Willimantic Brewing Co.

Rand_ale_Thor

Wisconsin

3.41/5  rDev -21.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.25 | selection: 3 | food: 3.25 | $$

I was there a while ago...maybe within a year or two, but I do not remember it being as good as everyone else is posting. The atmosphere is their best attribute, and they have quality beer. I could see being a regular if I lived in the area, but I was not excessively impressed being an outsider.

01-31-2013 17:25:02 | More by Rand_ale_Thor

jrbchef

Connecticut

4.19/5  rDev -3%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.25 | food: 3.75 | $$

Cool atmosphere, a converted US Post Office. Was here with the family so we sat in the dining room. Great balance of there own beers to "guest' taps. Would like to come back without the kids and enjoy the bar itself. Having tried samplers or flights I can only say all their beers were solid in style and balance of flavors.

05-13-2013 16:27:46 | More by jrbchef

datalager

Connecticut

4.4/5  rDev +1.9%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

I went here with my wife for "date night" while the kids were preoccupied with better things, elsewhere. We sat on the restaurant side, so I can't give an impression of the bar, other than how busy and full of life it was.

First the bad. The worst part for us was upon entry. Despite being on time and having a reservation, the front desk took two separate 2-party walk-ins ahead of us?!?!? That was a bit dismaying to me, but after my wife cordially voiced her irritation they miraculously found a spot for us, along with a lame excuse. Then we sat idle for nearly 10 minutes while people around us were seated and immediately waited on. I began to get fairly agitated at this point. When a waiter did finally arrive I did something that is a bit out of character for me...I took a deep breath and let Willi Brew "have it". Our waiter was on the unfortunate end of said rant. There appeared to be a mood of confusion in the air that night, so I hope this was an abnormal experience.

Now the good, which is to say EVERYTHING else about the visit. The waiter, who practically took one up the rear from my disenchanted blowup, was awesome. And I tipped him graciously for his knowledge, friendliness and flat out patience. My wife and I each ordered an appetizer and main course, and agreed that all the food was very good, if not quite outstanding. The menu was loaded with standard pub-like fare, as well as some unique twists like the pulled-pork flat bread pizza that I enjoyed along with numerous beers.

As for the beer (the reason you want to go, right), selection and quality was top notch. There were over 30 brews on tap that night, a solid dozen+ of house, plus plenty of quality Northeastern guests like Smuttynose, Dogfish Head, Hooker, etc... I ordered a sample round of five 4oz. glasses, but ended up with more since the waiter continually brought out extra samples as we discussed styles. Willi's own IPA, Rye and "Willi Whammer" Barleywine ales are ALL worth returning for.

Ultimately, my wife and I both agreed that the restaurant is worth a second visit.

01-13-2012 17:01:51 | More by datalager

nickfl

Florida

3.83/5  rDev -11.3%
vibe: 5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

This is one of the most interesting brewpub locations I have ever been to. This old post office building has been transformed into a brewpub in a way that retains a lot of the character of the old building. I sat at the bar and it was fairly crowded on a Sunday afternoon. They had six of their own beers on tap plus quite a few guest beers. I tried a 5 beer sampler and then a pint to sample them all and while the beer was kind of hit or miss there was a nice chocolate porter and a pretty decent DIPA in the mix. I had a very good burger and the menu offered quite a few other options for anyone who might want something a little more upscale. As a bonus, they had their own kombucha on tap and while it isn't actually a beer, it is really worth trying. This was definitely worth the visit, and I would definitely come back if I am ever in the area again.

12-12-2011 00:08:51 | More by nickfl

socon67

New York

4.15/5  rDev -3.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

Went here with a few friends for lunch on a Saturday.

A - Nice crowd of beer drinkers who enjoy qulaity beer. Very laid back and relaxed.

Q - Plenty of their own crafted brews plus plenty of guest taps.

S - Waiter allowed me to sample Brooklyn Concoation Ale since he had previous bad feedback. Servers know their beers and are helpful. Workers care about what they are doing.

