The Seven Barrel Brewery

The Seven Barrel BreweryThe Seven Barrel Brewery
The Seven Barrel BreweryThe Seven Barrel Brewery
Brewery, Bar, Eatery, Beer-to-go

5 Airport Rd
West Lebanon, New Hampshire, 03784-1658
United States

// CLOSED //
BEER STATS
Average:
3.59
Beers:
27
Ratings:
146
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.69
Reviews:
31
Ratings:
47
pDev:
8.94%
View: Beers | Place Reviews
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Ratings by slander:
Photo of slander
Reviewed by slander from New York

3.64/5  rDev -1.4%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4
Saturday morning finds us leaving Burlington far, far behind and setting sail for New Hampshire, we innocents abroad. I have to say that it's one state in the NorthEast I've never really seen, short of that 15 minute clip in the coastal corner sandwiched between Mass and Maine. I had Trouble navigating as she's quite good with the logistical stuff. This was a very easy mark to hit, straight down 89, over the river and exit at your first brewpub...

Standing solo out front of a plaza just off the highway, it's easily identifiable by the large red number "7" on the roof and a sign dangling on the side of the building. There's speculation that it formerly housed a Cracker Barrel. Just off the entrance sit 3 tables adjacent to a long bench for people waiting to be seated. Surely not where I'd want to be seated as it's got to be totally weird catching a meal at these tables with people just sitting there looking at you, watching you eat. Just around the bend is a walkway with a jukebox and glassfront brewery shwag cabinet and a pair of suits of armor, one to each side of a small staircase leading to the raised seating area to the rear. These 2 areas wrap around the bar space, kept separate by a green paneled ½ wall with glass windows & brewery beer placards. The "T" shaped wood bar, lip and copper rail, seats a dozen and a half, with a wooden unit above tracing the bar lined with booze, and above that, figurines, TV's, statues, bottles, trophies, a birdcage, a model ship, a tin soldier, all the essentials.

The long wall bar back is a collection of tax determination tanks in a row with a tower box of 8 taps up front and a pair of handpumps off to the left. A long counter runs below the tanks holding pint glasses and growlers. 3 pseudo bar counter pieces extend from the wall behind you with stools seating a dozen. The room burgundy wallpapered over panel wood lowers, prints, plates, awards, a framed mirror, and the tap selections written on a blackboard strangely concealed in the far corner where no one would reasonably see it. Tile floorings, blue painted ceiling with mural pieces, drop movie spotlights, and tinnish lamps on the bar counters.

To the rear, a dining room holding a dozen booths (6 on the far wall and 6 near) and nearly as many tables down the center (2 seaters pushed together where need be), with views of the far partial brewroom show pieces. Wood beam uprights with "Y" supports, framed paintings & prints, potted plants on shelving overhead.

6 taps on the sampler. The Red 7 was hoppy, sweet, slightly floral; Paul's Pale Ale was metallic, strange; the Ice Rock Canadian, a blonde, was crisp and hoppy; the New Dublin Brown Ale was somewhat nutty; Champion reserve IPA, citrus, nicely hoppy; the RIP Stout, smooth, roasty, dry and a bit chalky. Also sampled the cask Stout, silky, smooth, roasty chocolate, quite nice. I liked both versions of the stout and the IPA.

Nothing amazing but not too shabby either. Glad we stopped in but there's more to see, more to see, and we've got to backtrack into Vermont before back backtracking back into New Hampshire again.
Aug 21, 2007
More User Ratings:
Photo of BeerAndGasMasks
Reviewed by BeerAndGasMasks from Virginia

3.88/5  rDev +5.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
Recently sold and will close Dec 2016. Nice vibe, good staff. Good food - pub style. Ordered wings - well done and crispy. Ordered pasty - excellent! Decent beer. Currently limited selection due to imminent closing.
Dec 01, 2016
 
Rated: 3.58 by 2ellas from New Hampshire

Sep 19, 2016
 
Rated: 3.38 by ScottP from New Hampshire

May 25, 2016
 
Rated: 3.4 by scxcrunner from Massachusetts

Apr 03, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by hop_junkie from New Hampshire

Nov 15, 2015
 
Rated: 3.09 by Faxmesomehalibut from New Hampshire

Jun 05, 2015
 
Rated: 3.84 by LXIXME from New Mexico

Jun 05, 2015
Photo of jmdrpi
Reviewed by jmdrpi from Pennsylvania

3.67/5  rDev -0.5%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.75
stopped by on a Saturday afternoon for beers. they had live music playing.

