Ale 'n 'wich Pub

Ale 'n 'wich PubAle 'n 'wich Pub
Ale 'n 'wich PubAle 'n 'wich Pub
Bar, Eatery

245 Hamilton St
New Brunswick, New Jersey, 08901-2205
United States

(732) 246-9178 | map
alenwich.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.51
Reviews:
9
Ratings:
12
pDev:
11.11%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 4.21 by Urk1127 from New Jersey

Apr 17, 2016
 
Rated: 3 by tkdchampxi from New Jersey

Jul 28, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by djrn2 from New Jersey

Oct 22, 2013
Photo of Stevemcn
Reviewed by Stevemcn from New Jersey

3.59/5  rDev +2.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3
The Ale 'n' Wich Pub is somewhat of an escape from the typical New Brunswick bar scene. On one end of the spectrum is Easton Avenue, a mecca for frat bros and liquored up guidettes, in which every bar is packed to its limits, trash techno/hip hop is playing and you'll wait twenty minutes to get a shitty overpriced drink. The other alternative is George Street which has a smattering of upscale lounges and bars and caters to the twenty and thirty somethings who catch the train in and out. These drinks; at places like Harvest Moon, and Old Man Rafferty's are way overpriced and too uppity for my tastes. So what is one to do?

Ale 'n' Wich, I believe, provides the perfect intermediary to the two extremes all with significantly reduced prices. With a pool table in the back, adjacent to which is a outdoor patio (with an awesome Simpsons mural i might add) and all around low key atmosphere. This is not a place you go to dance or convene with high society types, but a normal hangout spot where you can sit back and enjoy some brews.

The selection, at least for New Brunswick, is pretty damn good with a significant amount of beers on tap, even if they are standard (i.e. blue moon, guiness, smithwicks, yuengling etc.) The true distinction of this place over others lies in its value. With specials every night, through the weekend as well, you can hit up $3 draughts and $2.50 well drinks. Enough said.
Feb 10, 2010
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Reviewed by woodychandler from Pennsylvania

3.14/5  rDev -10.5%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 3.5
Situated with its door angled to the corner of Hamilton and Lewis Streets, the long, "U"-shaped bar was at a left oblique immediately upon entering. The Formica-topped bar housed twelve (12) draft beers, an odd admixture of good/less worthy, good/less worthy, et al, ad nauseum. The back bar featured a cooler with three doors and a decent, if not mind-blowing selection. All of the way aft, left, was a game room with air hockey, a sattelite jukebox, and a video game. To the right was a red-felt pool table. A great cooler. If you like BTs (32), you will love this place. I was impressed by the NZ war dance.
Nov 23, 2009
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Reviewed by partymcfly27 from New Jersey

3.4/5  rDev -3.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3 | service: 4 | selection: 3
Some friends took me to the Ale 'n' Wich the weekend of my 21st birthday and it was a very enjoyable night. I have since been back there several times and have enjoyed every night there. It's a nice little bar away from all the overcrowded scene on Easton Ave. The beer available on tap was a change from the usual Miller Lite or Budweiser offered at most bars. The service was not too shabby, being only two bartenders and a full house. I could estimate that I hardly waited to get my drinks. The back patio is one of the main highlights of the bar, providing an nice area for smokers or those of us who like to drink outside. Overall, it is a great place away from all of the insanely overcrowded frat bars on Easton. Check it out if you're ever in New Brunswick
Nov 09, 2009
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Reviewed by dsa7783 from New Jersey

3.85/5  rDev +9.7%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
Being a former Rutgers of New Brunswick undergraduate student who commuted to campus on an everyday basis, got the opportunity to try the Ale 'n 'wich Pub, which was a very popular destination for the young college crowd who frequented the area in a bustling college city that also included many from nearby business and corporations who worked in the vicinity... The atmosphere was good... very hometown and down-to-earth with a real mom-and-pop feeling pervading the place... quality was okay...they did have a pretty wide variety of beers on tap to choose from...The place was pretty reasonably priced, which is always a positive...
Dec 26, 2007
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Reviewed by dherling from New Jersey

