Cally's Restaurant and Brewing Co.

Brewery, Bar, Eatery

41 Court Square
Harrisonburg, Virginia, 22801
United States

// CLOSED //

Formerly known as Calhoun's.
BEER STATS
Average:
3.82
Beers:
17
Ratings:
51
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.75
Reviews:
24
Ratings:
24
pDev:
12.27%
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Fugazme:
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Reviewed by Fugazme from Nebraska

3.35/5  rDev -10.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 3 | food: 3
Well... I visited sight unseen or unheard of. Visiting a friend in town and he suggested "Calhoun's". When we arrived he noticed that the name outside had been changed to "Cally's". He thought that was curious.

The place has a very "clean" look to it. Nice big windows for views outside... nice bar with tanks behind it... a nice looking place, but almost sterile.

We were seated promptly and my friend noticed the menu had changed a bit, but that's sometimes a good thing. We each ordered a smokey scottish ale and were told they were out. I then ordered a Hefe... it was pretty good.

The prices are very reasonable with a large sandwich selection on the food side and some higher end fare such as steaks and seafood... a very nice selection, but they were out of my friend's first two selections (this was early on a Saturday, yikes)

We ate (food was decent) and ordered two more beers... I ordered an Amber Ale and my friend ordered the Apricot Wheat... the server confused them and gave me the Apricot... which we didn't know until after tasting them as they looked similar.

I wanted to take home a growler, but the price was too prohibitive... $20 for the growler and more to fill it... they were great flip-top growlers, but near $30 for a growler seems a bit much for an out-of-towner who won't get to use it there again.

Overall I have to say I was a bit dissapointed.
Jul 09, 2007
More User Ratings:
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Reviewed by drathbone from Virginia

2.98/5  rDev -20.5%
vibe: 3 | quality: 2.5 | service: 2 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3
I've been to Cally's twice. Once was passing through the area and was a stop on a brewery trip with my homebrew club. Another time I was in town for a festival.

The first stop was the better of the visits. The restaurant isn't anything special as far as atmosphere, it feels like you're average pub, but with the brewing equipment exposed in the back of the bar.

There was 7 of us, we all sat at the bar and ordered food, flights and growlers. The beer was great, the food wasn't bad and the service was timely and accurate. I ordered the slider trio, which was good but didn't come with a side, was priced similarly to other items on the menu and seemed like less food overall. I was somewhat taken back having to order fries separately, but was my fault for making that presumption.

They have a nice selection of brews and they were all very good. I especially took note of the Kolsch and Smokin Scottish. Several of us purchased growlers, which looked cool and were fairly priced.

My 2nd, most recent experience was just myself stopping in for lunch because I enjoyed my first visit and I was in town as a volunteer for a festival. I had roughly an hour to report to the festival.

The restaurant was nearly empty except for a family or 2 and a few solo lunch patrons, I was seated outside and my waitress greeted me for my drink order. After getting my drink 10 or so minutes later, I made my order, a simple burger from the menu. Nothing special. About 20 minutes later I advised my waitress I had somewhere to be so if it was OK I'd take my meal to go. 18 minutes after that, I walked to the bar, paid for my drink and left the restaurant. I was absolutely appalled at this service. In roughly 48 minutes I saw my waitress 3 times, received 1 drink (no refills) and did not receive my food. Perhaps a single patron was not as important as a larger party downstairs? I'm unsure.

I had to knock down my rating from above avg for this unacceptable second experience. I would still visit Cally's again as I believe this was a one-off situation, the food wasn't bad and drinks are still worth visiting for.
Aug 08, 2011
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Reviewed by grinch7555 from Pennsylvania

3.28/5  rDev -12.5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3 | food: 4
Stopped in Cally's on the sae trip through the Valley along with 4 others in the local area. Cally's is located in the Courthouse sqaure so it's not hard to find. Building is a semi modern storefront with other Civic offices surrounding the pub. Had lunch and the Sampler (of coarse). Nice varried line of types. Liked the Scottish Ale and the Kolsch.

