Al's of Hampden / Pizza Boy Brewing

rfgetz

New Jersey

4.15/5  rDev -6.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

Coming down the road, one barely notices the tiny shopping center at the bottom of the hill. From the small lot, it appears Al's is your typical neighborhood pizza joint, deli and 6-pack store rolled into one. Upon entering the brightly lit room, one sees about a dozen tables, 10 or so beer coolers and a counter with the pizza and sandwich menu posted above. No bar?

Above the coolers sits 2 LCD monitors which lists what the 24 or so tucked away beer handles offer with 4 new Pizza Boy offerings, 3 cask options and 4 nitro options. Further inspection of the coolers shows a wide variety of 4 and 6 packs and singles which range from standard brews by Sam Adams and the local Troegs, to the slightly more flashy brews from Evil Twin, Mikkeler etc. Good bomber selection tucked between one row of coolers and the counter, many of the standout brews can be found here.

Expansive menu sure to please, pizza and wings were very good. Service from the counter was quick and friendly. Beer prices were reasonable. Hard to rate this place... as a pizza place, all classifications are blown away but the lack of space could present issues with stock and seating. A must visit when in the area.

12-30-2011 01:29:13 | More by rfgetz

smakawhat

Maryland

4.36/5  rDev -1.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

Al's is quite a unique place, can't say I've been to one place like it. It has a real odd layout and almost a mish mash of ideas that seemed to be born straight out of the fact of PAs odd liquor laws. It's one part brewery, one part bar, one part deli, and then one part shop, all set in an open floor plan that makes it look like 5 different businesses were just crammed into one space.

There are minimal 12oz. singles for mix packs, and just a very few bombers, but there are a few odd gems you might find if taking a look closely, some Lost Abbey, the odd Voodoo as well, and some Dark Horse. Still it seems the big draw though are the numerous on tap fills for growlers which are highlighted by a fancy electronic red and black billboard designating glass shape, pours and price.

No sample pours are given only full, thus this doesn't allow you to come in and try a lot of different beers (although I am not sure if you just wanted a sip if they would offer it to you). That being said there are their own beers for growler purchase, plus all the others the offer which are quite numerous, but rather common (Stone, Southern Tier, Troegs etc..). Still you can easily find something on the board worth trying.

Service is very good, and everyone is eager to answer any questions about the food, layout, or anything else which at first for newcomers seems quite confusing. I did have some wings, which were fine, but I am not going to grade the food unless I were to eat more of the pizzas, calzones, etc... Although "greens" of course seemed to be lacking on the menu no surprise there.

The place is probably a good place to know about if you are in the area, there doesn't seem to be much else, so who knows how good it can get. But something tells me if you have that many taps that you can growler fill up, you'd probably be very happy if this was in your backyard.

06-04-2013 01:18:21 | More by smakawhat

shadytony

Illinois

4.61/5  rDev +4.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.25 | selection: 5 | food: 4.25 | $$

Worth noting that the brewery recently re-located so any reviews dated prior to 4/29/13 will not accurately describe the new facility.

Visited on Memorial Day. Considering that the new location has only been in business for a month, a somewhat "sterile" atmosphere was to be expected (it was a bit quiet and everything was clean and shiny). We encountered a very sparse crowd due to the holiday.

Al's has absolutely and undoubtedly the best selection of craft beers in Central PA. I have no doubt that this will become a very popular destination for traveling craft beer hounds and it is certainly worth going out of your way for a visit.

The digital boards are kept up to date and takeout and growler fills are available. The sours and barrel aged offerings were exceptional. The wait staff was pleasant and attentive. I was somewhat confused as to why all of the empty glasses continued to pile up on our table until it was explained to me that patrons are responsible for bussing their own tables. Be sure to bring some extra cash for tips and you cannot add gratuity if paying by credit card.

The food is above average for a beer joint (it's a pizza shop, set your expectations accordingly).

The selection was mind-blowing (as far as its competition in Central PA is concerned). During my visit, Al's featured approximately 20 Pizza Boy brews and at least 20+ other regional offerings.

My only complaint was that they were out of 1L growlers during the time of my visit and there was a curious lack of signage to help direct you to the location (good luck without GPS). I probably would have taken 6 1L's to-go rather than the 3 2L's that I struggled to settle on.

05-29-2013 17:07:37 | More by shadytony

JustBeFair

Pennsylvania

3.6/5  rDev -18.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.75 | $$$

If you like slightly above average tasting food and expensive pricing, this is the place for you. The sad part is that I probably would even pay a little more for the food just because of how conveniently located it is from my house. But when I mentioned to them that the online menu ( on the NEW " Pizza Boy Brewing" web page) shows prices that are lower than their "real" prices, the response that I got was " it's not even on my radar, pick up one of our menus at our location". I cant imagine it would take more than a half hour to update the pricing on the online menu. Therefore, until the online menu reflects the true pricing that they charge, Pizza Boy Brewing is not on my radar either.

05-25-2013 19:47:57 | More by JustBeFair

BeerIsland

Pennsylvania

4.51/5  rDev +1.8%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4 | $$

The new facility will be a game changer in the area . Anyone traveling route 81 through South Central PA should stop here, whether hungry for great pie or not. Outstanding guest and house taps served in several formats boggle the mind. There's even TV for the video addicted. Check it out ! !

