The Moan And Dove

OldSock

District of Columbia

5/5  rDev +8.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$$

Not to repeat what everyone else has said, but this place is great. The atmosphere was perfect, the bartender was fun, and the beer was fantastic. A mother and son combination each finished their beer club sheets and thus each sang a humorous drinking song. As for the beer, I was a bit skeptical that they actually had Westvleteren, but I asked for the 12 anyway, sadly they were out so I had to “settle” for the 8 which was served in the authentic glassware. I was told that normally they have all of them because they are rarely ordered, probably because of the steep price, approx $15 a bottle. They had a wide variety of bottle specials and drafts, from around the country and around the world. I won’t drag on, but if you live near by or are just passing near western MA, stop by for a drink you won’t be disappointed. It is a real shame that its two hours from where I live…

After 37 beerfly reviews for places in 12 states I have yet to give another place a 5/5, this place is just beyond compare.

06-24-2005 20:00:36 | More by OldSock

cheers55

Connecticut

5/5  rDev +8.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

This place rocks. My wife and I finally made it here on a busy Saturday night and it was great. After reading reviews talking about snobby bartenders I was surprised with how personable the bartender was who took our order for first round.
Draft list is small but well chosen (Maudite for instance) and bottle line up is spectacular. Had Fantome La Dalmatienne to start and it was great. Later in the evening announcement was made that as a way of saying thanks everyones next beer was on the house! There were 100 or so very happy beer drinkers. M&D has customer service and great beer down to a science.

05-05-2008 00:55:16 | More by cheers55

NEBeerWench

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +8.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

I'll bite - I might be a bit biased in reviewing the Dove because I've been going there since five days after I turned 21 (I realize that that makes me sound like Old Lady River; trust me, I'm not; that was three years ago). All that being said, this bar has become my basis of comparison for every beer bar that I've ever visited. The staff is all extremely competent; this note applies both to the bar-back and doorman staff, and to the bartenders themselves, who are veritable beer encyclopedias. They are all friendly, funny, and helpful: the latter being especially helpful when I'm in the mood for something different, or I'm having trouble being decisive (which, of course, never happens). I have learned an incredible amount about beer and how best to appreciate it, over the past few years.

On that note, the Moan & Dove's beer selection and atmosphere create an environment that is conducive to learning about and appreciating beer to its fullest extent. The amount of beers is enough to keep regulars and/or beer snobs from ever being bored, and yet is not overwhelming to newcomers (it's now up to 183). Coupled with this is the beer list, in which participants try to drink every beer that the M&D offers, within a year. Instead of encouraging this to be a trophy, the staff treats the list like a rite of passage, emphasizing that the point is to learn and appreciate all types of beers, rather than rushing through the list simply to say that one has done it.

Even though the Dove doesn't offer food beyond the ever-present barrel of peanuts, there are about 10 places within 5-10 minutes of driving time that deliver. Also, people may complain that the Dove is out of the way, hard to find, and is not overly easily accessible by public transportation. Although it is true that the bar is not on one of the main bus routes in and around Amherst, it has a bus stop right out front. The fact that it is not right in the middle of things is also fantastic to those of us who enjoy not being inundated by undergraduates who drink Narragansett like it's going out of style.

In short... I love the Moan & Dove. There simply is no place (that I've found, anyway) that quite measures up. Although I've been to my fair share of great bars and beer bars, I've never found any bar that could quite replace this one.

06-16-2008 02:54:15 | More by NEBeerWench

CudOfCow

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +8.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$$

The Moan and Dove is the best bar in the entire valley, if not the state, if not the country. I will forever hold this hole in the wall dear to my heart.

If you are a fan of real beer, that is all you will find. If you ask for anything else, you should probably just find another place to drink.

If you want beer, you will find oh so much. Whether on tap, in cask or in a bottle, there is an endless supply of some of the most unique beers around. The bar men and women are fantastic sources of knowledge and always have a good recomendation if you cant make up your mind. I also have to compliment their selection of music and it is not uncommon to see beer mug graduates standing up to say a poem or sing a song.

The only complaint is that the prices have risen quite a bit since i first started going here, i suppose not nearly as much as the price of gas at the Hess station next door... cest la vie.

08-20-2008 21:12:43 | More by CudOfCow

bernardus

Virginia

5/5  rDev +8.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

It doesn't get much better than this place when you factor in the atmosphere, selection, and prices of this bar. Very inconspicuous from the outside and inside, the place is not too big at all. A row of booths to your right, the bar to the left, and some tables in the middle. Very dark inside too, but it suits the place perfectly. Hanging above the bar is the impressive tap list and their bottle list shines as well with several offerings from the big brewing countries. All beer is served in its appropriate glassware if applicable as well.

