Buffalo Bill's Brewery

Buffalo Bill's BreweryBuffalo Bill's Brewery
Buffalo Bill's BreweryBuffalo Bill's Brewery
Brewery, Eatery

1082 B Street
Hayward, California, 94541
United States

// CLOSED //
BEER STATS
Average:
3.4
Beers:
17
Ratings:
3,038
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.42
Reviews:
13
Ratings:
22
pDev:
17.84%
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Floydster:
Photo of Floydster
Reviewed by Floydster from California

2/5  rDev -41.5%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 2 | service: 2 | selection: 1 | food: 4
I went here after spending a few hours at the Bistro right down the street because I was told they had good food which was about the only good thing about this place I came to learn, the atmosphere was pretty lame, they pretty much brew in the middle of the restaurant with no glass or enclosed area, just right out in the open, lots of tables and a pretty small bar, place seemed a bit unsanitary to me and the bathrooms were pretty disgusting, glasses had residue around them, saw the bartender give somebody else a beer in a glass that looked half clean, service was terrible and they did not have near enough people working, they screwed up my food order and it took nearly an hour, beer selection was terrible and they only have their house brews along with Guinness, stay away from their beer as it is some of the worst I have had in quite some time, I ordered the pastrami sandwich which came with about a dozen tortilla chips instead of fries, there was two small sandwiches on rye instead of one big one, bill was over twenty bucks for a few samples, a pint, and a sandwich, I do not mind paying that when everything is at least decent tasting but that was not the case, I will never go back here even if I am at the Bistro and know it is one hundred yards away, worst place I visited in Northern California
Feb 07, 2009
More User Ratings:
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Reviewed by cox95973 from California

4.6/5  rDev +34.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
Today was my first trip to Buffalo Bill's Brewery. Upon walking in I was met with a stack of Buffalo Bills strawberry blonde ale. Hostess was very attentive and seated us right away. Within just a few minutes our waitress came over and took our drink order. Tried the strawberry blonde ale today nice smooth beer have no complaints about it. The price for the strawberry blonde ale is $7.75 a glass. It has an abv of 5.2% a six pack cost $8.99
Aug 02, 2017
 
Rated: 4.55 by GaryColeman from California

Jul 07, 2017
Photo of PapaGoose03
Reviewed by PapaGoose03 from Michigan

3.8/5  rDev +11.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.75 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
(#23 of 49) We visited here to try their beers and to have dinner. The place is located in a storefront setting along a busy street in the downtown area. It was packed on a Sunday evening, so we had to wait to be seated, and ended up on the covered side patio.

I don't know if the beers on tap are all available in distribution in bottles, but I did recognize some beer names on the tap list that I've had in bottles on my travels in the Midwest. Our group ordered 4 different beers so that we could taste each others beer as a way to evaluate as many as we could. Consistency in the quality control seems to be the norm here because we gave each of the 4 beers a B-minus grade. All were brewed in excess of their respective style, and all were good, but none were outstanding

The food was very good so that I gave it a higher score than the beer. It's a great place for some good food and a beer, so we'd stop here again when in the area.
Sep 17, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by Blazer22 from Colorado

Nov 01, 2014
 
Rated: 2.75 by buzzedup from Pennsylvania

Oct 20, 2014
 
Rated: 2.75 by brywhite from California

Sep 04, 2014
 
Rated: 3.68 by J-Train from California

Aug 24, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Petersfavoritebrews from California

Jul 07, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by Dcbelkot from Washington

Jun 23, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by MrDave from California

Jun 10, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by BillRoth from Maryland

Feb 09, 2014
Photo of TruePerception
Reviewed by TruePerception from California

3.46/5  rDev +1.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.25 | food: 3.75
It's been a while, so I'm going off of memory here.

I've been to Buffalo Bill's on two occasions. Both times I went with a buddy who has gone there many times, and had a good impression of the restaurant.

Atmosphere: On the first trip, we ate outside (it was warmer on that day). Typical metal outdoor chairs. Outdoor heaters for when it's colder (though I seem to remember them being on on that day, which was unnecessary). On the second trip, we ate inside. Just to the left of the entrance they have a pretty standard bar. Several smaller tables off to the right. Brewing equipment (supposedly the actual equipment used to make the beers, but I can't imagine that's true, for health reasons) towards the back, with the kitchen and restrooms just beyond that. Lights were slightly dim.

Service: Mixed bag here. On the first trip, the waitress was attentive and quite polite/nice. On the second trip, the waitress (different girl) was a little short, and seemed a little annoyed.

Selection: They don't have very many beers, but enough options to suit different tastes. Except, they don't have any sours. IIRC, they only serve their own beer. Then again, I wasn't interested in trying non-BB beers when I went, so...

I had the Imperial Pumpkin Ale on the first trip (very good!), and the Strawberry Blonde w/ Ginger (better than other strawberry blondes I've tried, but just decent) on the second.

