Jackie O's Brewpub

Jackie O's BrewpubJackie O's Brewpub
Jackie O's BrewpubJackie O's Brewpub
Brewery, Bar, Eatery, Beer-to-go

24 W Union St
Athens, Ohio, 45701-2818
United States

(740) 592-9686 | map
jackieos.com
BEER STATS
Average:
4.1
Beers:
355
Ratings:
19,815
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.44
Reviews:
111
Ratings:
252
pDev:
11.26%
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Photo of Bluerabbitbell
Reviewed by Bluerabbitbell from Pennsylvania

4.51/5  rDev +1.6%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4
6/14/23, We made it to Jackie O's Public House! Anniversary trip, 2023

Web site photos made it look more vibey than what it is, but we still very much enjoyed our stay...here over two hours enjoying the beer, food and a couple that sat next to us with the husband having tired with Greene Co. and the gas industry

Our server, Elise, was great - knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive without hovering.

Food selection wasn't our favorite, but what we got was good. We enjoyed the avocado hummus and the Reuben.

But the BEER! What a selection! It was hard to choose, but every single one was a winner. High quality and attention to detail in what they offer. We really enjoyed that on the website you can look through all that's on tap AND read full descriptions - so helpful for we who are serious about beer
Jun 15, 2023
 
Rated: 4.63 by RalphStanley34 from French Polynesia

May 28, 2023
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Reviewed by CarolinaCardinals from North Carolina

4.46/5  rDev +0.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75 | food: 3.5
Visited the Public House after a beer run to the Production Taproom on 5-24-23. It was a Wednesday mid-afternoon when we arrived so other than two other tables being occupied, we had the place to ourselves.

Vibe was very nice, decorated in a party atmosphere with lights and decorations adorning the ceiling. Large bar seating area was available and there were numerous tables in the main serving room. Guessing capacity would be 150-175.

Quality of the beers is top notch. I am mainly interested in the high gravity beers but had a Saison with lunch and found it very good as i did when sharing a bottle earlier this year with a friend. Their lagers are top notch as well per Da Boss plus my previous experience. Also had a serving of the 2023 Oil of Aphrodite which was excellent!

Service was top notch as our server was very friendly, offering me a taste of the two saisons on tap. She was very quick and served the appetizers and our meal and a very nice pace.

Selection of beers was top notch with four bourbon barrel stouts on tap and a nice cross section of other styles.

The Ruben Roll appetizer was very good but we were disappointed in our Ruben Sandwich and Baja Fish Tacos as both were on the dry side. Good Kettle chips and Tortilla Chips though.

Overall definitely a destination place but highly recommend it if in the region.
May 25, 2023
 
Rated: 4.39 by Manta200 from Kentucky

Mar 20, 2023
 
Rated: 4.77 by MJSFS from Florida

Mar 19, 2021
Photo of Best_Enjoyed_In_Texas
Reviewed by Best_Enjoyed_In_Texas from Texas

4.35/5  rDev -2%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.25 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5
Great midwest college-town type place with friendly staff. Beer selection was good on my visit; but not great. Menu is primarily pizza which was also good; again, not great. FWIW, if Im ever in the area again I’d definitely go back!
Sep 27, 2020
 
Rated: 4.55 by TMTigger

Oct 29, 2019
Photo of ghostwalker
Reviewed by ghostwalker from Illinois

4.41/5  rDev -0.7%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.5
Frequently very busy, which speaks to the quality of this Athens institution. Wonderful food and huge selection of their own brews! I always stop by when in town.
May 04, 2019
 
Rated: 4.55 by BarleyWhyNot from Colorado

Sep 22, 2018
Photo of Lazhal
Reviewed by Lazhal from Michigan

4.3/5  rDev -3.2%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
As an out-of-towner I stopped by here a few days after I visited the production brewery (where you buy bottles).

We walked in about 11:30am on a Saturday. Fortunately there was no wait, but we got one of the last tables. By the time we left there was a huge line.

I ordered by customary sampler, complete with a double barrel Dark Apparition. Its been nearly a year since I drank that four ounces and I shall never forget. Absolutely amazing. Not often you stumble onto a beer on tap this good randomly.