05-08-2013 18:56:52 | More by BeerIsland

BeerLuvver

New York

4.8/5  rDev +8.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

Understated excellence. The sign says ice cold beer, which could give you the idea that only Bud light waited for you inside. And the name Al's Pizza does not do justice to the amazing selection of hundreds of draft and bottled beers waiting to reveal themselves, the pearl in the oyster. Amazing to walk in the door and be surprised by this gift from God. BrauKon brewing systems, a stellar selection of outstanding beers, perfectionism, and friendly pourers await. A true diamond in the rough.

04-30-2013 03:11:01 | More by BeerLuvver

klc17111

Pennsylvania

4.98/5  rDev +12.4%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $

Al's of Hampton is a neighborhood pizza joint however---great/insane beers are made and served there..Pizza Boy Brewing has taken off and become a huge success.. the owner, Al Kominski is amazing.... his brewing co has grown so much, he is relocating across the street into a brand new bigger building. Beer Selection is awesome... 3 cask ales on hand pumps. somethign for everyone.. and a HUGE selection of bottled beers. also Growler fills(specials on Fridays)... Al always stops and takes the time to chat with his customers-- a personal touch that I think makes a huge difference... Check out Al's of Hampton...its right off Interstate 81 - easy on and off...you will be amazed.

03-19-2013 16:48:41 | More by klc17111

jwjon1

Delaware

3.58/5  rDev -19.2%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4.5 | service: 2 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3 | $$

Seriously thought I was in the wrong place when I walked in. Not at ALL what I was expecting from website photos. That's cool, it's just not what I was expecting. After only seeing three hand pumps, I was really confused. Where in the heck were the Pizza Boy beers? And where was the signage?

Well, the signage is there if you search for it, and the taps (and there are many) are on a side wall for those not observant enough to see them. And the tap list is split between three flat screen TVs above the tall cooler. And impressive tap list it is with a nice regional selection and choice greater US selections. Seriously impressive list. Regionally, eight Pizza Boys on when I was there, nice Troegs selection, a couple Spring Houses, and a DuClaw. (and Penn and Flying Dog if you wanted to add those to the regional list). Christ: Big Gruesome and an amped apricot/chili Hellrazer were both on cask. And I came here to drink Pizza Boy damn it!

Pizza was okay, too. It's a standard NE pizza joint, though: pre sliced pies behind glass with made to order available. Plus subs, stombolis, etc. Decent food. Better beer.

Not so decent service. More than one staff member was more interested in chatting with staff than acknowledging customers. I don't need much--especially at a bar/pizza joint--but in the very least a smile or a forced hello would have been nice.

01-18-2013 21:45:34 | More by jwjon1

brewsclues

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev -13.5%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 2 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

Ok, Al's is a true study in contrasts. Welcome to PA, one of the driest and most up-tight mid-Atlantic/East Coast states when it comes to cold-ones-drinking. Good luck trying to find many places that have the selection of bottles and drafts as Al's does. Generally, you'll find bottles here that most places within 50 miles won't have, and certainly their draft selection is A) solid to excellent, B) in constant rotation, and C) helpful with that big digital board with BA rankings and everything. So for selection they get high marks (particularly in relation to the lack of a bottle section in this geographic area). Atmosphere: OK. It's a pizza shop - plus points for stripped down un-pretentiousness, but it's still a pizza shop with tons of TVs in it. Food is also good. A lot of Pizza. Just sayin'.

Service, on the other hand, is a totally different story. I'm a pretty jovial fellow who will smile and have a kind word for just about everybody I meet. Not at Al's. They have hardened and darkened my soul. The first 3 or 4 times I went in there, I asked one or two questions, such as, "Hey, is this IPA any good?, or, "What size glass can I get a draft in?" You know, very offensive and degrading questions. I'm always met with responses that are at best, indifferent and annoyed, and at worst, outright hostile. Inexplicable. There have been multiple interactions with staff and owners that are too ridiculous to go into detail here. Suffice to say, it left me with a bad taste in my mouth - but not from the beer.

Best left to summary: Damn you, Al's, and your above average beer selection and below average service! I shall return, but not as often as you might think.

01-09-2013 19:58:19 | More by brewsclues

dbrauneis

New Jersey

4.05/5  rDev -8.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.5 | $$

Stopped to eat lunch on the return trip from visiting family during the holidays and I'm pretty glad that I did. The place was very small and we arrived right around lunchtime on a Saturday so it was pretty busy and I felt pretty excited that we were able to score a table. There is not much in the way of decor here but the place has a real beer geek vibe to it.

Beer was served at a good temperature and in proper glassware - it was actually a very nice pour with a proper amount of head and everything. Beer tasted fresh and I saw the taplist change twice in the 1.5 hours I was there... There were also tons of folks filling growlers here during my visit.

You go to the counter and place your own order so I don't have a lot of comment on the service - the gent working at the counter was very friendly and pleasant, willing to offer an opinion/suggestion on beers that they were serving on tap.

Very nice selection of taps that included 5 Pizza Boy beers and the rest were regional offerings from pretty decent craft breweries - I only wish that we were not on the road and I could have enjoyed a couple more...

The food was essentially a pizza/sub shop and not very fancy but still enjoyable. Nothing out of this world but not something I would avoid either... I think the pizza was better than the subs but to each their own

Prices were reasonable and average, no complaints there.

12-02-2012 13:55:01 | More by dbrauneis