The Run of the Mill Public House & Brewery

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

3.78/5  rDev -6.4%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4 | service: 3.25 | selection: 3.75 | food: 4 | $$

Set in an old mill building on Saco Island, this is the sister establishment of The Liberal Cup. Long, narrow space set up with the bar in the middle when you walk in. Great old-school tavern feel, with lots of wood accents and antique beer paraphernalia. The menu is great, and reasonably priced, with pub fare mixed with some local, homemade treats. Beer is good, but only 6 on tap with a cask. The beers they make rotate regularly, so if you are looking for something specific it is worth checking ahead. They do sell growlers, but they are pricey. Hand-blown glass fetches $25, and it's $10 for the fill. I visited on a Friday night, so it was packed, and the servers made fairly regular visits. Overall, this place is worth a visit. The beer is tasty, and the food is good.

02-02-2013 00:06:39 | More by GarthDanielson

kangarooAdam59

Pennsylvania

4.21/5  rDev +4.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.25 | $$

Been listening to the hype from co-workers and I had to check this place out:

A: I took my wife and son there today for lunch, figured for a Monday, it can't be too crowded and we got there fairly early. I was definitely pleased as a great beer atmosphere all around. I could tell they take their beer seriously at this pub house & brewery. Lots of nice beer decorations adorned the brewpub, looked like a large bar area

Q/S: very good as I got the beers I asked for in the correct glasses, looked like they had a 6 of their own taps always available and a guest tap.

S: very good, but it was a Monday and not too crowded, so I was pleased at least for my table. I had a hard time deciding on what beer I should have so the selection was more than adequate.

F: Once again, I had a hard time deciding on what I wanted for food because the selection was awesome.

V: about right for this part of Maine as I got a growler re-fill of the State Budget Red for a decent price. I'm looking forward to trying this. I would definitely go back.

01-21-2013 23:40:19 | More by kangarooAdam59

Cavanaghty

Maine

4.15/5  rDev +2.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$$

When I lived in Biddeford this was my place of choice, I went the day it opened, and just went again for the first time in a couple years tonight. Much better than I remember! It used to be a great place for just drinks, but now the food and beverage has improved greatly! The beer selection is great, not only do they have their own beers, but several usuals on tap and bottle(buds and so on). The food and service has improved quite a bit since my last visit. Well, since I work near by it is time to make this a frequent stop again after shift. Oh just be careful, their beers can knock you on your ass quick, just make sure you have a safe way home after having a few of their beers.

08-07-2012 02:20:32 | More by Cavanaghty

Bierman9

New Hampshire

4.18/5  rDev +3.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

Stopped in here on 09DEC11 with Alewife for lunch, before heading up to mid-coast Maine for the weekend.

No, the name "Run of the Mill" doesn't mean it's an average place. It's an homage to the location, on the ground floor of one of a few mill buildings set on an island in the middle of the Saco River. There's a small, fenced-in area out front for nicer weather. Once in, the place is loads of old brickwork, worn and weathered wood, big-ass ceiling beams, exposed ductwork and lots of space, running long from right to left, mostly left. There are a few tables to the right, beyond which the brewing equipment is nestled. The bar is ahead and stretches to the left, with more tables and booths far to the rear left. Out a door to the rear left leads to a lovely deck overlooking the river. There were a couple of sets of taps at the bar, where brown, deep emerald and cobalt blue colored growlers hung above you. The barback was populated by many a high-quality liqour, if that's your game. There's really a lot of space here, and the light wood and warm lighting gives the place a welcoming feel. We parked at the bar and had super service from the tall, ponytailed 'tender. As for the biers, they had 6 regulars plus one cask, and a guest (Tripel Karmeliet). My XPA and Smelt Strong Ale were flavorful and well-made, to go with my pepperoni quesedilla while Alewife opted for the guest bier, to wash down her tasty steak. All-in-all, a very good (and by no means "run of the mill") experience here in Saco. Thnx go out to an anonymous couple I met at the Portsmouth Brewery who recommended this place. Prosit!!