Having had many JO beers prior, the other 3 beers I ordered were sort of the off-the-wall beers and styles. Nothing else memorable and one I even decided to pass on after a couple ounces. Granted they had plenty of other 4+ beers on I had already had.

I did not purchase any to-go bottles, since I had hit up their production brewery a few nights prior.

Be prepared to wait, but it will likely be worth it!
Aug 05, 2018
 
Rated: 4.75 by atlbravsrno1 from Maine

Aug 04, 2018
Photo of chinchill
Reviewed by chinchill from South Carolina

4.26/5  rDev -4.1%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.5
30 taps, including 1 guest tap, that cover a wide range of beer styles. Moderate size with a long bar and tables both indoors and outside. Friendly, attentive service.
Aug 01, 2018
 
Rated: 4.03 by Taphouse_Traveler from Florida

Jul 14, 2018
 
Rated: 4.63 by crewfan1952 from Ohio

Jan 27, 2018
 
Rated: 4.36 by ColoradoBuckeye from Ohio

Jan 08, 2018
 
Rated: 4.3 by skiking70 from Maryland

Dec 31, 2017
 
Rated: 4.49 by rossracing from Illinois

Oct 04, 2017
Photo of Knapp85
Reviewed by Knapp85 from Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev -1.4%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.25
Really nice spot in the heart of Athens. The bar is long the seating area is pretty large as well. The tap list is insane. I would say they had at least 20 beers on tap there. The service was very good. The food was excellent too. I really enjoyed it here and I wouldn't mind going back sometime.
Sep 28, 2017
 
Rated: 4.85 by arnottky from Ohio

Sep 17, 2017
Photo of Sabtos
Reviewed by Sabtos from Ohio

4.14/5  rDev -6.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.25 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4
This pub space is more quaint and cozy with a woody, almost Irish feel. There's a small to moderate central U-bar at the end of the room, with small, short tables leading up to it. It's an intimate space with a mellow vibe making it a nice hangout relative to the crazy busy and popular Public House next door.

The taplist might appear short, but if you know what's on draft on the massive list next door they will go get you something from over there. So essentially the taplist here is just as huge as the Public House, and the variety is great. There are plenty of beers here you likely can never get at your local bottle shop, especially if you're from out of state. But they're all Jackie O's drafts.
Aug 15, 2017
Photo of VeganUndead
Reviewed by VeganUndead from Virginia

3.95/5  rDev -11%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.25 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
O my complaint is that the bottle list for take out wasn't up to date, and the server didn't know. Wanted 3 bottles off the list, could only get one when she came back and we both learned they were out...twice. But that being said, extensive taplist of well done offerings, vibe and food are both solid
Jul 10, 2017
 
Rated: 4.75 by Michiganman2325 from Michigan

Jun 03, 2017
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Reviewed by CannedWaggoneer from Ohio

4.59/5  rDev +3.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4
Does this place even need to be reviewed at this point? The place speaks for itself and the the reputation built by the beers precedes it.

There's been some minor changes to the pub side over the years; there's more taps, bottles to go, and a nice restroom. The brewery side, however is totally unchanged. Some of the old bottles in the rafters have been there for nearly a decade now, awesome.

Obviously you want to go here. One of the best breweries in the state. Don't forget to order everything that's FAF.
May 13, 2017
 
Rated: 3.87 by CPAles from Illinois

Apr 24, 2017
 
Rated: 4.6 by Nat1975 from Indiana

Mar 03, 2017
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Reviewed by West_Chester_Ale_Tester from Ohio

4.23/5  rDev -4.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.25
One of three spots you can check out in Athens. The pub gets really busy and can be tricky to get in, especially on a gameday. The brewery is pretty close and has some food and a good draft list. It's a little less hectic. The beers are great. They are absolute masters of barrel aged. That being said, I'd make sure you had a ride if you plan of having a few. They get pretty boozy. The brewery is funky and old. I like it a little more than the pub. You really can't miss with all the great stuff on tap.
Feb 19, 2017
Photo of Elneenee
Rated by Elneenee from Ohio

5/5  rDev +12.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
Amazing bartenders/personnel, beers, and cheese curds. What more is needed?
Jan 19, 2017
 