A good selection of beers. They were all good, but not great.

They are a full restaurant, but we didn't eat.
Apr 08, 2015
Photo of jco3
Reviewed by jco3 from New Hampshire

4.25/5  rDev +15.2%
Great food, mostly local. Haven't had poor service yet, and I've been there quite a few times. They do best with porters and browns. Their coconut porter is great. I would highly recommend this place.
Dec 02, 2014
 
 
Rated: 3.5 by CAMay from New Hampshire

Oct 05, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by DaveR514 from Canada (QC)

Sep 13, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by WillieThreebiers from Connecticut

Jun 29, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by BierBliss from New Hampshire

Apr 04, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by coombski from Maine

Mar 29, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by InspectorBob from New Jersey

Feb 26, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by kvnklingler from Ohio

Feb 10, 2014
 
Rated: 2.5 by RichIron883 from New York

Dec 06, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by cnwillis31 from Vermont

Nov 10, 2013
Photo of Jayli
Reviewed by Jayli from Massachusetts

4.13/5  rDev +11.9%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
Headed from Boston to Stowe on 12/5... we were on the road, hungry, stopped at a rest stop and grabbed one of those "breweries of New Hampshire" brochures. Who knew our luck (by the time we read it) put us 15 minutes away from Seven Barrel!

Walked in around 2pm on a Monday. Just missed the lunch crowd so it was kind of dead. Our server couldn't have been happier to see us.
Set up is a long hallway down to the dining area, ample bar space to the right (on the way down to the dining area). Lots of wood fixtures, slightly rustic feel to the place. Kitschy decor.

It wasn't until a trip to Maine that my partner finally learned the beauty that is poutine. She originally thumbed her nose at it, but had it once in Maine and once she saw it on the menu here? Yea, that was a no brainer! We got the poutine and the Cheese plate which featured Grafton Village Cheddar, Garfield Smoked Gruyere, and Vermont Chevre Goat cheese. Yea - the food was pretty awesome.

Our waiter was AWESOME. Yea, perhaps it was because we were the only people to sit in his section. However, we could totally joke with him and that's a person that I want waiting on me.

Food selection was awesome, beer selection was pretty good too. There were about 7 beers on draft from Seven Barrells. I had the RIP Stou (which we left with a growler of and stopped in on the way home for a second growler), and the gf got the winter. Additionally they had an Imperial Pale as a part of their Conan the Destroyer Series.

This is a definite stop over for all other trips out to Stowe. It's a diamond in the rough. Good food, I can attest to the stout...but it's a great local gem worthy of hitting up if you're in the area.
Dec 20, 2011
Photo of adirondack88
Reviewed by adirondack88 from New York

3.95/5  rDev +7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5
I used to live in the Upper Valley and would enjoy stopping by 7 Barrel after work on occasion. Sad to say that was about 14 years ago. Not much has changed at 7 Barrel in all those years, except for the staff. Well, there is one guy that works during the afternoon that has been there all along. The quality of the beer is ok, not overly great or creative, but ok. They usually have a selection of IPA, Red, Brown, or Stout, plus a couple of others to choose from. The food has a British flair and is also ok for Pub food. It is worth stopping in for a beer or two.
Jan 27, 2011
Photo of mostpoetsdo
Reviewed by mostpoetsdo from Rhode Island

3.73/5  rDev +1.1%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3
Atmosphere: A cool looking place, kind of a bar-in-a-log-cabin feel to it. Had a dining section where we sat, and a decent (but on the smaller end) sized bar. Rather plain looking.

Quality and Service: Comfortable seating, a very nice waitress (who was a vegetarian but pointed out some crowd favorites, why are all waitresses vegetarians?) who was friendly and paid close attention to us.

Selection: They have about seven beers, give or take a couple, but a decent selection. On their drink menu they offer a lot of different pairings and combinations of beer that looked interesting, cider, too.

Food: Average bar food, sandwiches, fish and chips, nothing special.

Value: Beers were around four dollars and change, offered different sizes to please everyone. Food was priced fairly.
Aug 15, 2010
Photo of grahambo
Reviewed by grahambo from New York

3.58/5  rDev -3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
Just moved to the area and are in the process of checking out what's pretty close by. This was first little trip.

A: Went on a Tuesday night, this place was cozy and pretty busy. Wood paneling everywhere with a rustic feel.

Q: I would say that the beer was good. Nothing to write home about and few that were below average but a few beers wel above average as well. Tried a flight with all six of the regular beers and a bonus sample of the Double IPA on Cask. The Canadian style lager, Quechee Cream Ale, IPA and Dublin Brown were at the top of our list. The Double IPA tasted like it had been on cask for a few days too long and was bit oxidized, the Red #7 and RIP Stout were ok.

