JT Schmid's Restaurant & Brewery

DoubleJ

California

3.43/5  rDev -3.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3 | $$$

Although this establishment has been around for ten years, I never stepped inside the place until yesterday. It was my first day of school and the weather was hot, so why not try out the place for a beer?

The inside is extrememly plush and looks like it was opened ten days ago instead of ten years ago. The bar sits in the middle of the restaurant with televisions dominating one side of a wall. It was very quiet inside, not surprising given it was 3pm on a Monday, with blues playing from the ceiling and contributing to the atmosphere. I stepped to the bar and peaked at their drafts. Five beers were printned on the menu (blonde ale, IPA, hefeweizen, amber, and extra stout). My got my hefeweizen and was refreshed.

But I was heartbroken over a few issues. First, I was dissapointed to learn there was NO HAPPY HOUR. Most brewpubs I've been to have a happy hour, but this was did not. Another issue I had was the price of drafts. Pints went for $5.50 while most other brewpubs take out a dollar or more. Going with the surroundings, it's going to take a little more from your wallet should you decide to come here, for both food and beer. Speaking of food, I didn't try any, but there were a few at the bar who had were eating some tasty-looking entrees.

JT's is a fresh, modern looking restaurant. The brewpub part seems to be a sideshow where steaks and wood-fired pizzas take the spotlight. Give it a try if you happen to be in the area, but it's not the end of the world if you don't.

08-21-2007 22:15:22 | More by DoubleJ

blitheringidiot

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -0.8%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3 | $$$

*** Stop in if you are going to an Angels or Ducks game across the street. Otherwise, don't bother ***
Life is full of ironies, eh? I woke up to read an article about improving the area around the baseball stadium and one mention of JT's Brewery was in the article so I considerd checking it out. Later that day I get a free ticket to the Angels game and lo and behold we hit JT Schmid's. It's a modern clean wood and metal interior restaurant first and a brewpub second. Swag and merch is hocked the minute you walk in. Go capitalists! We passed on the food and went right for the homerun flavor: IPA.

The IPA rocked! Killer IPA. We even went back for another after the game.

Selection is average. A stout, lager, IPA, red and another yawn inducer. No artisianal beers but oh, that IPA!

Staff was running ragged swinging suds for the crowd that no doubt is a result of the game. Kinda tunafied when I paid that tab so I forget exactly how much but it was pricey. They DON'T FILL GROWLERS.

Could you bring your Mother here? Yes. Mom could cop a squat with ease.

Last call: The bathrooms look like your high school principal's office. Only had the IPA 'cos the selection bah-lows! Go IPA suckah! Now growler it, bitches!

08-21-2006 05:20:52 | More by blitheringidiot

IntriqKen

California

3.66/5  rDev +2.8%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | $$$

Really spacious dining areas, private banquet room, and large outdoor patio dining area....well decorated with comfortable bar seating....13 TV's and a giant TV behind the bar that can be viewed from anywhere inside.
Typical upperclass food selections....a little pricy.
Stopped in for a beer before the Angel Baseball game and while busy, it wasn't overly crowded. Dropped in for another after the game and it was practically empty inside.
Large stainless fermentation tanks behind floor to ceiling glass wall on one side of the restaurant have the names of the beers they are holding on the outside so you don't need to see a menu to choose your beer.
Simple 5 or 6 beer selection of house brews with apparently no specials or seasonals being done.
Tried their IPA (named after the city - Anaheim IPA) and was really surprised with it's wonderful flavor, balance, and depth...so good I didn't sample any others but stuck with that beer all night. I'll have to return to try some of their others.
Service was good at the bar and the pint glasses were unusual and very comfortable. So much so, I bought one to take home with me.
No growler sales, however, which is a bummer. I would sure love to be able to take some of their IPA home with me as well.
Great place for before or after a baseball or hockey game.

08-20-2006 20:23:58 | More by IntriqKen

Rezzin

California

3.55/5  rDev -0.3%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5 | $$$

Drove past it a million times and finally decided to stop by this weekend with the wife to try it out.

We stopped by early, before 5pm and before the Angel fans showed. There were a few present, but the place was pretty empty for the most part. I hear it gets quite crowded when there is a game on.

The atmosphere is nice and somewhat trendy. We were seated near the front door and the sun was somewhat of a problem. Not planning on staying exceptionally long, we dealt with it.

The service was good and our waitress was very attentive. The selection was good as we both managed to find something to our liking. I ordered the Ahi tuna starter and my wife ordered the grilled halibut steak and a side of fresh asperagus. For $24, the halibut steak was tiny but fortunately, I wasn't very hungry so splitting the plate filled us both. We finished with the apple pizza desert which was good, just make sure to ask to have the whipping cream on the side.

I ordered the beer sampler and unfortunately they did not have the honey ale. If memory services me correct, the had a blonde ale, a hefeweizen, amber ale, ipa, a stout, and since they were out of the honey ale, she gave us an extra blonde ale sampler. The sampler was somewhat of a let down. The beer here is average at best. The stout was not bad and the IPA was ok but I really didn't care for the rest.

A bit overpriced, mediocre beer, decent food, good service and selection - I'll probably pass on this place in the future. If you're in the area, it's worth checking out but there is definitely better food, beer, and prices elsewhere.

07-05-2006 04:09:21 | More by Rezzin

PuckLSHS

Iowa

3.05/5  rDev -14.3%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 3 | food: 3.5 | $$$

JT Schmid's is located across the street from the Anaheim Pond where the Mighty Ducks play. The place doesn't really get too crowded unless there is a game on, so I tend to hit up the joint only when I know there isn't going to be traffic. Reason being, better service if the place is empty...if it is full, you never know what kind of service you are going to get.