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

233

12-17-2011 22:24:38 | More by Bierman9

SevaTse

New Hampshire

4/5  rDev -1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.5 | $$

On my quest to find good places close to the border of New Hampshire
As well as on a drive back from a day of shopping at Portland, Maine
Armed by some BA and Interwebs information
Me and my wife decided to stop at this location
We walked into a building that used to be a mill
To see whether the beer was good, and to find out the deal
With this place and situated near a campus of a college
To see if it's any good or just a pile of garbage

Current taps were clearly displayed above the bar
So wayfarers can study them from a far
There were about five beers that were made on the spot
One cask, and two guests taps, I thought, "why not?"
A cream stout was the order that was placed by me
While an Oktoberfest was demanded by the lady the French would call "votre marie"
No, the food on this occasion we failed to sample
As stuffed we were from Wholes Food buffet of BBQ, for example.
Lest I forgot, a Hugh Malone was also enjoyed by me
Making it a fairly pleasant visit, indeed.
The interior was not at all an epic fail
With house taps at $3.75, I'd say the visit went rather well
One could see the brick walls, and laquered wood bar surfaces
So you can sit in peace and pour delicious beer down your orifices
I saw a thing or two in common with the Liberal Cup
Perhaps the same owner or maybe it's a local chain pub
If passing by I say you pull your buggy over
And have a glass or two, as you're still about an hour away from Dover

10-23-2011 12:13:15 | More by SevaTse

sabalon

Maine

4.3/5  rDev +6.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 5 | $$

I had an early dinner there today and I was impressed overall with the establishment. The atmosphere was very tranquil and inviting.

They had a wide variety of beers available, though I only had time to enjoy their stout, which was very nice. The food was definately worth every penny.

The only hit to the entire visit was the staff. I first sat near the end of the bar, only to be joined by a bartender who sat down next to me to cut fruit, and it soon turned into the staff social spot. After moving to further down the bar, all was well. Though I will give props to the chef who prepared my food for asking me how my food was through the service window, I was never asked by the bartender who was waiting on me. At times she seemed to be absent too long, once when I was in need of something. I had to get up and search her out around the corner.

A previous review of staff wrestling, my dealings, as well as other staff slacking does bring some red flags. I definately recommend the beer and food, and whole heartedly recommend visiting, as I will return myself - I just hope that the staff lax professionalism doesn't tarnish what looks like a solid establishment with great potential.

10-27-2010 08:36:36 | More by sabalon

slander

New York

3.93/5  rDev -2.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3 | $$

So you named your place "Run of the Mill" and I can't help but think "Doesn't that mean 'just average'?" I guess we'll see. Oh, and how nice of you to be open to the public this time around. Last year when I showed up, you were selfishly closed for a private party of bullshit. But I did a return while in state as it's a Hallowell hook and I wanted to see what wacko is Saco...

In a complex of old milldam I had to circle to park. I even had to walk up a little hill or something. Entering through the far end, it's just a whole lotta big brick with nooks & crannies like old industry do, with English pubby panel walls around the bar area, some painted pieces & trim yellow & blue. The room is done with random brewery signage, tins & beer trays, a vintage "Biddeford & Saco Coal Co" sign, and other old town local pics & pieces. Old wood floors and fat plank ceilings, sporting exposed black ducts, track spots & lanterny lamps lighting. Small brewroom for show on one end of the room (the rest of the equipment is downstairs).

And then a good part of the room is run by a looong "C" shaped laminated cut tree bar curved & knotted with a brick base & footrest, seating 2 dozen+ on swivel backed chairs. Tower boxes of 6 taps each with generic & toy random piece handles on each end, and 2 handpumps on one end. Barback is fitted paneled pieces with a center mirror over tiered booze. A kegerator sits on center with guest tap Houblon Chouffe rearing its handle; wines displayed to both sides, bottled PBR, Kaliber & Woodchuck Cider shelved, and a baby etch-a-sketch I need to get at. "On tap" board to the right lists 6 tap selections, a single cask selection, and the guest tap on wood hooked pieces. 2 peek-a-boo kitchen food pass cut throughs where they'll do the most good. Appropriate Belgian glassware chalice action tucked behind the Houblon handle, other glassware shelved below & more booze below below. Ceramic mug club mugs hooked on a rack over the bar & mounted on some bar post beams, and block pieces with previous guest tap handles above. Hanging shirts for sale displayed, and TV's on both ends. A half dozen + high tops & bar tables, and some bar counter space pieces about the bar area. Foosball in the far corner and a tight dart nook behind me.

Open dining area past the bar with a handful of tables cozying up against a phat wood beam divider, and some booths on the rear wall below windows to the deck, quisp lighting throughout. A single table event room of brick & crazy off the backside and 2 rooms on the far end with 9 tables each. Sharing benchings "L" the rooms, one of them holding semi circle tables and cool prints & maps unusual ala Spuyten (The gorgeous 1860 Somerset County map of badass, um, yeah). Out back, a 2 tier deck offers cool views over the Saco River and more brick millings. The top side partially canopied angled over a "J" shaped stainless steel bar seating nearly a dozen and a half, and 30+ tables of all sizes and shapes and heights and textures extending out from there. And over in one corner, a bunch of deck chairs set up in a circle (for witchcraft, no doubt). Awesome outsidedness, with a separate menu of grillables and more.