Service: Very slow but very forgivable. They had a waitress call in sick and they were short a cook so our waitress was flustered but very nice and polite.

Selection: The beers and the food menu ran the gamut and they had something to satisfy as many palates as possible without going overboard.

F: The food was above average pub fair. My finance had a very good Reuben and I had the Toad in the Hole, a maple sausage wrapped in pastry with cheese and onions with apple chutney.

Value: A flight, two pints, a half pint two dinners, chips and salsa for under $35, this was a great value. I'll be back for sire since it will be on my way to and from school.
Aug 12, 2010
Photo of morebeergood
Reviewed by morebeergood from Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev +1.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5
A friend of mine is starting grad school at Dartmouth soon, so we took a road trip up to the area yesterday to look at apartments. We stopped into Seven Barrel right around happy hour. It's located in the Colonial Shopping Plaza. Grabbed some seats at the bar. There are brew kettles lined up behind the bar, which looked cool. Average looking bar otherwise, except for the big wooden signs advertising their staple brews hanging from the ceiling. Our bartender was friendly and chatted with us. Eight house beers on tap, but no cask today. I ordered pints of the RIP Stout and Al's Bock, while my friend had two half-pints of the Red 7. We also split an order of the gravy cheese fries. The fries were sloppy but tasty. The bill came and it was only $18, for a basket of fries and essentially three beers. Not too shabby. Also, growlers were only $10 + $1.50 deposit, which seems good also. I'd stop here again if I find myself back up in this part of NH visiting my friend.
Jun 25, 2010
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Reviewed by kingcrowing from Vermont

3.68/5  rDev -0.3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
Came in here on my way home from Maine with my dad and girlfriend. I had no idea this place was here even though I've been through here many times.

I ended up getting the Greg Noonan Vienna Lager they had which is awesome because I'm a fan of the style and I'm from Burlington and love vpub! Well the beer was pretty solid and the beer prices were decent. I got a pulled pork BBQ sandwich that was quite good. I'd say that the portions are a bit small but it's not too expensive. Overall a nice place.
Jun 20, 2010
Photo of BeerNinja007
Reviewed by BeerNinja007 from New Hampshire

3.65/5  rDev -1.1%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3
I've been here a lot because it's close to work and home. Atmosphere is homey and unique, no chain restaurant or cookie cutter sports bar here. Kind of an odd collection of decor and an awkward floor plan. It is smaller on the inside than it looks from the outside. Service is always prompt and friendly, a little bawdy at times (in a good way). Selection of beers is pretty broad, something from all of the major styles. Beer is pretty good but nothing fantastic. Overall they tend to be a thin and watery. No high ABV or overly exciting brews here, pretty mundane. Food is good but on the greasy side.
Mar 26, 2010
Photo of Deuane
Reviewed by Deuane from Pennsylvania

3.64/5  rDev -1.4%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4
Right off the interstate so it is an easy lets stop in and check it out type of place.

Interesting interior with the typical bar TV's, a nice bar area and then suits of armor and other antique knick-knacks? Interesting but certainly odd.

Hostess and waitress were both prompt and friendly. So, at least there was little room to complain.

Good beer selection that ran across a nice line of styles. Even a cask choice, always a +0.5 in my book. All of the beers were at least decent....nothing really blew me away but nothing was bad, even the "Canadian" Ale.

A decent place worth the short detour off the highway. Next time maybe we will have an appetite and try the food.
Jul 20, 2009
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Reviewed by Ragingbull from California

3.78/5  rDev +2.4%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5
I stopped into Seven Barrel Brewery for lunch when I flew to New England to introduce my infant daughter to her great grandparents. We met for lunch and at first I thought they were trying to give me the brush off as they said the heat wasn't working and it would be too cold for the baby. Before we left the heating issue was resolved and we were seated. That was an awkward start to things, but I tried to remain objective.

The menu for food was pretty extensive and everyone seemed to enjoy what they ordered. We tried several of the soups, a couple sandwiches, an entree of fish and chips and I had something called a "toad in the hole" with apple chutney that I enjoyed quite a bit. It wasn't five star fare, but was good food when you are there to try some beer anyway. There were no beers that I would call bad.

