The Publick House

tomParis

Massachusetts

4.88/5  rDev +10.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$

This place is simply incredible. About 30 beers on tap at any given time. There is definitely a focus on Belgian style beers, but there is always plenty else to choose from. They also have a ridiculous amount of bottled beer, but I've always been satisfied with what's on tap.

The service is fantastic. The staff is very knowledgeable about the beer and food. The only negative about this place is the wait time at night on the weekends. Letting people seat themselves can get confusing when there are a lot of people waiting.

For a place known for its beer, the quality of the food is remarkable. I would still go to the Publick House even if they didn't serve beer. The dishes are all very creative and full of flavor. Many of them incorporate beer into the recipe.

This place isn't cheap, but you get what you pay for and then some.

02-25-2006 21:35:17 | More by tomParis

weonfire

Kentucky

4.88/5  rDev +10.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$$

I lived in Cleveland Circle and made the half mile walk many many times. If you like beer, amazing beer - you have found your haven. Wide selection of Belgians. Servers are very knowledgable. I always appreciate matching beers with exact glasses. They are money. Food is excellent and fair priced- as far as Boston standards I would even say it is underpriced. Beer may be a bit expensive - but if you think you're gonna find standard beers here, no need to stop in...the quality is WELL worth every penny. One of the top places to go in all of Boston. FACT.

12-06-2012 00:53:49 | More by weonfire

fdrich29

Massachusetts

4.86/5  rDev +9.7%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5

So I didn't even know Anam Cara existed before BA, I think I had been to the Kokepelli Chili, I think that's what was in that space before the greatest bar in Boston moved in.

I met some fellow BA's there last night for my maiden voyage. Felt warm and comfortable as soon as I walked through the doors. Literally felt like I was in another dimension, maybe another time. I distinctly remember thinking to myself "Oh, so this is what a bar is supposed to look like". Suddenly the thread "If you could create a bar anyway you would like..." had a whole new meaning.

I sat at the bar and ordered an Allagash White, followed by a Hops Infusion and Mad Bitch before we moved over to a table. Over the next few hours we shared bottles of Deus, Kriek De Ranke, Affligen Dubbel and Hanssens Oude Gueuze.

This place is BA heaven if you have not been there. The bartenders were curtious and knowledgable, and even smiled a time or two. Nice comfortable couches and chairs and an overall laid back atmosphere here.

Oddly enough the only mention I saw there about BA (if the atmosphere and quality/selection of beer didn's scream BA) was in the men's room above the urinal. Someone wrote "beeradvocate.com" in pen. Somehow it was fitting.

Definitely a stopping point for all BA's when visiting Boston, although a special trip here to visit AC would be well worth your time.

04-01-2004 04:28:42 | More by fdrich29

mzwolinski

California

4.86/5  rDev +9.7%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5

This was my one beer stop on a day trip to Boston, and it did not disappoint. Some friends and I showed up at around 10:00 on a Tuesday evening. Cool tunes on the jukebox -- Radiohead, followed by some Modest Mouse and Postal Service -- along with a smart-looking crowd, and intriguing, (partially)candlelit decor. My hopes were high!

The kitchen was closed, alas, so I had to skip that aspect of the experience.

Nevertheless, the beer menu offered quite enough choices to satisfy. Lots of Belgian and Belgian-style ales in bottles, and a fair sampling of microbrews -- though, oddly enough, there seemed to be more West-Coast brews than New England regionals. I ordered a Cantillion Gueze, but was disappointed to find they were fresh out. Likwise with the second beer I ordered. Normally, this would be pretty annoying, but Anam Cara's menu was large enough to keep my interest piqued. I ended up finding another gueze, followed by a strong Belgian dark ale.

Prices were about $7-8 a bottle for the obscure stuff, less for some of the domestics. The bartender was awesome. He apologized profusely for not having the beers I wanted, and was quite knowledgeable regarding the selection. Every beer was served at its proper temperature, and in the proper glassware. Couldn't help feeling sorry for the few representatives of the hoi polloi sipping Coors Light from the bottle. Such famine in the midst of bounty! Ah well, more for me and my mates, I suppose!

This is definitely a spot not-to-be-missed.

06-21-2004 07:18:24 | More by mzwolinski

okra

Massachusetts

4.85/5  rDev +9.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$$

I got there soon after opening on a disgustingly hot afternoon. Affligem Blond went down way too easily! DeKonick too...
Amazing, amazing beers... in top condition all served in appropriate glassware. Huge selection... my frites were somewhat cool/soft/mushy though - I had the mussel pot #1, thinking that the simplest preparation would be the best - I'll try them again, but one of the remaining four preparations.

Boon Gueuze with the Chimay cheese board can't be beat - the beer just picks up the cheese and carries it to another level!

08-02-2006 17:11:11 | More by okra

scottum

Vermont

4.83/5  rDev +9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5

A beautiful Irish pub. They have at least six nitro taps from across the sea plus some other very good selections on tap including a few Sierra Nevada and Magic Hat brews. The service was great even though they seemed to be understaffed. They really know how to pour the nitros so stop in and grab a few pints. Oh and the whole no smoking thing is awesome! I can't wait until May when all of Boston adopts it.

