Best and worst locations for brewpubs

[hops99]

This is a hybrid from a thread on another site, but I started thinking the other day about the best and worst locations for brewpubs/breweries that I've been to, regardless of the quality of the beer. The best would be a place that is scenic or special in some way; the worst would be in a neighborhood or town that you'd want to avoid at all costs.

Here they are, in my opinion:

BEST - Embudo Station in New Mexico. It's located right on the Rio Grande on the way up to Taos, and is just an absolutely beautiful place to be. And, I remember the beer and food were pretty good, too.

WORST - Barrelhouse Brewing in Cincinnati. Not a bad establishment, but the neighborhood is one of the scariest I've been in anywhere. Looks like Beirut circa 1985....

[ray m]

When were you in my neck of the woods, Hops?? I live just south of Cincinnati in Northern KY (about 5 min. away).

Anyway, I would have to agree with you on your worst pick---Barrelhouse is located in a part of town called Over-the-Rhine---and it is an absolute pisshole area. Cincinnati has really gone downhill the last few years, especially O-T-R. It is just absolutely saturated with drugs, prostitution & disease. When I HAVE to drive through there, I just look straight ahead----you'll get killed if you breathe wrong going through that part of town.

[newportstorm]

Definitely not the best brewpubs around but:

Sonoma Mountain Brewing (Sonoma, CA) - this place was an oasis when I visited Napa Valley & Sonoma Valley with my wife several years back. I think it's closed now, but after touring/tasting 10+ wineries, it was nice to sit down with a cold brew. They had their own burgeoning hop field too.

Big River Grille & Brew Works (Disney's Boardwalk) - has some tasty brews at decent prices. Another oasis among an otherwise sterile Kingdom. Forget getting raped on beer prices in Epcot. Leave the park and head for the Boardwalk.

Worst:

McNeill's (Brattleboro, VT) - not much happening in southern VT. Beautiful scenery but not inside this brewpub. Go for the beer. Good and cheap ($2.50-$3.50 pint). Very "rustic", a locals place. Forget ordering food, just order another pint. Trust me.

Cheers!

[chazwicke]

I've been in McNiells too. There was a young woman who was obviously high on some LSD or Mushrooms. Of course she was behaving very strangely. Kind of freaked my wife out. There was once another Brewpub in Brattleboro as well. It was down the hill from McNiells. I forgot what it was called. Plus, They tried to give me a parking ticket there too!

[b3s]

worst location for a pub? LoDo denver...i absolutely hate paying for parking!

not necessarily a pub, per se, but i like the hi hat in milwaukee...very good martinis! and sometimes they even play jazz (they advertise themselves as a jazz club , but the last time i went there it was all hip-hop junk).

[ron]

Schlafly's Tap Room on Locust in St. Louis is outstanding. They brew fantastic beer and the food is great; try the shephard's platter for a starter.

Worst? Hmm...Gooch's in Springfield, Missouri. It is right next to a concrete plant, the clientele are all locals who don't like non-locals, and they serve two types of beer: Bud and Bud Light. They will mix your drink for you, if you bring your own whiskey.

[hops99]

[QUOTE] When were you in my neck of the woods, Hops?? I live just south of Cincinnati in Northern KY (about 5 min. away).

I'm up in Northern Ohio - just outside of Bowling Green - and I make it down to Cinci on business or pleasure a couple times a year. It's about 2 1/2 to 3 hours down I-75. As a matter of fact, I stayed in Fort Mitchell (just down the road from the Oldenberg building) for a week on business a few years ago, and gave the whole Cinci/Newport scene a whirl. Hence, my Barrelhouse hell. Don't get me wrong, I thought the brews were pretty good, but man, that neighborhood!
:(

[S.F.B.]

Originally posted by b3s
worst location for a pub? LoDo denver...i absolutely hate paying for parking!

I know what you mean, b3s. LoDo is good for a visit or two. Taking light rail helps but can be a pain in the ass.

My pick for best would be McMennamin's Edgefield. Good food, beer and a par 3 golf course. After all that you can go to the distilling shack or whatever they call it and have a cigar and a drink.

[ray m]

Originally posted by hops99:
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I'm up in Northern Ohio - just outside of Bowling Green - and I make it down to Cinci on business or pleasure a couple times a year. It's about 2 1/2 to 3 hours down I-75. As a matter of fact, I stayed in Fort Mitchell (just down the road from the Oldenberg building) for a week on business a few years ago, and gave the whole Cinci/Newport scene a whirl. Hence, my Barrelhouse hell. Don't get me wrong, I thought the brews were pretty good, but man, that neighborhood!
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Aha!!! Well, next time you're in the area, let me know & we'll meet at the Beer Sellar in Newport for a few pints o' ale.

Drink hearty!!! Up the irons!!!

Ray