I have been to JT's a few times since I live in the area. I believe it to be a bit pricey and nothing special. It is one of the hipster brewpubs that does a better job hyping up the overpriced menu than making good beer. All the selections that I have had I have not really enjoyed too much. Their beer is average, so I only go there with people that drag me there because it is in the "middle" of everyone.

It is a nice set-up inside and is accomodating to all types of drinkers, but not to dedicated beer fans. My friends enjoy their Hef, but I think the only decent beers are the Stout and the IPA.

The breakdown. Not a lot of veggie stuff on the menu, the beer is average to below par and it is pricey. Go there if you have to, but don't make a special trip. Hit up TAPS or Hollingshead instead.

04-18-2006 22:44:11 | More by PuckLSHS

schoolcb

Texas

4.03/5  rDev +13.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

Stopped by for lunch this past Sunday and got caught up in ballpark traffic, but the restaurant was less than half full. As a result the service was probably a bit better than average. Our server wasn't the most personable wait-staff I've ever experienced, but she kept up with us and was always there when our pint glasses were almost empty.

We both had food that involved Ahi Tuna (one a steak sandwhich and one a tuna salad sandwhich) and they were both good. Portions were belt-busting sized.

We tried several different styles of beers and they were all good.

They had numerous TV's going with various sports events being televised. It's a large place, nicely decorated, and very clean.

09-28-2005 01:59:45 | More by schoolcb

Redrover

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev +3.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5

I was in Anaheim for work and managed to drag about 8 co-workers out for dinner here.

It is a very large brew pub but it was fairly empty the Monday evening we were there. It has a nice bar area and a couple of levels of dining areas. The brewing equipment is prominently displayed behind glass walls. Lots of televisions for sports watching. I bet this place rocks pre and post games. The evening was a bit cool, so their nice looking patio was not in use.

The service was friendly if a bit slow, but once they got started, they kept the refills coming. The food received mixed reviews. While they had a nice take on Ahi tuna appetizers & good burgers and salads, the steaks and ribs did not seem to fare as well.

I thought their beer was good, but not very adventuress. They had 7 or 8 beers on tap, so I would say the selection is adequate. I liked their Honey Ale, but I thought their IPA was a bit lacking (to be honest, I was hoping for a west coast hop monster).

I thought this place was well worth a stop and I would have no problem going back.

04-06-2005 18:06:52 | More by Redrover

rowew

Colorado

3.95/5  rDev +11%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5

Located right across the street from the Pond in Anaheim. We were there when nothing was going on, so parking was plentiful. Very nice patio outside with fire rings. Nice large bar inside, with the brewing equipment behind glass. Beer was all good - above average compared to many brewpubs. Tried a sampler and an order of wings. The wings were decent. The rest of the menu looked tasty, but somewhat pricey. All in all a nice place to grab a drink if you're in the area for a game or concert. Cigar friendly on the patio, so that might get me back again.

01-29-2005 07:23:33 | More by rowew

IceAce

California

3.95/5  rDev +11%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$$

Nice open facility with a medium sized bar. The brewery sits across from the entrance behind glass...

Staff was helpful and barkeep knowledgeable about the beer drewed on-premise.

Dress is casual with folks enjoying the full menu...standard Pub Grub and California Cuisine. The food and service were both above average with portions bordering on Claim Jumper size.

Outside patio has a firepit and propane warmers and is an excellent place to simply sit with a beer and visit with company.

Since the Arrowhead Pond is across the street and Angels Stadium is across the freeway, this place becomes (over)crowded on game nights. My recommendation is to look at a local schedule before making the trek.

Overall, this is a nice place to stop for a beer or two and a nice destination if you're only traveling an hour or less.


Draught Menu (12.1.2004):

JT's Light 4.8% ABV
California Hefeweizen 5.2% ABV
Emil's Amber 5.2% ABV
Anaheim India Pale Ale 6.9% ABV
Extra Stout 6.7% ABV

12-03-2004 18:50:15 | More by IceAce

Rumrunner

California

3.83/5  rDev +7.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4 | $$$

A group of us stopped in here for drinks and food before seeing the Jimmy Buffett concert this past weekend. Excellent show!!

JT Schmid's is located across the street from the Anaheim Pond. This is where the Mighty Ducks hockey team plays and they have plenty of concerts and other shows throughout the year. If you do not mind paying extra for parking you can leave your car there and walk to the pond. This was convienent for us after the show as we were able to turn on to the street away from the mess of traffic and find an alternate route to the freeway. JT Schmid's is also close to Edison field where the Angel's play.

A very large open main room flanked by two other dining rooms. The main room has a large bar in the middle. Booths and tables surround the bar. Plenty of tv's as this place has a very sporty bar atmosphere to it. The brewery equipment is behind large glass windows in the back of the main room. Nothing overly special or interesting about the decor. Very clean and well attended. The outdoor patio area is very nice and decent size. It has a fire pit and heat lamps for chilly nights. A great place for a pint when the weather is warm.

Our server was very attentive. She did her rounds in a timely fashion and was prompt with the drink orders. A cheery lass which always makes a visit more enjoyable.

The food was very good. The menu is a good mix of pub grub and American cuisine. Prices range from cheap to fair. Nothing too expensive. Everyone in the group liked their food. There is a full bar for the non beer drinker.

The beers. Hmmm... Where to start? The IPA is serviceable. It is good but nothing too creative comes to mind. I wish they would give it a push. My girlfriend thought the Honey Ale was too metallic and not a very good beer at all. The amber was pretty good. None of the beers we had were spectacular. They were all in all 'okay.' Macros were in bottles.

Overall a good place to have a couple of drinks before a game or a show. I would not make a special trip out here just for the beers.

01-29-2004 06:45:23 | More by Rumrunner