The Tap Brewing Company

The Tap Brewing CompanyThe Tap Brewing Company
The Tap Brewing CompanyThe Tap Brewing Company
Brewery, Bar, Eatery, Beer-to-go

100 Washington Street
Haverhill, Massachusetts, 01832
United States

(978) 374-1117 | map
tapbrewingcompany.com

Brewpub & production brewery, formerly called Haverhill Brewery & The Tap.
BEER STATS
Average:
3.78
Beers:
66
Ratings:
1,338
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.1
Reviews:
64
Ratings:
87
pDev:
7.56%
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by JimFalzone:
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Reviewed by JimFalzone from Massachusetts

4.45/5  rDev +8.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Despite the review from Brandonc ( of Acton, Massachusetts ), downtown Haverhill is not a bad place to hang out. Within one block of The Tap is an art district with local artisans peddling glassware and paintings. There is a homemade-icecream parlor across the street. A billiard hall and huge antiques mall. Plus the river walk, parks, and restaurants. Admittedly, it's not as cool as Acton with its community theatres, bowladrome, and Science and Discovery Museum. (just kidding). There are also some pretty fun downtown fesitvals in Haverhill throughout the year. And plenty of reasons to bring/lure your significant other to town. And like any similar sized-sized city (Waltham, Portland, Lowell, Somerville, etc.) it gets a little crazier at night with its share of hooligans.

Anyway, the Tap is great. You immediately feel comfortable when you walk in the door. There is no rush to order or rush to leave. And there is always something new on tap (literally). The cask Fridays are a very good reason to visit. And the patio that overlooks the river is a must-see in warm weather. This year's beer festival was awesome! It was well run and had a good selection of breweries present.

Here are some recent offerings: Leatherlips I.P.A. 5% abv, 50 ibu; Haverhale 4.5% abv 18 ibu; Charlie's Porter 5.8% abv, 40 ibu; American Pale Ale 5.2% abv, 30 ibu; DP’S Irish Red Ale 4.5% abv 21 ibu; Whittier White 4.6% abv, 20 ibu; Nut Brown 5.3% abv 17 ibu

If you haven't been there in a while, it is important to point out that much improvement has been made in the last 18 months. Prior to that, I admit I had some horrible experiences at this place. I had very poor service where we waited almost 40 minutes before someone took our first drink order. Another time I ordered lamb tips and they arrived bloody and icy in the middle. Yuck! The service was so poor, that my girlfriend refused to sit anywhere but at the bar where service was quicker (and we always had to eat dinner somewhere else first!). I don't know what happened, but I'm glad I kept going back, because all those problems seemed to have worked themselves out.

And now they sell beer to go in growlers, 6-packs, and kegs!!! I can't wait to put my first log of leatherlips on tap in the coming months.
Dec 28, 2006
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.5 by atlbravsrno1 from Maine

Jul 24, 2020
 
Rated: 4 by KMcGrath from Massachusetts

Apr 06, 2019
 
Rated: 4.03 by Rideguy64 from New Hampshire

Oct 09, 2018
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Reviewed by fitzy84 from Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -8.5%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 3.75 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.75
Went here visiting my old home area. The place is located right downtown in a very old building. You immediately enter the bar area which is very roomy; over a dozen seats and a few tables. Dining areas included outdoor seating in the front of the restaurant and back of it. We ate inside where there were very roomy tables. Wait staff were quick and very attentive. It was lunchtime so not too busy. Found they had a small game room too. Could be a fun place on a Saturday night.

The place only really sells their beer but I noticed maybe 3 other non-brewery beers. Had their Solar Plexus DIPA and Batch 1793 IPA. Both were great beers with my very spicy, delicious burger.

