Delaney's Restaurant & Tap Room

slander

New York

4.38/5  rDev +7.4%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5

We hit this place after doin' lunch and drinx at Humphrey's for dave's birthday last May. I'm like "tap room?? Westville's got a tap room? Shut up!!" But there it was, right as you come down that little hill into town. Doesn't look like much when you come in from the tap room side, just a bar with a dozen seats or so on the right side of you, some tables and video games to the left of you, and a pool table towards the back in an area that looks like it's perpetually under construction. The taps hold some nice surprises. A good collection of Belgians (Cantillion Lou Pepe Kriek, Dutchess, Delirium Nocturnum, Liefman's Kriek), German (Schneider Edel Weisse, EKU 28, Kapuziner Weisse), American micros (Magic Hat, Ommegang 3 Philosophers, DogFishHead 60 Minute IPA, Rogue Dead Guy Ale & Santa's Private Reserve, New England Elm City Lager), and more (Unibroue Raftman, Maudite, Trois Pistoles & Ephemere Cassis, Old Engine Oil). They seem to be Magic Hat happy which ain't such a bad thing. It's where I first saw the Magic Hat Humble Patience on tap (last May) and my first Single Chair sighting (this past January), as well as the Participation Ale and the Ravell there earlier today. They have some decent bottles but with just shy of 3 dozen beers on tap, you'd have no reason to go there. Oh yeah, they were pouring the Hopback Summer Lightning on cask. I've been there twice now, both times on weekend days and the place has been pretty quiet although I suspect it gets hopping Southern Connecticut State U. mad, but I guess that's to be expected when you're in such close proximity to a big school. Still, a welcome addition to New Haven.

03-04-2003 21:15:35 | More by slander

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

4.14/5  rDev +1.5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4 | $$

Thanks to our host at New England Brewing Company for recommending this place to us. A nice place with a rather simple layout, but actually a lot bigger than it seems from the outside. The cramped little parking lot was a bitch and a half, so just don't even bother...go for street parking.

We walked past some outside seating into the bar. Simple decor, kind of sportsbarish-seeming at first glance, with a nice collection of breweriana behind the counter. There's a large area for dining, and on my way to the restroom, I actually discovered a second, larger and somewhat nicer bar in the back. But we were already well-established in the front, so we just stayed put.

Beer selection was very good. While nothing was too out of the ordinary, there was a great variety of styles, and pretty much something for everyone to enjoy, including local selections, e.g. NEBCO and (if you can call it local) Captain Lawrence. Seems like they could get some heavier hitters for events if they wanted to, and I'm sure they probably do.

Service was great. Our bartender was on the ball the whole time, and gave us the opportunity to meet Peter, the owner, so we got to have a nice chat with him, and of course he was quite knowledgeable in all things beer (and wine apparently).

There was a good selection of pub grub, comfort foods, and somewhat Italian-biased entrees. I went with the Guinness burger, and the wife got the enviable blue cheese / hangar steak mac&cheese, which the bartender dared her to finish (she didn't, of course).

A was a little skeptical at first, but we had a great time here, and if you're in town to visit NEBCO, this is a great follow-up for a bite to eat (and another beer or two). I hope to go back sometime soon, and I probably will the next time on my way to MA.

05-21-2013 07:34:50 | More by Rifugium

nickfl

Florida

4.38/5  rDev +7.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 5 | $$$

This place is an interesting combination of an Irish pub and a white tablecloth restaurant, but with better beer than you would normally find at either. They have a selection of thirty or so taps, all good some rarities, with a comparable bottle selection. The service was good, even on a Friday night and all of the beer was served in proper glassware. I had a couple of regional beers and an extremely good steak. You really have a choice here with a menu ranging from burgers and sandwiches all the way up to lobster ravioli and prime steak. The higher end of the menu is priced accordingly, but my steak wasn't really any more expensive than I would expect it to be in most restaurants that serve food of that quality and it more than justifies the price tag when you consider how much the experience is enhanced by the opportunity to pair it with an appropriate beer. I had a good experience at Delaney's and I would recommend it as well worth a visit when in the New Haven area.

12-17-2011 03:18:40 | More by nickfl

KTCamm

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

Stopped in for lunch on the way home from guilford. Nice day so got to enjoy the outdoor seating. Inside seating and bar area looked nice as well.

Really robust brew menu. Loads of selection, probably abot thirty tap selections. Since I was right down the road, I went for the nebco sea hag IPA. Could taste anything for free. Would have liked to see flights.

Food selection and quality was good. Lots to choose from, different varieties of sandwiches, salads, and entrees nice mussels with fries app as well.

Overall a good find on the outskirts of new haven. Short shot from Merritt and new England brewing co.

