoroughly enjoy myself. Nice open atmosphere bar with all the proper beer selections from BBC. Several big screen TVs to enjoy the nights baseball, football or basketball games. The food is well above average in my opinion also with more than adequate portions. The bartenders and waitresses are very kind and quick with service. You can choose to sit inside or hang out outside. You can even pick up BBC merchandise in the pub. This is one place that I will continue to visit on my infrequent trips to Louisville.

11-29-2010 20:13:23 | More by Shrews629

Bourbon

Kentucky

4.3/5  rDev +18.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

Well, I will say that this is just a pleasurable place to grab a bite as dusk settles in. The atmosphere when it's too cold to sit outside is not amazing, just alright.

No complaints about the food or service any time I've been there. One incident that does stick out in my mind is when I asked a server about one of their brews, she wasn't sure about it, so she grabbed the head brewer over to my stool.

I love their selection of their in-house brews, although on occasion they seem a little inconsistent. Not a bad beer in the set, though. They also carry a handful of other beers, some of which are good. Missing the selections they brew would almost be criminal, though.

Smiling servers and good Microbrew. A winner in my book.

09-23-2010 01:11:08 | More by Bourbon

kalopharis

Hawaii

4.15/5  rDev +14%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4 | $$

Visited on a business trip in April 2010. Like another poster I also stayed across the street at the Brown, and knew right away that could be a dangerous combination.

Though the APA was good, it did leave something to be desired. The Dark Star porter was so tasty that I nabbed a six pack. But I have to say that the seasonal coffee stout was really my favorite - if you happen to go, do yourself a favor and ask if they've got any on tap.

Curious that they had absinthe on the menu, I also tried this and enjoyed it - they do everything short of charring the sugar cube. In fact, the bartender seemed perturbed at having to go through the ceremony of the drink and after acted annoyed at me. I move to a table and quickly befriended my server who spent quite a bit of time hanging out with me.

At his recommendation I had a Hot Brown and can only describe it as a cheesy gooey delicious mess. I'd highly suggest this, but as it's the only one I've ever had, I'm not sure if it's true to the "original" recipe, which was named for the aforementioned Brown Hotel and still served there today.

07-31-2010 05:55:54 | More by kalopharis