DuClaw Brewing Company

OldGreyBeerd

Pennsylvania

2.95/5  rDev -25.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 1 | selection: 3 | food: 3.5 | $$$

I made my way to DuClaw after leaving Max's and was excited to have some fresh from the tap brew. I had some DuClaw earlier in the summer at a brewfest and thought everything they had was pretty good.

It was a Saturday afternoon and I found the place with no problem. Good location and nice outdoor patio.

I found a stool at the bar figuring I get a bartender with knowledge and some excitement to inform me of their selections.

The place is nice inside, open and blend of modern fixtures and brick industrial.

The bartender I found to be way less than I had expected. In fact she had little to offer other than "maybe try the sampler". I did and the beer was good. I got the stout and some kind of cream cheese dip appetizer. The app came out fast and hot - it was pretty good and the stout went with it nicely. It sat empty for a good five minutes until I actually waved at the bartender. Rather than get another I got the check and went back to Max's

11-21-2009 20:15:53 | More by OldGreyBeerd

rtratzlaff

North Carolina

3.45/5  rDev -12.4%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | food: 3.5 | $$

I visited Duclaw for my birthday with my wife and another couple on a late Saturday evening (8:00).

I didn't see much of the bar side of the restaurant, but the seated side was a couple larger groups and a some smaller groups that were relatively quiet. The place is well lit and matches the atmosphere of most mid range restaurants.

The service was good with a knowledgeable server.

They were out of one of their beers, their "Australian Lager" called "Kangaroo Love." I am not sure what an "Australian" lager is but wasn't upset about them not having it.

I got a sampler which ended up being about $10 for 4 oz. of 8 different beers (everything they had on at that time), so not a bad value in my book. The beers were their five regulars, plus an Oktoberfest, a Scottish Ale, a nitro version of their oatmeal stout, and a brown ale. Their brown was a a lighter version and had a nutty quality. The Scottish Ale and the Oatmeal Stout were the better offerings. The IPA was alright but nothing crazy.

I ordered the Portobello and pepper pannini which was rather tasty. The tuna melt was a good portion of tuna served open face with fries.

Overall Duclaw is worth it for their good food and decent local beer.

10-20-2008 13:32:41 | More by rtratzlaff

meathookjones

Virginia

3.65/5  rDev -7.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | food: 4

This was located in a shopping center in the back corner. From the outside it looks like a nice fairly upscale place. When you first walk in it is very spacious and there is a dining area to the left, a bar with plenty of seating to your right and more seating upstairs. The décor is pretty modern and it has a relaxing feel about it. We chose to sit at the bar were several patrons were drinking out of mugs from their mug club I am assuming. Service was spot on and we got our food and drinks without much of a wait. Refills were fairly prompt. We came their Saturday after noon and price were cheap as hell for 3 beers and an appetizer it ran a little under 9 bucks, I can’t complain about that. Beer selection was thin with only 4 or the 6 standard brews available and they were out of all seasonals. This was 2 weeks after their last one had come out. Big bummer indeed, while they seem to have an overall wide variety of beers I question how often most of them are available. I have the Kolsch, Venom Pale Ale and their Porter. All of which were decent solid beers but nothing outstanding. I will probably try another location in the future closer to the release of a seasonal and see how it fairs then.

12-14-2004 14:49:50 | More by meathookjones

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

3.68/5  rDev -6.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5 | $$

Had not been here in a while, so thought I'd stop by on my way back from SEPA.

This particular DuClaw is located in a small strip mall, right off of Business hiway 1. The place has sort of a modernistic vibe, and is good size. There are two large dining areas to your immediate left as you walk in, with an almost as large wrap around bar off to your right in the back. There are also several flat screen TV's, and the bar area has a pretty relaxed atmosphere. As for selection, Duclaw had their 6 core beers on tap (venom, the brown ale, porter, etc.), as well as a few seasonals - serum, an exit series imperial wit, 13 degrees, etc.). Quality was decent, though I've never been a huge fan of the core beers. Otherwise, the limited release beers and seasonal ranged from good to very good.

Food was fine. Got the wings and had no complaints. They were good size, if otherwise not at all memorable.

Service was good. While I didn't get the impression the bartender knew a lot about the beers (just what she liked, which seemed to be pretty much everything), she was quick, friendly and very attentive.

Not sure I'd go out of my way to visit DuClaw, but if you happen to be in the area, I'd recommend a visit.