Rated: 4.53 by VaTechPhilly from New York

Jan 02, 2017
Photo of Zonian1
Reviewed by Zonian1 from Ohio

4.25/5  rDev -4.3%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.25
So, I live in Ohio, and I've been drinking Jackie O's beer for a long time, but I'd never been to either of the Jackie O's locations. A hot new release last fall (2016) finally got me to make the 5 hour round trip drive. Yes, it's a great spot. The food is great. The beer is awesome. And the people are fun. I only wish this place was in my backyard, instead of so far away. That said, the drive to Athens through the countryside is a nice one. If you are asking yourself if you should go out of your way to visit Jackie O's, the answer is absolutely yes!
Oct 29, 2016
Photo of slander
Reviewed by slander from New York

4.23/5  rDev -4.7%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Jackie O’s had been on my radar for years. Heard some real good things and I’d always wanted to visit; it’s just so geographically undesirably in the middle of when am I going to be in southeast Ohio, right? In 2012, my company sent me out to Waverly, Ohio to look at a landfill for sale and all I could think of was how I was going to head back east via Athens. I had had car problems earlier in the day and took a jump start (stupid alternator), and when I rolled into Athens an hour later and parked; shutting off my car, something told me to try to turn it back on, which it did, but barely. I was in Athens, parked on the hill looking at Jackie O’s with the realization that if I stopped and stayed now, I’d be dealing a dead car when I returned; a good few hours, hundreds of miles, & 4 states from home. I was right there, beer within my grasp, but couldn’t stop in, had to move on. And Jackie O’s became my white whale brewpub…

Earlier this year, Witzelface and I hit Cleveland for beer things, and trudged down south for the day. Parked around the corner and trudged through the light unexpected snow, yo. Some talk about how some part of the place burnt, entered in and pushed to the bar to the rear; ‘U’ shaped copper panel topped, dinged & stained, with a wide wood lip, vertical wood base, & piping foot bar. Seating for a dozen on hightop chairs, a pair of which we too easily procured upon arrival.

Barback to the rear, counter space over coolered cans & bottles below. Tulips, snifts, & martini-like do the dangle above, and growls hooked on display. Dead soldier bottles silled atop; some house, some not, along with a flatscreen, a Jackie O’s stained glass piece, and some other bric-a-brac. Kitchen peek-a-boo with more dead soldiers above. Glass wall barback offers slight brew room views. Arched plank wood ceiling, brick walls, & slat wood floors. 4X4 boards of the non-wet erase variety listing beer, descriptions, & ABV on the side wall. 10 tables out across the room, hightop, barrel, & shorty. Spots over the bar seating and on the boards, spinny fans down center, a projection screen and fuck, it’s snowing; People are laughing at us over our soon to be drive to Pittsburgh; mental neck punches abound.

Copper barbell tower with 12 mix & match logo handles and an upright cylinder of 3 to each side, holding a dozen and a half in all but only 17 beers on tap just now. Samples come on an Ohio shaped paddle for 6, but I just took in a few shortys (Mystic Mama, 7%, West Coast IPA, citrus, good bite, solid IPA; Shade Abbey, 4.5%, Belgian Single, easy drinking; Kinda Fuzzy, 5.5%, wheat ale with peach & apricot puree, good fruit beer, not too sweet or cloying; Tongue Thai’d, 6%, IPA w/citrus, lemon verbena, & ginger, also a good bite on this one, wasn’t crazily busy), and didn’t get to this baker’s dozen more (Biere De Crème, 4.4%, Cream Ale; Morning Cloak, 4.5%, Hoppy Pale Ale; Sweet Chocolate Love, 7.2%, Impy Milk Stout; on both CO2 & nitro; Barking Pumpkin, 7.5%, 3rd pumpkin we’ve seen on this February trip; Firefly Amber, 4.5%; Chomolungma, 6.5%, English Nut Brown w/Honey; Liquid Courage, 10.3%, Barleywine, collab w/Fatheads; Hocking Tripel, 9.2%; Double IPA w/Citrus, 9%; Vanilla & Coffee Bean Dark Apparition, 11.5%, BA Impy Stout; O’hooley’s Dry Irish Stout, 4.7%, nitro; Raccoon Dubbel, 7.7%, done w/Maple Syrup).

Food, yes, please. Witz went with the fried curds. They were crispy gooey cheesy good. I gone ‘et the grilled chicken sandwich (L, T, & O), with a side of soup which today is chili, beany she be.