The sampler was served on a long wood paddle and offered everything; 6 beers on (Alewife Ale, an English Pale Ale, well balanced, not too sweet or bitter; Bug Lager, a Bohemian Pils, light, nicely crisp, & fizzy on the tongue; Impact Pale Ale, a west coast IPA, cascade, not too bad; For Richer or Poorter, a bit roasty, chocolatey, but not a lot of body for a porter; Dog Days Sumer Wheat, an American Wheat, finishes kind of bitter; Dunkel John's Band, sweet dunkel weizen) and a cask offering (Summer Bitter, Summer Not, light and easy, a very good bitter). The Bug Lager, For Richer or Poorter & cask Summer Bitter, Summer Not were the best of the run.

And as we are in the lunching hour, I started with a cup of the Salmon chowder, which was good, but strangely very dilled. I am glad I didn't get a bowl of it as was contemplated earlier. And then the garlic parmesan wings, done never crispy enough but they weren't bad.

These are the Liberal Cup people, same recipes (mostly) but they have a different brewer. The beers were goodish; not bad, not stellar, just that. Food could've been better though. No probs on the serviceside, caught Emily of adorableness tending today, a week into her new gig behind the bar. Good tunes, to my warbling, or vice versa. I like the scene here, and would dig some time on the back deck, yes. And out now, what more Maine to see.

10-08-2010 14:15:25 | More by slander

juzy

Alaska

3.75/5  rDev -7.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | food: 4 | $$

Impressed that the Saco area is being revitalized. So many old mills that line the river that were just going to pot when I lived in Maine.

More impressed that there is a decent brewpub in one of these said mills!

Hot, hot day. Chose to sit outside in the shade.
Staff was friendly and had good suggestions.

Ordered the sample paddle and we were most impressed with the brown ale and the porter. The porter has a fantastic smokiness to it that I just love!

Food was good. Had the mussels and we each ordered one of the daily specials, of which they have three.

Beer selections, for the most part are okay, not fantastic, but definitely clean and well brewed. As I said the brown and porter are the standouts.

All in all it was a pleasant surprise and we enjoyed our visit.

08-14-2010 16:40:22 | More by juzy

ToasterChef

Maine

3.88/5  rDev -4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4 | $$

My wife and I stopped in here for the first time the other weekend, after doing some shopping in Saco. We weren't quite hungry enough for a meal, but an appetizer and a beer would be perfect, so why not finally check this brew pub out? Like most of the patrons that afternoon, we asked to be seated outside. There were no tables available in the shade, and the sun was rather hot, so we opted to sit at the bar. I'm glad we did. The bartender was very friendly and chatted us up a lot. It wasn't forced though, he was genuinely friendly (another couple at the bar obviously didn't realize what being a brew pub meant and after asking for beers similar to mass produced products they barely said a word to the bartender and he gave them their space).

The beers were served in real pint glasses...none of this 12 oz nonsense. They were very tasty and refreshing. If you are a fan of the Liberal Cup, you know what to expect here. We ate a large plate of fries. We had ordered sweet potato fries, but they were out of them. The regular fries were very good. I also had a cup of clam chowder. It was very creamy with lots of clams and taters. I would certainly order it again. The outside area has it's own kitchen with it's own menu, which is nice. The selection is limited out here, but I'm sure you could find something that you'd like to eat. There were also a trio of daily specials available; I'm not sure if these were exclusive to the outside kitchen or also available from the bigger kitchen inside.

As we were getting ready to leave, a couple of guys were setting up mics and amps, so apparently there was to be some outdoor entertainment, which is very cool. If we hadn't had other plans, I think we could have spent all afternoon on that deck.

Run of the Mill was a really great place. I'll certainly make the drive south to visit it again.

08-13-2010 13:41:58 | More by ToasterChef

BUGK08

Maine

3.5/5  rDev -13.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 3 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | food: 4 | $$

The atmosphere is really cool at run of the mill. I personally enjoy the pub style atmosphere and am very comfortable at run of the mill. There are live bands, open mic nights and a very impressive patio to enjoy on those warm summer nights. I think their beer falls a little short though, unfortunately. They have a great variety, and I always appreciate a bar that offers cask beer, but everything just seems mediocre. Even with relatively unexciting beer, I would suggest stopping in and enjoying the atmosphere, then taking home one of their huge growlers for later.

07-02-2010 00:14:21 | More by BUGK08