Prohibition Pig

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -14.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 2.5 | $$$

In the space that I'm told once housed the Alchemist Pub, is the Prohibition Pig, less than a stone's throw away from the Reservoir and the Blackback, and with a logo that I know I've seen on a bar elsewhere.

The place seems nice enough, with a medium-sized bar that seats about 10-15 people, and a dining section to accommodate a decent crowd. Speaking of which, the crowd seems typically pretty terrible here on a busy night, and this is seemingly the hot spot in town. Considering the beer list it's easy to understand, but it also majorly detracts from the atmosphere and accessibility. I usually have the patience to wait for a bar seat (though the wife doesn't :P), but when we visited on a busy night, bars seats really weren't happening for us, and with no one to greet us at the entrance, it was left ambiguous if it was possible to get on the list for a table or if we were supposed to seat ourselves. It's definitely much nicer here during less busy hours. Other than that, at least the bartenders are friendly and generally knowledgeable. As for atmosphere, the place is pretty polished, an indication of the prices, which were a bit on the high side, though nothing overly extraordinary. Beer selection was the high point, with good local selections, Heady Topper noticeably on tap in true tribute to the previous owner. Half-pour options are always a plus. Food menu is largely unimpressive. I sampled two items: the wings were skimpy and bland, and the hushpuppies were dry and...bland.

My final word: call me cynical, but this place reeks of being the tourist trap of beer bars.

Worth a stop-in if you find yourself in town, I suppose, though this was easily my least favorite of the Waterbury trio, behind the Reservoir and Blackback. I'll take the laid back atmosphere of the Blackback over the hyperactive Pig any day of the week...they may only have half the beer selection, but the quality is still there, so why not? However, my preference is the Reservoir, because at least you can get a decent meal there.

04-24-2012 07:08:09 | More by Rifugium

dbalsock

Vermont

3.73/5  rDev -13.1%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 2.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$$

Similar set up to the Alchemist, with not quite enough seating combined with a lengthy bar. Everyone was quite jovial and excited for the food, as they should be. It was friendly, not too noisy and comfortable.

The quality of the food and the beer was great. Wonderful beer choices from around the world with healthy doses of Lawson's, Hill Farmstead, and of course Heady Topper on tap.

The service takes a dive specifically because of how the menu is set up. They're pricey to begin with as far as the beer goes, but they do offer a "half" for a little more than half price. Be warned though, when ordering "a half" of a 12oz beer, you are actually served your "half" in a 3-4 oz glass. It ends up being an exorbitant price for so little beer... $4 for 3oz of Berliner Weisse... not ok.

Again, the selection is great... the barbecue is great and varied, with wonderful sauces on the table.

Oh, and if you were hoping for a return of the alchemist ketchup and fries, you will be disappointed, but not greatly disappointed.

04-08-2012 23:30:57 | More by dbalsock

negroobserver

New York

3.75/5  rDev -12.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3 | $$$

prohibition pig was highly recommended by some locals in waterbury, so we decided to give it a chance. The beer menu is stellar. i was thrilled to find Founders' KBS on tap and had to have it. the food on the other hand was lacking. The meat was severely undercooked in my opinion. having enjoyed some fallin-off-the-bone bbq, i was disappointed to find that that was hardly the case here. the mac and cheese had no macaroni, so it wasnt actually mac and cheese. the only good thing were the sweet potato fries.

07-24-2012 17:09:02 | More by negroobserver

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.83/5  rDev -10.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | $$

Kitty corner to two other bars featuring several up and coming Vermont beers. The largest and most bar like of the three. I also have a soft place in my heart to the former site of L'Alchemist. The bar and layout retains some of that flavour. More than enough taps for me here, and the HF and Lawson Liquid offerings were great. A few other good taps. One of my favourites on the trip was the dry hopped Ruination. Service was mixed, its new, and staff may be calmer on a different shift or after the summer buzy period. Still a must stop even if you are in Burlington.

08-16-2012 18:33:09 | More by northyorksammy

FrankLloydMike

Massachusetts

3.88/5  rDev -9.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$$

I was excited to try the Prohibition Pig, and I'm glad I did, but I left missing the old Alchemist, as I had expected to.

The Alchemist exuded a homey, laid-back, neighborhood vibe. Dim and packed, it was a great place to spend an evening on the (sadly only) two occasions I visited. The Prohibition Pig is considerably more refined. The space is more open and sparser. It's not quite airy, an adjective I reserve for sparse spaces that I enjoy, but feels a bit empty and over-lighted. It's not bad, but compared to the old space, it's a let down. I especially disliked the new light fixtures, which reminded me a bit of the new ones that replaced the old lights I loved so well at the CBC. The blasting music didn't help the vibe, either.

Beer selection was good, and I was glad to see all beers offered in full or half-pints. They had recently had some Hopfenstark takeover, so more than half the menu consisted of their beers. Visiting the Green Mountain State, though, I was looking for some Vermont beers, of which there were plenty of solid options.

The food was excellent, though the portions were fairly small for the price. My pork burger--a special on the board--was unbelievably good, but for $9 I'd like it to come with a side. Oh well, my friend and I split an order of sweet potato fries. While similarly undersized, they were quite good.

Where the Prohibition Pig falters, though, is on the service. We sat at the bar and had a server who I recalled from the Alchemist. He spent most of his time trying to impress the woman sitting next to us, was very slow to get our drinks or food or offer us the check, and seemed to think he was very funny despite being a jackass. He referred to another server as Kenny, whose name I recognize from some of the Alchemist/Prohibition Pig threads. When our server was too busy being full of himself to help us, Kenny came over and was extremely helpful and friendly. Next time I'm in, I'll make sure to sit at his end of the bar.

