Alcatraz Brewing Co.

Alcatraz Brewing Co.Alcatraz Brewing Co.
Alcatraz Brewing Co.Alcatraz Brewing Co.
Brewery, Eatery

49 W. Maryland St. Suite 104
Indianapolis, Indiana, 46204
United States

// CLOSED //
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PLACE STATS
Average:
3.31
Reviews:
21
Ratings:
21
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Ratings by clvand0:
Photo of clvand0
Reviewed by clvand0 from Kentucky

3.59/5  rDev +8.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 3.5
Stopped in Alcatraz this weekend while in Indianapolis. Nice interior - seemed to have a "new age" design. I ordered a sampler of everything they had on tap. I believe there were six beers in the sampler. Most of them were pretty solid. They had one sorghum cider that wasn't great. The bartender didn't pay much attention to us, regardless of our questions, but the place was dead and he had other waiters to talk to. Overall, it's a pretty nice place with a very interesting atmosphere. I will probably go back the next time I'm in town.
Jul 15, 2007
More User Ratings:
Photo of Redrover
Reviewed by Redrover from Wisconsin

3.66/5  rDev +10.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3
I stopped by Alcatraz during my latest visit to downtown Indy. It is a very airy space due to the high ceilings. The ceiling must be about 1 1/2 stories. This openness also extends to the design and layout. You can watch your food being cooked at the exposed kitchen.

There is a smallish copper topped bar seats about 15.

They had 6 beers on tap which included one seasonal (an 8% APA!). Note there are no guest taps or any BMC products. You can only get what they brew on-site. I kind of like that. The American Stout I had was pretty tasty.

They play a strange mix of classic rock and R&B.

Service was friendly and accommodating.

I did not try the food and frankly forgot to check out the menu.

It had a fairly sparse crowd, but due to the layout of the space it was hard to really get a feel for it.
Aug 25, 2010
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Reviewed by devilben02 from North Carolina

3.5/5  rDev +5.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5
While vising from out of town, I stopped into Alcatraz for a taste of some local beer. Despite the prison-island theme that is loosely incorporated into many of the menu items, the atmosphere is light and open with the two-story dining area and large street-view windows. The menu is dominated by typical American bar food such as nachos, salads, burgers, and pizzas.

Regarding the beer selection, the menu is limited to their own microbrews only, but there is some decent variety even there. I ordered a sampler so that I could try them all, and although none of their beers are particularly complex or overly flavorful, each style is well-crafted easy to drink. Alcatraz is not going to be a leader among Indiana breweries, but it is a nice place for a casual lunch and a beer.
Apr 07, 2010
Photo of dpnelson1978
Reviewed by dpnelson1978 from Minnesota

2.81/5  rDev -15.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 1 | service: 4 | selection: 3
Searched the Beerfly list for breweries and beer bars that were close to my hotel (Holiday Inn Express) across the street from Lucas Oil Field.

Ram Restaurant and Brewery turned out to be extremely close by, clocking in at a very convenient 1.2 mile drive.

Parking is in a ramp across the street from the brewery and cost me a buck and a half.

The restaurant itself is on the bottom floor of a much larger building and has a large gray fermenter hanging over the front door, and sits next to a movie theater and Game Workz. You can't miss it.

It also happens to be right across the street from Ram Restaurant and Brewery, a far superior establishment in my opinion.

I walked in here around 8:45pm on a Sunday night and it was almost completely empty. They close at 9:00. The bartender was very nice, and poured me a pint of their Weiss Guy Wheat anyway. She also turned up the TV without hesitation so I could watch the football game.

The bar has a nice pub feel, and has 5 televisions overhead. The rest of the place (which is fairly small) was filled with high tops and a few booths.

I had just eaten at the Ram, so I only got to taste their beer, which cost me 4.67 and tasted like toilet water.

Overall, the vibe is very good. It is just a shame that their beer is so terrible.
Nov 09, 2009
Photo of Brettster
Reviewed by Brettster from Indiana

3.1/5  rDev -6.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 2 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | food: 3.5
The location is great. I work downtown Indy so this became a frequent stop while waiting for Indianapolis Indians games to start. We would go here because there was never a wait. There is some seating upstairs that looks like it my be fun. Great access to Circle center mall if you are headed that way. Reasonably priced for downtown Indianapolis food.

The beer is okay. Nothing absolutely spectacular. The appetizers are very good and the meals are good.

Worth giving a chance if you are in the area.
Nov 03, 2009
Photo of xfactor9600
Reviewed by xfactor9600 from Indiana

2.7/5  rDev -18.4%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3 | service: 2.5 | selection: 2.5 | food: 2
It seems the longer this brewpub is open the worse it gets. While the Beer has always remained consistent (good to higher), the food continues to slip each time I eat there.