Food wise I had a burger and my wife had the Mac and Cheese. Burger was good, but the Mac & Cheese caught my wife off gaurd as it was spicer than anticipated. We spent several hours in Harrisonburg as the downtown has several attractions and James Madison University. Would recommend a stop if your riding along Rt 81 as it was for us.
Jul 31, 2010
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Reviewed by lackenhauser from Maryland

4.03/5  rDev +7.5%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Rather pedestrian feel to it. Seemed just another bar/restaurant atmosphere. Brewery itself behind the bar in a glassed in area. Service was very attentive. One of the servers at the wait station saw me come in and walked over to the bar since the bartender was elsewhere. I had a sampler of 4 of their 7 beers-was told I didnt have to have all 7 if I didnt want to-was still charged for the whole sampler. My bad I guess. Still service was attentive-even with the return of the bartender.

An ok selection of beers. Pretty standard-pale, Scottish, nut brown, golden, double bock, Irish red. All were ok-nothing took much of a chance in the way of flavors. After the sampler I had a pint of Scottish and a pint of the nut brown. Again, pretty standard tasting.

Only had appetizers-ginger/carrot soup was excellent. Baked mac and cheese was very rich and full flavored. Still, menu was interesting and looked very good.

Overall a decent experience. Beers could be kicked up a notch. Seemed a bit pricey for 2 pints, a sampler and appetizers for 30 bucks. I would get here if you are in town but would not bust a get to make it a destination.

Did notice the coffee shop next door had several top notch beers going-Star Hill IPA, Southern Tier and 3 or 4 others. Might need it's own listing!
Apr 17, 2010
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Reviewed by Fezfreak from Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +16%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 5
I visited Cally's over Thanksgiving weekend, while out on the road in the stunningly beautiful Shenandoah Valley. After being on the relentlessly busy I-81 for what seemed like a miniature eternity, thirst was inevitable.

Had the beer-battered Fish & Chips and thought it was amazing.

The service was prompt, but I thought the bartender chick with the extremely fun-to-look-at, near-perfect rear-end, lacked personality.

Did a sample round of Porter (amazing, smoky goodness), Pale Ale and Kolsch. Although each one was great, it was the deliciously frothy Kolsch winning out heavily, one of the best gold-colored beers I've ever tasted. It was a dog-gone shame that I only had time for one pint.

I strongly rescommend Cally's and I will definitely return next time I'm in the valley.
Dec 01, 2009
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Reviewed by advill88 from Virginia

4.45/5  rDev +18.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
As a JMU student, I definitely have a fondness for Cally's because it was their brewpub that first got me into craft beer on my 21st birthday. Food and service are excellent, but most importantly the beer is incredible! I really cannot remember trying a beer of theirs that I have not liked. If, for some reason, you want something different, they keep a good selection of bottles. They also switch up the taps a lot, so there's usually something on tap that I have not tried. I try to fill up my growler as often as possible, and I will really miss this place when I graduate.
Nov 25, 2009
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Reviewed by stouthead from Virginia

3.45/5  rDev -8%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | food: 2
Microbrews are generally very good--B to A-
Smokin Scottish, stout, and octoberfest are my favorite.
Don't forget to take your growler to take your favorite microwbrew home or buy a growler there and have it filled.
I Like to go drink their beer and watch football on several wide screen tvs, but generally go elsewhere to eat.
Certainly can get good food values especially during daily happy hours. Appetizers- especially the loaded nachos or the bruchetta are my favorite. I have eaten food from both their sandwich menu and main entree menu and find the food to be mediocre.
I have been going to this restaurant for the past 15 years and have often hoped their food quality could be comparable to that of their beer.
Nov 21, 2009
Photo of Deuane
Reviewed by Deuane from Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev -1.3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
I hadn't been here since 2000 when it was called Calhoun's (yes, I have put in a request for the change). So, on our way down to beloved Asheville SierraGs and I decided to check out Cally's.

