Crystal Springs Brewing Company

The beer here falls below the line of mediocrity .

The rating for service is low not because of staff but the fact that they're selling a 10 oz tulip of a nothing special IPA for $7.
It's clearly not priced because they're throwing tons of hops in there...

I've seriously not had a beer here that I could recommend .

i have been enjoying beers from these guys for a long time, and i get to louisville regularly enough, but have somehow missed this place until now. i was surprised how small it is, very humble space, with a small bar and more of a coffee shop vibe than a traditional taproom vibe, with relaxed cafe type seating and little trinkets and knick knacks all over the place. just a few seats at the small bar, with the brewery visible in the back, sort of has an old house vibe about it, cozy and sort of eclectic, not too serious. they had an impressive range of beers on, some of the more popular ones i have seen in cans or bottles around town over the years, but also some others that were new to me, and a couple of experimental beers they are working on as well. i enjoyed a salted chocolate stout on nitro and a gose, as well as the delicious naughty marilyn. the beers here are ahead of the competition in a lot of ways, yet also feel remarkably unpretentious, which i like a lot from these guys. the service was awesome too, a kind lady behind the bar with some family connection to the place was very enthusiastic about the beers and real generous with the samplers and tasters. there is an obvious passion for this place, and that i think is easily gathered by any patron. good vibes all around, mellow and relaxed space, quality beer. not far off the highway and well worth a visit!

 

 

ATMOSPHERE: During the day the well-lit taproom makes it feel nice and open, but as the sun sets, the small-ish room on the first floor becomes a great, cozy place to hang out with friends, meet new ones and maybe get involved in trivia night. A few tables upstairs provide a quieter place to have a more low-key or private conversation and the deck up there is going to be great during the summer.

QUALITY: There aren't too many breweries out there that simply do not make a bad beer, but Crystal Springs is one of them. From their Kolsch to 13 IPA (my go-to) to their barrel-aged Imperial Stouts, every beer is clearly made with great care.

SERVICE: Everyone in the taproom is friendly, knowledgeable and enthusiastic about Crystal Springs beer. Seems like the whole crew is very invested in making the brewery and the taproom work as well as possible and they help to create a very comfortable and inviting feel.

SELECTION: The 13 beers on tap are consistently rotating and they provide something for everyone. Your crazy uncle who refuses to drink anything other than Coors will find something that he can drink and all you BAs reading this will find something unique and different (like a Solano Chili Beer, Velvet Shank Wild Ale and Black Saddle Imperial Stout). You can also buy/fill up a growler and by bottles and cans to go.

FOOD: They have some really great, locally made pretzels made by Das Pretzels in Boulder and Cheese plates from Cured in Boulder. There is no kitchen, but some good food trucks come by on some days.

VALUE: Everything is very fairly priced, plus Happy Hour is 50% most regular-sized pours of draft beer.

 

 

Stopped by after work on a Friday. I see the building number but it isn't until I see the flashing OPEN sign at the end of the building that I know where the place is. No other visible signs in the dark. Enter a cozy main floor with a wooden bar with about dozen seats. There is a variety of tables for seating either 2, 4, or 6 people. Place has a lot of Christmas lights and décor up. The lighting is cozy and not too dark or light. Bowls of pretzels and popcorn are around.
I check out a chalk board that shows what is on tap when a server approaches and gives me a paper tap menu (showing description as well as prices, ABV and IBUs) along with a menu for food. I sit at the bar. A TV is over the bar but sound is very low to not bug people there to meet. Stairs lead up to another level that has a couple more larger tables, another TV, and a few card/board games. There is also a small patio with two tables as well.
Back downstairs, I order tasters of two different bourbon aged stouts (different barrels used in each) as well as a sour. The staff sees me taking notes and ask me questions about my beer adventures and preferences. The owner's wife comes in and goes table to table welcoming people to the place and asking what we do and how we heard of the brewery.
I order a beer that is not one of their bottled in stores. They have different food trucks/catering companies serving food on different days of the week. Tonight they offer wings which I get to go with the beer. The catering company guy is friendly and the wings are good, especially the dry rub version. They offer beer to go and different merchandise. Very friendly people and nice place. When the weather gets better will see about getting a table on the patio.