Jacob Wirth

henkster

New York

3.93/5  rDev +2.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5 | $$

This place is a regular stop for my wife and I, so the review is based on many visits. They have about 30 beers on tap (I believe 29 to be exact) with a nice variety, although several are devoted to the Bud/Bud Lights of the world. They always have the the Harpoon 100 Barrel (the Bohemian Pilsner at our last visit), plus the Boston staples Harpoon IPA and Samuel Adams. Staying true to their heritage, they have a nice selection of German beers on draft, including: Spaten Optimator, Franziskaner Hefe Weiss and Hefe Weiss Dunkel, Ayinger Brau-Weisse, Paulaner Hefe Weiss, Hofbrau and Warsteiner. At last visit, they also carried the Oskar Blues' Old Chub and Hoegaarden. In the last year, they have expanded their bottle selection to include some Belgians: Chimay Blue, Duvel, Westmalle Tripel, and one or two of the Lindemans lambics. This is also one of the few Boston bars I've seen where you can order pitchers, at seemingly reasonable prices, of all the drafts.

Overall, it's a very casual, fun place to have a quality beer. The atmosphere is great - a turn of the century German-American beer hall, reminiscent of Schroeders in San Fran or the Berghoff in Chicago (which, sadly, has closed). Lots of old wood, including the bar, but watch that your drink doesn't slide off as it's tipping quite badly at this point.

The food also leans towards German fare, with jaeger schnitzel, sauerbraten, potato pancakes, and wurst plates. But, if you get nothing else, then order several sides of their outstanding potato salad to go with your beers!

08-20-2006 19:30:08 | More by henkster

hipcat

North Carolina

3.6/5  rDev -6.5%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.75 | food: 3 | $$

Came in on a Tuesday. Nice selection of imports and crafts on the draft list Had a duvel to start. Next three beers I requested off draft list were unavailable so a bit of a disappointment. Menu offered good selection of German and American entrees and small plates.

03-27-2013 00:35:06 | More by hipcat

greenengineer

Massachusetts

3.7/5  rDev -3.9%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 2.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

Jacob Wirths is a big open, loud, active space. In the Theatre District, so a lot of pre-show diners early.

Nice selection of beers, especially German (goes with the food). Servers generally not very knowledgeable about what they have. (Couldn't tell me what the current cask selection was, just that it was "an ale", and it was good). Slow service too.

German food is good - not too many places in Boston you can get Sauerbraten and Spaetzle.

Mayflower, Notch, Smuttynose, Clown Shoes - lots of local beers on draft.

tips -
1) try the small plates of German specialties - generally enough food for a meal, at a better price.
2) if you have questions about the beers, go directly to the bar.

11-06-2011 01:33:20 | More by greenengineer

Fclfcs

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

I disagree with the last review - every time I've been here the selection is substantial. They have the usual non-craft options, but they also carry tons of seasonal and German beers.

Because the place is big and busy, I find the beer to be very fresh, which is how I want my Germans. The food is decent, some dishes are winners and others aren't great, but overall both the food and beer are values.

The location is very convenient to shows, mass transit, downtown offices, etc. You won't find a rare release here but you're very likely to find fresh German or craft beer at great prices.

10-18-2011 23:58:02 | More by Fclfcs

IHC

Massachusetts

3/5  rDev -22.1%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 3 | food: 3 | $$

It's a good place to go and grab some food with a date or some friends after a show at one of the theaters. There are several theaters in the area that have comedy and other types of show's such as blue man group. This place is great before or after the show. It's a quick walk from the MBTA china town or Tufts medical center stop on the orange line. The food is inexpensive and there's something for everyone.

Beer selection is Typical pub selection. Blue moon, sam adams, guiness, bass, stella, etc.

12-08-2010 23:23:14 | More by IHC

BogleHill

Massachusetts

4.45/5  rDev +15.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$$$

Located in a historic building at the edge of the theatre district, the walls are adorned with a variety of signed theatre programs, show tickets, etc. The bar is small, but there are a bunch of high tables too. The other side is set up like a large beer hall. The floors are beat and there is a real character to the place. There is always a great selection of taps and bottles. The chowder is not to be missed!

This could be my favorite bar in Boston, if it wasn't so expensive. ($6.50-$7.00 a draft).

07-20-2010 01:44:32 | More by BogleHill

drpimento

Wisconsin

4.15/5  rDev +7.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

We went there last night and had a real good time. Had some good beers at the bar with friendly, knowledgable, helpful bartenders and a guy sitting next to us. Food was very good and reasonably priced, although we had to get 5 soft pretzels if we wanted any. It's German beer hall atmosphere and nicely done. Beers are not just limited to German though. Bar area was busy and much smaller than the dining area which was vacant. The place is in a convenient location for staying downtown. A real treat & I'd sure go again!