Located in the very pretty downtown square area of Harrisonburg Cally's certainly has a nice location. Inside it is a large sports bar meets name the cookie cutter, show us your flair, baby backed ribs, chain place...but with more wood and a touch of warmth.

Half dozen to eight brews on...all of which were decent if not good...the Irish stout and the Smokin' Scottish.

Our service was fairly standard with a pleasant enough waitress but the food service was blazing quick. I don't think we waited more than 10 minutes from order to eating.

Overall a worthy place if you find yourself visiting Harrisonburg due to business, a JMU visit or passing by on I-81. Certainly not a destination place but not somewhere to avoid either.
Oct 12, 2009
Photo of CpnYates
Reviewed by CpnYates from Virginia

3.55/5  rDev -5.3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
It's rare that I return from somewhere, anywhere..and feel possesed, determined to immediately review and put down the findings. And never before I have I been so confused, amused, and slightly disgusted from what I saw/ heard.

So walking into Cally's (Calhoun's) on a week day while school is out (JMU) I wasn't expecting much of a crowd. The were maybe 15 other normal patrons in the place to be generous. However, there were also 5 or so off duty employee's, in including the server next to me who removed his uniform (white collared shirt) and plopped down next to me at the bar.
What happened in the next twenty to thirty minutes was sheer comic bliss. And wildly innapropriate for a semi- upscale bar with a very "big chain" feel.

While the group of employees behind me made innapropriate comments to (and about) the emloyees still working, the off duty server next to me described in awesome detail a obsenity laced story or two. After which the bartender replied with matching fowl language. Infront of the other (and older, if that matters) bar patrons.

So to be clear, I'm a young guy. I loved listening to this ridiculous backdrop conversation. But if this was my establishment, no way would this fly. Had my parents been there, they would have walked out.

So quickly the food was good, seemed fresh, and relativly creative. Especially liked the mango/ cucumber salad.

The beers overall were not bad and the pale ale was damn good, if not great (btw fellas you may want to double check your IBU's on that one) also had a nitro stout which was a solid offering. All beer tastebuds will be covered by their offerings, which run the color spectrum from light to dark (all under 6.0 abv)

Anyhow this was a weird trip. Enjoyed the beer, liked the food, was shocked by the looseness of employee language. Still,I'd return and hope for more of the same. Hope that made sense.
May 21, 2009
Photo of Proteus93
Reviewed by Proteus93 from Virginia

3.83/5  rDev +2.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5
Has a chain feel, as mentioned... Place is rather neat and tidy. 6 brews available... Only had 1

Service is reasonable and pretty straight forward. Friendly enough... Not a whole lot of communication back and forth but also not necessary

Nice low lighting in the evening.... A few TVs for the games, Food is pretty standard burger / sports bar type fare... Had the whisky chicken, which was pretty tasty... Ten bucks, which is fairly standard for VA places these days... A couple others are 8 or 9.
Mar 22, 2009
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Reviewed by TotalDave from Virginia

4.28/5  rDev +14.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Alright, the name of the game here is happy hour. When I was there, happy hour pints were around $3 though I think they are closer to 4 now. Growler fills were $5 and all appetizers were half price.
I hold a great fondness for this place as I went to JMU and Cally's (Calhouns when I was there, the official story to follow) was my introduction to truly handcrafted beer. My summer ritual after senior year was to walk there for happy hour with a buddy and growler in hand. I would order a couple of pints and the calamari (still the best I have ever had, at about $3.50 during HH), and walk out of there with a bartab under 10 bucks before tip. Combined with a growler for 5 bucks, its just pretty darned hard to beat.
That being said, non-happy hour the beers are around 5 per and the food is definitely on the pricey side; thus: go during happy hour.

