Beer Fest I

Beer Fest IBeer Fest I
Beer Fest IBeer Fest I
Bar, Beer-to-go

409 Bourbon St
New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130-2230
United States

(504) 525-2222 | map
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.31
Reviews:
22
Ratings:
30
pDev:
16.01%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 3 by Beerbuddha from Florida

Jan 14, 2018
 
Rated: 3.04 by ahommell from Mississippi

Dec 31, 2017
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Reviewed by Chickenhawk9932 from Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +22.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 3.75 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4
Location is ideal - right on Bourbon street. Selection is a nice variety of craft beer. Service was excellent. No real rare beers, but a few bigger beers. A lot of dark wood a sort of old world pub feel. Prices aren't ideal, but this Bourbon and considering fairly decent.
Apr 22, 2017
 
Rated: 3.43 by JamesLeung from Florida

Feb 22, 2017
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Reviewed by Sludgeman from District of Columbia

3.16/5  rDev -4.5%
vibe: 2 | quality: 3.25 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.25
It goes without saying that any bar on Bourbon Street will be over priced and this place is no exception. Average selection. Nothing you can't get somewhere else just outside of the quarter.

If you want somthing other than BMC and you're in the quarter this might be the place for you. Otherwise go somewhere else.
Dec 06, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by Spreetaper from New York

Jul 31, 2016
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Reviewed by malfunxion from New York

2.28/5  rDev -31.1%
vibe: 2 | quality: 2 | service: 2 | selection: 3
Walked by this place late night after having a few good beers at the Ole Saint, seemed from the outside that they had quite a few taps on the wall, being from out of town I wanted to see what they had to offer, so even though its king of dark and creepy looking inside it's Bourbon I figured buy a beer and enjoy some air conditioning for a bit. After walking inside and sitting at the dark mostly empty bar for a good 5 or 6 minutes the bartender came up asked what we would like, saw the Parish Envie on tap and liked it quite a bit at the last bar so I figured I would give it a shot, Me and the lady both got a real piss warm pint in a plastic cup for a total of $16, the beer tasted old like it had been sitting for some time and lost most of the hops, or the lines were just dirty, then I tried to use the bathroom before I left, bad idea, it was so disgusting and smelled horrible and the stall had no door. Overall decent amount of taps but mostly mixed macro, very few decent micro selections, tender doesn't care , bathrooms are gross, but the air conditioning is very good, the fireball shots are 3$ as advertised and a few TVs playing the big sports games.
May 27, 2016
 
Rated: 3.53 by JamesStreet from Louisiana

Dec 31, 2015
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Reviewed by prost2hefeweizen from Oklahoma

3.08/5  rDev -6.9%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 2 | service: 4 | selection: 3.25
this is a really nasty place. dark wet a dreary. during mardi gras the bathroom floor is covered in piss. they do have a lot of beer to choose from but is over priced like everything else on bourbon st. the down stairs is your typical bar but has a to go bar at the entrance. the upstairs has a bar, pool tables and a balcony. you can also get souvenir cups there.
Sep 12, 2015
 
Rated: 3.23 by Westyn from Texas

Jun 09, 2015
 
Rated: 3.84 by WholeLottaTricks from Louisiana

Nov 10, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Liverocks from Delaware

Aug 10, 2014
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Reviewed by REVZEB from Illinois

3.52/5  rDev +6.3%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.25 | selection: 3.75
Rustic interior, sticky floors, so much wood, clearly seen a lot of parties, but hey a lot of taps. Many of the taps have macro but some local and localish craft too. Prices are high but given location this makes sense, nice to have a beer option in this corridor
May 23, 2014
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Reviewed by Gavage from Nevada

3.24/5  rDev -2.1%
vibe: 2.75 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 4
One of the many bars on Bourbon St, this one actually serves a load of beers at rediculous prices. Beers are basically easy to get anywhere too. The atmosphere is what one may call dark and dank, with a long wooden bar that can seat about 15, and old brick walls. There was a bit of a musky odor here too.

Service was decent, not overly friendly, just going about the job. There isn't much more to add as this was a one and done stop.
May 13, 2014
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Reviewed by NeroFiddled from Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev +5.1%
vibe: 2 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4
Read the following reviews for more detail, but yes, they offer "2 for 1" beers at $10.50 - that's $5.25 a beer, served in a plastic "to go" cup. You cannot get glass, and you cannot get a different beer (although I guess that really depends on the bartender, the time of day, and so on). Remember that you can stop in, have a beer, and then take your refill with you!!!! (Hopefully on the way to d.b.a., or even Turtle Bay - or maybe even Cooter Brown's out in the Black Pearl district).