Once upon a time, the food items on the menu worked well with the beers available on tap. However, as time has gone on, the food has become more "trendy" and away from being a companion to the beer. It's near the mall, so perhaps they need to cater to the mall-goer.

In addition, the service is hit or miss. Often the younger servers know very little about the beer they are serving.

There are many other places in Indy I'd go to before the Alcatraz.
Dec 20, 2008
Photo of baos
Reviewed by baos from Indiana

3.23/5  rDev -2.4%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 1.5
Now when I used to go here back in the early nineties the food was awesome. their chef was pretty fucking good. Now it seems they are cutting corners and the food has gone way down hill. The beer has remained pretty constant and its worth a stop over if you are just going to have a brew. I'd recommend Rock Bottom if you are gonna have food with your brew and it right around the corner. But back when I first moved to Indy this was the place. If they get their food quality back up to where it was this place would be number one downtown for good beer and grub.
Nov 30, 2008
Photo of JamesS
Reviewed by JamesS from Indiana

4.13/5  rDev +24.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Cool place, it does have a few remidners of a jail, such as metal tables and some bars around teh area. It's a very open and roomy brewpub as well, well lit.

Everything was clean and nice. Good food portions, nice selections on the menu, even if it did seem a bit overpriced to me, considering it was still basic pub food with a few alternatives. My blue cheese burger was very good and filling, though, and the fries were godo.

Nice beer selection, very nice beers, too. My favorite brewpub in downtown Indy now.

My server was very friendly, prompt, polite, and took good care of me. The hostess was also polite and friendly. Excellent service overall.

EDIT: By the way, the website (not the one listed above, it doesn't work for Alcatraz) does not update their beer menu to keep up with what's on tap.
Nov 27, 2008
Photo of veech
Reviewed by veech from Tennessee

4/5  rDev +20.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
I stopped in here while in town for a recent Colts game and was not disappointed. I found both the food and beer to be high quality. I sampled their pale ale which was solid tasting and 7% ABV. As it was 25 degrees outside, I stuck with their seasonal stout which was very tasty and drinkable. The general decor was modern with a long bar and a prison/jail motif as the name would imply. The local favorite pork cutlet sandwich was delicious. We ate at the bar as the restaurant was very busy on a Saturday evening. Despite being slammed our bartender, Jessica, was attentive and very nice. All in all I would recommend this place, and will return when I'm back in town.
Dec 03, 2007
Photo of doppelmeup
Reviewed by doppelmeup from North Carolina

3.95/5  rDev +19.3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Stopped in here while on a visit to Indy.

Rather strange decor for a brewpub. Lots of metal and contemporary furniture lent a rather odd feeling to the place.

I ordered the two season beers, a black lager and a saison. The lager was alright, but the saison was quite good, and I'd recommend it.

Food was okay. I ordered a ribeye steak with mushroom sauce and it was very good. I also had a berry/angel food cake trifle for dessert. My friend had the fish and chips and cheescake.

Overall this was an okay place. Nothing great that really made it memorable, but alright.
Nov 20, 2006
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Reviewed by trekbiker3000 from Pennsylvania

3.56/5  rDev +7.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5
A strange concept for a brewpub, Alctaraz in Indianapolis? The atmosphere was nice. My wife and I stopped in for a brew during a self constructed pub crawl, which is very easy considering we found three brew pubs within 2 blocks. Downtown Indianapolis is very tourist friendly (minus the beggars) and you can easily visit RAM, Alcatraz and Rock Bottom for some very tasty microbrews.

As mentioned, we only stopped in for a beer, but the bartender was very friendly and well informed about the different brews on tap. I had a belgian ale, nicely hopped and well balanced for the high alcohol content. My wife had their light beer which she enjoyed. Considering it's proximity to RAM and Rock Bottom, I would recommend any beer connesiour(?) to also visit Alcatraz.
Aug 14, 2006
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Reviewed by cjgator3 from Florida

3.78/5  rDev +14.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
I went here when I was in Indy for the Final Four to root on my Florida Gators to their National Championship in basketball. Alcatraz is located within walking distance to the RCA dome. I only had one beer here at Alcatraz and it was a "Weiss Guy" which was their wheat beer. I ordered this along side a mushroom swiss cheeseburger. The beer was decent, I just don't feel it represented the true hefeweizen style. It was filtered and just did not have the same characteristics of every other wheat beer I have tried. On the other hand, the burger was absolutely phenomenal. My dad got the oatmeal stout that he raved about for the whole night. All in all, it is worth a stop just for the food and the atmosphere. I just would not recommend the "Weiss Guy".
May 21, 2006
Photo of Bumpon10s
Reviewed by Bumpon10s from Illinois

4.45/5  rDev +34.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
A very formal setting with steel tables and bare lightbulbs to give it that "prison" feel. Comfortable, albeit a little sterile.