They do sell beer to go, but it must be in one of their own growlers. I obviously don't get their often and tried to get a growler I found in the trunk of the car I borrowed filled and that wasn't happening. I can't complain about that, but would have liked to take some beer home. There were 8 of their beers on tap the day I was there including the two seasonals. Its definitely worth checking and isn't far from the Harpoon facility in Windsor, VT so if you are there for one, do both.
Apr 23, 2009
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Reviewed by eLMsITYbUM from New Hampshire

4.13/5  rDev +11.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
We stop into the Seven quite frequently, so I figure it's time to review it. You walk into the bar area where there is some tables and the u shaped bar. They always have some sort of sports on the many televisions in the bar area. A small flight of stairs brings you into the dining area, that has booth style seating and some tables in the middle that can be combined for larger parties. The brewhouse is visable from many angles in the dining area, from behind glass. The brewhouse is also what you see from 89 and 12a. The decor is an odd collection of "mish mash hodge podge" that seems to work well for the Seven Barrel.

The staff have always treated us well, and have kept our glasses full. Some of them have a great deal of knowledge of what is on tap. They usually have at least one beer on cask, sometimes two. They always have a good selection on tap, even our Bud drinking friends don't have a problem ordering one of the lighter offerings. The food ranges from the standard pub grub, with burgers, sandwiches and the such to full entres including some steaks and nice chicken dinners. The menu also offers some healthier selections as well. The Seven Barrel also fill growlers for take home beer.

Overall: my many experiences have been good here ans I would say it's worth a stop if you're in the area. Hit the Beverage King before or after your visit!
Feb 12, 2009
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Reviewed by BoSox25 from Oregon

2.46/5  rDev -33.3%
vibe: 1.5 | quality: 1.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3
Walked into this place and got service quickly. Shortly after I ordered my beer I noticed that everyone else at the bar wasn't
drinking beer but tall mix drinks (not a good sign) Most of the beer was forgettable, the Pale Ale was awful, IPA was ok. I was kinda puzzled with the ribbons on the wall awarded to their beer. The place seemed more like a low end chain restaurant than a brew pub. Food I saw coming out looked really greasy so we went elsewhere for dinner. No doubt I will skip this place next time.
Nov 15, 2008
Photo of bilyboy65
Reviewed by bilyboy65 from Colorado

3.43/5  rDev -7%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5
This is located near the Colonial Plaza. Getting off the highway from exit 20 on 89 head N on 12A and its within spitting distance of the highway.

A: This is a very interesting place to go to. Decor seems to try and do to many things. Has some antique armor statues that guard the dining area from the bar and signs all over the place. The whole building looks like it was made from an old barn or that maybe it was an old barn. Very casual place and nothing hob nobbish about it. Definitely seems to cater to the blue collar worker.

Q: The atmosphere took away from some of the enjoyment of being there because you never could really set yourself for any one particular setting. The place was clean throughout. Staff was friendly. Always a fan to see the brewing tanks in view with a brewpub.

SR: Seated quickly by the hostess and the waitress was prompt. The place seemed to be busy, but I never worried about having beer in my glass.

SE: The menu was quite expansive. Something there for everyone. The beer menu was a little short though. But they brew there own beers so that is all they carry. They did have a beer of the major styles on tap though. To me the best thing was that they have cask conditioned ale on tap.

F: Nothing special. I ordered a grilled chicken sandwich so that really isn't anything special in itself. They did have a lot of variety to the sandwiches which is good. The salad I had seemed very fresh.
Apr 06, 2008
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Reviewed by lancecreed from New Hampshire

2.98/5  rDev -19.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 2.5 | selection: 3 | food: 2
Beer was average and nothing really stood out. If anything the RIP Stout was the best followed by the Dublin Brown Ale. The IPA lacked punch and in my opinion could of used some hops. That being said there wasn't anything that was awful either. Overall it was just ok.

The food was barely passable. I had a reuben and it was unremarkable and the onion rings were far too thickly battered. My compatriots were even less impressed with their dinners. The service was pretty much non-existent as our server didn't come back to see if we wanted another round until we were at the point where you just give up and ask for the check. Mildly disappointed in comparison to the other brewpubs I have been to in the past 3 years while living in New England.
Apr 05, 2008
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Reviewed by rickcampie from Rhode Island

3.18/5  rDev -13.8%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 3 | service: 2.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
we have stopped by this pub the last 3 times were been on our way to burlington vt. all 3 times were lacking, first off the bartender gave me a hard time because i had a mass lisence, but did not bother my mates and there rhode island ones. the food was so-so, the service sucked we had to wait a while for service, it almost seemed like we were a bother when we asked for samples. was hoping for a good experience but was sadly dissapointed, the beer was ok nothing really jumped out at me, this was probally my last visit.
Mar 03, 2007
Photo of bennybrew
Reviewed by bennybrew from Maine

4.03/5  rDev +9.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5
i went here manymany moons ago whenst HER brother lived over the border in vermont. i remember it fondly...

so when i had oportunity to go by again with an empty growler i stopped in. it is a cool little brewpub. there are tanks and shiny things to look at. there is lots of wood panel and the like.

i tried a few shots of the fine brew (a scotch and ipa). i got me a growler of the ipa. if i had known they was only $8 i woulda got 4 or 8 of em. barkeep was most helpful.

