Left Hand Brewing Company

DoubleJ

California

4.14/5  rDev -0.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Another brewery? Well, how often are we in Colorado? Why am I asking questions? Let's go have a beer or two. It's not far from The Tasty Weasel, and there is a decent amount of parking, but remember, this is the week of Great American Beer Festival. We were lucky to find a spot, ordered an empanada from a food truck that was there, and walked inside where it was warmer.

Two formal ordering stations are located at opposite ends of the bar. The bar is long, and there is additional seating running parallel to the bar, an extra room with more tables, and for those who want to brave the cooler weather there's more room outside to drink.

17 different beers were available from the taps, many of which were special variants which you can't get year-round. While they have regulars Sawtooth and 400 lb Monkey on-tap, other beers like Bard's Ale and nitro-infused Wake Up Dead were on the list. And let's not forget about the two casks which were running. Glassware sways from the standard shaker pint glass, and instead offers a few pieces of glassware, including a special snifter for stronger beers and tulip pint glasses.

The beer's of Left Hand aren't my favorite from this region, but they do put on a good show in their tap room.

10-19-2012 22:13:56 | More by DoubleJ

MilwaukeeCrusher

Wisconsin

4.28/5  rDev +3.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | $$

Stopped here on a cold afternoon and got a sampler. Line up was good, but I seem to remember the bulk of the line up was regular beers. The service was excellent, as I had a sampler and then when I found another I wanted to try, I was given a freebie. The rustic decor of the place was nice but the acoustics of the place seemed to give it an empty feel. I enjoy the beer of Left Hand, particular the Milk Stout of which I think is my favorite of the style, but with so many options in Colorado I'm unsure when I will visit this place again. But if I hadn't been there, I would definitely go.

01-08-2011 20:27:06 | More by MilwaukeeCrusher

Seanibus

California

4/5  rDev -3.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$$

A great taproom, well worth a trip if you're in the area. The room is a little scrubby and rustic, but pleasantly so. There is a huge long bar and a side room and more than a dozen taps, dispensing an amazing selection of Left Hand's beers, including at least one cask tap. The service is friendly, but I got the impression that it helps to be a local or to be good at warming up the bartenders. There were several people behind the line, but only one was empowered to take beer orders,which led to some confusion. The sampler platter is huge - eight healthy samples, but it was a little pricey. Still, a worthy stop.

09-11-2008 21:34:24 | More by Seanibus

benito

Oregon

3.44/5  rDev -17.1%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 2.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

The Left Hand tasting room has the feel of the front room for a production facility, though it's been gussied up with some homey decorations and a lot of Left Hand logo wear. They've got a nice patio for April-to-November weather as well. It's not at all a bad atmosphere to grab a drink in, though it's more or less what I've come to expect from breweries that attach a beer bar/tasting room: light industry meets minimalist pub. Monday at happy hour, they were doing fairly brisk business with a lot of regulars who were drinking from their mugs; as such, the service was a little bit scatterbrained (I had to ask for a glass of water three times), but the servers were friendly and funny. They don't serve any food of their own, but they do carry in from local Longmont restaurants every night except Monday (when I visited, alas).

They have only Left Hand beers on tap (no surprise there) and had thirteen offerings when I visited recently: all nine of the year-round beers as well as Snowbound (their winter seasonal), and the three most recent offerings from their Big Mo series. To boot they had the Oak Aged Imperial Stout (the most recent Big Mo) on cask. Stopping by the brewery is a great way to try the high gravity offerings from Left Hand; it's way more reasonable to spend $4 on a pint of St Vrain Tripel and Smokejumper than $11 for the bottle. Their sampler plate is reasonably priced as well, and they've got good promo information on all of the beers for BAs to geek out on.

Overall, this is a fine brewery to visit, and it's the best place to grab a beer in Longmont. On a more individual note, I am not usually a huge fan of Left Hand's year-round brews, or rather, I haven't been a huge fan of the bottles I've had in the past. The freshness factor has played against them; many of the beers (Jackman's APA and the Polestar Pilsner, in particular) were much better on tap.

