Granite Brewery (Halifax)

 

Granite/ Gingers

Stopped in here after having lunch at Rogue's Roost. Nice big long bar with a old school London pay phone booth at the front. Big TV on far back wall near the bathrooms. Slightly dark and gloomy look and feel but I find this kinda charming and comfortable especially for drinking.Only a couple, about 6, people in here on a Wed. afternoon. The 2 bartenders were quick and friendly but busy chatting to a couple, no problems. I only had the Best Bitter but it was really good, I didn't eat.
I hope to return within a year so I'll have to hit this place up on a weekend evening when it is sure to be more lively. Definitely worth seeking out if in Halifax.

Let me prefice this review by saying my first beer in Halifax was Alexander's IPA. To say the least it was dreadful. I ran to the first Brew Pub I could find to wash that disgusting taste out of my mouth. Luckily I stumbled upon Granite and was very pleased. The atmosphere was quaint like many of the Britich Pubs that I have visited. The beer equally as British. I had their strong ale 'Peculiar' and right away that pale, slightly skunky taste, still lingering from that putrid "IPA", ran out of my mouth. Thankfully what replaced it was a smooth, dark red, house brewed ale. All the beers are good British version of their style. Overall I highly suggest a visit.

P.S. I did not try the food.

The atmosphere...oh jeeze. Well, as an Englishman, I'd say it had a more authentic English feel than most places in North America. They appeared to have my mom's old textured wall paper on the walls, and a fine tin ceiling. The light is pretty dingy, and I'd say there are some locals at the bar who could be considered furniture. That said, this makes for a wonderfully atmospheric feel, if not an ideal spot for a first date (unless she's an awesome beer-loving eat coast chick). The service seemed friendly, but distracted, and I eventually had to make my way to the bar to pay because we weren't visited again after our drinks arrived. I don't really mind this, but I know some people get angry over it, so I'll give it a 'not impressed'. Fortunately, I didn't experience the rudeness mentioned by another BA, but that may be because I had a different server. Now, the beer is the main reason for visiting, and there is no disappointment here. I'm familiar with the Granite's other establishment in Toronto, and I was glad to see that four of the beers are on cask. Both the IPA and best bitter were in fine form, and appeared very well-kept.

Stopped in for lunch during a swing through Nova Scotia (see my other reveiws). Granite, the house pub for Granite Brewing, is located in a busy commercial area of Halifax, itself being an attractive city with many other fine establishments; it is narrow with a moderate-sized bar on the left and a few high tops by the large front windows where Haligonians hustle about their business. I gather this place has been around since it boasts a fine tin ceiling. (I understand that Henry House, another Granite purveyor, possesses a classier ambience - hey, it's about the beer.)

Granite offers 7 British styles on tap with some on casks. This is a nice place for a hearty lunch and some fine brews. We did not have problems like the previous reveiwer, though. Sometimes it's all about timing. I recommend Granite and Halifax.

I'm reviewing the downstairs part, the Granite.

I've been here about 4 or 5 times, and each time I am greeted by the same bartender, who I affectionately call "The Hard Ass". I'm assuming he's just rude to young people because he doesn't want the college kids hanging out in the bar, but it still offends me. He has never cracked a smile and just gives off the impression that he doesn't want your business, and one time he inisisted I under paid, forcing me to pay an extra $2 for a pint.

I avoid this pub for this reason. The beers are exception, luckily they serve them further down the street, at the Henry House, which was once owned by Granite. The atmosphere there is fantastic and so is the staff.

The Granite below Ginger's is probably excellent for most people, but for me, I have been treated very rudely on multiple occassions.

This place is right int the center of Halifax and after spending half the afternoon at Alexander Keith's disappointing brewery tour, we were looking for a decent place to drink a beer.

When we entered the place, there were two wino's at a table. We sat down next to them and they were pretty nice. After looking at the menu, I asked for a sample of each beer, but he would have to tap a full pint of every beer, to get it cold, so I just took the full glasses. Pppphh...
I asked the guy behind the bar if I could have a look at the brewery. Luckily, the head brewer was at the end of the bar, and he was willing to show me the place. There was a small door at the end of the pub and after going throug, I almost immediatelly bumped into a guy who was shoveling the spent grains. The brewroom was not very big, it would be something like 3 x 3 m. Here were the mashtun and cookingvessel and (some) fermentors. Remarkable for a brewery with 6 beers from tap. The beers were all English style beers, fermented with the same Ringwood yeast. They had an excellent IPA, bitter, extra bitter, peculiar, brown ale, Irish stout and ringwood ale. I have tasted almost all of them and quality was very good. The Irish ale had a slight dirt socks taste, but when I told the brewer, he said that is supposed to be that way.
The brewer was a very nice guy and we talked about, malts, hops and beerstyles. Apparently he gets his hops from the Yakima valley, but only the European hops, like Fuggles, Hallertau, EK Goldings and Saaz.
The atmosphere was good, even though there were not a lot of people. It is amazing what the guy behind the bar can do for the atmosphere.

Dim and cool on this hot summer's day, a welcome haven from the bright sunshine and 30+ temperatures. Business is pretty slow, so I find a good seat quickly and have a cask-conditioned bitter in front of me in no time. They have 7 or 8 of their own beers on tap (4 on cask, I think) along with a good selection of liquor. Service was prompt, and my food was prepared quickly. The menu is a little thin, but it looks like everything would be appetizing, and my club sandwich is quite good. I chat with the bartender about the news report on tv, and she seems very amicable and interesting. The beer is great, and the prices excellent. Great spot to hit if you're in town and looking for good beer and good food in a quiet environment.

Update: The last time I was there there was virtually no food available. I don't know if that's the usual state of affairs now, but it was disappointing, and a bit embarrassing, as I'd talked the place up to a few business contacts who like good beer, and we were going to do lunch there while we were all in town for a conference. Having to find somewhere else out of nowhere left me with a bit of egg on my face.

My reviews of their beers are under the Toronto half of the Granite Brewery, as they use the same recipes and brewing techniques.

This place is probably the best brewpub in the maritimes/atlantic Canada. located right on barrington I stayed only a few blocks away from here on my last trip to Halifax. The atmosphere is that of a down home west country pub like you might find in Cornwall England. The quality of the beers is phenomneal as they have a very rabid customer base and excellent turn around. The service was professional with the bartender chatting us up something fierce. Selection you ask? top notch! 6 or 7 beers on tap 4 on cask and a VERY large selection of single malt scotches and liquors. We tried the ever so fabulous cape breton rare here, as well as 2 or 3 of the cask ales (ipa, peculiar, pale ale) which were all absolutely bang on. Prices are cheap as well and they have big bay windows so you can watch downtown Halifax roll before your eyes as you sup some fine ales. Cheap prices as well and also accross the street from the best smoke/tobacco shop in the maritimes of Canada, so stock up on your Cubans and american spirits here...Yes, oh yes how do I miss this place! RECOMMENDED