"The Official Story": Calhoun's was forced to change their name after a Tennessee brewpub accidentally received one of the Harrisonburg Calhouns's GABF awards. I guess their argument was that if the GABF could get the pubs mixed up, so too could the average consumer.
Feb 11, 2009
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Reviewed by deaconsmith from Virginia

4.15/5  rDev +10.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
they have a awsome esb,porter and smoking scottish..i fill my growler every chance i get. all their beers have a signature taste..very hopy and pretty strong but definatly quality stuff..it is actually called calys now. i recomend it.btw they have a awsome sugar glazed sweet potatoe fries.if i had to pick a fav it would be the esb it is particulaly bitter but very smooth and well balanced. plow man porter is next in line..a very nice head and pleasant aroma and very easy to drink for a darker beer.
Sep 23, 2008
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Reviewed by MTNboy from Germany

3.13/5  rDev -16.5%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 4 | selection: 2.5 | food: 3
Calhoun’s now Cally’s due to a copyright battle with some other micro brewery in Tennessee was definitely not what I expected. I visited there on my way down to South Carolina from New York it seemed to have some good reviews in some pretty reputable places. Plus, Harrisonburg was the exact halfway point for my journey and this seemed like a sign. Our server was great she was very nice and attentive and was willing to answer our questions. She was honest with me about what were some not so favorite beers of customer but I still ordered a sampler. There were some pretty good beers and one awful one to me but other people seem to enjoy it so I will not name it so others will not be discouraged. The darkness and bitterness ratings are on the beer menu so I thought this was a plus. The atmosphere was very trendy and yuppie like as was the menu. All the patrons seemed to be in their 40’s and 50’s not really what you expect from a college town. The quality was about average on everything but the cleanliness. This place was immaculate as far as clean goes. I am sure it is not hard to keep a place clean when there were hardly any customers on a Friday night. Selection was border line. The food was good but somewhat pricy. I think the next time I am passing through I’ll give it a miss.
Oct 28, 2007
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Reviewed by JamesS from Indiana

3.4/5  rDev -9.3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 3 | food: 3.5
Calhoun's (Cally's) is a nice place to stop if you're passing through. They have a nice menu selection for food, and the burger I had was quite good, if slightly overpriced. I tried their wheat beer, nice and crisp, and fairly refreshing, above average. I also had their Smoking Scottish, a nice deep red ale, although I could not detect the smoked malt they say is in it. A good beer, but nothing close to most scottish ales I've had. Stop in if you're in the neighborhood, but if you're doing a beer tour, there are better places to go.
Oct 03, 2007
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Reviewed by chrisweber72 from Washington

4.4/5  rDev +17.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 5
I spent the summer interning with an aviation company in the area, and had found Calhoun's (now Cally's...the name change due to a small Tennessee restaurant chain called Calhoun's, not a management change) by searching Google for local pubs. The place was very easy to find, nestled in the quaint Courthouse Square in downtown Harrisonburg.

I will agree with the previous reviewer that the atmosphere was a bit 'sterile'. Perhaps I am used to having a few more 'knick-knacks' on the walls. However, it still seemed open and comfortable, and I never had a problem relaxing there.

During the two months and change that I spent in the area, I visited Calhoun's / Cally's at least once a week on average. Here's the reason: I never had anything that I didn't like. The beers were truly excellent, all brewed in-house in large tax determination tanks behind the bar. During the course of my time there, the selection stayed at a steady five, with different brews rotating in and out every few weeks. The only beer that enjoys a permanent slot on the menu is their award-winning Smokin' Scottish Ale, which is used for cooking in some of their dishes. Others that went through the rotation included the Downtown Amber Ale, an Irish Red Ale, an English Strong Bitter, Hefeweizen, Honey Wheat, an IPA, and an Apricot Ale. Each one seemed to reflect the high level of care that the brewmaster puts into creating them. My personal favorites were the Scottish and the Downtown Amber, and although the other brews were wonderful, the Scottish and Amber were simply too good to pass up too often. My pallet is still developing, and so I can't write an in-depth review on each brew, but the words 'fantastic', 'amazing', 'unbelievable', and 'delicious' definitely apply. They were beers that I was truly sad to finally finish, and I couldn't wait to come back.

As for the rest of the fare, it seemed to be of the same high caliber. The food was fresh, well-prepared, and excellent. From their Whiskey-Chicken Burger to their Charleston Crab Soup, from the Baked Bruschetta to the Jerk Marinated Sirloin, the quality was truly surprising. This is not a fine-dining establishment, but it seems to me that the food is truly exceptional, and is something that you feel you'd rather savor and enjoy than simply chew and swallow.

