Crescent City Brewhouse

Hollenbeck2

Oregon

5/5  rDev +42.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$$

one of my favprite spots in new orleans, off of bourbon away from the crazies, although it is in a pretty touristy area, with the hard rock right down the street acting as a net for the losers who have no brains and go to the first chain they see.

anyway, this place is great, excellent appetizers and one of the best oyster bars on new orleans, next to acme of course.

The beer is great and served with a smile, the selection has always been good, the bartender si always ready to ask you what you like and where you are from and tell you what is best from some yankee on vacation.

01-01-2008 23:05:11 | More by Hollenbeck2

ChrisCage

Alberta (Canada)

4.5/5  rDev +28.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 5 | $$

This was our first stop in NOLA right after checking into the hotel and I have to say that I was impressed! We sat out on the upper level balcony and the view was really nice and we had a great view of what used to be the Jackson Brewery, now shopping center, kitty corner from us. The food was amazing, my wife ordered the seafood jambalaya and I got the southern crispy duck....both highly recommended but I liked mine more! As for the beer, we got a sampler, trying the pilsner, red stallion, weissbier, black forest, and the seasonal, which was the imperial pilsner (a double malted, double hopped version of the standard pils). We went back later in the evening, and managed to get seats outside again, so we could watch a parade, but alas, there were so many ppl on the street that it was hard to get a good view.

My favorites were the Black Forest and the Imperial Pils...I've done a very half-assed review on the Imperial Pils as I didn't bring a pen and paper and really didn't feel like doing a detailed review, so check it out if you like....it's from memory!

03-04-2011 00:50:09 | More by ChrisCage

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +23.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 5 | $$

Between my walk to get here and the humidity outside, I was ready for a beer upon arrival. The oval/racetrack-shaped bar only had seating on three sides and I considered myself dang lucky to get a seat. It was perfect, too, situated almost directly between the copper jacketed "Lautterbottich" (Lauter Tun) and the "Sudpfanne" (Brew Kettle) with huge gages attached. A sign above the back bar announced "Good Beer & Good Cheer Always On Tap Here!" I liked that sentiment.

At the end of the bar nearest the entrance was an oyster bar with a resident shucker. Quick, what is the difference between an oyster shucker with epilepsy and a hooker with the trots? The former shucks between fits. Veddy sorry. That's called a spoonerism, by the way. When I asked the shucker if he had heard that one before, he replied, "That's the first time ... today!" Hey, that's my line! We laughed and I took an order of his finest. Also near the entrance was an area for a jazz quartet to set up and since I was in on a Saturday night, they were there, playing away for free. Above the bar were neon-lit, plastic renditions of Portugese Men-of-War. Yow! Continuing aft was the extensive restaurant area with local artists' paintings lining the walls on either side.

On the second floor were a separate dining area with its own bar, more art for sale, and three fermenters, the latter visible behind glass above the brewhouse. The place had a 1920's feel, from the suspended lamps to the spinning ceiling fans, complimented by the waitstaff in starched white shirts, black ties, and white aprons.

I was joined at the bar by a former Navy Aviation Ordnance(wo)man and a local radio celebrity who happened to be a former Navy officer. Navy night in Nawlins. A great time.

Beers: Pilsner; Red Stallion; Black Forest; and Weiss Beer. My pick? Pilsner!

Finally, great schwag. Neckties, growlers, and sweatshirts, just to name a few.

01-21-2008 14:55:10 | More by woodychandler

msnow34

South Carolina

4.3/5  rDev +22.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5 | $$$

Food and Beer were both fantastic. As was the service. I had the Weiss Beer and the gf had a pilsner. We ended up switching. I also had a special brew whose name escapes me know,but it was fantastic. For Dinner i had the Pasta Jambayla which was one of the best meals i've ever had, Andrea had the ribs which was huge and we couldn't finish. I would recommend this place but beware our beers were $7.50 I would go back but see if they do a happy hour or smaller beers. Service was fantastic,and they had live jazz up front by the bar which was good considering it was a random weeknight the week before christmas.

12-28-2010 05:25:40 | More by msnow34

far333

Connecticut

4.2/5  rDev +19.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5

A definite must-see when visiting NOLA. Crescent City is a large and airy place with two levels, lots of natural wood, high ceilings, and balcony seating overlooking lively Decatur Street and the Missippi River. Lots of neat things to see from the balcony, and really good beers. Live bands play in the afternoons and evenings. Brewing tanks are on the lower level behind the bar and can be seen right as you enter. You can also buy beers to go (on foot) from a counter on the lower level

There were only 4 styles available on draft, but they were all very tasty. Imperial pints are the regular size here, and 24 ounces is the supersize. Food was really good too. Maybe not the best example of Cajun or Creole cuisine, but for a Yankee like me to be able to have a huge, tasty oyster or shrimp Po' Boy that I can't get near home, it's a huge treat.

Only complaint might be that the raw oysters are not cleaned at all before shucking, so they end up being served with mud all over them and inside them and you have to be careful not to suck it down with the luckless mollusk. Other than that, this place was totally enjoyable.

04-21-2004 22:52:09 | More by far333

dansteino

Louisiana

4.2/5  rDev +19.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5

This is a solid place to get good beer in New Orleans.

Crescent City is definitely on the upswing. Brewmaster Tom Conklin has improved the quality of the beer dramatically.