That said, it's a good selection, and they're probably right that it is indeed the largest selection in New Orleans, but it didn't bowl me over. Almost all of the local stuff can be found elsewhere (if not in such completion - I think they have every beer from Abita), and the imports were fairly basic. Freshness worried me, thinking that maybe only the mainstream stuff sold, but I didn't find that, and down the street at Beer Fest II they were sold out of almost everything - meaning they'd turned the kegs during the French Quarter festival (not to worry, there's always a festival going on!).

That said, most of Bourbon Street is really just made up of dirty little "hole in the wall" kind of places. It doesn't take long to find that out. Go in during the day and it looks like crap. Go in at night when it's full and it looks a lot better. Having visited both Beer Fest's I'd say that number "I" is the cleaner and nicer of the two. In the end though, it doesn't really matter.
Apr 25, 2012
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Reviewed by AdamBear from Pennsylvania

2/5  rDev -39.6%
vibe: 2 | quality: 2 | service: 1 | selection: 3
BEWARE!!! do not go here. there is a fair selection of decent craft beer, however all at the same place....$10.50 per pint!! every single beer there, even the Abita brews are $10.50!! the entire point of this bar is to deceive tourists in to ordering drinks and then giving you a large check. Even if you have the money, the beers aren't THAT great and the atmosphere is loud and hectic.

Atmosphere: small, dark, gross...its bourbon street..

Quality/Selection: has a decent selection of local craft beers.

Service: very rude and deceiving

AVOID!!!
Aug 20, 2011
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Reviewed by GarthDanielson from Virginia

3/5  rDev -9.4%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 1.5 | selection: 4.5
Walked down Bourbon Street after filling our bellies at Brennan's. As we roamed, I spotted Beer Fest and a man holding a sign declaring "The Most Beers on Tap in NOLA," and that was reason enough for me to stop in a take a gander. They had a decent tap offering (I'm going to guess at least 50), and lots of local spots taken up on said taps. The traffic on Bourbon Street was definitely low, especially being this soon after Mardi Gras, and the bartender was less than exuberant with the smaller crowd. In fact, at one point (the only time he came down and talked to us), he said the only thing holding his interest at that point was the Hornets playoff game. Other than the shitty service, the place was decent. A little dark and dank, but it absolutely served it's purpose for the location. From what I hear, the taps rotate fairly regularly, and that is what's important. Also, as a side note, be ready to drop $10+ for a pint.
Apr 29, 2011
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Reviewed by tigg924 from Massachusetts

3.8/5  rDev +14.8%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4.5
Beer Fest I and II are kind of one of those places that you know what you are going to get when you walk in. If you are cool with that, it is beautiful and let the good times roll. It strikes me as being typical Bourbon Street. A dark, hole in the wall place, with some seating, a huge bar with a friendly bar keep. The variety is amazing. 31 microbrews on tap including lots of good local stuff. The problem is that prices reflect Bourbon Street. Beers range from $9-$14 for 24 ounces and you get them in to go cups. Bourbon Street is more expensive than bars a couple blocks away. Beer Fest is the bar I went to in my twenties. Walk in without caring about cost, walk out, great beer. Now that I am in my thirties, I will just as well go to Turtle Bay a few blocks away on the outside of the French Quarter and get the same quality for a couple bucks cheaper in a more relaxed setting.
Apr 11, 2011
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Reviewed by TheSevenDuffs from Canada (ON)

2.8/5  rDev -15.4%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 3 | service: 2 | selection: 3.5
I was looking forward to this place to have some pints of craft beer on a recent vacation to New Orleans and to say that I left disappointed would be an understatement.

The tap selection, in terms of quantity is larger than any other place in the city. But the selection was very average (then again, LA possibly has the worst distribution in the US) considering the number of taps. We went in and a friend ordered a point of a local beer and was charged $10.50 for it! Needless to say, the other 3 of us didn't even buy one.

We complained about the ridiculous price to the bartender and he repeatedly told us that he didn't set the prices.

The bar was also small, narraw and very dark, not inviting at all.

If I am ever back in NOLA, I won't even think about entering this place or their other bar down the street.
Sep 16, 2010
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Reviewed by slatetupelo from Mississippi

3.01/5  rDev -9.1%
vibe: 2 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 3.5
Beer Fest is nothing more than a tourist trap on Bourbon street, your best bet is to just walk a few blocks over and grab a bottled beer from Sidney's on Decatur St. They'll give you a cup for a dime or you can just brown bag it. Beer Fest is a dark shady looking place. They had lots of taps to choose from but like everyone else has mentioned probably half of them are unavailable. They didn't have the IPA I wanted so I went with a Long Hammer IPA for the great low price of $10.50!!! Like I said, walk to Sidney's where the prices and selection are much better.
Jun 21, 2010
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Reviewed by FLBeerGuy from Florida

