Dog & Pony Tavern

Ivanhoes_Backpack

New Brunswick (Canada)

2.3/5  rDev -29%
vibe: 2 | quality: 2.5 | service: 2 | selection: 2.5 | $$

Came here on a rainy April 2012 weeknight - hardly tourist season. Just wanted to sit down for a pint to check out the place. The bartender wasn't friendly or accommodating, so my girlfriend and I quickly finished our drinks and left. Selection wasn't great, maybe a long trail and sierra nevada on tap. Couldn't tell what they had for bottles. Place was really small, maybe four booths visible and some stools at the bar, though they do have a large patio. We ended up at the Thirsty Whale and felt a lot more comfortable. Maybe it was just the rain that made the bartender unfriendly.

04-08-2013 00:50:46 | More by Ivanhoes_Backpack

FightingEntropy

Minnesota

4.18/5  rDev +29%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $

After sampling beers at the Bar Harbor Brewing sampling room that is downtown by the tourist bus drop off from all of the hotels, we headed over for a pint at the Dog & Pony Tavern before dinner at Lompoc Cafe.

Unfortunately, the Atlantic Brewing IPA we chatted about in the tasting room was out, so I substituted their Coal Porter instead, a good Porter with a good flavor. Next pint, tried a Black IPA from Otter Creek, which was exceptional. Both were well served, clean and fresh. With 14 taps, the range in the pub is not extensive (no Meadhall in Boston), but a nice mix of macros (PBR), regional favorites (Long Trail and Shipyard) and local micros (CASCO and Atlantic). With limited taps, they have different beers set up inside and outside on the patio. The bartender got one from the back bar that I wanted since it wasn't busy, so that might be an issue when more people are there. After dinner, we walked by the pub and it seemed pretty lively later on with a lot of people enjoying the partially covered outdoor space. We ordered a order of french fries, which showed up in a silver pet food bowl and was just cool--fries were good on top of it. Rest of the menu seems to be what I started to call basic NE pub grub: mac n cheese, burgers, chowder, deep fried apps, etc. Not an extensive menu, like the tap list, but a clear indication that they are trying to do a good job with limited space and resources.

We were there late afternoon, and it was quiet with light chatter, and quite comfortable inside the pub by the main bar. I can see where it might get a little noisy later at night, our stop was a lot of fun. Good pub to check out, especially for a pint or two of a local brew.

07-12-2011 03:05:23 | More by FightingEntropy