The selection may be a little limited, but Tom has received permission to experiment away from the traditional German beers that have dominated the menu.

Had the Tomahawk PA on my last visit. It did not disappoint. Hoppy!

Crescernt City is a wonderful place to grab a beer and some food.

The food is very good -- if not a little pricy.

12-02-2004 08:25:55 | More by dansteino

PudTinkler

New Jersey

4.1/5  rDev +16.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5

This place seemed clean, clean, clean. The bar is upstairs, while there are tables downstairs. It seemed a little upscale so, dirtball that I am, I was almost afraid to touch anything.

The server was very knowledgeable about the beer he was serving, and the service was prompt. They had a fair selection, but nothing that you haven't seen before. New Orleans has slim pickins when it comes to true beer bars, so it's this and d.b.a. to check out while you're here.
This is convenienly located right near Jackson Square...and you can see the mighty Mississippi from the upstairs bar.

04-19-2004 17:55:16 | More by PudTinkler

Rumrunner

California

4.03/5  rDev +14.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4 | $$

I have to admit I was skeptical when we decided to make this place our stop for lunch. I am glad we did. We had a fine time and we even came back for beer and dinner two nights later.

I really like the layout and the atmosphere of the place. The upstairs has a balcony which is nice for summer nights and great for a view of the river and people watching during the day. The downstairs is large and at first glance there is a bland feel to the place. Once seated and having a look around, one begins to relax and the vibe becomes much more friendly. The bar is a half rectangle and the glass jelly fish lights above the bar gave it an eclectic feel. There was some old fashioned swag and some very large paintings on the walls. Not bad paintings either.

The overall quality is very good to excellent. Clean tap lines, clean bathrooms and a very well kept establishment.

The staff works hard and is friendly. The servers we had did know something about the beer CCB brews. They had a better knowledge of the food though. Service was prompt, especially for drinks. A tip. If you do not specify what size beer you want, the default is the 24oz. glass.

The food here is a mixture of New O'rleans and straight up American with a little creativity thrown in. I enjoyed the food here. The crab stuffed shrimp is good. On my first visit I had a piece of fish. Very well prepared. The shrimp po boy sandwich is huge. The calimari is not your normal calimari. There is not much breading and it is mixed together with vegetables. I thought it was a bright new twist on this favorite appetizer. The oyster shucker knew what he was doing and overall I thought the menu had plenty to offer. Plus the desserts get raves.

I thought the beers were fine. Nothing eye opening but fine for this city and this restaurant. I had the Roggin beer. It could use more of a rye flavor but it went well with my food and the flavors worked for me. The Tomahawk IPA was not a brutal hop monster but it was not a watery unflavored beer either. It still could use a bit more hops. I enjoyed this one with my oysters. Excellent combonation. Citrus and oysters. They try to have one beer for everyone. A malty beer, a light bodied beer, a red, a wheat beer and a seasonal or special beer. Again, the beers are not knock your socks off wowzas but they taste fine, are well made and I think work for the city of New O'rleans.

This is a quality place. Good staff, well run, clean, with good food and beer. I do recommend stopping by here and giving this place a try if you are in New O'rleans. It may not be for everyone but then again nothing is.

Note: CCB has a walk up beer window for those on the go. Get a go cup with your favorite CCB beer and head in to the quarter. They have growlers.

05-07-2005 06:50:56 | More by Rumrunner

Scoats

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev +12%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3 | food: 4.5

I'm not usually a big brewpub fan. I don't really see much point usually. I had no desire to go here when planning our trip to NOLA, but we couldn't get in anywhere to eat on a Sunday night and were able to get two seats at the bar. How lucky that all of our other choices had waits to eat. This place is a gem. I feel like a jerk for poo-pooing it at first.

Service and Food - We got seats at the bar in front of the raw bar. Although we didn't order the raw stuff, the oyster guy took and relayed our first beer order. He also took our food order. I went with his recommendation of the raspberry duck. Lemme tell you, the duck was outstanding. In a town of great food, it was a highlight of the trip.

The Beer - OK the selection is small, and to be honest it doesn't really look like their brewhouse is big enough to make enough beer for the space. I had the Black Lager and the Amber Lager. I quizzed the bartender to make sure that the Amber wasn't crap and that I should try sometime else (Amber is usually brewpub code for "our bland crappy beer"). He assurred me that it was indeed a Vienna style lager and that the brewers really tried to be authentic. I didn't get the feeling he was b.s.-ing me. I found both beers to be very tasty, smooth but tasty. I didn't see Jesus, but they were good, solid, tasty beers. My buddy had the seasonal special which seemed to some sort of Belgian inspired thing. He really liked it.

04-09-2003 06:56:24 | More by Scoats

newyawker

New York

3.93/5  rDev +12%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4

A nice oasis in a beer desert. Rightly located centrally on an important strip, the bar was pretty big and in addition to beers, there was a shucker dishing out fresh New Orleans oysters. Just a few beers on tap, mostly German styles. Beer wasn't great, but pretty good. Not all that big a selection, but good for the town it was in. Food was pretty good, but overall way expensive. Big, big place with seating upstairs and down. Wooden brewpub type of atmosphere, with lauter tun on the first level and fermenters upstairs. Well decorated for the holidays, and there was a good crowd whenever I walked by. If in town, don't miss it.

12-24-2004 20:03:41 | More by newyawker