Wicked Wort Brewing Company

Converted bank building in downtown Robbinsdale. Large two level space, with the brewing equipment downstairs. Order beer and food at one end. No bar for sitting, but lots of tables throughout. On site kitchen. Corner stage for live music and events. Large west side patio. Parking out back. About twelve beers on tap, with the standard styles. Friendly staff.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An old TCF Bank building converted to a taproom. Entrance is in the rear its a large area that is split in two by a lower level visible brewery , plenty of seating and two separate bars . All of there taps are on a chalkboard and samples are readily available i liked that. A nice vibe here nothing outstanding as were the brews they were all just good . Would stop here again if in the area and would recommend to any one going thru town, just would not drive to go here not worth the effort . Best thing i saw was Pig Ate My Pizza across the street, that one i would drive back for.

 

 

My first visit on 1/25/17. Good sized main room with center stairway to the brewing area. I love that this taproom has an old (80 year old) wooden bar (rather that the typical metal coldness). Current taps are listed on boards above the bar; detailed menus are also available.

I was really impressed by the friendliness of the staff. They knew their beers (11 - which change often) and offer samples. I had great conversations with the bartenders and head brewer. Very welcoming vibe.

I had a few full pours and a number of samples. They were all spot-on to style, not weak or watered down and thoughtfully concocted. Their Tsar Bomba RIS was a delicious non-BA stout - a sipper at 11.3%. Their Ol Bessie's Double Chocolate Milk Stout was primo. Best of style...chocolaty and creamy, but it still tasted like ale, not a milkshake. The higher ABV really made this work so much better. Plus a fabulous Baltic Porter, Double IPA, White IPA... I also left with at bomber of High West Rye BA Tsar Bomba.

Met some great customers, lots of fun throughout the place. They encourage playing board games (many available). And, since they don't serve food (there are plenty of local options to carry in), you feel comfortable just sitting and chilling. I will definitely be bringing in friends.

 

This place is an enigma to me. I really can never tell what to think about it. It's a large open room with two separate pour stations and a corner for live music. A large portion of the floor in the center is cut away so you can see the brew house which is in the basement. It's decorated intentionally mish-mash with nothing matching and a mix of retro, modern, and everything in between. As my wife said, "I don't know if they tried too hard or didn't try at all."

That being said, it's a fun place to hang out. There are a variety of games on each table and more in a pile by the entrance. Anything and everything you'd want to play is there- Parcheesi, Scrabble, Cribbage, etc.

The beer is also an enigma. The recipes and quality vary wildly from beer to beer and batch to batch. There are a few that are passable but forgettable and a few with pretty glaring off-tastes. The service is friendly and quick but in my experience, they aren't really up on their knowledge of what they're serving. They gladly offer ample samples and are kind as can be.

Overall, I'd give this place about a 2.5 out of 5. With so many quality breweries in the Twin Cities, I don't darken their door often even though I live just down the street. With the market as saturated as it is, you need a niche to keep people coming back and the niche has to be more than board games. The beer needs to be consistently tasty to earn the $6 it costs for a pint. If I have a 50/50 chance that I won't enjoy the glass, I'll just go elsewhere.

I'll return every so often to meet friends or play a game or two with the wife. I don't particularly dislike anything about Wicked Wort, there just isn't anything there that draws me in. Also, they do not allow kids, even babies. Strictly 21+. Maybe that's a plus for you, maybe it's a drawback.

Spot on