The Martlet Brewery and Public House

this place has taken over the location where the middling star route used to be, and although its been awhile, it didnt feel a whole lot different, maybe a little decor touchup, but same layout with the shop windows and the beer hall vibe with the bar set back. they have a sizable outside space which is ideal in the summer, and they have a pizza window, which i think is a separate business, in the back hallway now, which i do not recall from the star route days, but i wasnt a regular. its got a nice small town community center type vibe, comfortable, no frills. the service was a bit impersonal when i was there, weird for a saturday night, especially with how uncrowded they were, just not a lot of enthusiasm there, cold even, maybe i am being too critical, but like, say what up to me when i pop in right? anyway, the beer was hit or miss, their black ipa is the star here for sure, super bold and good, the orange vanilla honey beer was over the top and amateur, while the midnight snack dessert porter with graham cracker and cocoa was sweet but tasty, somewhere in between the two but maybe their most ambitious offering when i was in. this feels like a new business still getting their legs under them, but the location is right on, center of downtown, the outside area is nice, the pizza is solid, and the beer list covers some ground, so if they can clean up the liquid a little bit and put some pep in the service, i think they will be alright. one of the better black india pale ales ive had in some time, i hope they keep that one going.