-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
Barley John's Brew Pub
781 Old Hwy 8 SW
New Brighton, Minnesota, 55112
United States
// CLOSED //
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by FightingEntropy:
Reviewed by FightingEntropy from Minnesota
4.33/5 rDev +7.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
4.33/5 rDev +7.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
Unfortunately, I live on the wrong side of the twin cities to visit Barley John's to be a regular. Recently, visited BJ's again for the AHA Teach a Friend to Homebrew day, and actually brought a friend to learn from the welcoming Minnesota Home Brewers Association. I attended this same event several years ago when I started homebrewing and the learning from it gave me the confidence to brew my first batch.
On to Barley John's, who has always been a great host. For 10 am start, BJ's had a breakfast back special, including a veggie version that was much appreciated by me. Also, two additional options offered two different sausage versions of the egg bake. Over the years, I've been to BJ's maybe a dozen times--and have never been disappointed by the food. In fact, the food is one of their strengths.
On this trip, I started with the Imperial Stout, which was a very respectable version of the style. I finished the keg of the Biere de Garde, which the server said was the staff favorite. It wasn't a favorite of mine, but it was the bottom of the keg (comped for half the glass). Moved to my standard favorite Old Eight Porter. When available, the much acclaimed Dark Knight is very much worth the effort to drink.
If you're on the north side, or if you're looking for a way above average dinner with your craft beer, Barley John's should be a serious consideration. This small place with friendly service, great food and solid beer won't disappoint.
Nov 12, 2011On to Barley John's, who has always been a great host. For 10 am start, BJ's had a breakfast back special, including a veggie version that was much appreciated by me. Also, two additional options offered two different sausage versions of the egg bake. Over the years, I've been to BJ's maybe a dozen times--and have never been disappointed by the food. In fact, the food is one of their strengths.
On this trip, I started with the Imperial Stout, which was a very respectable version of the style. I finished the keg of the Biere de Garde, which the server said was the staff favorite. It wasn't a favorite of mine, but it was the bottom of the keg (comped for half the glass). Moved to my standard favorite Old Eight Porter. When available, the much acclaimed Dark Knight is very much worth the effort to drink.
If you're on the north side, or if you're looking for a way above average dinner with your craft beer, Barley John's should be a serious consideration. This small place with friendly service, great food and solid beer won't disappoint.
More User Ratings:
Rated by eithne from Minnesota
3.83/5 rDev -5%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.75
3.83/5 rDev -5%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.75
20191102
Nov 02, 2019Reviewed by couchsitta from Minnesota
3.36/5 rDev -16.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3 | service: 5 | selection: 2.25 | food: 3
3.36/5 rDev -16.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3 | service: 5 | selection: 2.25 | food: 3
Came here on the back end of a 5 brewery tour. Was bummed that we had no say in what we would have there. Think I saw the owner running around busting his butt, and the beer tasted as tired as he looked.
Feb 13, 2019Reviewed by StonedTrippin from Colorado
4.28/5 rDev +6.2%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4
4.28/5 rDev +6.2%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4
what a cool place, an undersung staple of the beer scene up in the twin cities, been doing it awhile, and it was nice to finally make it up to check it out. the place is cool, a converted gas station or village inn or something it seems like, youd almost miss it coming from downtown if you didnt know it was there. minimalist space, with some old wooden features and an almost cabin sort of feel, very homey and comfortable, with a big patio and a small bar. they had a great beer selection too, brewer andy is doing some really cool stuff. the belgian strong dark and the wild rice brown were my favorites, but all the beers we had in here were well done, and they seem to have a real grasp on the english styles as well. the food menu was equally ambitious, and i really enjoyed my meal in here. simple, honest, and prompt service, liberal with the samples, and just fun to chat with and obviously passionate about the beers. the customers here seem loyal too, everyone knows everyone, and they all love the beer so much. a few of them were a little under carbonated, but overall the experience in here was awesome, and this is a fantastic spot to drink a beer and slow down a little bit. ill be back for sure!
May 25, 2017Reviewed by gatornation from Arizona
3.72/5 rDev -7.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.75
3.72/5 rDev -7.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.75
Just north of Roseville off 35W, you can enter off County D or right on Old 8. Very small inside with only four stools at the bar, maybe a dozen table to sit down, its a cramped space , but does have outdoor seating weather permitted. Its smells like a brewery in here wheat and barley mix with the restaurant food , i like this. have around 16 taps with 4-6 of them guest taps, most brews are average as well as the guest taps, i do get a local home town vibe from this place. Not far from the Twin cities or St. Paul its worth a visit.
Jan 18, 2017Reviewed by zeff80 from Missouri
2.7/5 rDev -33%
vibe: 2.25 | quality: 1.75 | service: 3.75 | selection: 2.75 | food: 3.25
2.7/5 rDev -33%
vibe: 2.25 | quality: 1.75 | service: 3.75 | selection: 2.75 | food: 3.25
Odd place. Very small. Three of the 4 beers I had were not good. The porter is good, but they had a rye beer that I couldn't finish. The food was okay. My BLT and chips were very good. Other food was just okay.
Dec 21, 2015Reviewed by maedhros09 from Minnesota
3.78/5 rDev -6.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4
3.78/5 rDev -6.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4
Unless you're outside it feels a bit cramped here, but the environment is reasonable. The beers were hit and miss in terms of quality, but if you hit the good ones they can be very good (love the old eight porter). Service was great, and in addition to the 8 or so native taps they offer some guest taps of cider and local beer as well. Definitely worth checking out.
Oct 23, 2015Reviewed by PlatonicOtterLuv from Minnesota
4.09/5 rDev +1.5%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4
4.09/5 rDev +1.5%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4
Tiny place, decent food, friendly service (but very hit or miss - though they buy you beer if they do you wrong), very solid year round beers and exceptional seasonal stuff. High gravity and BA brews are outrageously expensive though.
Mar 05, 2015Reviewed by spacecake9 from Illinois
5/5 rDev +24.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
5/5 rDev +24.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
My absolute favorite place to drink beer! I really enjoys their beers plus the food is awesome and the atmosphere is very friendly. Whenever I'm in the Twin Cities I stop in and I always end up in a good conversation with one of the locals.
Jan 31, 2015
Barley John's Brew Pub in New Brighton, MN
Brewery rating:
3.69 out of
5 with
617 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the place's attributes plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!