Beers were good, not great, food was good, scene was seen, but the experience was a bit of a letdown for the hype and my level of want to have seen the place, truth be told.

But…

Driving back from The (Shelton) Festival’ in Louisville to Brooklyn a few months later, I gots to be thinking that rolling through Athens on the way might just be the play. Didn’t know what a complete and total shit show Halloween weekend is in Athens but I procured a sweet slander spot nearby and we waded through the sea of costumed kids over to J O’s, which was surprisingly not packed like the streets were.

We grabbed a beer and wandered out the back and upstairs to the rooftop deck (hey, didn’t know that was there). A dozen tables between both sides mix & match, if mem serves. We ordered a pizza, it was the goods. Another beer and back down the other side to the other room (hey, didn’t know that was there). Well, fuck! Big bar and a shit ton of seating.

The Mystic Mama IPA was drinking nice, as was the CSAsion (honey and local stuff). And bottles for the takeaway. Somebody got a little bourbon barrel Oil of Aphrodite out of hand. Not mentioning names, but Alex, it was you. Hot damn! Much better the second time around. I dig!
Aug 29, 2016
Photo of Beersnake
Reviewed by Beersnake from California

4.39/5  rDev -1.1%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
Loved the vibe here. Quite small with only a handful of tables. Staff were super nice. Great tap selection. I did not try the food, so I can't comment on that. Overall, highly recommended.
Aug 07, 2016
 
Rated: 4.49 by rcjennings from Ohio

Aug 06, 2016
Photo of lackenhauser
Reviewed by lackenhauser from Maryland

4.43/5  rDev -0.2%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5
You know how you walk into a place and know nothing about it and have a great time!! Well this one of those!! Let me say that any brew pub that can carry 30 beers at a clip and have every one on tap to back the menu up is an amazing thing!!!

Somewhat college bar atmosphere but on a mid day Sunday there were families with kids, college kids and older folks all enjoying beers and food. Service decent enough considering the crowd-waiter was very nice and personable.

11 different IPAs, 2 or 3 saisons, 2 RIS and others. The Mandala single hop IPAs I tried in short glasses were just fantastic. The Imperial Stout was extremely complex with a lot going on but in a good way.

I had a great thin crust pizza and the wife had fish nuggets like fish and chip style. She is not a big eater and was allowed to order off the kids menu which is always a plus.

Just a great experience all in. Very reasonably priced too. Most pints were $5. If and when I am back in Athens I will stop here at least once if not more. Well worth the trip.
Jul 24, 2016
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Reviewed by SABERG from Massachusetts

3.99/5  rDev -10.1%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.25 | food: 3.75
We enjoyed an evening here on our way through the area, The vibe was local and welcoming. The staff was wonderfully efficient and friendly. The beer offering was extensive and well priced. The food was fresh and quite tatsy.
Flatbread, and a great salad, As for value the four of us with dinner and a few pints was quite affordable. The value was excellent. We will certainly return.
Cheers
Jul 07, 2016
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Reviewed by ONovoMexicano from New Mexico

3.73/5  rDev -16%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4
I wasn't really feeling the vibe here. Feels like a college bar, which makes sense in a college town I guess, but damn, it doesn't have the feel of a place to get good beer. Sitting at the bar, you might think it more appropriate to order a Keystone Light.

Tons of beers on tap though, which is cool but a bit overwhelming. They'll make a flight of about ten for you, but they come in the type of glasses you shoot Jim Beam in at a...wait for it... college bar.

Perhaps because of the vibe, I didn't fall in love with any of the beers, even those I'd long anticipated trying.

I drove out of my way to make a pitstop here on a road trip and to others thinking the same thing, save your time. Not worth it unless you are in the town, which in the summer is pretty much a ghost town.
Jun 21, 2016
 
Rated: 4.05 by meanmutt from Ohio

Jun 11, 2016
 
Rated: 4.08 by devilfluff from New Jersey

May 17, 2016
 
Rated: 4.2 by cadaugherty from Illinois

May 12, 2016
 
Rated: 4.76 by Jkolls from Ohio

May 05, 2016
 
Rated: 4.39 by akopczyk from Ohio

Apr 24, 2016
Jackie O's Brewpub in Athens, OH
Brewery rating: 4.1 out of 5 with 19815 ratings