Vault Brewing Company

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev -1.6%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 3.75 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | food: 4 | $$

I really liked the feel of this place. The building it's in used to be a bank, and the decor (and pretty much everything) reflects this. They did a great job refurbishing it, and the whole place has a nice, classy feel to it, and it even gives off the vibe of an old speakeasy. There's a small bar that seats about 6 people, and plenty of dining space.

As far as beer goes, the selection wasn't great, and the beer itself was pretty basic stuff. But give them time...they did just open, and they're just getting started. There were four on tap when I visited--Belgian blonde, hefe, stout, ESB; all ok, but nothing great--but it looks like they have a capacity to have a lot more on draught. Seems like they'd have a few guest taps on to keep things interesting, but we'll see what the future holds. If they actually produce enough to keep 10 or more of their own beers on, then power to them.

Service was fine. They seem to have a lot of employees, so I'm guessing the place gets busy. The owner was there, and both he and he bartenders have a good knowledge or their products. There was also someone getting a tour, so it's good that the people there know the history of their establishment as well as being educated in the brewing process.

The food menu is pretty small, but they have some interesting items on it. The main item is flatbread pizza, but there are also some smaller bites, and "folds," which are basically pizza turnovers with more "craft-like" ingredients. Tasty stuff, and in good quantity. Prices were decent on everything.

I'd say this place is off to a good start, and I will definitely be keeping an eye on them to see how they progress. I don't get to the area enough to visit often, but I will definitely be going back when I can.

02-11-2013 15:41:07 | More by Rifugium

BeerForMuscle

New Jersey

4.01/5  rDev +6.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4 | $$

A relatively new place, The Vault is a great addition to this area. There has always been the standard triangle of bars around Yardley/Newtown. It's nice having a brewpub close by, although it is quite small and limited. The beers they do have flowing have always been excellent however. They don't have a big selection, but it's a quality bunch most of the time. Flights are available for a tasting selection. The servers are well educated and personable. I haven't tried much of the food but they have a nice selection of small plates. Had the cheese board and a couple of their small pizzas. All of the warm fare is cooked inside their brick oven, which is kind of cool. The pizzas are bar pie size and artisinal. The inside is a main bar area, and a side room, where you can gaze upon the original vault doors. The whole bank turned brewpub idea is cool and they kept those elements in tact. They run on the premise of being non-traditional and more towards a speak easy, but no in the sense you would first imagine. There aren't any TV's or music playing. Overall This is a cool spot that anyone should check out.

05-19-2013 01:08:37 | More by BeerForMuscle

TriggerFingers

New Jersey

3.2/5  rDev -14.9%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.25 | service: 3.25 | selection: 2.75 | food: 3.75 | $$

A- Atmosphere was good--its got an intimate feel coupled with the some refined industrial elements. Although we were there on a Saturday afternoon, I imagine this place would be pretty popular later in the evening.

Q- Quality-Overall, the beer was ok. By that, I mean they are definitely new, but seem to be "up and coming" not "down and out." If you are an adept homebrewer, Im sure you have probably made the same quality of beer or better. Had a flight of 5 beers (Wit, IPA, ESB, Dry Stout, and RIS).

S- Service-The barman was more interested in talking to the locals at the end of the bar rather than striking up a conversation with us. Beer and food came quickly and I had good conversation with the Mrs. anyway.

S- Selection-5 beers on tap and 2 coming soon. For its size, this is fine. I think this is probably the best small business model for a brewery anyway--make a few beers, but make them good. They are on their way in that regard. Although we were at the bar, I didn't see liquor for mixed drinks or other "guest beers" on taps. If you are with a crowd that isn't totally adventurous (i.e. wants a bud light or a cosmo) this may not be the place.

F- Food-Ordered the hummus plate--really nice as they did hummus 3 ways, with fired pita and veggies. The only downside is they encourage "no substitutions" at the bottom of the menu. Having a family with dietary restrictions (allergies) I wouldn't hesitate to spend my food $ elsewhere if they didn't have anything we could eat. I think they may need a little flexibility in this regard. However, what we got was very good.

V- Value-I think the beers and food are reasonable. Definitely a good place to check out if you are within striking distance of Yardley or passing through. I wouldn't make a pilgrimage to this place though--at least not yet--lets see how their beers evolve in the next few years.

03-24-2013 15:10:57 | More by TriggerFingers

Gavage

New Jersey

4.15/5  rDev +10.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4 | $$$

We entered from the Main Street entrance since we parked on the street, but there is a big parking lot behind the building. The first thing you notice are the large brewing tanks and a very small bar that can only sit 5-6 people. There is a small wood burning stove and cold food prep area in a back section that is open to the room. Just off the bar are some hi-tops and standard tables, and there are two other rooms on either side of the bar. There is also a small stage for live jazz music. Jazz played on the speakers and there are no TVs here. Ecclectic mix in the decor as some wrought iron, purple ceilings, and plenty of windows off the back room. A board off the side of the bar has the beer listing for what is available and what is fermenting. I did not visit the Vault room.

This is a small place, so don't expect a large offering but the beer they have on are quite tasty and were very fresh. This visit they had had an Oatmeal Stout and Breakfast Stout both on nitro, an ESB on draft and cask, a Blond, Rye IPA, and a Hefeweizen. There are tasters available and also growlers.

The food is limited here to wood oven pizza, wraps, and other small bites. The pizza we had was very good but a bit pricey. Service was friendly and responsive.

This place is a nice addition for the Yardley area, and I look forward to future vists. My only gripe is the bar is very small - just wish it was larger.

02-27-2013 13:18:34 | More by Gavage

TheFightfan1

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -0.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5 | $$$

Opening weekend and probably filled to max capacity but we were still able to get a table in a reasonable timeframe. In case you haven't heard this used to be an old bank and now converted to a brewpub hence the name Vault brewing. Nice decor as you walk in like you are walking into a bank vault with safety deposit boxes in the doorway. The bar stands a few feet from the doorway and stretches to the back wall in an s type pattern. Steps to the right for a nice dining area and a kind of bank teller wall with a I believe a wrought iron gating for were the grillman stands and bakes flat bread pizzas... creative. Nice shiney silver tanks sit behind the bar towards the back corner wall.

Service was a little slow but I can only expect that from the opening weekend and a packed house. Our waitress was very informative on what type of beers matched up with certain food. Very friendly and didn't seem to be the least bit stressed out with all of the chaos.

As far as selection of beer and food it was decent. Nothing really jumping out at me. This place reminds me alot of earth bread brewery and not just from the flatbread pizza standpoint... well maybe a little. The beer really seems to complement the food nothing really high in ABV here but enough to match with pizza and not make you too bloated and drunk. As far as the quality of the beer it was very ordinary. The sweet potato ale was very tasty and the IPA just seemed like a run of the mill IPA. A sampler that my wife and I had nothing seemed to just scream out to us except that sweet potato ale.

Since the opening weekend I haven't been back but would like to soon. I've seen they've added some new items besides just flat bread pizzas. With a few tweaks and some time I believe this will be a landmark in Yardley. As long as they keep trying new ideas with beer and food this could be a real gem in the area.

12-27-2012 16:52:04 | More by TheFightfan1