La Taberna Lúpulo

deanlambrecht

Minnesota

4.45/5  rDev +4.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 3 | selection: 5 | $$

First, note that all scores are relative to what a beer enthusiast might expect to find in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Even then, this is as fine a selection of beers that one may find anywhere on the globe. Truly an amazing selection of mostly California brews and a great deal of German beers that I can't get in Minnesota. A real treat to find in a nation/territory where light beer is otherwise king (Medalla Light is the main beer in PR, and it's not great).

I only had time for a quick one, so I went with the Ballast Point IPA (unavailable in MN, so I was thrilled to try it). More qualified opinions on that particular IPA are widely available, so I'll just say that I thought it was excellent.

Service was fine. The hours were disappointing, however, as they don't open until 6:00 p.m. (at least during weekdays), but that's pretty standard for bars/restaurants in Old San Juan. But they don't post the hours, and when I poked my head in the open door to enquire about hours at approx 5:00 p.m. one afternoon, the response was very rude and unwelcoming. But everyone has a bad day, so I'll just chalk it up.

Bottom line, one will not find a better beer bar in San Juan as of January 2013. I recommend this place very highly.

01-17-2013 13:56:11 | More by deanlambrecht

EDNOSE

Connecticut

4.45/5  rDev +4.5%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

They have moved recently to Calle San Sebastian so don't get confused by an old address.

Fantastic tap selection ... Well over 20 available when we visited. The folks could not have been nicer and displayed good beer knowledge across the board. They even offered suggestions of other places on the Island to check out.

You really can't believe you are not in the contiguous 48 when you see the selection! A must visit.

The menu is limited but contains a good handful of local flavors. During our second visit of the week we had the chicken wrap which was good as well as the burger which was a patty of beef, bacon and chorizo. The burger was awesome!

03-24-2012 21:58:41 | More by EDNOSE

brystmar

New York

4.45/5  rDev +4.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

If you crave craft beer in San Juan, this is where you come. Met the owner Chris, and he couldn't have been a nicer beer geek host.

Servers were quite knowledgeable when questioned; amazing beer selection (considering the alternatives); and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere mean I'll be back multiple times this trip. I'll be shocked if I find a better place for beer on the island.

Enjoyed a Rochefort 10, North Coast Old Stock, Ballast Point smoked Helles lager, and a Lindemans sour that was about as expected for Lindemans. Highly recommended!

11-19-2011 21:29:56 | More by brystmar

crusian

Texas

4.05/5  rDev -4.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5 | $

Bottom line on this place... if you want a good beer, this is the place. If you can find it. Scary looking hole in the wall, but knowing it has good beer makes it easier to to in. Guys that work there like good beer and like to talk about it... and movies. Bring some good stuff for them, and they will hook you up. They get a lot of stuff, but not a lot of great stuff.
Food was really good and cheap too. I got 2 bottles of beer, a pesto chicken wrap, and an order of beer fries. $17 can't beat that.
Place is very dark at night, but the guys have flashlights, lol. Great guys, great food... great prices.

11-08-2011 12:56:44 | More by crusian

msnow34

South Carolina

4.22/5  rDev -0.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.5 | $

Visited here on saturday early evening 10/1. It was there first anniversary and a ballast point tap takeover.
The place is a hole in the wall, the name is scribbled on the door with a sharpie(owner explained they would have to get an expensive permit for a sign) We almost walked right by even knowing where we were going. GF actually did!

Very small place maybe four or five small tables and a small L shaped bar with four taps. We were greated by a young ex-pat who would later turn out to be the owner. We originally thought he was just a regular.

Food was good although they were out of the empanadillias(SP) that i initially ordered. GF had the burger which she was estatic to have after eating all the "wierd" puerto rician food i "forced' her to eat. Our server wasn't well versed as to what they had as he stated he didnt work there very often.
The owner however really knew his stuff. There was a line on the beer list about not serving beer cold. It was classic.

We were very impressed by the place and it got the GF seal of approval which is big considering all the breweries, beer bars and bottle shops I've dragged her into the years and a nice break from drinking Medella Light.
My only dissapointment was it wasn't closer to where we were staying and I could only have two beers, due to have to going back out to try to brave the Puerto Rican traffic.
Did i mention their beer prices on bottles were mostly five dollars including tax!!
Worth seeking out, just make sure you have the address and the name as you will walk right by if not prepared.