03-17-2003 09:27:16 | More by scottum

Todd

Massachusetts

4.83/5  rDev +9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$$

When you first walk in, the atmosphere is welcoming, low-key, but also exciting. I love the vibe. You know that people are here because they love the place, and beer. You can feel it. Its dark interior, light fixtures from an old church, well-placed brewerania and candle lighting at night, all makes for a great place to eat, drink, and socialize. The Monk’s Cell offers a completely different experience, reminding me of the warm coziness and attention to detail I found in beer cafés during my trips to Belgium—a true homage to their beer scene.

Beer-wise: David Ciccolo, co-owner, knows and loves his beer. His extremely passionate attitude translates well into his unique, handpicked selection. Focus leans towards artisan offerings from Belgium and American craft brewers, with something new always on-tap and tight bottle selection to complement. Though some find the prices to be premium, they’re not unlike others bars. The plus side here is that you actually get what you pay for. The quality and serving of the beers is above and beyond what you’ll find elsewhere, and, in my opinion, simply can’t be beat on the consistent basis that you’ll find at The Publick House. I’ve never had a bad beer, improper pour, or a beer served in an inappropriate glassware.

Food-wise: the kitchen crew is simply amazing and in harmony with the beer-side of the business. Chef Jim Sklaver has been able to dismantle typical pub food and create a unique cusine à la bière offering, which never disappoints. From the cheese plates to mussels, smaller bites to specials, everything has either been infused with beer or presented with a beer pairing in mind. They get a big plus for this, as it directly helps to spread the good word of beer and shows patrons a more respectable angle at which to approach beer.

Bar tenders and servers are friendly and attentive, and some of the most knowledgeable beer-focused bar staff in the region. They’re quick to recommend and explain a beer, and present them with passion. All of this helps sell the beer and educate patrons.

Bottom-line: If you’re looking for a place in the Boston area for great beer, food, service, and atmosphere—a tough combo—there’s only one place in town to go: The Publick House in Brookline.

06-02-2007 21:27:44 | More by Todd

mcowgill

Massachusetts

4.83/5  rDev +9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$$

This heavenly place has become my Sunday afternoon weekly haunt. There are so many great things to say here. It is such a relaxing, inviting place to sit down and imbibe some of the best Belgian and domestic brews on the planet. It usually takes me quite awhile to make my first selection, mainly because there are so many great beers to choose from. I want to make sure I choose the limited beers first and then move to my old favorites until it is time to go. Unfortunately it is always time to go before I run out of beers that I want to taste. Oh well, there is always next Sunday. Yesterday I actually had the following brews: Urthel Samaranth (once to start the day and the another to finish), La Rulles Triple, Triple Karmeliet, and a Rogue Brutal Bitter. They were all great beers. The bottle selection seems to be great as well although I always lean towards drafts when at any bar. The food is damn good too. I had the Chicken Sandwich marinated in Smuttynose IPA. I've also eaten the Burgers there too and they are cooked to perfection. The fries are damn good too. My only slight complaint might be that it is all fairly expensive but for such great quality I don't mind spending more. Easily the best beer bar I have ever been to.

04-10-2006 23:46:16 | More by mcowgill

Freshie

Massachusetts

4.83/5  rDev +9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$$

The best beer bar I have been to thus far.

The atmosphere is a beer drinkers heaven, but also welcoming for anybody who wants to enjoy good food, good drinks, and good company. Gothic decor, brewerania, and furniture from churches. There were even a few pews for seating, and a large wooden throne in the corner.

The Monk's cell is a bit more low key of a bar area, with the focus in that room, on Belgian Beer.

The selection is top notch. Some of the rarest tap finds in the city. Though if you hear they got something nice, get there before it's gone. Kegs are tapped and drained nightly. Wait staff is very knowledgeable and attentive, but be patient if it's busy.

The quality was amazing. Good glassware, fresh beer, good food. It was rather pricey but worth every penny. I look forward to my return. I wish it was closer to Brockton

07-29-2007 18:08:40 | More by Freshie

Lothore

California

4.83/5  rDev +9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$

First I want to start off by saying on my trip to New York and Boston I hit up a lot of beer bars but this was far and away the best of the bunch. Immediately when you walk in you can tell these guys are all about the beer. An amazing amount of taps and bottled selection which can go from cheap (4.5 a pour for southern tier choklat (11 Percent and a lot of bang for the buck!)) to ridiculously expensive for more rare beers. The service was excellent. Our waitress served in the correct glassware and generally seemed very knowledgeable about beer. The food was out of this world. For 10 dollars I got a caesar salad the size of my head. I tried both of my friends dishes as well and would have to recommend the pumpkin ravioli to anyone planning on going there, sounds weird but is absolutely indescribably amazing. Overall this is an excellent place thats all about appreciating beer and not about having big TVs tuned into sports games and drinking swill.

01-13-2008 16:26:29 | More by Lothore