I know that I can't speak for everyone, but I will miss this place. I spent many a good evening relaxing with some great food and a wonderful beer, and each time, I left feeling better, the contented feeling that can only come from relaxed conversations with friends, and a stomach full of great food and great beer.
Aug 04, 2007
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Reviewed by Metalmonk from North Carolina

3.58/5  rDev -4.5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 2.5 | food: 4
This place is a tough call. It sits in between two gorgeous stone buildings (a church and a court house) in a beautiful part of Harrisonburg, itself within a larger building holding other business and probably also office spaces. The atmosphere is nice, very clean, but much more on the restaurant side of things than a brewpub type vibe. The food was quite good and the service equally good...but they only offered three house brews. Since I wasn't in the mood for a stout or a light golden lager, I had two glasses of the Scottish ale, which was pretty good.

So...it's not even close to a great selection, beerwise, but it's a decent place to visit if you're in the area.
Apr 24, 2007
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Reviewed by slander from New York

3.95/5  rDev +5.3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
I spent a good afternoon with Little Stevie Bullshit (his actual name) in Charlotte. We played pass the baby, shifted back and forth between the den and back porch as he smoked ridiculously, took in some Chinese, and I got me a sick pair of gingerly used Polk Audio speakers (badass RT-55's) that he just didn't have room for (score!!!), but now it was time to start heading North. Let me close the distance some between here and there by an hour or four and a few hundred miles and put up in somewhere called Harrisonburg, where by great coincidence, there happens to be one of them places where they make beer and serve it in a restaurant style setting. Still a little ways out come a quarter after 11, I gots to be thinking it best to call ahead to the, how do you say, brew-pub.

"Evening, um, what time do you do last call?"
"Actually, we're already closed".
(Silence, disdain, fear) "Are you open tomorrow?"
"Yes, we're open for Sunday brunch at 10 AM".
"And you serve alcohol that early?"
"We've got Bloody Marys, Mimo... "
(You're a brewpub. Focus!!) Can I get a beer that early?"
"Ah, yessir".
"Very good, thank you..."

Roughly a quarter to 10 the next morning, I'm on the prowl for a 10 AM brunch. I pass a sign that says "Harrisonburg - City of Friendliness" and think, "We'll just see about that". Shortly thereafter, I circle the courthouse a few times and find Calhoun's on the far side in a little strip of mall on the square. Entering from the inside the mall hall, the "L" shaped bar seating a baker's dozen is dead ahead. 2 tiered booze bookends on the bar back counter at both ends with a pair of towers holding 4 taps each inside separated by a bunch of 2 litre swing top growlers. Glassware below and arched wood units over large windows above with hanging mugs look in on 5 tax determination vessels and there's a mash tun and brew kettle behind a corner window at the end of the bar. 3 raised bar tables adjacent to the bar and then the dining areas hold the rest of the room. On one side; 4 booths on the outer wall below tall narrow windows with potted plants on the sills, 4 tables in a row in the center of the room, and 5 tables against a divider, all sharing a common inside bench. Drop colored glass lantern lighting over each table & booth, ceiling fans above, and a pair of mounted TV's. There's a raised seating area that takes up the other half of the room holding the same as the first half, it's just elevated, I don't know why. Framed old town black & whites, a French beer print here, an old brewery tray there, an airplane propeller and dashboard mounted above the bar, and a large blackboard listing the taps on the side wall. Upstairs, they've got a banquet room and a seasonal patio.

8 options for the Sunday brunch, I took in the Calhoun's breakfast (Cheese omelet, ham, bacon, sausage, hash browns, cinnamon apples). I traded up the sausage for more bacon because my doctor said I should (no, it's true, he totally did).