On my visit around 8 months ago, I started off with an Orval, first I've ever had and it quickly has become one of my favorites. I had a hard time deciding on a second, but the bartender recommended a Schlenkerla Marzen to my father-in-law and I, and needless to say it was an outstanding choice, I've been hooked on Rauchbiers ever since.

We went when school was not in session so we kind of had the place mostly to ourselves for a while and then it gradually became more croweded. Very relaxed atmosphere and clientel. No food to be found but if you like peanuts, you're in luck. Overall, a fantastic bar. Well worth a stop.

09-03-2009 18:08:08 | More by bernardus

yukkamaster

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +8.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

This is by far the best bar in the area. The selection is great, and the bartenders are very knowledgeable and take the time to answer all questions, give their recommendations, and provide tastes before you order. My favorite aspect of the bar (aside from the great beer of course) is the atmosphere. No matter what time of day or night I'm there, there is always an interesting conversations occurring, be it about beer, politics, the economy, etc. It is one of the few public spaces where people seem willing and able to get together and talk about what is going on, and do so over some amazing beers. At the same time, if you want to come in and enjoy a beer by yourself there is space for that - and free internet also. Anyone in the area should definitely stop by, and its worth a trip for those that are a bit further away.

11-07-2009 22:29:40 | More by yukkamaster

jneiswender

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +8.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

Beervana. Plain and simple. This is everything a beer bar should be. 24 taps and a very robust selection of bottles at very fair prices. The service was impeccable. I walked in and asked for a recommendation. Instead of giving me what he drinks, the bartender asked me several questions as to what I typically drink. He recommended the perfect beer that I stuck with for the afternoon. The beer was served at the correct temperature and in the brewery's own glass. The atmosphere has zero pretense. I am quite shy but found myself engaging with locals easily. A absolute "bucket list" place. Go with food in your stomach or have food plans because they only serve peanuts.

02-21-2010 20:24:33 | More by jneiswender

ryan1788a5

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +8.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$$

The sister bar to The Dirty Truth. Whatever the Truth does wrong, this place gets right. The atmosphere is great. It is a small bar, and has that cozy pub feel to it. There is always some jazz or alternative music playing, but it never feels chaotic because of it. The patrons are mostly older and mostly all regulars, and some are of the hippie and yuppie variety. Unlike The Dirty Truth, however, the crowd here is extremely friendly and talkative, as is the staff.

The bartenders are very knowledgeable and extremely attentive. They will even offer you a glass of water before you head out if you have been drinking a few high abv beers. This is very responsible of them, and the first time I have ever seen this done.

The selection is superb. There are about 20-25 taps here (one cask tap sometimes) as opposed to 40 at The Dirty Truth, but what it lacks in taps, The Moan and Dove makes up for it with its bottles list. The bottle menu is impressive, and there are helpful descriptions of most of the beer styles right on the menu to help the novice beer drinker. Prices are a bit high, but these beers don't come cheaply anywhere else either.

These folks do everything right. This is hands down my favorite beer bar to date. I wish I lived a little closer so that I could patronize it more frequently.

09-20-2010 20:19:56 | More by ryan1788a5

JShattuck

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +8.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

The moan and dove is by far my favorite bar. I have yet to find a bar that compares to the moan and dove. (Dirty Truth and Lord Hobo are not quite as good).

Beer- Great selection on tap that rotates between standard styles Pale Ales, IPA, Stouts, Porters, , Pilsners, different Belgian styles, along with some rare styles of beer. Some standard beers are always on tap like Guinness, at least three IPAs, etc. Every Wednesday they have a different beer on Cask. They also have a lot of bottles to choose from ranging from $2 to $60.
Mug club if you drink the entire bottle list over a year.

Food- No food. Peanuts for free at the door. You are welcome to bring in pizza or subs from Sibies (best pizza and subs in Amherst), chinese next door, and Latinos around the corner for South American food. There is also a Hess next door for snacks.

Great vibe and great music played by the bar tenders. There is always a dog or two hanging out or sleeping on the floor. All of the bar tenders will take the time to talk to you and help you find the right beer. Tastings and half sizes for half price are available.

The majority of the crowd is friendly and regulars. I have been searching, but no bar beats or compares to The Moan and Dove.

12-03-2011 08:11:32 | More by JShattuck