SHE checked out the menu and thought it looked good but we thought we were late for meeting my sister (turns out it takes a bit longer to get out of new york on a holiday weekend than one might think).

7bbl. 7 hours from my house. coincidence? good stuff, that place.
Dec 29, 2006
Photo of Billolick
Reviewed by Billolick from New York

3.74/5  rDev +1.4%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5
Easy off Interstate 89, this homey brewery is located in a typical shopping mall. It’s comfortable; the staff was friendly in this medium sized spot with 7 of their own brews on tap and 2 on cask. Fermenters and other brewery stuff visible along the dining area and storage tanks located behind the bar. Extensive menu or reasonably priced typical pub grub available. Decent stop for some freshly brewed beer. The main problem I have with this and other bars in New Hampshire is the smoking; it’s a tough transition for us spoiled NY state non-smokers.
Aug 02, 2006
Photo of akorsak
Reviewed by akorsak from Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -1.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5
During our vacation we stopped by Seven Barrel Brewery, located in West Lebanon, NH.

Atmosphere: The restaurant is surprisingly small with seating areas in and around the bar seeming to be the hot spots. The building itself is rustic with brewery equipment in the front window (which was the view from our seats).

Quality: The food, service and selection were all adequate and I would not hesitate to recommend the brewery to anyone else.

Service: Service was fast and friendly, including providing me with a seventh serving glass gratis.

Selection: 6 standard beers, 1 seasonal and two beers on cask, along with local hard cider for mixing as desired. Good selection.

Food: The food was a la carte but cheap. Luckily it was also good, with my pastrami being passable and my wife's chicken and leek soup being good.
Jul 20, 2006
Photo of MikeRoy
Reviewed by MikeRoy from Maryland

3.93/5  rDev +6.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
Another stop on my I-89 tour, as it's right off the highway. Cool stand alone building that showcases the brewing equipment right in the front window. This is a typical "North Country" restaurant the brews their own beer. Wooden interiors, a very warm and friendly atmosphere, the only detraction is smoking if you're sitting in the bar area. Food is very down home with good pub favorites like bangers and mash, fish and chips. Food I've always thought is a good value and the beer has always been consistant. They don't offer a lot of different brands, but do have some interesting seasonals. My favorite is their IPA on cask, which is almost alwasy available.
Mar 29, 2006
Photo of PatandDavid
Reviewed by PatandDavid from Massachusetts

3.13/5  rDev -15.2%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3 | food: 3
David and I stopped her after a 2 day visit to Vermont. After quaffing at places like the Alchemist and American Flatbread,. I guess our tastebuds were spoiled...the beers here came across as pretty average. Not average bad, just average. We were here on a weekday evening, at suppertime. Place was busy. We elected to eat in the sitting area, away from the smokers at the bar. Food was average tasting, not bad, just average. I have reviewed the two beers I had separately. More of a Rock Bottom type place, food and beerwise...will do in a pinch I suppose.
Sep 15, 2005
Photo of NEhophead
Reviewed by NEhophead from Massachusetts

3.6/5  rDev -2.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
Stopped here for lunch on the way to Burlington, VT last weekend, and the location is extremely convenient along the Route 89 on the NH-VT border. (Were planning on stopping at a fast food place and discovered this place instead: Thank God!).

Typical brewpub setting with a long wooden bar and adequate booths/tables. We caught this place about an hour after it opened, so there was plenty of seating available. I wouldn't call our server the most knowledgable re: beer, but the service was prompt. They offered about seven of their own brews on tap; most of which were light and seasonable, so I went for the stout. (Good choice I might add). The food was typical pub fare, and the chicken teryaki sandwich with sweet potato fries hit the spot. This place seems like it will make the rotation for a lunch stop on our next visit up North.
Aug 06, 2005
The Seven Barrel Brewery in West Lebanon, NH
Brewery rating: 3.59 out of 5 with 146 ratings