Amherst Brewing Co.

bennybrew

Maine

4.15/5  rDev +3.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

EDIT nothing to add at this time. but at least nothging changed. i did get a growler. maybe the tv's were new....

a fine fine place to have a brew. nice interior but not too nice. there are a few tables out by the street, a bar room, and a separate dining area. the brew house was visiable from the bar and the street with some of the fermentors at the end of the bar.

beers were grand. several brewed there and a few from away. try the cask (of course)!

service was good. they were knowlegable and attentive.

food was good. we ate from a limited menu but both things i tried were well above average.

when going to amherst stop here first.

07-16-2003 02:43:51 | More by bennybrew

Jason

Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev +7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

This is just the way I like my brewpubs … like a pub. As long as you can do it the right way you will be a winner in my book and Amherst meet the criteria and then some. Sadly they were out of a couple of beers but the Steam Lager and the cask Anniversary Ale did me just fine. The Steam Lager paired surprisingly well with the Knockwurst on kraut, real fries and the ale mustard.

A huge improvement from two years ago and it makes me quite envious that a place like this is not in my backyard. Worth the visit if you are in Western MA.

07-14-2003 07:28:02 | More by Jason

Todd

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +6.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4

Located a few blocks from the common, this brewpub is very inviting. Outdoor seating, long bar area, dining seating, warm/dark colours and full view of the brewery from the bar area. Service was exceptional, we were a large group and took over the entire bar section, however our servers were friendly, informative and catered to our needs without question. Mike, the brewer, gave very informative tours of the brewery and was on hand to answer any questions.

Roughly 12-14+ beers, including cask and some guest taps (Guinness and Allagash White, when I was in) and a house root beer (very tasty). Had their Smoked Porter and Steam Lager, both of which were extremely good. They also sell BBQ sauces and whatnot made with their beers, to-go.

Our menu was fixed, but the food was top-notch for a brewpub; Caribbean Jerk Chicken Salad, Black Bean Lasagna, Smoked Shrimp Pizza and Knockwurst Sandwich plates.

This is the kind of brewpub that's solid. Something you could make your local if you lived in the area, or at least I could. If you are traveling and plan to hit the Amherst area, definitely swing by this brewpub for some grub and brews.

07-13-2003 05:36:40 | More by Todd

marburg

Michigan

3.78/5  rDev -5.5%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4

Our waitress was very friendly and helpful (she helped us find Spirit Haus down the street!), and the food was pretty good. The selection was about average for a place like this. I thought the place could have stood for some redecorating. It just didn't feel much like a brewpub to me. Some amusing reading on a bulletin board in the men's restroom. Decent beer. I'm glad my lunch plans involved this place.

06-29-2003 20:30:19 | More by marburg

kelticblood

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev -0.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4.5

Stopped in the Amherst brewery for lunch.Immediately I noticed the giant Hampden Miled Ale neon sign above the bar.Centered in downtown Amherst the ABC as I was told by a local served up some great food and beer that day.I ordered a sampler of 6 of their beers.They came in 3 oz glasses on a wooden fraternity paddle.Our waitress was great.Their was no line or waiting and were seated immediately.The bartender was kind of a prick when I asked for two growlers to go.I bought two pint glasses,a 23oz glass,and a tshirt.The ABC is the center town for about 5 colleges.Across the street while eating I watched a bunch of college kids stumble out of an Irish bar.The think they were celebrating St.Patty's a little early.The tables for two are really small.Other than that I had a great time.Try the fried pickles they are awesome.

At another visit the service was slow,but the food was still great.

03-09-2003 10:30:36 | More by kelticblood

UncleJimbo

Massachusetts

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

Review updated 7-14-03 after 2 more recent visits.

This is a nice place right in the center of town. There is on-street parking or a few municipal lots nearby (including one a few doors down behind the CVS). There is seating outside in good weather, and there is a restaurant/bar downstairs and another bar upstairs with billiards, etc.

The quality of the beers is pretty good with a few being very good. The selection was very good, with 8 of their brews on tap during my visits, and at least one guest beer on tap (from Berkshire Brewing Co.) on one visit, and 3 on more recent visits (Guinness Stout, Berkshire Brewing Co. Imperial Stout, and Allagash White).

The decor is nice. One half of the downstairs is a dining area, and the other half is the bar area with a large rectangular bar and tables around the perimeter of the room. The brewing facilities are visible at the front of the pub, and also behind the bar, and in the rear. Nice setup. A very comfortable bar to sit and have a meal, a few pints, and maybe even read the newspaper.

The service was good from the wait staff and the bartenders. The food was very good in the restaurant. The brew a rootbeer, too, which was pretty good.

Overall a very nice brewpub.

Most recent visit January 15, 2006.

01-06-2003 03:44:44 | More by UncleJimbo

Aesop

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -6.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3

Nice, friendly atmosphere.
Beers are well-made but generally unexciting - the recipies don't seem to be too adventurous. The exception is the cask-conditioned beers; cask-conditioning really seems to make the beers come alive.
If you happen to be in Amherst, pop in and relax for a bit. Try whatever they have in the cask and you probably won't be disappointed.

09-18-2002 13:09:15 | More by Aesop

MTMugs

New York

4/5  rDev 0%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4

Another nice place. Dark wood bar and a patio out front on the sidewalk. Nice selection of beers, we liked them all except for the steam and the bland brown ale. Great bartender. Definitely worth the trip.

04-04-2002 09:44:19 | More by MTMugs