10-04-2011 01:13:01 | More by msnow34

MrSoto

Puerto Rico

4.4/5  rDev +3.3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

Now Taberna Lupulo is the place to drink beers at Old San Juan. No better place to truly enjoy beer. Great selection, ok pricing. At least the service is really good, even when the place is packed. And it gets packed often. The staff knows beer and will help you if needed. They use proper glassware and respect the beer and the customer. The food is awesome, props to the chef. Nice mix of bar food, beer inspired food and overall what puertorican drunks like to eat. The only downside is that the place is small, gets crowdy and hot.

09-21-2011 00:26:30 | More by MrSoto

mtstatebeer

West Virginia

3.86/5  rDev -9.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | $$

Visited twice on my latest trip to PR. A definite recommend to anyone visiting the island, or Old San Juan.

Small bar, with a nice (local) vibe. Not a tourist trap like many places in OSJ. Bartenders are extremely helpful with selections. It is nice to see beer advocacy in PR. Old Harbor was the only place, until now, to get decent beer on the island.

Good selection. They have a wide range of styles. Nice IPA/DIPA selection, mainly Cali beers. They do their best on glassware, but have limited space (hence the beer in coolers). I saw Bells, Bear Republic, Moylans, Caldera, Abita, Ommegang, a decent German and Belgian selection, and many more on the menu.

Had fried potatoes, just for a snack. They were good, but I'll refrain from rating food because I (nor anyone else in my group) had any of the sandwiches or other treats.

Good value compared to any other place in OSJ. Most beers (12 oz.) were between $4-5. Anywhere else, you would pay $4-5 for a Medalla...

Visit this place if you are in Puerto Rico and you want to drink good beer.

06-01-2011 16:47:25 | More by mtstatebeer

vikinggod

Missouri

4.58/5  rDev +7.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

I recently visited San Juan and this was one of my stop's. A very small place, many of the beers are stored in small ice chest's. They have a extensive beer list that mainly consist's of American craft beer's, along with Belgium and German beer's. They had a pale ale and a stout on tap from a nearby brewpub, Old Harbor Brewery, I believe these were the only local beer's they had.

The food here is pretty good, they were out of the chicken sandwich I wanted, despite they had just opened but the hamburger I ordered was very good. A very friendly staff with quick service. It has a cool vibe and is a place I will visit again should I ever be in San Juan.

05-16-2011 22:54:01 | More by vikinggod

Redrover

Illinois

4.2/5  rDev -1.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

I visited twice during my recent visit to Puerto Rico and would have gone more if it was closer to where I was staying. Located in a corner building fairly close to the old fort. It is tiny but welcoming. There is a small L shaped bar on your left that seats maybe 10. There are maybe another 5 or 6 small tables to share. They had great tunes on the sound system and a TV by the bar.

I like the décor and really appreciated the friendly service. The bartenders were great and the owners were very glad to talk beer with their customers. They told me they are looking for a bigger space & I hope they get it as they are doing a great job!

Lots of good beer to choose from. Good selections from Belgium & the US. Everything I had was in topnotch shape and served in the correct glassware. All bottles and no taps at the current location.

If you ever find yourself in San Juan, you have to search out and enjoy this gem!

04-18-2011 17:04:42 | More by Redrover

PRpitmaster

Puerto Rico

4.18/5  rDev -1.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

A great light that has been turned on at the end of the Beer tunnel in Puerto Rico. These guys have a great selection of american brews and a few european staples. There are no traditional imports on the menu, no Heineken, Bud, Corona, Coors, or even the local Medalla Light on the menu. If you are in Old San Juan you definitely need to stop and have a brew.
The space is small but inviting with great decorations. There are a few tables and plenty of space at the bar. The staff is very knowledgable about their selections and are very helpful in recommending a beer.
There is a small menu available, they make a great burger and a few other items, including mozzarella sticks, fried cheese, fries and croquettes.

02-18-2011 21:09:13 | More by PRpitmaster