Salem Beer Works

Salem Beer WorksSalem Beer Works
Salem Beer WorksSalem Beer Works
Brewery, Bar, Eatery, Beer-to-go

278 Derby Street
Salem, Massachusetts, 01970
United States

// CLOSED //

This location no longer brews its own beer. Kegs are shipped from one location in Lowell, MA.

Beers are brewed at / by another brewery.
BEER STATS
Average:
3.66
Beers:
109
Ratings:
1,635
Linked Beer Listing
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.77
Reviews:
41
Ratings:
77
pDev:
10.61%
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by jmmy3:
Photo of jmmy3
Rated by jmmy3 from Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -0.5%

Oct 11, 2013
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.9 by O-Meg from New York

Dec 18, 2019
 
Rated: 4.24 by Arg914 from New York

Dec 18, 2019
 
Rated: 3.68 by Rideguy64 from New Hampshire

Oct 09, 2018
 
Rated: 4 by paulish from New York

Feb 22, 2018
 
Rated: 3.84 by KMcGrath from Massachusetts

Nov 25, 2017
 
Rated: 2.96 by HurryItsJacob from Massachusetts

Jun 21, 2017
 
Rated: 4.04 by Boone757 from Virginia

May 23, 2017
 
Rated: 3.65 by sbuchert from Massachusetts

Feb 15, 2017
 
Rated: 4.06 by qcbrewer from North Carolina

Oct 18, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by goodshiz from Florida

Sep 04, 2016
Photo of Cbmcguire
Rated by Cbmcguire from Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +6.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
I've been a patron here since I've moved to Salem many years ago. The beer quality is consistently good.
Aug 28, 2016
 
Rated: 3.5 by MilaMila from Massachusetts

May 11, 2016
 
Rated: 3.74 by Mpsmooth31 from Massachusetts

Nov 23, 2015
Photo of mynie
Reviewed by mynie from Maryland

3.69/5  rDev -2.1%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 3 | service: 4 | selection: 4.25 | food: 3.5
Here's maybe the most succinct rating I can give the place: I've lived two blocks away for 5 months, and I've only been there three times. But, each time I've been there, I've enjoyed it.

So... I dunno. It's a pretty boilerplate gastropub. The food is solid, if unhealthy, but there are better dining options within short walking distance. Likewise, the beer is solid, and the selection is admirable, but there is better within walking distance.

The "Works" locations are pretty old school, and so their strengths are the British-inflected east coast styles. The newer styles, like the super hoppy IPAs and coffee stouts, are hit and miss.

The decor is post-industrial but warm, with lots of amber lighting and steel bunting. The servers are friendly.

The prices... kind of suck. For a brewpub especially. I don't mind paying 8 bucks a pint for a high ABV beer that had to be trucked in from somewhere (well, I do mind, but that's understandable), but paying the same for a medium strength, so-so beer that was brewed a few feet away is kind of a rip.
Jan 28, 2015
 
Rated: 2.75 by TheBungyo from Washington

Dec 13, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by costanzo_mike from Massachusetts

Nov 22, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by NorCalBeer from California

Oct 11, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by Whatup14 from Canada (QC)

Sep 05, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by Doomcifer from Rhode Island

Aug 10, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by vonnerbeer from Massachusetts

Aug 08, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by bprice from Poland

Aug 05, 2014
 
 
Rated: 3.5 by SuperHop18 from Massachusetts

Jul 22, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by hef from Maryland

Jul 03, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by jarrodddd from Massachusetts

Jun 23, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by jfcaa193 from Canada (QC)

Jun 22, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by RKing44 from Massachusetts

Jun 17, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by neil2me from Connecticut

May 06, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by HookerBrews from Oregon

Apr 22, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by coombski from Maine

Mar 29, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by jwps214 from Massachusetts

Mar 03, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by SDean82 from Florida

Feb 07, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by nbal4396 from Illinois

Jan 06, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Duhast500 from Rhode Island

Dec 23, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by MGodduclan5 from Massachusetts

Nov 18, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by Plissken from Massachusetts

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

2.86/5  rDev -24.1%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 1.75 | selection: 2.5 | food: 3
I really love the beer here and I always have. The Black Bat stout was amazing, and I try to get it every time. They have a relatively small selection of beers, but they are all great and cover most types beer. At the least, there's something for everyone. The atmosphere is pretty typical of a bar/restaurant, nothing special but not ugly. It has a lot a space, which is nice for big parties. My only big problem with this place is the service. It varies so much from really good bar service to horrendous table service. I've had to wait for over an hour to get a beer on a day that was actually pretty slow. Similar occurrences have happened a few times here. So while the beer is great, and the food is okay, the service can be a real killer.
Nov 08, 2013
Photo of GratefulBeerGuy
Reviewed by GratefulBeerGuy from New Hampshire

4/5  rDev +6.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Our trip to Salem on 10/20/11 was a blast. House of seven gables was fun and then we went to the Brwery which was a really nice surprise. We met some of my fiance's family there had a nice meal, I had New England clam chowder and my fiance had glazed shark. All yummy. Between us all we must've had all the beers available at the time which was about 7 or 8 selections, including one cask.

It was buzzing with engery on this Thursday night before Halloween, the place was full and very loud, the music was turned up a bit too load for my taste but we all enjoyed ourselves. The place itself is really spacious with good looks and a nifty, green-neon witch on the far wall. The service was pretty good to for being so busy. Fun!!
Nov 22, 2011
Photo of danmcg62
Reviewed by danmcg62 from Massachusetts

3.85/5  rDev +2.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
My family and I love Beer Works in Salem. It's a great value for food, beer, and fun. They just recently renovated the dining room and bar area. It looks more like the Boston locations and it is a lot more open and comfortable. They have lots of TVs for viewing the various sporting events. The food almost always good and pairs well with the beer they serve. The tap list is pretty solid with various standards (Salem Pale Ale, an IPA, a Stout) and they brew three to four beers to go with the seasons. Overall, Beer Works is a great place to go after work and grab a few beers and some apps with friends and also a great place to take the family and have a nice meal and catch the game.
Oct 26, 2011
Salem Beer Works in Salem, MA
Brewery rating: 3.66 out of 5 with 1635 ratings