The Cask Republic

PhillyStyle

Georgia

3.94/5  rDev -5.5%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4.25 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.25 | food: 3.5 | $$$

Visited on a night during the week while in New Haven:

Overall, this is a good place to stop in for a beer given the large selection on tap as well as in bottles. The night that I showed up they had Harpoon IPA on cask, which I have had before, and the keg of De Dolle that was their featured beer, they were out of, so I was a little concerned at first when trying to order. Eventually I landed on one that they had, a Berkshire Brewing Com Kolsch, served in a 12oz glass. I got to say that I was at least expecting 16oz, so the rating took a little hit for that. I had had a New England Brewing Co Belgian and a Stone best by 05.17.13 DIPA. The latter two served in tulip glasses, which the head of the beer was not even to the top of the glass. So, another strike and when I protested to the waitress, her only response was that they are strong beers so you get less. I did not find this to be acceptable. Ordered some food as well, fish and chips. The fries were good, the fish, while crispy on the outside, was a bit underdone on the inside. The place had a large variety of breweries and styles. The place did feel a bit corporate too me, maybe that was because of the Yale party going on. I liked the feel of Prime 16 and the Bru Room better. Also, given the small glasses, I did feel that the place was a bit pricey.

If I am ever back in New Haven, I will stop in for a beer or two.

05-17-2013 01:32:19 | More by PhillyStyle

seplo

Connecticut

4.2/5  rDev +0.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 3.5 | $$$

I've been here a bunch of times, early when they first opened and more latley, simply because they have happy hour pricing on the craft beer.Big bar with plenty of room.
I've always liked the atmosphere. Its got a combo of beer geeks, Yalies and older ppl that know about beer.But they also have BMC so you do get some of the other crowd.
They do have unique and good food but its definitly over priced for what you get.
They have an awesome selection of beer.50+ tap lines plus an extensive btl list(if you have the money buy a btl, but i recommend to buy it a store to save yourself some cash). The bartenders are knowledgable and the give samples(always a plus)
Service could be a little better/faster in my opinion. I've been there when it has been dead and it has taken a while to get my next beer.
I always make a point to stop in when i'm in New Haven even if it's just to see the tap list and i usually end up sitting downand having a couple pints and chatting it up with Chad behind the bar.
It's definity a place to hit up if you're in the Elm City

11-01-2012 18:43:22 | More by seplo

cruzmissile72

Connecticut

4.53/5  rDev +8.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 3 | $$$

I stopped in to the Cask Republic for lunch and landed in beer lover's heaven. 53! That's right 53! beers on tap and nary a crap macro to be seen. There is also a huge bottle list. I had an Old Rasputin Stout and it was FANTASTIC. I did notice that the prices are pretty high though ($6 for a bottle of Red Stripe, WTF?). I had a cask conditioned IPA that was tasty (name eludes me) and it was $7 for a 16 oz pint. Make it a 20 oz pint and I'm more satisfied paying $7.

I ordered a burger and it was only OK. Really nothing special at all and for $10 I want me a good burger. The food prices were on the high side for what I got. I've only had lunch there though so I cannot speak for the evening meal.

The bar itself is absolutely gorgeous. Polished wood abounds. The service was good and my server was knowledgeable about beer.

I will most definitely be going back, though probably on special occasions or for a mid-afternoon treat of a special beer. I'll probably skip the food next time.

08-31-2012 15:17:03 | More by cruzmissile72

Homberto

Connecticut

4.33/5  rDev +3.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$$

Atmosphere - It is really a lovely place. High ceilings, very large bar, lots of dark finished wood. Amazing cask room and rear cellar with tons of glass so you can see everything. Low lighting. It can get a bit loud in there, but it is also a very large place so it doesn't usually feel cramped.

Quality - Excellent. The place is clean. The taps appear to be immaculate. The quality of the food and beer is very good.

Service - The service is on par for a classy beer bar/restaurant, but nothing special.

Selection - There is a very good selection of beers on tap. The list constantly changes and is very seasonal. All microbrews. They also have an impressive selection in bottles. The cellar in the back has some amazing and rare beers in there, but I am told that it is the owner's private stash. Beautiful to look at and drool over though.

Food - The food is also very good. Not typical bar fare, but not totally gourmet. A little bit pricey, but I have never had anything there that was not worth ordering.

Value - Beers are reasonably priced for the area, but the food is just a little pricey.