06-20-2010 18:59:14 | More by drpimento

jgasparine

Maryland

4.05/5  rDev +5.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5 | $

Here at Jacob Wirth right now. Walked in for dinner. The place oozes antiquity out of every pore. Tons of old brewing and sports memorabilia all over the place. Old worn wood everywhere, and an accordian player wandering the floor. Apparently this location was established in 1868!

A nice mix of Germany and Belgians beers, with a fair mix of other craft beers as well. Very respectable beer selection, and all good quality. A bottle of Coastal Extreme James (8% abv) was $3!!! What a deal!

The food was German and American, reasonably priced, and absolutely delicious!

Definitely worth coming back!

02-21-2010 00:54:09 | More by jgasparine

PEBKAC

New York

3.73/5  rDev -3.1%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4 | $$$

This is a regular lunch stop for me whenever I hit Boston. It use to be CBC, but wherever I'm crashing in town, the Chinatown stop on the orange line is real easy to connect(Cambridge is too much to squeeze in sometimes). The Hyatt Regency up a few blocks on Lafayette is a great choice for the tourist in me as well(they always seem available via Priceline on the cheap).

Anyway, walking up... vintage clock, vintage black front, it doesn't quite fit the neighborhood anymore, with a McD's on the corner, & a Penang's around the bend(pretty damn good for a chain, got one by me here in Queens), all the office buildings across the street, the construction on more obstructions, etc.

Locals have the habit of locking the front door if they feel it's too crowded(or too cold to warrant another breeze). So... walk in, see all the old wood, the long bar from back to front along the left(the kitchen in plain view behind the middle), a few worn tables in front, the autographed picture of Conan O'Brian commenting on how they did a good job keeping his brother drunk(among other photos). Two steps split the hallway entrance into the dining room(I always grab a bar stool anyway), where a folding chalkboard reads today's specials.

I always seem to be in here on a Friday before BA fests, so it's been Friday's special: fishcakes with onions & red beer sauce on mac n cheese(about four times running now; $7). Honest cakes, great sauce, but I think the pasta is of the box & flavor packet variety. The sausage I've passed on before, but the sandwiches are pretty well done. Oh & don't forget to order the complimentary bucket of cornbread. Very moist. Be sure to share.

The help behind the bar do a good job keeping you satisfied. The beer menus aren't always up to date, & you'll frequently get a "sorry" when your first couple of choices are out, but they'll let you know what is new, what they like, & what phony new micro impostor AB installed this week that you should stay away from. Taps half along the bar, half along the back wall, so bring your bifocals & ditch the beer menu. The house beer changed on their online menu to 'gansett, but I remember it being Harpoon Dark, or Ale, which both I like. They'll still have a few from them(IPA, UFO, cider, something from 100 Barrel), as a majority of their craft stuff is local. You'll almost always see something from Fisherman's there. I always see a Victory too.

For the German selection(because there has to be some authenticity here), I always find Radeberger(super clean off tap, so under-rated), A couple Spatens, a couple rotating hefs & marzens, Aventinus if you're lucky, Leffe, & Stella. A decent overall list. Price-wise though, most of it comes in just as hard as midtown Manhattan. There are cheaper pints to be had around Boston. Sometimes they could be fresher.

Bottles available are in front in a vintage wooden glass front fridge(Chimay & other obvious Belgians, plus & a few locals), with more certainly down the stairs nearby into the cellar. The flat screen over the start of the bar is really out of place for the scene, & is always tuned to ESPN, & always on mute. Some of the guys coming in for lunch aren't always game for conversation, but luckily to pass the time, they usually have a stack of BA magazines or Alestreet or Dig or Yankee on the mantle behind you. Picking up one of those usually gets the conversation moving.

Overall, I do recommend this place to lay down a good foundation before a beer festival. Dinner, afterparty... ehh, maybe not. Good food, good service, some history to soak in, decent tap list. A great location. Don't forget the cornbread. :)

03-07-2009 22:54:10 | More by PEBKAC

Trailmix242

Massachusetts

3.8/5  rDev -1.3%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3 | $$$

Just finished an evening at Jacob Wirth. Beer selection was great heavy on the German beers which honestly I am not as familiar with. The bar area is a little small with limited seating but there are plenty of tables and even on a Saturday night at 8:00 PM we were seated right away. Our server was really friendly though probably not that knowledgeable on beer which was fine as i just decided to try two German beers I had not tired before and a Leviathan IPA from Harpoon. Food was average though we did not try any of their German food specialties. One word of caution on draught beer, discovered when I ordered a bottle that the standard pint glass they use is actually 12oz. Thankfully most of the draught beers they carry come in the glassware that was designed for them. I would go back if in the neighborhood again especially if I was looking to try out some more German brews.

01-25-2009 05:01:00 | More by Trailmix242