The Prohibition Pig is a nice enough place, and I have no doubt that I'll be back, but unlike the Alchemist, it's not a place I'd go out of my way for. Something special seems to have been lost.

05-31-2012 15:10:45 | More by FrankLloydMike

DoubleSimcoe

New York

4/5  rDev -6.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$$

The wife and I stopped at Prohibition Pig after drinking some Heady Topper on tap at The Alchemist Cannery (they were out of cans, sadly).

Waterbury is a beautiful small town filled with quality bars and restaurants, and also a big flea market with lots of junk. The Pig is classy, reminds me of Armsby Abbey in Woosta, MA. A little small, though- a couple of big parties coming in for brunch and the place was getting crowded.

The regular menu is rather simple and porky. Lots of bbq plates, smoked-meat sandwiches, burgers and pork-based apps, plus some salads. We were there for brunch and they have a big chalkboard with lots of specials, all very brunch-y (eggs, sandwiches, sausage). The wife got a big breakfast sandwich with a fried egg on top that was realicious.

You're here for the beer anyways, and that's where it's at. 24 draughts with plenty of Vermont brews. Yes, Hill Farmstead and Lawson's are here. Hill Nor, Harlan, Edward and Abner plus Lawson's Knockout Blonde and Double Sunshine. Plus Heady!

Also Founders Porter, Arrogant Bastard, Stillwater Cellar Door, Farnum Hill Dooryard Cider, Sierra Torpedo, Lagunitas WTF....

Prices a bit high for small-town Vermont ($6.50-$7.50 for the goodies) but I like the half-glass option at half price plus 25 cents.

Service was slow because they were understaffed and the poor bartender just couldn't keep up. But the manager was apologetic, and we were understanding.

Try the cocktails, too. They are top notch. The Bloody Mary is gigantic and comes stabbed with a big celery plus a draft of Schlitz's.

A quality joint, but next time I'll be curious to try the Blackback Pub and The Reservoir instead.

08-21-2012 18:59:54 | More by DoubleSimcoe

orangesol

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev -3.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$$

I decided to go to the Pig for dinner on my first night in Waterbury. I will never turn down BBQ and they have an amazing tap list so it was a no brainer for me.

Upon entering the ambiance it pretty nice. Lots of people all over the place eating and chatting amongst themselves. I snagged the last seat at the bar and looked over the tap list, that is when I knew it was going to be a good night. They have some amazing things on tap and I was happy to see they offered half pours so I could try more of them. The quality was pretty high. My beers were good, as was my food.

Service was good. I never had to wait for a refill or to place my food order and the bartenders certainly knew there stuff. The selection of beers, as I said, was top notch. 4-5 Hill Farmsteads, 2 Lawson's and Heady Topper on tap. I would kill to have that selection at my neighborhood BBQ spot. As far as the food goes, I decided to go with the pulled brisket with a side of fries and baked beans. Beans and brisket were ok, I used some of their bacon BBQ sauce to make it better, and the fries were excellent with their smoked ketchup. Prices were a little high across the board. If they tried to charge what they do down here they would be out of business quick.

Overall a really nice beer bar with above average food, albeit a little overpriced. I will return when I am in the area.

10-23-2012 20:20:27 | More by orangesol

jjboesen

Maryland

4.15/5  rDev -3.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.5 | $$

Housed in what was once the great - and much lamented - Alchemist, the Prohibition Pig is another venue to visit when in the charming (and beercentric) town of Waterbury, Vermont.

Located on the main street – and across from the Flyback Pub (See Review), the Pig combines savory local craft beer with succulent pig flesh – also local. While Alchemist was bright and airy, the Pig is dark and intimate, decorated with cranberry brick walls; it is, to say the least, very atmospheric. The bar is roomy enough, with enough veneer and polished wood to furnish several establishments.

Oh yes, they had Heady Topper on tap … nuff said.

12-26-2012 19:19:25 | More by jjboesen

ElGallo

New Hampshire

4.18/5  rDev -2.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

I was a little uncertain about how I would feel visiting the Pig for the first time after so many fond memories of The Alchemist brew pub. But as soon as I walked in I felt right at home. The interior has changed a lot, but the great service, beer, and patrons remain. I was impressed with the menu and thought the food complimented the beers well. Great draft selection, including Heady Topper and several Hill Farmstead and Lawson's Finest options. Half pours are available, which I love. If you love the old Alchemist frites, the current fries may dissapoint you, but the house-made sauces taste good on everything. The Pig is popular, so plan on waiting a bit for a table, but the staff is cool about taking your name and letting you walk over to the Blakcback Pub or The Reservoir for a quick drink. I just wish they would take your number too and just call your cell when your table is ready. Just sayin'. Overall, this is a must visit if you're in the area.

08-09-2012 16:43:26 | More by ElGallo

NHbeerfishing

New Hampshire

4.25/5  rDev -0.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 2 | $$$

OK, here we go... I absolutely love the location, decor, beer selection and employees. They have offerings from my favs Hill Farmstead, Lawson's Finest and Alchemist. The food is dreadful. Let me preface this by saying how much I enjoy BBQ and have eaten it often at many locations. You look at the place and think you are going to get something special, it's not. The ingredients are clearly fresh and of good quality, its just so bland. The BBQ sauces they offer have little flavor and are marginally palatable. Baked beans have been the highlight of my 5-6 meals there. It's like they try to innovate food wise and it just doesn't work well.

That being said, they have super nice and cool employees, fun decor and great beer. I'll go back there many times and will inevitably eat the food again.

01-03-2013 21:50:49 | More by NHbeerfishing