The quality of food and beer was quite good. Everything was very presentable and served carefully and properly.

Our waitress was outstanding, a shame I can't remember her name. We were given great suggestions, clued into specials that weren't on the menu and was very attentive and courteous. Deserved even more than the tip I left.

Selection was about normal for a standard brewpub. They had 6 or 7 on tap at the moment and were of varying styles. Their stout and sledgehammer probably being the best.

Food was very, very god and in quite large portions. Tried their spicy mango pork tenderloin and loved it. Ask for it if they don't have it on the standard menu.

Their items aren't overpriced, however they aren't cheap either. They say you get what you pay for and I certainly did, great food and beer.

If in the downtown Indianapolis area, don't skip this, you won't be sorry.
May 13, 2006
Photo of PuckLSHS
Reviewed by PuckLSHS from Iowa

4/5  rDev +20.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
I went to Alcatraz while staying at the Omni for a conference. It is very close to the Convention Center so it is a very quick trek to Alcatraz from most of the major hotels downtown.

Alcatraz was packed that night and could not seem to accomodate the extra flow of peope, especially since they shut down the upstairs area for the night. Getting a beer was rather a challenge, but the bartenders were working very hard to please the actual beer people. While I was there, they had two belgian seasonals on tap and both were quite good. I wouldn't necessarily go with their standard fare, as I don't really enjoy the beers, but their seasonals were much better than that of the Orange, CA Alcatraz. This brewer seems to know what he is doing a bit more.

I would suggest going there during the lunch hour instead of during a weeknight, but if you are in the area, hit it up. The food is decent...nothing special though. I had a bowl of the clam chowder and it was nothing special but it was good.
Apr 18, 2006
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Reviewed by woodychandler from Pennsylvania

4.06/5  rDev +22.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
There are many, no - legions, who would undoubtedly say that this is precisely the place for me. "Best beer behind bars", indeed.

This place occupies an (almost) corner location. so the layout is slightly oval. They have an abbreviated bar, so I almost got aced out of my usual seat, but only almost. This is where having been a defenseman in hockey comes in handy. The hip check is a wonderful tool when displacing tipsy patrons who don't need to be at the bar any longer. I'm kidding. Actually, I began handing out business cards and a couple of people looked at one, then at me, and left. No b.s., I swear.

Back home, in my usual spot, on a bar stool, I was facing the bank of six serving tanks behind te back bar, but they were green-lit, which ruins the effect. There is lots of beaten copper in here, both on the walls of the back bar and under a thick layer of lamination at the bar. The kitchen was openly visible to my left and to my left oblique was the Men's.

In my second home, and people have begun to refer to me as the reincarnation of "Fish" from "Barney Miller", who was obsessed with the lavatories in his increasing age, they have great decor. Chalkboards above the urinals, diamond-deck plating, and a jet-black wash basin.
Perfect!

Upon returning to home base, directly behind me were a number of high tables and and associated stools. Beyond them, moving further aft, the bulk of the restaurant exists with a lot of tables and chairs, surrounded around their perimeter by booth seating. In the center of the room is a long staircase which leads up to the Fermentation Vessels at the top of the stairs, and then there is the Warden's Room, a 30 to 35 person banquet facility, off to the left.

Back downstairs, by the alternate entrance, not streetside, but inot the Circle Centre Mall, the prison-like motif takes over, with lots of bars and crossbars. Here, I really felt at home. This reminded me to quick take a break and check in with my P.O., who always likes to hear from me.

Finally, let me mention the grain silo suspended above the street entrance like the sword of Damocles; the exposed, flat-black painted, corrugated aluminum overhead; the exposed ducting and the industrial fans. Whoops! There went the skivvies. Gotta go.
Dec 09, 2005
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Reviewed by BEERchitect from Kentucky

3.23/5  rDev -2.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 2.5 | selection: 3 | food: 4
Atmosphere: terrifically renovated old town building. Encorporated elegant architecture detailing, rustic charm, and new technology. Mood is a bit subdued for a Brew Pub. More resturaunt like and just happen to make beer. Beer is probably secondary. Perhaps a bit pretentious.

Quality: High quality on the "feel" end, High quality on the food end. Average on the Beer end.

Service: Nice, but seemed to frown on those of us who only drank beer without sampling the food.

Selection: Nice on the food menu. Average on the beer menu. Beer-wise, the normal selection of the typical six or so beers that appeal to the masses. Still much better than yellow beer.

Food: Terrific. Had a nice selection of gourmet style dishes as well as All-American dishes spiced up in their own original way.