09-04-2011 12:56:57 | More by KTCamm

chuckhebert10

Connecticut

4.2/5  rDev +2.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $

We went to the annual beer fest and chili contest today. The venue was great: plenty of room outdoors for both beer vendors and chili contestants, as well as live music and games. At $35 pre-registration ($40 "day of") the value couldn't be beat.

Parking was more difficult than expected, but perhaps I should have done better research. Still, I was able to obtain free on-street parking within safe walking distance to the venue.

Signage for event registration and pre-registration was clearly marked.

Many competitors in the chili cook-off contest. All were worthy entries.

Also, many beer vendors. Mostly local, nearly all good (drinker's opinion). All were commercial brewers, even if "small" or micro-brewers. Samples included lots of hoppy IPAs -- all VERY tastey -- which overwhelmed this drinker's palate by the end of the day.

Event advertised two pints of drinker's choice, but no one "in charge" seemed to know anything about this. Did I want it? Yes, of course. Did I need it? No, vendors were happy to refill to my content.

Will I go back to Delaney's annual beer fest? Definitely. Will I go back to Delaney's outside of an event? Most likely. Would I recommend Delaney's? Yes.

07-10-2011 01:11:41 | More by chuckhebert10

SWMeyer4141

Texas

4.3/5  rDev +5.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$

Been wanting to review Delaney's for a while, finally decided to.

Real nice atmosphere. Indoor taproom, nice dining room, and outdoor patio. This place could please anyone. Great beer selection and good service. Most waitresses know which beers they have that day and will reccomend something else if they are out of the one you requested. I love the happy hour where you buy one beer get one free, and the food is outstanding. The only negative I really have is parking can suck, but oh well, it's New Haven.

I went about a month ago when I went home and I really really miss this bar. I remember being 21 and drinking Magic Hat No. 9 on tap all night long. There are some good beer bars in New Haven, and this one may be my favorite.

Would love for a bar like this to open up in Texas.

06-29-2011 00:44:51 | More by SWMeyer4141

HarleyRider

Connecticut

4.72/5  rDev +15.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

I very much enjoy stopping at Delaney's for good beer as well as the friendly atmosphere. I have stopped in several times this past summer and have enjoyed each visit. I was made to feel welcome in a suit as well as my biker clothes.

Huge choice of great beers on tap as well as bottled. I haven't had the pleasure but hear good things about all the events held here. Beer knowledgeable friendly staff is exactly what I want in a beer bar. Parking can be an issue depending on what's going on. It's not in the best neighborhood so if it's after dark skip the after dinner walk.

There are 2 separate bars in Delaney's. One is a college type bar with loads of beers, small tables, with a rustic old bar feel. The other side is more food orientated with white table clothes and a mellow atmosphere. There are also some small tables outside perfect for enjoying a nice day with a beer. Food is very good. Average cost for the setting with great service. All beers served in proper glasses and temps. This is the best beer bar in CT IMO. Wish we had a dozen more just like it.

A stop at Delaney's is highly recommended for any beer lovers in the New Haven area.

Jay

08-30-2010 14:59:25 | More by HarleyRider

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

4.28/5  rDev +4.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Definately the go-to place in New Haven, though one needs to drive through a more undesireable neighbourhood to be here. Staff and even most other patron are friendly, and give off that neighbourhood bar feeling. One big bar a pool table and dart boards. The other, just that English stle bar place with unobtrusive music. Both with long bars. Several tables for restaurant. he bartender quickly ran to get me extra tastings of stuff, and even cracked open a bottle when I was talking about polish beers, to try something new. 56 taps, with often a theme going on. This week it wasSierra Neveda's, and worth travelling out of the way for. Good carbonation and temperature of beers served, appropriate glassware.

08-20-2010 20:20:00 | More by northyorksammy

donway

Massachusetts

4.44/5  rDev +8.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

My first visit, havig previously tried Prime 16. I prefer Delaney's. Went with my wife on a Sunday about 4pm, Decent crowd in the grittier bar section I was in. Will try the more upscale section next time. Good-sized dinner crowd in the nice dining area.
Decent selection on tap, nice that they had an updated menu, though there appeared to be taps that wern't listed. Had a Long Trail Blackberry and a Palm. Couldn't talk the Nrs. out of a martini. More extensive bottle selection..
Bartenders friendly, offered samples.
Will visit again.

07-19-2010 16:36:11 | More by donway

FishGetter

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$

Stopped by for a lunch out on the patio after reading a few post on this place. The beer menu is the largest and of finest quality I've ever seen. Very easy to navigate though the 10+ pages. They break it down by draft, bottled, and by style which makes it very user friendly. They even have a impressive vintage section. It's alot to take in.
The quality of beer was great, Captain Lawance reserve on tap was awsome, and the food was good.
The service could use a tune-up. A bit slow and running out of beer is never fun. Well worth the trip down from Mass and will hit it up again if in the area. Highly recomended.

05-12-2010 23:01:14 | More by FishGetter