McNeill's Brewery

McNeill's BreweryMcNeill's Brewery
McNeill's BreweryMcNeill's Brewery
Brewery, Bar, Eatery, Beer-to-go

90 Elliot St
Brattleboro, Vermont, 05301-3269
United States

// CLOSED //

RIP: Ray McNeill, a New England brewing legend.
BEER STATS
Average:
3.59
Beers:
31
Ratings:
1,315
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.65
Reviews:
51
Ratings:
81
pDev:
18.63%
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by erosier:
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Reviewed by erosier from Connecticut

4.3/5  rDev +17.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4
This is an interesting place. The beers are all made there which is nice because they are all fresh beers. There were 3 casks which made it even better. The service was top notch, no lines for beer or anything like that. The bartenders knew a ton about the beer so that was good too. The quality of the beers were excellent and I have no complaints about them, everything I got I enjoyed. I didn't get any food but I didn't see much of a kitchen anyways. I did get a nice sneak peak at the brewery which is really set up in a very dank and dark basement area of the brewhouse. The three floors below the main house are where all the beer is made and stored and it was quite an interesting setup. Overall a really nice place to visit if you need some good beer.
Oct 29, 2008
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 2.93 by Bluesfolk19 from Massachusetts

Jun 24, 2019
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Reviewed by maxlogan from New Hampshire

3.66/5  rDev +0.3%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 3.25 | service: 4 | selection: 3.75
mcneill's was one of the first brewpubs in vermont and all of new england. once upon a time ray made the best beer in new england. sadly that has not been true for a while, and not just because so many great breweries have opened. the quality of ray's beers has slipped perceptively. you can't go wrong with two of the originals - duck's breath bitter and dead horse ipa. unlike most places he usually offers multiple beers on cask. mcneill's is definitely worth a visit, but more for the atmosphere and history than for the beer.
Aug 30, 2018
 
Rated: 3.44 by xtonytx from Connecticut

Dec 12, 2017
 
Rated: 3.51 by Mattybuchs from Vermont

Nov 14, 2017
 
Rated: 4.16 by Noelito76 from New York

Nov 13, 2017
 
Rated: 3.29 by JLK7299 from North Carolina

Jun 23, 2017
 
Rated: 4.11 by scottcmccarty from Vermont

Jun 04, 2017
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Reviewed by sosbombs from Vermont

4.36/5  rDev +19.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
McNeills is a craft beer pioneer bar and has to be entered with some perspective. Not always the cleanest place (this is Brattleboro, VT after all), but the secret is to try whatever Ray (McNeill) is drinking or choose carefully. McNeills is 15 years behind the beer times, but well worth the trip.
Sep 14, 2016
 
Rated: 3.19 by mltobin from Connecticut

Jun 08, 2016
 
Rated: 1.98 by Mohawkhitchhiker from New York

May 01, 2016
 
Rated: 4.35 by Laplander from New Hampshire

Mar 09, 2016
 
Rated: 3.75 by zotzot from Vermont

Jan 01, 2016
 
Rated: 1.82 by rodmanfor3 from Vermont

Nov 02, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by fastestmanalive from Florida

Sep 22, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by broadway848 from New York

Jun 12, 2015
 
Rated: 3.14 by bcgeiman from Maryland

Apr 22, 2015
 
Rated: 3.2 by slasich from Pennsylvania

Apr 19, 2015
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Reviewed by jmdrpi from Pennsylvania

3.54/5  rDev -3%
vibe: 3.25 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.75
beers were all good, they had a wide selection.

the place is a bit of a dive - but they had a real dartboard and some board games to occupy yourself while drinking.
Apr 03, 2015
 
Rated: 3.49 by SABERG from Massachusetts

Mar 18, 2015
 
Rated: 3.58 by Dicers from California

Mar 12, 2015
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Reviewed by 31Sam13 from New Hampshire

4.75/5  rDev +30.1%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.75
I really have an affinity for the place. It is in a cool, nondescript location, is filled , generally, with mellow people who want to enjoy some good beer. The place has been under the management of a new guy who is doing a great job with the food and hiring good people. A true diamond in the rough...
Mar 02, 2015
 
Rated: 3.54 by kettleandcask from New York

Dec 04, 2014
 
Rated: 2.75 by BGsWo22 from Texas

Nov 12, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by spicyvelveetas from Massachusetts

Oct 23, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by whitenads from Michigan

Oct 14, 2014
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Reviewed by KingCobra686 from Connecticut

2.75/5  rDev -24.7%
Mcneils beer offerings are awesome, but unfortunately their beers greatly outshine their brewery location. Their brewery is essentially a run down dive bar that only sells mcneills beer. They are not able to sell bottles on the premise, so i was forced to go to a package store down the street to stock up on bombers of mcneills. Prices are decent and the staff was very friendly, so it was worth the stop there, but overall the operation was very lackluster compared to most other vt breweries.
Aug 18, 2014
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Reviewed by WillieThreebiers from Connecticut