04-23-2012 19:34:29 | More by Homberto

Durge

Connecticut

4.53/5  rDev +8.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

My first visit to The Cask in New Haven and after reading some of the reviews I have to say that I was very pleasantly surprised. Being a Friday night at shortly after 6 PM in a pretty bustling downtown nightclub district, I was first surprised that they took our party of 4 without a moments wait despite no reservation. The atmosphere is hard to dislike with its dark look and Victorian pub sort of decor, although, as others have warned, it certainly is a loud and busy place. But honestly, isn't any bust place noisy in the city at this time of the week? Our waiter was beer knowledgeable, friendly, prompt and very patient with our indecision and questions. I couldn't have asked for much more really. We never waited much at all for our beers and I got the impression that this place reinforces its waitstaff for these known busy periods, and that's appreciated and a big difference maker with any dining experience. The beer selection is very solid, a very good variety with plenty of interesting choices of brewers and styles, including a cask ale and an exotic featured beer (in this case a divine Brewdog Paradise Smokehead on tap. All beers were appropriately served (glasses, temperature, portions), and while not cheap, they were priced reasonably considering the quality. The food selection was limited but not badly. Fish and meat, sandwiches and lots of decent appetizers including shellfish, etc. Everyone at our table was more than satisfied with the food. I had the fish n' chips and would recommend it as a decent choice. The mini-pizza was a great appetizer for the 4 of us, as well. All and all, I highly recommend this place. Judging from the earlier reviews I'm guessing that management is paying attention to the constructive criticism and has made positive adjustments. It was crowded, it was noisy, but I'm sure it wouldn't be that way if they weren't so good. Must be an awesome stop when you're there on off hours! Don't miss it for beer, dining...or both!

02-04-2012 19:24:38 | More by Durge

DoubleSimcoe

New York

4.35/5  rDev +4.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 3.5 | $$$

Saturday road trip from NYC with a friend from CT. New Haven! Beer? The Cask Republic was my choice...

The place was totally empty on a Saturday morning at noon when we arrived. Service was expectedly good. We were the only customers!

The Cask Republic is owned by the same guys that own The Ginger Man in nearby South Norwalk, so you can expect the same "upscale British pub" ambience. Lots of wood, nice booths, dim lights and a classy-comfy feeling all around. Great music too!

Great beer choices, with nine Stone taps including '07 Old Guardian, '10 Vertical Epic and Bashah. Also Coronado Idiot, Leipziger Gose, Ayinger Celebrator, New England IPA, Dogfish Burton Baton and Chateau Jiahu, Allagash Curieux and Fluxus, Ithaca 13, Stillwater... plus North Coast Old Stock!!!

Pricey of course, as you thought. $10 for Burton Baton and Bashah, $11 for Curieux... others were priced right, like that Old Stock for $7 or $8 for '07 Old Guardian.

Food menu is limited and correct. We had some salads, one with Boston lettuce and another one with duck confit. Good enough but not mind-blowing and, again, pricey.

They have a cellar on the back where they age goodies (like New England Imperial Stout Trooper). I was drooling when I saw the stuff!

I will be back next time I'm in New Haven. As a lunch spot with awe-inspiring beer, this joint can't be beat.

10-26-2011 19:08:32 | More by DoubleSimcoe

FightingEntropy

Minnesota

3.48/5  rDev -16.5%
vibe: 2 | quality: 4 | service: 2.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$$

After a disappointing stop at Bru Room @ BAR down the street, we headed to The Cask Republic to hopefully improve the evening beer hunt. We found some pretty good beer--and couldn't stand to stay there.

My wife and I spent the day being touristy and driving from Boston, so ended up in New Haven rather late on a Saturday. By the time we got to TCR, it was closer to 10 pm and the volume of the bar was unbearable. Drank in spite of the noise. At one point, I was a bouncer in a college bar and understand the level of noise increasing as the night goes on. But this is a beautiful, dark wood bar with great beer--and no dance floor. No reason to be that loud. My wife went outside to answer a phone call--and two college students just opened the door, listened and turned around immediately saying that it was way too loud. Wish I had been that smart--but I didn't go to Yale. It took the entire next day for the ringing in my ears to go down.

As for the beer, excellent selection and well served. Very impressive and fun. Thus, my extremely split review numbers. Had we gotten into New Haven in the afternoon and hit TCR earlier, might have liked it a lot. As is, it's a painful memory that I suffered with for too long for the sake of a good beer.