Value: Probably a bit more pricey than the quality represents. Their image and elegance is worth paying a bit for, but they are pushing it a bit.
Jun 17, 2005
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Reviewed by GreenWBush from Oregon

2.28/5  rDev -31.1%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 1 | service: 2.5 | selection: 3
There were 25 minutes left on my parking meter, so I had to make a quick decision: here or the other brewery across the street. Wish I would have picked the other place.

A nice interior with tons of earthy reds and bronzes. Slight view of brew tanks, black and white pizza ovens albaze, as well as requisite psuedo industrial black and silver. Lots of bars around tables and windows to give you that thematic, incarcerated ambiance.

Cute bronze bar with day-glo neon green light running under the surface. Service took quite a while - it was clear that the buiness guys were getting priority over college beer geek.

I was glad that you could purchase individual beer samples at like 75 cents a pop because the beers were atrocious. No way i'd ever set foot in here again.
Dec 11, 2004
Photo of soper2000
Reviewed by soper2000 from Texas

2.24/5  rDev -32.3%
vibe: 3 | quality: 1.5 | service: 2 | selection: 3
Third stop of the Indy pub crawl. I was initially hesitant about even reviewing this place, but in the end I figured that my words of caution, taken with a grain of salt could possibly save someone some time. We entered at about 7 o'clock on a Saturday night and the place was packed to the gills. Viking led the way through the crowd to the bar where we preceded to wait at least 10 minutes for our beers before CIBAS finally found a waiter and graciously took all of our orders AND picked up the tab. The beers were nothing remarkable. I had the Pelican Pale and it was watery to say the least, then I tried Bdorf94's Weiss Guy and I realized how much flavor my Pale Ale had. The beers were some of the worst brewpub brews that I have tried. I will not knock the service because this was the only time that I have been there, but what was the excuse for beer like this? Atmosphere is pretty much like a big Steak and Shake. I'll probably come back again to see if this was a fluke, but this was definetely the dissappointment of the evening.
Oct 20, 2004
Photo of Dogbrick
Reviewed by Dogbrick from Ohio

3.8/5  rDev +14.8%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Alcatraz Brewing Co. is located on the ground floor of the Circle Center Mall in Downtown Indianapolis, and is in walking distance to many hotels, the RCA dome etc. Parking is limited on the street but there are several garages.

The atmosphere is a weird mix of sports bar and 50's diner. There is a lot of metal everywhere, and pennants/paraphernalia of the various Indiana sports teams. The brewpub is easy to spot from the street thanks to a big water tower-looking thing with the logo on it. The brewpub has 2 levels, and the brewery equipment is upstairs but viewable from the entire establishment.

Alcatraz has 9 or so beers in rotation, some are average and a couple are pretty good. They do brew a couple unique beers like a Ginseng Pale Ale which you have to give them credit for.

The service is about what you'd expect at a mall brewpub. The server was pretty helpful with the different beers, and was kind enough to help with questions about the local hockey scene to boot!

The food was pretty good, if pricey. They have lots of sandwiches and pizza. For some reason the table next to us kept ordering plate after plate of mashed potatoes, so maybe there is something to that.

All in all there is no reason not to visit this brewpub if you are in downtown Indy, especially since it is in walking distance of two others (RAM and Rock Bottom).
Jan 15, 2004
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Reviewed by Indybeer from Indiana

2.95/5  rDev -10.9%
vibe: 3 | quality: 2 | service: 4 | selection: 3
Not a place that i would recommend. Not a bad looking place. Food pricey but good. But the beer is another matter. I ordered a wheat that was on tap. It was suppose to be unfiltered, but what I got was a crystal clear amber colored beer that tasted like a pale ale. Definetly not a wheat! Not even a America wheat. Started to order something different but everyone at our table was disappointed in everything they had, so I passed on the drinks. Maybe it was an off night for the beer, but we were not inpressed
Apr 12, 2003
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Reviewed by zerk from California

2.95/5  rDev -10.9%
vibe: 3 | quality: 2.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 2.5 | food: 4
Alcatraz Brewing Co. is in the first level of the Circle Center Mall in Downtown Indianapolis. The atmosphere is decent, with an all-metal, prison kind of feel. The bar area gets a bit crowded, but it's a decent place to enjoy a meal. The food is pretty good, if a bit overpriced.

The beer, on the other hand, is not very good. I've had a couple of their beers on recent occasions, and all were average at best. One beer tasted very off, and I was forced to send it back. From what I've heard, they operate the brewery on a tight budget, and it shows.

With so many better places within walking distance downtown, I really can't see a reason to go to Alcatraz.
Apr 08, 2003
Alcatraz Brewing Co. in Indianapolis, IN
Place rating: 0 out of 5 with 21 ratings