Overall, a nice brewery/restaurant to enjoy in Haverhill.
Aug 27, 2017
 
Rated: 4.05 by HurryItsJacob from Massachusetts

Jun 21, 2017
 
Rated: 4 by costanzo_mike from Massachusetts

Mar 19, 2017
 
Rated: 3.88 by EAlmquist from Massachusetts

Jan 07, 2017
 
Rated: 3.48 by MilaMila from Massachusetts

May 11, 2016
 
Rated: 3.84 by lambpasty from New Hampshire

May 01, 2015
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Rated by SamPaps84 from Massachusetts

4.15/5  rDev +1.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 3.75 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
Awesome back deck for spring/summertime overlooking the Merrimack River. Great beer, good food, and great service.
Apr 03, 2015
 
Rated: 4.09 by Dicers from California

Feb 28, 2015
 
Rated: 4.09 by Jackjaffar from Massachusetts

Jan 22, 2015
 
Rated: 4.03 by kettleandcask from New York

Dec 04, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by rjp217 from Massachusetts

Nov 04, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by mklisz from New Hampshire

Sep 08, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by vonnerbeer from Massachusetts

Aug 08, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by Speedbump

Aug 03, 2014
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Reviewed by PapaGoose03 from Michigan

3.58/5  rDev -12.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5
This was stop #4 for my wife and I on a 9-day East Coast pub crawl and a family visit. The brewery is located in an old brick building in the busy downtown retail area. A nice-looking patio on the sidewalk was inviting, but we chose to eat and enjoy the beers inside. The interior has a nice pub vibe to it, especially with an old-time mural on one full wall of the dining area.

A ‘miscommunication’ between the hostess and the serving staff left us having to flag down a server after a 5-minute wait so that we could order beer and food (and the place wasn’t very busy), and then our first two dinner selections were not available (one they were out of, and one that was no longer served although it’s still listed on the menu), but we got over that after our beer selection was served. There were 9 beers available, and we ordered a sampler flight of 5 of them. Each of them was brewed well above the standard characteristics for their respective style, and our scoring system ended up giving them a B grade overall. The Thunder Paws Pale Ale was the one that we liked best, but all of them were enjoyable.

Despite the unavailability issues with our dinner orders, the food earned its way back into our good graces. It was well prepared, so kudos go to the kitchen staff as well as the brewer. If we’re ever back in this area we’d definitely stop here again.
Jul 07, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by mbonugli from Maine

Jun 18, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Rekrule from Massachusetts

Apr 20, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Drpfpbuck from Massachusetts

Mar 04, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Jason from Massachusetts

Jan 01, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by Peter1977 from Massachusetts

Dec 25, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by Duhast500 from Rhode Island

Dec 23, 2013
Photo of libeer4182
Reviewed by libeer4182 from New Hampshire

4.16/5  rDev +1.5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.75 | food: 4
I've always felt The Tap is really underrated. Being north-of-Boston in Haverhill, an old mill town that is a bit off the beaten path, has kept them off the radar. The consistently excellent beer and the constantly improving kitchen should get them some attention.

The atmosphere here can vary depending on when you go. The space is dark but open, with high ceilings that point to the building's millyard past. It's quiet and relaxed for the lunch crowd, and you'll see diners of all ages here for dinner. During the summer, they have a large deck out back with views of the Merrimack. A younger bar crowd moves in at night, especially downstairs. They often have rowdy hard rock shows upstairs on weekends.

I think the beer at The Tap has always been top quality, it's really a hidden gem. Their regular brews are fantastic and some of the seasonals they do are among the best in their style. The Intergalactic Acid berliner weisse they do in the summer and the Joshua Norton imperial stout they do in the winter are hard to beat.

Nothing but great things to say about the service. It really feels like a cozy neighborhood pub - it's tough not to feel at home here. The bartenders are friendly and attentive. The servers are the same - we came in one Friday night with my niece and nephew and they were great with the kids.

Being a brewpub, the beers are all brewed on-site - usually 8-10 drafts and one on cask. Their standard beers are solid - you'll see an IPA, a pale ale, a kolsch, a wit, and an altbier on more often than not. There's always a few seasonals and rotating drafts on as well - as I said above, if you can get the Joshua Norton or Intergalactic Acid, do so.

The food has really stepped up over the past couple of years. When I first started going to The Tap, the food was standard pub fare but they've really put some nice twists on that and they update the menu seasonally. My go-to for lunch is the shrimp BLT and they do an amazing brunch on Sundays. The house-made hash is made with their beer.