2.3/5  rDev -30.5%
vibe: 2 | quality: 2.5 | service: 1 | selection: 3.5
OK, you can get something here besides the ubiquitous Abita here. Stopped in early on a Saturday night, only a handful of people here. One positive, not smoky like most bars on Bourbon street. Wife ordered a Guinness, while I scanned the chalk board of 48 taps. Dude with the pink hair and beard behind the bar said to pay no attention to the chalk board, half of what was on it was wrong. Just go down the bar and look at the taps, ones with cups on are empty. OK, so we are too lazy to update the chalk board, thought that's why it was written in chalk. After deciding in my mind on a Chimay, I was waiting to order when he was ringing up the guy standing next to my wife who had ordered a Murphys stout. $10.50 was the tab for the Murphys! When it came my turn to order, I simply asked how much for the Guinness, $10.50 was the answer. No Chimay for me tonight, I'll share the Guinness. Can only imagine what the Chimay would run.

Walked by a couple hours later when most bars on the street were packed. This place still only had a handful of customers. With $10.50 Guinness, I can understand why. Don't know how this place stays in business. My advice, drink what the locals drink, Albita or Cresent City Brewhouse. Both have some decent beer at $4-$5.
Dec 24, 2009
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Reviewed by woodychandler from Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +19.3%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
A little storefront on Bourbon Street, in the heart of the French Quarter. Looking in, I was astounded. A bank of 48 taps ran along the right wall with a color chalkboard above the midway point of the taps. The laminated blonde wood, inverted "S"-shaped bar ran down the left side with the cooler of 45 bottles all of the way aft, just before the short pathway to the lavs. A staircase on a button hook right led to the second floor for bottles only during special occasions (Mardi Gras). A spartan place, but a great selection.
Dec 20, 2009
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Reviewed by brokensail from California

3.51/5  rDev +6%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4
I had reviewed this place awhile back, but I guess my review got lost in the crashes...

I was in New Orleans for a convention, and being the that I was on vacation, decided to enjoy the nightlife of Bourbon St. I also didn't necessarily want to down vodka and Bud Lite all night, so when I heard about this place, I had to check it out.

I walked into the bar to find it almost empty, which was both surprising and not at the same time. I perused the tap selection while I waited for the bartender to finish helping out another customer. The selection was alright for the rather desolate beer state of Louisiana, but certainly nothing like what I'm used to here in CA.

I ordered an Anchor Liberty Ale, always a good choice, and found it to be quite fresh. The unfortunate part about this place is that I was served my beer in a plastic cup. But, since you can just take your beer and go outside with it (legally), I wasn't too surprised.

The really unfortunate part, was the price. My beer was $10 (granted, it wasn't your usual 12-14 oz pour, it was probably 16-20 oz), and I almost told the woman working the bar that I didn't want it anymore.
Dec 15, 2009
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Reviewed by TeeCee from Texas

3.94/5  rDev +19%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
There are two Beer Fest's on Bourbon: this one and another in the 600 block. Google Maps calls them Beer Fest I and Beer Fest II. I have only been to Beer Fest II in the 600 block of Bourbon. If Beer Fest II get's listed, I'll relocate my review (if possible).

I found this place during the French Quarter Fest this year. I was surprised to find a place with a good beer selection on Bourbon Street.

The beer selection is very varied as previously mentioned, with no pattern. I recall that the may have had Optimator (my favorite beer style), but it was out. They had Maudite on tap and it was not out. I had it, even though my instict was that it probably didn't sell well and was probably old. The beer was fine, though.

The place was dead as it was Saturday in the middle of the day (and then again Sunday in the middle of the day). It felt like a typical Bourbon Street bar: dark, open, bland. They had Bonerama playing on the PA system and the bartender knew who they were. That's points all around. I have no idea how the place may be at night. I do know that next time I get stuck going to Bourbon Street, there are two places I can go to get good beer: Beer Fest I and II.
May 26, 2009
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Reviewed by LabBrewer from Ohio

2.66/5  rDev -19.6%
vibe: 2 | quality: 1.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4
Certainly the place on Burbon St. with the widest variety of craft (imported and domestic beers). There are actually a couple of locations and I only visited one. Large selection of beers, just as many imports (Belgian, German, English) as domestic beers. I walked in and I got excited about their selection, lots of beers I would have gone with. Got the Chimay Tripel and the Franziskaner Hefe, both of which I've had somewhere else. Both of them were considerably worse than what I have had before. And for $7.50 a beer it was really not worth it. Head over to the bottle shop on Decatur (Sidney's) to enjoy some decent beer in the French Quarter.
Apr 20, 2009
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Reviewed by PhillyStyle from Georgia

3.31/5  rDev 0%
vibe: 2 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4
Walked into this place simply because of the name while visiting New Orleans last weekend and very surprised when I saw all of the beer taps. The place really did not have much atmosphere to it, other than what the bar tender was providing. The place was dead. It had about 40 taps or so with a few that were out of commission. The bar tender, while a bit loud (we learned that he was from Jersey) but very entertaining and seemed to know what he was talking about in relation to the beer. The overall selection was good. A lot of the beers I have already had, but a few that I had not had on tap. The prices seemed a little pricey, but I was willing to pay for some good brews. Overall, the place was OK but the next time that I am in New Orleans I will probably bypass it.
Oct 08, 2008
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Reviewed by Redrover from Wisconsin

3.23/5  rDev -2.4%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 2 | selection: 4
I was happy to spot this place while wandering the beer desert of Bourbon Street.