7/19/11
Received a very nice note from the owner of The Cask Republic, addressing my concerns. I both respect and appreciate the concern and effort to improve, so I'm adding it to the review. While the gist of my review stands, TCR is a place that I would most definitely return to drink, given the opportunity, especially if it was at a quieter time of day. Maybe not as clear as I would have liked in the initial review, the beer quality at TCR is excellent and is well served--a much harder and important factor than the cosmetic issues of volume and service.

07-08-2011 03:14:41 | More by FightingEntropy

dragonWhale

New York

4.2/5  rDev +0.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$$

Stopped into New Haven for gas and a search of another place. Our aimless wandering brought us nigh here and an astute eye picked it out. Why not? Happy Father's Day to me!
Walked into the dark and low-ceilinged bar with its beauteous length and bartender.
Very solid and lengthy tap list, but to my dismay, when I ordered the Ghandi, I was denied fruition of my delights.
Twas kicked.
Ordered a 668 instead and a lamb wrap, which were delicious, though $12, with mediocre fries. The service was excellent, very friendly people on a slow Sunday eve.
Also had the Victor and a new BFM joint on tap, and the Blue Point Imperial IPA on cask.
I'm knocking points off the "atmosphere" vibe for calling themselves The Cask Republic and only having one cask. Let's get it together! I need 5!

06-20-2011 05:13:17 | More by dragonWhale

jaluria

Connecticut

4.28/5  rDev +2.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

Had a chance to visit this place with some friends for happy hour and it was spectacular. Over 50 craft beer on-tap; excellent food and an atmosphere that is laid back and comfortable.

If you search the website ctbites.com, you'll find a review article about te chef and the bar which is owned by the same company that owns The Gingerman in Norwalk.

The beer selection appears to be continually modified as new beers are added to the tap list several times a week. Many local (CT, RI, NY and MA) breweries are represented like New England Brewing Co, Brooklyn Brewery, Cisco, Harpoon, Smutynose, Blue Point, etc. Some Rogue, Stone and Oskar Blues are also commonly found on the list. Bottle selection seems pretty good, but I rarely order off of it when there are good beers on-tap.

If you're in the area, stop by for a good meal and some great beer.

06-11-2011 23:07:33 | More by jaluria

Gambrinus1184

Connecticut

4.13/5  rDev -1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$$

Dinner & drinks on Wednesday, May 4, 2011 (Happy Birthday, frostpool!)

Dark, wooden decor floor to ceiling with Euro, gastro-pub feel and an expansive bar with nearly two dozen stools. Cozy sittign areas with couches flank the main pub/dinign room area with a more intimate side room (private parties?) and a step-down, more private dining room with padded booth seats, chairs and tables. Very cool, see-through glass cooler/storage rooms visible from step-down room, so you can see what's in and going on behind the scenes a bit.

The tap selection is quite a treat (50+, allegedly) and a sizable bottle list as well with a variety of brews represented. Always one cask on, a featured brew in limited supply and a featured flight. Tonight was Sebago IPA on cask, an IPA flight and Stillwater Jade featured. Menu could use a little help, but will likely expand as time goes on. Wings were above average and my turkey burger was as well; stellar fries.

When we first arrived (around 7 p.m.) the host and servers were attentive and laid-back/cordial. When it picked up a bit, it was a little tough to put in requests for new drinks, etc. (had to ask for plates for wings, water refills, ketchup) but nothing major to knock on here. Server was knowledgeable enough and was good about supplying beer samples. Although not the most attentive, service was as brisk as I reasonably could have hoped for, but might be a nuisance during weekend rush times.

As previously mentioned, the beer selection is quite good, both on-tap and in bottles. They had everything in supply that we asked for, which was great, but I could see them running out of a few things, which can be expected with such a wide selection of beers. The menu could use some work and expansion will likely come with time. That said, there's something for everyone, sandwiches and full dinners.

The value is decent, and in all, you get what you pay for. However, I won't pretend like it's the most economical choice for a burger and beer outing. If you've been to a Ginger Man, you know the drill. Most beers are prices $6 and up for 12 or 16 oz. pours and food starts at around $11 depending what you're getting. The selection is great, food is good and the atmosphere is enough to have me wanting to return soon. If they raise their game on service response and menu selections just a bit, Cask Republic can give most places in New Haven a run for their money.

05-05-2011 05:08:31 | More by Gambrinus1184