07-05-2010 19:14:31 | More by johnmichaelsen

barondebourgogne

Maryland

3.7/5  rDev -6.1%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 2.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

Hit the DuClaw in Arundel Mills for the first time. A "sports bar" atmosphere, not too noisy, but definitely more a bar than a brewpub. A bit disapointed by the slim selection. Only four beers on tap! Their menu boasted more than double that. Happy Hour is a steal, with pints going for just $2. I was in the mood for hops that night, so I stuck with VENOM Pale Ale. Very well rounded American Pale Ale, well balanced between hops and malt.

The BEST part of the visit was the food. I stuck to standard pub fare and ordered the burger with a side salad. Excellent choice! One of the best pub burgers I have ever had.

The bartender was chatty and knowledgeable. He apologized for the slim selection and encouraged me to come back for a better sampling of what they offer. I will be back, hopefully to see a better selection on tap and to down another one of those fine burgers.

01-19-2007 16:02:49 | More by barondebourgogne

scottyb88

Maryland

3.7/5  rDev -6.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | $$

This is for the Bel Air, Maryland location

A- nice bar atmosphere; a little more upscale than your typical bar from the Main Street area

Q-Duclaw beers are average, there is no way getting around that. I think its the water they use, it all has that same thin watery taste that can turn you off (Black Jack has been my favorite beer so far)

Ser-I've always had attentive and friendly bartenders during all my trips there

Sel-They usually have 4 to 6 taps, I can't remember. All the taps are reserved for their beers and guest beers I've seen in bottles (BMC products)

Every month it seems like they have a new beer and do a beer release party where you can get a free glass if you get there early. It gets really busy and glasses go fast. If you sign up for their email you get up to date info about the latest releases and other news.

05-14-2010 03:17:57 | More by scottyb88

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4

Although DuClaw may have had a bit of a college crowd early on, they've come a long way from there and now operate as a well-run family restaurant-brewpub. The menu is varied and accessible. Mesquite Chicken Rolls and Parmesan Shrimp & Crab Toast (both $5.99) make good appetizers; but I tend to go for the Mussels & Ale ($7.99). Cream of Crab Soup is just $5.29, and a Sweet Pecan Salad is $6.99 (add chix for 1.99). Sandwiches include a Portobello and Roasted Pepper Panini for $6.99, the interesting Turkey Melt on a Pretzel Roll at $7.99, and the Yet Un-named Crabcake Sandwich at market price. Entrees are reasonably priced and include Roasted Veggie Pasta for $9.99, Pepperjack Penne Pasta or Spicy Jambalaya at $11.99, and Sesame Crusted Tuna w/Tangy Orange Sauce for $13.99. The service is good, and the restuarant is well run. The beers have improved greatly over the years, along with their logo designs, and the basic look of the restaurant and bar as well. And they have great names like Bare Ass Blonde Ale, Misfit Red, Venom Pale Ale, Bad Moon Porter, Mad Bishop Oktoberfest and Devil's Milk Barleywine to name a few. All of them are basically very clean and quite good; maybe a little aggressive in some ways, but interesting and enjoyable. The Venom Pale really packs some hops (without going into IPA level) and might be their best beer. The Mad Bishop is definitely a little excessive but can do the trick on a cold fall night. They do new beer release parties which are really fun, and it might be a good time to check them out. Additionally, their growlers are quite reasonable and well worth checking into. And they're so easy to get to off of I-95 that stopping by is never a problem!

08-05-2002 09:36:12 | More by NeroFiddled

slander

New York

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5 | $$

A few months into this now, I have both run through everything I want to see along the straight line and grown tired of the scenery that is. So the something new is experimenting with the long way around to way western Maryland. Running down and around below Pennsylvania is not the shortest distance from here to there, but you get out early Sunday and make a day of it, stopping for drink and lunch and drink along the way...

Stand alone in a stripmall not where it's supposed to be. Festively pastel & earthy by design, a bar side and a dining side split, each with its own entrance. So there's no confusion, I put up on the bar side; a large spacious room with a loooong sickle shaped slatey topped bar, piping footrailed, and seating for about 30 or so. 3 pair of 4 tap towers along the bar, but few are complete with handles occupied. Long stretch of the bar holds barback space split into quadrants, the center two holding tiered booze below shelved logo glassware on mirrored back panels, the outer two with stacked glassware below shelved growlers on panels of the same. Tracing bar overhang wood unit all around holds flatscreens within & without, and TV's you can see in multitude everywhichway you turn your head.

The inside wall plays that peeled away cracking exposed look and holds a house name logo on it. Otherwise, it's pale yellow walls over red wood slat lowers. Arched forward windows in blue colorings atop and green draperage. Against the yellow & red walls, it's got a brightness of more than a splash of color about the place. Lofted rafter ceilings with exposed ducts, spinny fans & drop cylinder lamps overhead to the sunken spots around the bar. Big block marblesque lino tilings throughout. Large "now on tap", display above the bar on the up high for the look up and knowing.