Food: On the first go, had the apple sausage pizza, which was awesome! Thinly sliced apple and chicken sausage, with pesto sauce. I forget which pizza I went with on the second trip (jambalaya?), but it wasn't as good. Not bad, though.

Value: It was a little pricey, but not outrageously so.

Oh, and if anyone from BB's is reading this: Sell the Imperial Pumpkin at retail!!
Sep 23, 2013
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Reviewed by woodychandler from Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev +10.5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5
This was definitely a Beer By BART location, being only four blocks from the station. Located near the corner of "B" Street and Foothill Blvd., they had an outdoor patio surrounded by a waist high wrought iron railing. Entering, the m.d.s. was straight ahead with the bar area up a short flight of steps along the left wall. A buffalo head was mounted above the back bar, leading me to wonder if I should pay in buffalo head pennies. Booth seating ran down the center line with tables and chairs along the right wall. Center and right aft, was the kitchen. Center and left, aft, was the brewhouse. For a relatively small place, they were really busy. Loads of growler sales. I had the Turkey and Provolone sandwich for lunch.

Beers: BUF Beer; Hayward Hefe; Tasmanian Devil; Ricochet Red: Alimony Ale; Johnny Midnite Oatmeal Stout; and Blueberry Oatmeal Stout. At least 3 quest taps - POR Organic Honey, Scrimshaw and Guinness.
Nov 26, 2009
Photo of mattffrost
Reviewed by mattffrost from California

3.25/5  rDev -5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3 | selection: 3 | food: 3
I liked the atmosphere of this place. Nice people coming in for a lunch and beer. I went in January 2nd 2008 with my wife.

Our waitress was not very friendly but I did notice other waitresses to be very friendly, I think we just got a grumpy one, and that happens sometimes.

My wife and I both had ther IPA and it was not on the menu but I asked if they had an IPA. It was a decent IPA, not great, but very drinkable. I probalby should have tried one of there other beers but next time I will. Its a nice place with a decent bar. My wife did comment on the smell, she did not like it.

I would like to go back again and give this place a second chance and try more of there signature beers.
Jan 03, 2009
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Reviewed by PeprSprYoFace from California

3.7/5  rDev +8.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
I went here as my first stop on my San Fran trip about a month ago. Went on a Thursday night and it wasnt too crowded but a decent amount of people.

The atmosphere felt like a sort of chain brewery like BJ's or something.

Service was ok. Nothing special and the selection of beers was ok with not a ton to offer. Their oatmeal stout was pretty good and the orange cream ale that they sell even at the grocery store down the street from where I live was just ok. Nothing special. I was dissapointed I coulnt get the pumpkin ale but I'll just buy it in so cal when its the season again.

If your in haward check it out for sure but there isn't a real good reason to go just for the beer. The pizza was pretty good though and the appetizers as well. A fun place to go though...
Jun 01, 2008
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Reviewed by Murchmac from California

3.73/5  rDev +9.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
It's an ok place. Not a place that wows you, but not a place that you go out of your way to avoid.

What you would expect from a brewpub. Kinda like pyramid brewery, but in hayward.

Their beers are crap, the food is better, dont go out of your way to go here.

The service was good and I liked the fact that they are old, established and still thriving, their guest beers were guiness, and portland honey ale.

Not the best beers, decent food, good service. Have brick, wood floors, flat screens,Whatever.
Feb 17, 2008
Photo of bradybeer
Reviewed by bradybeer from California

2.58/5  rDev -24.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 2 | service: 2 | selection: 3.5 | food: 2
Went with my wife and our friends after the DIPA fest at The Bistro. Located about a block north of The Bistro on the opposite side of the street. There is some patio dinning, but walking into the building your view is obstructed by the host stand (or booth?).

To the left is the bar and bar seating, while to the right is more regular seating. There are these nice banners hanging from the ceiling and over all I thought the space and atmosphere were nice.

Beers were, for the most part, not very good. Granted I had just been sampling some of the best beer in the country at the DIPA fest, but the beers were lacking in both body and taste.

I had a sampler that included:
Stout
Red
Alimony Ale
Hefe
?

The service was not very good-we asked to sit outside and were put on the patio where there was no service. We moved to the bar area-but our server was just never around. Also, there was a group of 8 DIPA fest folks there and the hostess was really rude to them when they asked about the status of their table.

Food just OK-we had wings which were OK, and salad that was OK, our friends had pizza and burger-which did not look good either.

Prices were high for the quality-a burger is $11!

We will not be back here-visit The Bistro if you are in Hayward.

I was disappointed because this place was an icon or brewing history and I had been wanting to visit for 20 years.
Feb 11, 2008
Photo of tobodi
Reviewed by tobodi from California

3.3/5  rDev -3.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 2.5 | food: 3.5
This place has a reputation as being one of the epicenters for the micro movement, so I was happy to finally try it. Went with my brother who used to live in Hayward in the 80s (I believe it was called Hayweird back then). We took BART there and the 5-block walk thru the recently renovated downtown was pleasant.