Sel- 8 of their own beer plus about 25 taps of other good stuff including some one-offs. Plenty of options for the craft beer enthusiast.

F - Nice menu of options filled with appetizers, lunch choices and entrees. Even without the beer this place is a solid restaurant choice.

V - 4 people with samplers and pints plus lunch was $75. Very reasonably priced.

08-20-2011 18:44:58 | More by socon67

SamuelJackson45

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev -9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5 | $$

A- Very Busy at night which is good a little crowded but no time on waiting for a seat.

Q- A old former Post Office or Bank but the place is hella big. Which amaze me from being from PA.

S- The service was very good for even being busy. The staff was very knowledgeable about the menu and beer selection.

S- I t was all there beers didn't see a guest list. But there brews were very good.

F- Order their burgers which were very tasty and the fries too.

V- Price was very reasonable which the way I like it. Would visit again.

08-13-2011 07:51:49 | More by SamuelJackson45

mltobin

Connecticut

3.95/5  rDev -8.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5 | $$

After much procrastination, I finally made the trip out to WilliBrew. It is located right along Main Street in Willimantic, which had more traffic in the middle of the day on a work day than I would have expected.
The setting is a former post office, with a very tall ceiling and a good amount space in general. You can sit at the long bar right at the main entrance or one of their many tables. Their beer sampler of 5 pours is a very good option. Nugget IPA & Salacious Saison were a couple of the favorites that I tried. Food was pretty good, especially the garlic fries. And the staff does a nice job of keeping up with the busy crowd w/ a positive attitude. For those who live closer to WBC, consider yourself fortunate.

06-18-2011 13:30:41 | More by mltobin

IEatFaces

Connecticut

4.58/5  rDev +6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$

I have never been dissapointed when I have gone to eat or drink at Willi Brew. Their beer list is always extensive and includes some of the best from all over the place. Not to mention the Willi Brews themselves are all great, I have not had one that I did not like. Their food is also killer. You cannot beat a dining experience at Willi Brew, great atmosphere which is relaxed, a great value in that you are not let down when the food gets to the table, and the beer selection is great. I look for any reason to go to the Willi Brew.

06-02-2011 15:14:24 | More by IEatFaces

number1bum

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +0.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

Have been here a couple of times now and can't wait to go back again. The building itself is really pretty cool - and old post office with all of the "windows' behind the bar. Lots of wood and well kept. Bar area is quite large, and there's a dining area as well. It's casual and comfortable.

Beer selection is impressive, with 9 or 10 house offerings plus twice as many non-house beers, which is really something. Many brewpubs don't pay much attention at all to guest taps, but at Willimantic they do as good a job in that regard as they do with their own beer. And their own beer is excellent. They've had many hoppy offerings each time I have been there, and they really do seem to do pilseners well, as well. Their India Pils stands out on my most recent visit, and Czech is in the Mail was memorable from a previous visit.

The menu is pretty broad and what I have eaten is good, but not great. Above average for pub-fare, however. I don't rate service terribly high for a couple of reasons. One, while it has been attentive enough, I've definitely noticed a preference to chat with and take care of regulars. Two, on my most recent visit I ordered a cask beer that was kicked, which the server did not find out until she started to pump it; when she told me it was out and I asked for another beer instead, she simply shook out the glass and then poured the new request instead of getting a clean glass. That really is unacceptable at a brewpub.

All in all, however, the beer at Willimantic is excellent and it's well worth seeking out and going out of your way for. I was hooked after one visit and look forward to many more.

05-20-2011 03:09:52 | More by number1bum

albern

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -7.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5 | $$

There isn't that much in Willimantic so this place definitely fills a void. There are unfortunately too many empty storefronts and check cashing type places. There are a few restaurants on main street. WBC and bar are located in an old bank building with lots of period design and sufficient parking. The beers that they brew on the premises are not all that great, but they do have "visiting" beers that should fill the void. I had a salad and sandwich and I wasn't disappointed. When I'm in Willimantic on business, I will stop in here again and try some of their other specialty beers, and hopefully I'll find something I like.

05-15-2011 01:02:33 | More by albern