3.92/5  rDev +7.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.75 | service: 4 | selection: 4
Small brewpub with a very dive bar-ish feel. Small L-Shaped bar seats about 10, with a few tables. 10 beers on tap, the 2 I had were solid. Friendly service.
Aug 05, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by Huey702 from Connecticut

Jul 12, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by SharonNelson from Vermont

Jun 21, 2014
 
Rated: 1.25 by chippo33 from Vermont

May 15, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by BierBliss from New Hampshire

Apr 04, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by coombski from Maine

Mar 29, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by GreenMountainBoy from Vermont

Mar 15, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by YeastInception from Massachusetts

Mar 02, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by InspectorBob from New Jersey

Feb 26, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by kvnklingler from Ohio

Feb 10, 2014
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Reviewed by GarthDanielson from Virginia

3.46/5  rDev -5.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3 | selection: 3.75 | food: 3
I've been here a couple of times. I wanted to give it more than one shot to see if one experience was just an anomaly. It's on a side street in Brattleboro, but right next to public parking, which is clutch. You walk in and are directly facing the bar, with open seating/tables to your left. Long bar, with a ton of seating. Current beers are listed on a chalkboard behind the bar...they will hand you a beer list with every beer they make on it, but that's more of a guide, don't try to order from it. Done that each visit, and always asked for something not currently on tap. 3 casks available, along with the 6-9 taps. Seems like there is always a cider available, too. The food is limited and basic, but tasty...bar pizza, wraps, etc. Every time I've been there it's been a single bartender on staff, so if someone orders food, they have to go back to make it, so hopefully your beer isn't approaching empty when they take off. Also, each bartender I have dealt with has had the same initial approach: 1) hand you beer list, 2) immediately ask you what kind of beer you drink. Also, both times, the bartender has not been enthused by my answer of "I drink any style." Really no time allowed to develop your own interest in a particular brew, rather they attempt to push you through their offerings. Oh well...the beer is good, the prices are great, and the bar itself is comfortable. Great atmosphere and great music...decent place to hit up if you are in the area.
Sep 07, 2013
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Reviewed by huuvola from Massachusetts

4.4/5  rDev +20.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.5
October 2009 review (see below for update):
I was a bit apprehensive about visiting McNeill's after reading a few earlier (negative) reviews on BA, but my fears were quickly allayed after taking a seat at the bar. This is a great little brewpub, resplendent in rustic Vermont charm. Yes, the building needs some love (the bathrooms, in particular, are showing their age), but the staff is friendly and the beer is very good.

Don't come here looking for a shiny, flashy new brewpub, come for the beer, and don't shy away from talking to your neighbor. We ended up, by chance, talking with owner/brewer Ray McNeill, a personable and friendly guy. He's a bit of a character, but has a lot of local knowledge (and beer knowledge... and bicycle geekery). He told us a bit about the bar and gave us some solid recommendations for dinner in Brattleboro.

We enjoyed the McNeill's Champ Ale (pale ale), Ruby Ale, Dead Horse IPA, Kolsch, and "My New Invention" (hoppy IPA, brewed w/organic ingredients). All were very solid beers. The only downer of the visit was that they weren't serving any cask beers (despite a beautiful array of cask engines at the bar). The bartender told us that they haven't had cask running for six months or more (not sure why that is). Despite the lack of cask, we left satisfied, and happy to have visited this Brattleboro institution.
===
August 2012 review:
I visited McNeill's again over the weekend and continue to enjoy this beautifully unique brewpub. It's even better now. Highlights from our 2012 visit:
--The place has been thoroughly cleaned and significantly fixed up since our previous visit. Fresh paint (inside and out), redone bathrooms, and spruced up decor. Looks great!
--Beer selection was stellar. Three beers on cask(!) and I think about 8 other beers on draft. Something for everyone.
--Service was prompt, friendly, and informative.
--Food: We had the cheese plate, which was basic but delicious (2-year aged Cheddar, from the local cheesemaker).
--Atmosphere: Just a classic Vermont experience. We ended up talking with one of the artists who has some artwork hanging on the brewpub walls. Friendly local fellow who is doing his utmost to "Keep Vermont Weird," as the bumper stickers say. Another memorable visit, and we'll be back.
Aug 20, 2012
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Reviewed by sespourteille from Maine

3.13/5  rDev -14.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 3.5 | food: 2
I am forced to rate this place high because it was a yearly after camping stop for a long time. Very simple, small and unimpressive at a first glance, McNeill's can surprise you if you just give it the chance. Every year there would be a beer on their list that was just out of place rare. This would of course be the one that my father bought each time because it was always a treat to find something out of the ordinary at such an ordinary looking place. The food consists mostly of homemade mom sandwiches and chips with salsa, but hey, who goes to a bar to eat. If your walking by it's worth going in and looking at the menu, having a few and playing a round of darts with friends.
Dec 10, 2011
McNeill's Brewery in Brattleboro, VT
Brewery rating: 3.59 out of 5 with 1315 ratings