And they have this thing where you can try samples of all the beers so I had that too (it's noon somewhere). All 6 taps come on the sampler. The Honey Blonde was light, but you got the honey; the Smokin' Scottish, malty, but only slightly smoky; the Hefeweizen, unfiltered, nice banananana; the Downtown Amber, Cascade hop, crisp; the Irish Dry Stout, very coffee, very good; the Winter Warmer, amber, with cinnamon and spice. The Hefe and the Irish Dry Stout were the best of the lot of 'em.

I wandered out looking across the street, contemplating lying on the courthouse lawn for a while but figured I'd probably end up seeing the inside of the building (that which would make the City of Friendliness seem not so friendly), so I hit the road instead.
Feb 17, 2007
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Reviewed by CigarMatt from Virginia

4.28/5  rDev +14.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
It's a good atomosphere with food that is a little high, but their beer makes up for it. I only wish two things: they would have all their brews available all the time, and you could smoke cigars there, but you can't have everything. The best thing is, I'm enjoying their beer right now as you can take a growler of one of their beers home with you, or two or three. Their Smokin' Socttish Ale is an excellent, as well as award winning, beer that I could drink for breakfast lunch and dinner. I would reccomend this place to anyone, it is a wonderful restaurant indeed.
Dec 14, 2006
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Reviewed by Phatz from Pennsylvania

4.09/5  rDev +9.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5
I did not travel *that* far South on my vacation to VA, but my stop in Harrisonburg showed me some true southern hospitality. The atmosphere in Calhoun's is magnified by the courteous friendly and helpful patrons sitting at the bar. As an out-of-towner visiting the brewpub by myself, I walked and found a place at the bar. Turns out, the best part of my experience was the people at the bar. This was the most friendly group of patrons I have ever experienced in a brewpub. It made me think of the television show Cheers. I ended up in a conversation with 8 people at the bar who were sharing with me information about the town, and the beer in the area, and various vacation spots in VA and more.

First of all, the place is incredibly easy to find; right on the square in Harrisonburg. Second, it is well lit in the hall, clean, quite a safe friendly & inviting feel even as you enter the restaurant (which is more mood lighting). A host greats you at the door, even early on a Tuesday night. I walk up to a large long bar (wooden and nicely finished) and behind the bar is a glass wall through which you can see the proudly displayed fermentation tanks.

The bartender is pleasant and attentive. I learned that the head brewer is also co-owner at Calhoun's named Eric Plowman. Though Calhoun's has only been brewing in that location since 1998 a fellow patron informed me that the Calhoun's bar around the corner is, as he put it is "As old as time" at least that was his recollection. And that was just the beer bar.

They are currently not bottling but they do have growlers for sale or refill. Fancy decorated (with engravings and custom handle) swing top growlers for $25 or simple swing top growlers for $20 not filled. (a bit steep, compared to my area) but refills were only $7.50 a bit cheap (compared to my area) so ... I get $14 growlers with $9 refills. It all works out in the end.

They had five beers on-tap tonight and two in the works that were coming soon. I am told the Plowman Porter is very good but I couldn’t wait for two week to get to try this batch. The five beers I had were all decent to quite good. Smokin Scottish and the Oktberfest are worth noting specifically.

This is certainly a place I will visit again and would highly recommend checking out. If you sit by a lawyer name Jim a Real-estate Agent named Helen and a Bail-bondsman named Mark tell 'em that Matt says hi.

Hope this is helpful.
Cheers
Oct 18, 2006
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Reviewed by tattooedtolley from Virginia

4.38/5  rDev +16.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 5
The building where Calhoun's resides is in the downtown area of Harrisonburg VA. I happen to live 15 minutes south of Calhoun's so this place has been among my favorite local restaurants since they opened.

The food at Calhoun's is simple lunch/dinners consisting of sandwhichs and salads. However the food is certainly a step up from the norm. The presentation and food creations are that of a nice restaurant. Certainly not luxury dinning but for a brewery in a small town the food is excellent. In my opinon Calhoun's has the best tuna steak I have ever eaten and I am not a fan of any food that comes out of the water.