As soon as you walk in you will notice the long row of tab handles. Great to see a nice selection & I think most folks will find something they will want to try. They were out of about 5 choices. The lines seem well maintained.

The bar is rather dark in that nice New Orleans fashion. They have a couple of flat screens so it's an ok place to catch a game (ever notice how the quarter really lacks a good sports bar, or perhaps I've never found one)

Our bartender was plastered and was rude to a few of the patrons. After insulting a guy for ordering a Bud, the bartender was incensed by not getting a tip...

While we were there I had a Sierra Nevada 24 oz tap and the guy I was with had a domestic bottle. The tab was $15. I swear the bartender was making up prices so he could build in a tip. One of the strangest tenders I've encountered.

I would come back as you really don't have many choices for good beer in the quarter & to check to see what the actual prices are.... .
Oct 03, 2008
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Reviewed by acrawf6 from Louisiana

3.38/5  rDev +2.1%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5
ha, I've been to these places quite a few times but never thought about adding them to the site, even though they have some good beer...especially in an area that that lacks craft beer.

Atmosphere isnt bad, but it isnt a place on bourbon you would want to really spend for that much time as there isnt much that is going on. It's better to just get your beer and take a walk.

Quality is good. I've had a good amount of beers there and havent had any that were bad...though my last maudite there seemed to be undercarbonated. but the quality is good quite sufficient.

Service. It has been a little crowded from time to time, but the tenders work hard and will get to you.

Selection is ok, but good for the area. It has a broad range of styles, but no style that they really major in. If your in the hoppy mood that best you can do is a snpa or redhook longhammer. The times i go, I just go for either the maudite, or chimay cinc cent (though i thought they carried only their dubbel before). Other than that, you can expect to see some abita and a bunch of common imports (i.e. stella, heineken, warsteiner, etc).

Value is certainly on the expensive side as a large maudite will run you about $13, but that is about a pint's worth (i think the small, which is about 10-12 oz is $5.50[it's usually hard for me to remember the prices as it is bourbon st, so these prices may be a touch off :])

Overall, a good place to look for on bourbon when wanting something other than a sugary alcoholic drink. If in the beer quest mood in that area in n.o., I would suggest stopping over at gordon biersch before and get a sampler; then stop over at cresent city on decatur to see what they have (though i dont like that place), and then finishing at sidney's a few blocks down on decatur where you can get some great beers in the bottle and get a to-go cup with you before hitting up the crazy shit.
Jul 27, 2008
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Reviewed by biggmike from Mississippi

4/5  rDev +20.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
Came across this place while down in New Orleans shopping with my girlfriend. They actually have two locations and I visited both of them. It was during the day, so there was not really a lot of business at the time, but I struck up some conversation with some other beer lovers and enjoyed myself. The place had approximately 40 beers on tap, and several more in bottles. They had some things I am not used to seeing on tap in this area. Some belgian ales and Lindemann's Lambic, for example. The only drawback is that everything is served in plastic cups due to the large walking crowd along Bourbon Street. Still nice selection for the area.
Jun 11, 2008
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Reviewed by HardTarget from Texas

3.86/5  rDev +16.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5
For some of us, it's inevitable. You're stumbling down Bourbon St. at some unholy hour (like 2 PM) thirsty for a beer. Looking around, there are tons of people carrying "Big Ass Beers", large plastic cups that hold yellow fizzy macros. Sigh, well, when in Rome, but wait! That person is carrying a dark beer, with a head! A quick conversation, the trading of beads, and you have the information you need; Beer Fest! That neon sign just down the street (there are actually two with plans for a third all on Bourbon). Fight your way into the fairly tight, fairly generic Bourbon Street bar, but this bar has about 40 taps behind it! Get yourself a Belgian brew and walk the street like a King, with a plastic cup!

Fine high end beer snob palace? Hell no. Decent bar with reasonable knowledge that will let you sample a couple things before charing you a princely sum? This is the place.

I wouldn't call this a destination in and of itself (that would be DBA) but when you find your feet on Bourbon Street, this is a worthy stop.
Jun 02, 2008
Beer Fest I in New Orleans, LA
Place rating: 3.31 out of 5 with 30 ratings