The prices at The Tap are very reasonable. Most beers range from $4-$6 for a pint, and there's always a Brewer's Choice selection which is a pint for $3. Even at a brewpub it's hard to beat prices like those.
Nov 26, 2013
 
Rated: 4.75 by Plissken from Massachusetts

Nov 10, 2013
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Reviewed by GarthDanielson from Virginia

3.89/5  rDev -5.1%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 3.75 | service: 4 | selection: 4
This place has a dark look and feel, both outdoors and inside. Bordering on a hole in the wall feel, but it totally works. Long, straight bar to the right when you walk in, with a window overlooking some bright tanks at the end. Booths along the opposite wall, table seating in a separate room, outdoor seating in front and back patio, and a pool table tucked away downstairs by the bathrooms and fermenters. Dark wood and little to no frills highlight this place perfectly. 9 beers on-tap, with 1 cask rotating. Beers to go, including bombers and growlers. Didn't try the food, but the menu looked damn tasty, with normal pub fare available, with a few highlights sprinkled throughout. The staff was great, very friendly, and there was even a Cicerone certified beer server behind the bar. This is a great spot to find if you are in the Haverhill area.
Aug 23, 2013
Photo of DerekMorgan
Reviewed by DerekMorgan from Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev +2.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4
Awesome old building with high ceilings, great wooden fixtures, and a nice spiral edged bar. The staff was very friendly and helpful describing the beers. We ended up getting a couple flights so we could try all the beers available (10) without getting wrecked. Didn't have any food because we didn't have much time but what we saw coming out of the kitchen definitely looked and smelled great. A couple pool tables and a skeeball machine in the basement provided a bit of fun. If you roll over a 500 in skeeball you win a hat. I'll be wearing it proudly. Great spot.
Jun 17, 2013
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Reviewed by rowingbrewer from Massachusetts

4.22/5  rDev +2.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4
Really nice old building feeling inside the bar, as well as an awesome deck in the back overlooking the merrimack river.

The beers here are really good and fresh, and they always have a new beer on tap when I go.

The service at the bar can be a bit slow and hard to get the bartenders attention, but that is just because the place is busy

They usually have about 10 beers on tap which is nice

Have never eaten there but definitely would since I like the place

Beers are reasonably priced for the area nothing more expensive than a bar serving other regional crafts
Jan 04, 2011
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Reviewed by Rocks from Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev -0.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Friends were nice enough to get me a gift certificate for The Tap for my birthday this year so yesterday I was able to make my second visit to the place. The place is located in an old industrial area of town that is seeing a second life as an area filled with shops and restaurants. The Tap is housed in an old shoe mill and the brick walls help give the place a good atmosphere. The taps at the bar are wooden shoes to pay homage to the building's beginnings.

I was a little disappointed to show up there to find there was a 30 minute wait to sit either inside or outside, especially considering 90% of the inside tables were unused. But I sat myself at the bar ordered a beer, watched TV, and waited patiently. And in the end the wait was worth it. My only other trip to The Tap was during the winter, but summer is a great time to go to enjoy their gigantic deck overlooking the Merrimack River. I thought the food was very good and remembered thinking the same when I visited previously.

The beer was excellent. Haverhill Brewery seems to do a lot of german or belgian type beers and they had a few of these styles that I really enjoyed. Their kolsch was solid but their Ascension Belgian IPA was extremely good. I was also pleased with their black lager which had a rich, smokey taste to it without being too smokey. I was able to pick up a growler of one of the beers I didn't get a chance to try for the way home.
Aug 29, 2010
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Reviewed by gatorhophead from Massachusetts

4.4/5  rDev +7.3%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
This has become one of my favorite places to go for a beer and a burger as I live about 15minutes away. I've never had a bad experience or a bad beer at the tap. They always have something different on cask and even have a beer of the day for $3.00 a pint an unbelievable price for a fresh craft brew. Most recently their barley wine and three graces triple were awesome. Their leather lips IPA rocks as well as their Imperial Stout. Food isn't as good as the beer, but that's a tall order as the beer is awesome. They also have a huge deck out back that's a couple hundred feet from the merrimack river. If you're nearby, stop in for a brew and a burger.
May 12, 2010
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Reviewed by FrankLloydMike from Massachusetts

4.3/5  rDev +4.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
I stopped by the Haverhill Brewery (or is it the Tap? I haven't quite figured out the dual naming structure) with my girlfriend Saturday for a sampler and pint before dinner in nearby Amesbury. This was my first time in Haverhill, except for passing through on Amtrak, and while it was a bit down (and reminded me in many ways of my native Manchester, NH), the buildings at the center of town were beautiful and the streets had a closeness and proportion that was extraordinarily nice compared to other large New England mill cities.