5 hightops this side along the stretch of the bar along the logo'd wall, and at least a dozen more in front and around the far side of the bar. I see a billiards table and Phil's golf game (tournament play - Fore!) over that way, as well.

On to the dining side of things, 2 dozen booths down center split, tables along the outer perimeters, and a secret side room probably for events and overflow, done up with framed pics, holding another dozen tables. Decently sized "how it's done", logo piece for the read. And a small outside pen between the bar and restaurant side corner entrances with about a half dozen tables.

Meanwhile, back at the beer, I've settled on a sampler as usual. This one offers up the standard 5 house beers (Kangaroo Love, Australian Lager, um, really? golden, crisp, light, slight malt something; Misfit Red, Amber Ale, meh, lacks the maltiness I want in an amber; Alchemy, an Oatmeal Stout, slight licorice flavors but I just don't love, okay, oaty, yes, but it's strange; Bare Ass Blonde Ale, lightly hopped and a bit fruity, not bad; Hellrazer, an American IPA, comes in at 6.2% and is kicked), and seasonals (Venom, an American Pale Ale, done CO2 and also on nitro, tasty, with the nitro version being smoother but lacking the hop smack; Old Flame, an Old Ale packing at 7.5% but not overly alcohol bam, good malt & fruitiness; Serum, a Double IPA at 9%, sickly sweet and strangely malty, not a good double IPA, no, it was not, no). The Venom APA & Old Flame Old Ale were the best of the lot and the rest of them were fair to adequate.

Soup du jour is beer cheese, yeah, no, maybe some other jour. Try your pushing it on me as you like, I'm only want to know about a crock of French Onion, which was cheesy oniony goodness, and the dry rub wings, which were pretty all right albeit more than a hair underdone.

Erictender was friendly, polite, and having done time in (I'm too damn familiar with) Frostburg, Maryland, should be entitled to state sponsored counseling for chronic pain. The place is bright and colorful, and I must say, I've heard some good goddamn tunes today, but it's sterile and blah somehow. Food was okay, beer was okay, which reminds me... having done the round and around and not come across any equipment, the answer is "No, they brew here no more".

06-30-2010 20:23:42 | More by slander

ITK4ever

Maryland

3.78/5  rDev -4.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3 | food: 4 | $$

I'm native to the area, so I hit DuClaw alot. Great pub menu...go for the Misfit Chips. Sandwiches and burgers are quite good. If you're around on a Sunday, they have a Brunch Buffet that's relatively inexpensive and there's always good stuff. The kids love it.

On to the beer selection. Growlers if you want, but this is not a great beer crowd for a brew-pub. Even on weekends, there are many still drinking Coors and Bud...which I really don't get if you're going to a brew-pub. Losta mixed-drinkers there too. The selection has something for everyone except for an IPA. However, the Venom Pale-Ale is hoppy enough to satisfy a hop-head. For me, if they're offering up Venom on the nitrous tap, I'm drinking it. It's so dang smooth when drawn like that...YUMMY!!! Stouts, reds, blondes, porters....it's all on the menu at different seasons. There's also a very nice barleywine called Devil's Milk that's just downright tasty. These guys did the brew-pub idea justice. I love this place other than seeing homers downing the Coors Light and Bud at the bar.

06-06-2006 14:53:24 | More by ITK4ever

jordoo

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev -3.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4.5 | $$$

Just had dinner here last night with my wife. Great atmosphere in the dinning rooom since the remodle after the fire. The bar is still more of a sports bar atmospher, but it is well designed with plenty of space and a nice amount of outdoor seating. Quality and selection of the food was really great we enjoyed verything we had to eat. Service was slightly above average. I went with the beer sampler to get a good idea on all there offerings. 11 4oz beers at a buck a peice. Very good value but 44oz is a lot to get down over diner and desert. LOL. Still I managed to do it and I found all of there stouts to be good or very good, the rasberry one in particular was excellent with desert if a little too sweet in general. Also they had a new Hopped up Nut Brown Ale that was very tasty and and IPA that was super fresh and my favorit eout off the bunch. The ligher brews were lacking a bit, the pilsner, imperial pilsner, blond and the Australian lager just didn't seem to have the same overall quality as the others and the award wining Red Ale was decent but not spectacular by an means. I did pick up a growler of the IPA so I'll reveiw that one later this weekend. Overall slightly on the pricey side for food, beer was a little pricey but barely.

06-28-2008 13:12:53 | More by jordoo