Chatty Monks Brewing

Stopped in on Thursday night after dinner. It was 8:45pm and I guess they closed at 9. We were greeted by our server with " just so you know its last call we can only do samples". 4 of us each ordered a few samples as the rest of the crew moved tables, stacked chairs and started sweeping the floor around us. They were turning people away left and right at the front door. Poor 1st experience at this new Brewery. A few other parties I spoke to had similar experience over this past weekend. Hopefully they become more welcoming as they work out the kinks.

 

Cozy spot on two levels

They offer their own brews on tap, and in cans to go

Friendly bartender, always a plus

Tasty food options

Worthy beer, better then decent food, comfortable and pleasant room....worthy spot to check out for beers and a bite to eat

 

 

Ate lunch here and had a couple of beers. Its a two story brewpub, with main bar downstairs (along with tables), and more tables and a small bar upstairs. Modern rustic decor (weathered wood, exposed brick, metal fixtures, etc). Nice vibe. They had 8 beers on tap plus a third party hard cider. Nice mix of styles, and both flagship and one-off beers. The two beers I drank were average. the service was good, and they have options for either 5 oz or pints of beer. The food was pretty good.

Chatty Monks is right on the main drag in West Reading, and just a block away from The Barley Mow.

It's nicely designed with a wood floor, copper topped bar, exposed brick, and wrap-around church pews in the front room. There's also seating on the street, and upstairs.

They offer 8 beers on tap, and they're fairly varied but unusual - they don't just do the basics. Currently on tap as I write this:
Thelonius Milk Stout
Indulgence White IPA (Belgian IPA)
The Monastery Pale Ale (APA)
Revelation Porter/Ale (Citrusy Porter)
The Lemon Song Saison
227 (Double IPA)
Saison Van Liefde
Berks Bitter

The food is good, and I think, reasonably priced for what you get. Items include: Chipotle BBW Wings, Nachos, Salad, Flatbread, Banh Mi, Fish Tacos, Fish & Chips, Mussels, Buffalo Chicken Panini, Pulled Pork Sandwich, and Strip Steak.

I feel as if the beer itself is good enough to visit, but that the food is an extra incentive.

 

 

 

 

 

A couple friends and I were in the area this weekend so we decided to check the place out. It was a very clean, new feeling establishment. We ordered and shared samples of all the beer on tap and all were above average examples of their particular style. (Which im happy to report because my prior exposure to one of their growlered beers left a lot to be desired. So its nice to see/assume that this place is evolving and hitting their stride.) Fairly decent spread of brew: milk stout on nitro, pale ale, ipa, belgian blonde, cranberry saison, grisette and pumpkin were available while an imperial stout just kicked prior to our arrival.

We sat downstairs (evidently they just remodeled/opened the upstairs but we didnt scope it out.) There appeared to be room for about a dozen people at the bar. Being a party of 5 we couldnt sit there so we pulled a couple tables together that looked like they were designed for just pairs of people to sit or move together as needed.

Service was prompt, attentive, knowledgeable and friendly. Really, couldnt have asked for anything better. We ordered some early lunch/late brunch and everything was great. Im really happy that we took the time to check this place out. If im in the area I will certainly be stopping by for a bite to eat and a couple of brews.

 

 

I checked out Chatty Monks with wife and while it is very small that is not as big a deal as the noise level for me. The service was quick and friendly and the food was excellent -we tried the salmon dip which was seasoned with dill and served with toasted pita points. The beers were all decent or very goo d- not exceptional just fit the style well without any huge flaws. The quality of food and service with the prices being very reasonable makes me want to return. I liked the cheddar bratwurst soup since it was not heavy and my wife enjoyed the cole slaw with her pulled pork which is something she doesn't normally like. I found the variety of beer choices enough for a rather young brewery (1 yr old) with saison, sweet stout, IPA, double IPA , ESB and black ale to be a good start.

When the kitchen get slammed the service is very slow. Beer is good and food is ok

Small, cramped space. Beers aren't regularly rotating while being average or below-average. Service and food are good though.

Getting much better since it opened. Beer quality is much improved, food is very good. Very nice owners, hope to see more variety next time.

 

 

 

I hear the food is good. Haven't tried it so can't vouch for that.

The beer needs improvement. I say this as a BJCP judge, several of their beers are flawed, but they're young so hopefully they work out some of the kinks.

The staff isn't that friendly, or for that matter attentive. I've been here twice. My first visit I sat at the bar, with an empty glass for an embarrasingly long time while the bartender played with his smart phone. A second one walked by, noticed the empty glass and called him out on it, so he did at that point make an effort to chat with us and engage us. To be fair, it might not have helped that my wife was visibly pregnant and would not be drinking, but still.