Hogshead Brew Pub

Checked this place out on a cool midweek evening, and my friend and I were the only patrons. Located in the basement of a hundred year old brick building in the touristy but fun old-town part of Sacramento, this place is brighter, cleaner and nicer than the previous reviews suggest, and I had no fears or concerns going in. Medium size bar with 20 or so small tables, big screen TV, and some (but not a lot) of charm from an old brick building with some historic newspapers on the wall, etc.

The bartender (owner?) told me that it had gone out of business and a new owner had re-opened it in November of 2003, so it was their one-year anniversary. He said it gets pretty busy on weekends and in nice weather (i.e., when tourists are out). A nice friendly guy.

Beer was real basic- they had 3- a red, a brown, and a porter. He said they make 10 overall, then told me that several of the 10 are created by making a blond and then adding flavors. He may not have meant it that way, but it sounded very artificial and unappealing. My friend categorized the beer as decent homebrew, but not up to professional standards. We only tried the red at the bartender's suggestion, and it was decent enough, but one pint was plenty. They also have a small full bar if you want something stronger.

Menu (I looked at it but didn't try anything) is very basic burgers, frankfurters, nachos and the like.

Overall, I didn't think that this place was as bad as the previous reviewers suggest, but that doesn't mean it was a great spot that requires an immediate trip to town. If you are slogging through the tourist traps and need a spot to sit down and cool off, give them a try. But don't go out of your way.

P.S. They now have T-Shirts- the one displayed looked like a 4X Large size!

I agree with Eyechartbrew on this one. Dodgy to say the least. The wife and I stumbled down the steps to this place and didn't know what to expect: Dark, Dingy and thats just the beers! No, seriously. This place claims to be the oldest brewpub in Sacramento but the man behind the bar was complaining of money woe's the whole time we were there. He and a friend had bought the place from his friends mother who couldn't make the place fly. Then the friend ditched and this lone cowboy was the only man making this place go.

He was nice enough. Gave us a free sample and chatted but the place was empty and he had a local working on the lighting system for a free pint.

A friend brews for them and the brewery was back in what looked like a little kitchen with a dirty window to view it threw.

Two guys came in and asked for a tour. I think they were interested in buying the place but the guy was doing his best to keep anybody from wanting to buy it. He complained the whole time and said they get more requests for shirts than they do beer (they have no shirts) and they couldn't make the kitchen profitable.

I hate to see the place go under and i wish somebody would buy the place and clean it up. It's history, after all. But until thats done, skip this place and its beers.