04-11-2007 17:00:57 | More by benito

rowew

Colorado

4/5  rDev -3.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

Another Longmont brewery tucked away in the warehouse districts. This one is near the river, and has a nice patio with a decent view. The bar inside is wood and local flagstone, has a nice feel to it. A dozen or so taps, plus a cask offering. Some nights they bring in food from local restaurants. The beers are typical left hand offerings, with occasional variants. I've read some complaints about service, but I've been several times and never had a complaint. They also have some nice events, most recently I attended a Valentines day chocolate and beer pairing that was very enjoyable. I've seen some complaints about the prices, but breweries are always a bit higher than you can buy them on the shelf, nobody wants to undercut the local market.

03-03-2009 16:54:41 | More by rowew

merc7186

New York

3.86/5  rDev -7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | $$

Visited on 10/10/12. GABF Week (Stop #4 of the day)

A: The atmposhere in the tasting room is decent. The bar area is somewhat smallish but there is a side room that opens up widely plus a front door that opens up on to large patio with more tables.

Q: The beers sampled were decent, nothing great but all very acceptable. Tried a pumpkin ale, milk stout, IPA, and Amber Ale...all were good but no real stars there.

S: Service was decent even with the place being jammed packed, the servers were friendly and somewhat knowledgeable about the beers.

S: The selection was decent as they had 12 different beers on tap, a good variety across the board of different styles.

V: $1 5oz samples were great, pints were 4-5 bucks each and clothing was a little expensive.

Overall, a nice tasting room with a very laid back vibe.

10-17-2012 11:58:14 | More by merc7186

LittleDon

Texas

4.15/5  rDev 0%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | $

I used to come here on a regular basis when I lived in Longmont. Recently revisited when I was in town for business. Best quality: the vibe. It is where many local beer enthusiasts go after work. Lots of stone and wood inside, two patios (smoking and non-smoking). When the weather is nice they open up one side of the tasting room to the outdoors (via a large garage-style door). As would be expected, the quality of the beer is better here than anywhere else, but it is only Left Hand beer. Two casks, one nitro tap, wine and non alcoholic beverages for those who bring non-beer drinkers or kids. The service can be slow when it gets crowded or when there are a few regulars around. Food is provided by local vendors and can be very hit or miss. Runs from (only) good to marginal.

09-04-2009 18:57:28 | More by LittleDon

mentor

Colorado

4/5  rDev -3.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$$

The Left Hand tap room is on the front of the brewery in an industrial park section of Longmont. upon entering, some seating is located to the immediate right and a long bar stretches down the length of the establishment. Around behind is a door to a patio for those comfortable spring and fall days. The decor is light bright wood kept clean and shiny. They generally have a decent selection of beers available, perhaps 10-12 at any given time, with one on nitro. Sample platters are a bit pricey compared to my experience with other samplers, but it's a good way to have a taste of many different Left Hand products. The staff knows all about their beers and is friendly and attentive. A nice place to stop if you are in the area and looking for a quality beer experience.

08-04-2008 23:07:22 | More by mentor

Oxymoron

Colorado

3.43/5  rDev -17.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3 | selection: 3.5 | $$

Kind of difficult to find as mentioned here from other reviews, but easy enough to find tucked along side other industrial buildings. Not much parking available but you can go through gate if need be. Once inside, there is a nice patio area along side a few tables on the right hand side. Mostly you'll find people sitting at the decent sized bar. There also is a nice back area that can be closed off as well.

The atmosphere is ok. Mostly wooded area with partial cask heads through out the walls. The staff can be hit or miss depending on when you go. I have gone before and basically was ignored the whole time. Basically had to flag down the bar tender when their were a total of 3 people in the tap room. But I have gone before and had a great conversation about style and industry news. So that is a wash.

They are limited to just Lefthand brews. All of LH typical beers and usually 2 to 3 seasonal beers. They do have a firkin hand drawn pump but I have only seen it working once. The prices are a bit high considering that we are at the brewery that makes the beer. But they do have specials and happy hours.

11-19-2008 23:28:11 | More by Oxymoron

jyeast101

Colorado

4.3/5  rDev +3.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

Just there last week. Found my way in at about 2:15 and found the place very friendly. Chatted it up with the visitors from out of town and then chatted it up with some of the locals that have their own glass, able to spin the wheel, etc. Katie the very nice woman who served me was wonderful, knowledgeable, and overall great to chat with. Found that we had a lot in common. Left with a growler and wish I lived closer to share in the experience more often. Also wish I had more time and personal driver so I could sample more of their fine offerings.

11-14-2006 00:21:54 | More by jyeast101