The beer is real reason why people enjoy Calhoun's. It is obvious when you sit down in Calhoun's that people are there to enjoy good beer. All the beers are delicous and they always have something on tap to satisfy anyone's taste.

The atmosphere is nice although the restaurant and bar get overly packed on weekends. The staff is friendly and courteous.

First time I drank the beer there I ended up taking home a growler and they waste no expense on their growlers which is always cool. Only thing I have found that I have not been pleased with is sometimes their bar favorites run out too fast. So it is a good idea to call them first to find out whats on tap before you drive over just to be disappointed.
Feb 22, 2006
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Reviewed by ecoboy from Rhode Island

3.35/5  rDev -10.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 2 | food: 4
Thank God for college towns. It means you might get a nice beer oasis when you want one. Skyline Drivers in VA who feel like they need something local in a beer might consider Calhouns.

You have been to a brewpub like Calhouns before: servers are dressed as fine dining servers, the menu has some good chef-prepared options beyond pub fare (I had an outstanding eggplant/spinach/polenta entree) and presentation on the plate matters. This is a restaurant, not a pub.

Then again, the beer does matter to the establishment, sporting a mug club and take away growlers. But I was seriously disappointed at only three homemade beer selections available on my visit. With a nip in the air, I drank the smoked scottish exclusively. It was enjoyable, but it's tough to say I sampled enough to know what to expect from the rest of the brewer's range.

So use it for what it is, a fresh beer oasis. Especially you WV types with so few choices.
Oct 27, 2005
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Reviewed by mmmbeer from Massachusetts

3.88/5  rDev +3.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
My first beerfly review...here we go. I've been filling growlers from here for a month and have sampled and reviewed 8 of their beers so far. They usually take care of you fairly quickly and with happy hour growlers only $5 it's a sure bet for a good deal with decent service. A few weeks ago they had 6 beers on tap but are down to 4 now...I wonder what they're brewing next. I had dinner there for the first time tonight and found it rather enjoyable. The service seemed to take a bit longer than it should have, but the quality of the food made up for this. The appetizers were amazing (scallops wrapped in bacon and crab stuffed portobellos) and the entree (jerk chuck steak) was tasty and filling. My only complaint is that one of the side vegetables wasn't fully cooked, but overall the food is delicious and complimented well by their delicious beer.
Feb 11, 2005
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Reviewed by sulldaddy from Connecticut

3.6/5  rDev -4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | food: 4
I visited this place while staying in Shenandoah Natl Park. The trip from the middle of the park to the pub was about 40 minutes one way. I think it was worth it though.
The brewpub is located on a square and the building is surrounded by one way streets. So immediately park to the right of the front entrance or you will have to circle a few blocks. The inside is set up like many pubs. There is a rectangular bar in the middle with fermenting tanks in windows behind the bar. Also several tables and chairs and booths as well. the pub is well lit by several large windows. Some breweriana is spaced around the pub and there is sports on the TVs that I can see. They do growlers of their brews. $25 for a new flip top growler $18 for a regular and only $7 for refills of either. The food is tasty and their are some interesting mixes like an avocado based vinaigrette dressing. I ordered a whiskey chicken sandwich with fries and found it to be rather tasty. I was dissapointed that only 4 brews were available and the darkest was a scottish ale. Both brews I sampled were good but not outstanding. I would return if in the area and recommend stopping by, just dont expect to be knocked off your feet by the beer.
Apr 25, 2004
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Reviewed by bohemiac from New Jersey

4.58/5  rDev +22.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
We had a family reunion at Calhoun's and we all had a great time. Well, cousin Joel had a little bit of TOO good a time, when he flirted a little much with the waitress. His wife, Diane won't be letting forget that one for a while. Otherwise, everything was magnificent. The food was fresh and the presentation was textbook classy.The beers were especially good. I didn't know what to expect from an out of the way area such as Harrisonburg, but what a pleasant surprise. A great time was had by all.
Jan 19, 2004
Cally's Restaurant and Brewing Co. in Harrisonburg, VA
Brewery rating: 3.82 out of 5 with 51 ratings