We opted for a high-chair booth near the bar, which seemed to be a good spot to observe what others were eating and drinking, and to look out on the city core redevelopment. We also caught some of the football game happening on the sets around the bar area. You have to understand that Hayward is near the heart of Raider Nation, but there was nothing aggro about the football fans at Buffalo Bill's. No one was uptight that the Raiders were predictably blowing it against the Chargers. And the families at brunch and the college kids in the restaurant seemed equally to be enjoying their own conviviality.

It's a spacious wood and brick affair. And you can get up close and personal with the brewer's vats on the way to the loo. Good atmosphere, I thought.

I was a little disappointed with the beer sampler. There were only 5 Buffalo Bill's beers on tap, but my bro was telling me that they don't necessarily have a lot there. I selected the Tasmanian Devil strong ale, which went well alongside our soup, salad, and pizza. I like their pizza - we got the spicy Jambalaya - with a crispy crust. The salad was interesting: romaine-ish lettuce with strawberries, grapes and canned mandarin oranges. Okay, it woulda been better if they were fresh oranges, but the slightly toasted coconut and light citrus-y dressing made up for it.

Speaking of citrus, I would certainly go back for a pint of the orange blossom beer and to try the pizza again. On a sunny winter day, I could really appreciate the south-facing windows, too. Problem is, I have little other reason to go to Hayward. Thank goodness the Bistro is right down the street and public transit is plentiful.
Oct 16, 2007
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Reviewed by jp11801 from Florida

3.11/5  rDev -9.1%
vibe: 3 | quality: 2.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3
After having this place recommended to me by a local at bar in Oakland I have to say I was dissapointed to say the least.

The beers were simply mediocre I had the IPA and the Red and they would have been ok if we were not in beer heaven on the west coast but when you are out here you really need to lift your game a bit. Both of these beers were not memorable. I sat at the bar and the bartender was really nice with prompt service. The pints were pricey though and for a local brew pub this killed it for me, so so beer at higher than normal prices.
This place could be really good the interior is really nice and it's got a great location in Hayward but it feels like a chain even though it is not. My advise would be to be more daring with your brew and don't be afraid to have some personality.
Sep 30, 2007
Photo of OStrungT
Reviewed by OStrungT from California

2.85/5  rDev -16.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 2 | food: 3
On vacation to the San Francisco area, I decided to check this place out. It was a very hot day, so I was hoping for it to be cool inside, but it was hotter inside than outside. There was a lot of seating. Both inside and outside seating were available. The walls were littered with posters and banners about the varoius beers they serve. There were 2 widescreen TV's with baseball on.

As I sat down, I noticed that some of my silverware was a little dirty. That sucks. Other than that, the place was clean.

The service was just a little bit slow. We had to wait a bit for the server to come by and there were only a few people inside.

The beer selection was kind of small. They had about 8 beers to choose from. An IPA, an Oatmeal Stout, a Red, a Cream Ale, a Strong Ale, an Amber,and a few others that I forgot. Unfortunately, they were out of the IPA, the Red, and the Amber. I got the Oatmeal Stout. It was decent.

The food menu was very small. There was some pizzas, a few sandwiches, and a burger, and 4 salads to choose from. The portions were huge though. The pizza was very big, and the salad looked like an entire garden.

This place was just a little pricy. A pint cost $4.95. I have paied less at downtown bars. The cream ale came in a bottle, and it cost $4.25. I dont know the last time I spent that much on a 12 oz bottle.

I doubt I will ever go to this place again.
Jun 23, 2006
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Reviewed by Troyone from California

3.88/5  rDev +13.5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4.5
The atmosphere is somewhat cozy with lots of Buffalo Bill paraphenalia on the walls, some probably historic. The bar area is kind of yuppy-ish with a couple of TV screens. The dining area has TV screens and there is a new beer patio area still developing to the east of the building. Seating on the side walk in front of Buffalo Bills is nice right before and during sunset.

Lots of wood fixtures such as the tables, chairs, and bar; also the aging brick building is evident inside. There are some historic and antique fixtures behind the bar. The tap nozzles are brass. The restroom is clean.

The service is kind of yuppie-ish but prompt and friendly.

I believe they rotate about eight or so different brews and they have a few guest beers however there is no cask option. I get the Alimony IPA and Taz on tap, also their Billy Bock and Stout are alright. I've noticed people ordering a blend of their favorites.

There are plenty of healthy, spicy, and unique food options.

They seem to have some good deals for regulars.
Apr 25, 2005
Buffalo Bill's Brewery in Hayward, CA
Brewery rating: 3.4 out of 5 with 3038 ratings