We walked into the Tap around 5pm, and while the dining area was still pretty empty, there wasn't an open seat at the bar. We had taken our cue to visit the place based both on the Leatherlips IPA that I've enjoyed around Boston and the review in Andy Crouch's book. I love the book, but I think it sometimes is a bit too polite in trying to tamper any negativity in a review. I went with this in mind, and while the creaky floors, exposed brick walls, murals and wood paneling weren't as romantic as their descriptions in the book, they were there and gave the place a homey, lived in, rambling feeling. There seemed to be a good number of regulars enjoying pints, samplers and food that looked good to me.

We had the sampler (a steal at $6.50 for five 5 oz. glasses), focusing on the lighter side of the beers, including the IPA, APA, a very tasty Belgian tripel, and two others. All of them were very good examples of their respective styles, and a refreshing treat following a day at Plum Island. Afterward, I had a glass of the APA, which was a particularly hoppy variation on the style, after asking about the dunkel. With my pint, the server brought over a sample of the dunkel for future reference, and both the service and beer were great.

It's a bit out of my way, so I'm not sure when or if I'll make it back here, but we were really glad we went and had a chance to try so many of the beers. The beer and the place were a great midday break, and standing on the riverside deck in the unseasonably warm weather of Haverhill, I got nostalgic for my first summer of beer bars, spent between Boston and along the banks of the Merrimack in Manchester.
Mar 22, 2010
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Reviewed by Slatetank from Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +6.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
I was pleased to be able to visit The Tap with friends on a recent trip to Portsmouth Brewery for Kate the Great day. We decided to stop here as our first location on the way up north from PA. the place is easy enough to find and we were seated immediately after entering.

The place is reminiscent of old saloons with long wooden bar and antiques scattered here and there. They have murals on the inside walls to recall the drinking experience of yesteryear. We were seated and a table of about 12 or more sat next to us apparently there for a tour. They have bread and fresh popped popcorn in an old style popcorn machine for sampling. -the Brewhouse is visible at the end of the bar and the place has an open welcoming atmosphere.

The quality of brews was apparent from the get go- Smoked pils and a vary good list of choices ranging from American, Belgian, English and German styles. I found the food to better than average in every way - the Pulled pork sandwich was succulent and I would dare to say it might be the best I have had. The food was served fresh and the order was accurate. The service was pretty standard in my view, we noted the waiter had trouble staying on task at one point, but we got everything we ordered and the bill was right so I won't knock them down too far.

I thought the place was a decent value for what you get. I wish I could have spent a bit longer, but we had other destinations in mind - onward and upward! I really recommend trying this place out as they have a solid selection - Ascension Belgian IPA, Smoked Pils, Homerun Pale, Haver ale cream ale and Leatherlips IPA are all very good not to mention Snowbound and Tappist 8 which I liked as well.
Mar 04, 2010
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Reviewed by scanlon80 from Washington

4.63/5  rDev +12.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
Went to The Tap recently for a quick stop. They had a test brew on top that was a hoppy red they co-brewed with Peak Organic. I'm a hop fan and this was a good one. They only had two kegs so I'm not sure how long it's going to last.

The atmosphere was pretty chill for a Friday after work. I was able to get two seats at the bar around 7pm.

I just wanted an appetizer, so I ordered the potato skins and they went well with the beer. The service at the bar was great. The bartender was very attentive and the skins came out quickly.

If you've never been, the building itself is cool to visit. I believe it's from the 1800s. The building backs up to the Merrimack River. The ceilings in the bar are very high and it looks like it might have one of those old tin ceilings. The deck out back is great in nice weather. You can sit out back and you get a nice view of the river.
Dec 21, 2009
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Reviewed by Freshie from Massachusetts

4.18/5  rDev +2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
The Tap is situated right in downtwon Haverhill, alongside the majestic Merrimack River.

Located in an old factory, the main floor has high ceilings, with a long bar room situated along the right side, and an dining area on the left. the basement has a private party room with smaller bar, and is also the residence of many of the brewing apparatus. there is also an outdoor deck I the back with a nice of view of the River.