4.14/5  rDev +17.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4
Small college bar that I loved going to when I was a student. Now 10 years on, I can give you two different perspectives. As a student, this was a revelation. Every bar in the area had a different atmosphere, but the same beer and drink selections. Comparing it now to some of the amazing beer bars I've been to, it pales in comparrison. They have about 15 or so taps, and two coolers fileld with beers, maybe 40 or so different selections. They have the BMCs of the world, and otherwise some of the more common micros and mids. For a college student this bar is an amazing passage into the world of fine beers, and is also a fine selection for someone in the area, checking out Rutgers, seeing a game or a show in the state theatre. There's also some pinball and video games as well as the world's smallest pool table room.
Oct 08, 2006
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Reviewed by arguemaniac from Virginia

3.28/5  rDev -6.6%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5
This review was written using notes from about six months ago, so who knows what the place is like now, but I'd be willing to bet it hasn't changed all that much...

The place was a little out of my way, considering it was a bit of a walk from my dorm, but I thought I’d give it a try. Though it was deserted when I got there the place still had that smoky feel you’d expect from a bar. The bartender was pretty friendly but she was the only one around so I guess it’s hard for me to accurately assess the general quality of service. Tap selection was decent though not amazing; there were 12 taps in all, including your standard BMC swill taps. But there was some craft stuff too: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Magic Hat #9, Guinness, Bass, etc. The bottle selection was a little more interesting including about 50-60 choices, most of which where craft and/or imported. In other words, a good variety from a wide range of different regions. Speaking strickly as a beer fanatic, I wasn’t amazed by this place but I say it’s worth a try.
Dec 12, 2005
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Reviewed by jaluria from Connecticut

3.2/5  rDev -8.8%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 3 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3
A regular bar that is worth checking out, but not the greatest of interiors. When I was there, my friend's band was performing, though they rarely have live music. The food and the service is alright, but nothing to brag about. The selection is pretty good and most people will find a few things they would like to have. The location is one of their bigges attractions since it's within walking distance of Eastern Ave. and Rutgers College Ave. campus. My biggest problem with this place is that it look unkempt and can be unappealing. If you're in the area, stop by, but don't go out of your way.
Oct 27, 2005
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Reviewed by beveragecaptain from New Jersey

3.26/5  rDev -7.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3
This was a favorite local bar among the graduate students when I attended Rutgers. The atmosphere is good, if you don't mind smoky and crowded. There are always some interesting people there playing pool or fussball or sitting at the bar. Mostly college students here. Service is usually alright, considering how crowded it is. About 12 taps, most of which are boring: Stella Artois, Blue Moon, light swill, etc. Along with some decent taps, like #9, Guiness, various Sam Adams. Occasionally a Brooklyn or Stoudt's or Troegs. The bottle selection is a little better, but limited. This is a good place to hang out with some friends and enjoy some decent beer, but don't expect anything mindblowing
Feb 26, 2005
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Reviewed by Mick from New Jersey

3.86/5  rDev +10%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5
Not the largest selection of beer, but not a runt for a beer list. A few Belgians, nicer selection of Micros, and an equal selection of "other" imports. The place has a working class charm to it. On the small side but navigable through the bar and floor.

What makes this place stand out is it's specials. Tap specials during the week that boast nice pint and even better pitcher specials. Tuesday nights host the best special, $2.00 bottles of Magic Hat's Blind Faith, Humble Patience, and Fat Angel from 8PM to 2AM. A different, sometimes, multiple good beer (non macro) special almost every night. A great Happy Hour! If you are in the neighborhood, or know someone who frequents or lives in New Brunswick tell him or her to add this watering hole to their list.
Jan 07, 2003
Ale 'n 'wich Pub in New Brunswick, NJ
Place rating: 3.51 out of 5 with 12 ratings