The decor is historic Massachusetts. The area in the dining area where we sat had an old edition of the General Laws of Massachusetts. Various old pictures representing the history of the area adorn the walls. Also of note, an old phone booth from the early part of the 20th century.

The beer offerings consisted of the usual, Leatherlips IPA, Whittier White, and Haverale. Also offered where a milk stout, the Mother Abbess, and a Saison, with a cask offering that escapes my memory. Very varied and tasty.

The food was standard pub grub with a few gourmet twists. The wait staff was courteous and prompt. A very good way to spend time with a date after apple-picking on one of the many scenic New England farms the dot the Merrimack Valley.
Oct 07, 2009
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Reviewed by JTWILDOATS from Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +5.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
This has become a favorite spot for a few of my buddies and I. Great atmosphere. You can lounge outside on their back deck with plenty of seating--I've always been able to find a table, even though this place always seems busy. Or you can sit at or around the bar, or even in their dining room.

Brew Pubs are always a treat, as you don't really know what to expect. The brews at this pub are excellent. Their IPA, Leatherlips, is on of the best I've had. Very very hoppy and floral--but well in balance. EXCELLENT on draft!

They also sell growlers at a very reasonable price--$8.50 or so + a $1.50 bottle deposit. And if you're a first-timer or you've already tried the vast selection, they encourage you to mix and match. $6.50 will get you five 5 oz. sample glasses of different brews. From awesome IPA to Belgian IPA to Sour Ale to Coffee Stout--they cover the spectrum.

If you live anywhere nearby, please try it out.
Sep 09, 2009
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Reviewed by Sammy from Canada (ON)

3.94/5  rDev -3.9%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
A town out of the Seventies, accessible by train.
Parking was OK. The brewpub also gave you that feeling of a town from long ago, basic inside, with a good view of the river from the back patio. A couple of tables up front, and a classic decent sized bar. The beer here is good, and a worthwhile stop if you are passing by. We had to time the trip, as it is not open everyday, notably not on Monday's. Service was fine. The cask beer was very good, and a good range of selection of styles, no guest taps. Quiet for 2 pm.
Jul 15, 2009
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Reviewed by gameface23 from Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev +2.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
I've been to the Tap on three seperate occasions in the last month or two. I have been for trivia night (every Wednesday), to have dinner with my girlfriend, and to have a drink after work on the enormous back deck overlooking the Merrimack River. After each time, my girlfriend and I always say, "We should come here more often!" to each other.

The beers are flavorful and inexpensive. They have 8 or so beers on tap at a given time and one beer on cask. They have a brewers choice beer that is usually $3 for a pint, and I think most of the other beers are around $4 or $5. To date, I have tried the Whittier White, Leatherlips, coffee stout, Merrimack Mild, barleywine, old ale dryhopped with east kent goldings, vienna lager, and dunkelweizen (the old ale, lager, and dunkelweizen were on cask). The Leatherlips and the dunkelweizen stood out among the rest, but they were all better than average beers.

The food is standard pub fare. I have tried a pizza and the fried calamari. I am VERY picky when it comes to calamari (I'm Sicilian), and I thought that their version was perfectly cooked.

Service has been pretty good except for one waitress that seemed wayyy too flustered for the amount of tables she had.

Overall, I would definitely recommend trying this place out.
Apr 29, 2009
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Reviewed by sholland119 from Pennsylvania

4.34/5  rDev +5.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
This is a great looking bar with a great vibe. Set in a rehabbed retail store in the old shoe district of Haverhill, there is a lot to love in the decor. Huge murals decorate the walls of the bar. The tap handles are shoe manufacturing forms in tribute to the town's history. The dining room has great wood finishes throughout.

Nine quality beers on tap in a variety of American and Belgian styles. It was great to try Leatherlips IPA on tap for the first time. Even more delicious than the bottle. The sampler tray included Mother Abbess, Snowbound Old Ale, Brumaire Belgian Stout. Also a dry hopped cask ale which I did not care for at all, though I liked the concept that they tap a different cask every Thursday.

Service was extremely upbeat and pleasant. We really enjoyed this stop.

HV
Feb 17, 2009
The Tap Brewing Company in Haverhill, MA
Brewery rating: 3.78 out of 5 with 1338 ratings