Inside Surly's new $30M Facility

Went with a friend last week. It's nice, it's big, I like it. The food service door is right in the middle of the beer line, which doesn't make sense in the current long line format. The food looked good, but not sure how long I want to stand around for it. The upstairs dining room seemed interesting, and the Abrasive was good! There's a lot of room to expand taps, but in the winter, there weren't enough spaces for people to sit/set their drink down. The outdoors looks awesome for summertime. I know it is opening week so it is busy, but there will be a lot of people wanting to go there!

 

Had the charcuterie plate earlier today. Highly recommended. Was glad to be able to sit and try some food. That also makes getting beers a whole lot easier. The host told us an hour wait for 2, and we waited maybe 30 minutes. Overall, like some folks have said, they have some kinks to iron out, but they are in the process of doing so. The folks behind the bar are working their asses off and doing a nice job of keeping the line moving while being friendly.

 

We went the day after Christmas with my dad. We got the pork frites, Todd in a hole, cornbread, and pretzel. All the food was awesome, I will definitely be eating there again. Our server was also excellent and she was knowledgeable and informed about everything that was being poured. It did get super busy, but we didn't have to wait for anything while we were there.
I was surprised by the size, I thought it would be bigger. Don't get me wrong, the beer hall is a good size, just overall it wasn't as large as I had expected.

 

Stopped in today for a bite. Finding a single seat at the bar was no problem. I had the Chana Masala with tortilla chips. They need to swith to naan and beef up the serving of chana masala and then just charge $2 more. Chips do not cut it. Beers are well priced and half pours avaliable on pints. I can see me hitting this a lot more than the old place, especially when in this area.

 

Anyone else very disappointed at the design, i.e. creating a facility that large but only including one area to get beer from? Honestly, who would wait in line 30 minutes for a beer every time, all youre doing at that point is waiting in line and drinking unless you have someone to get it for you or youre sitting at the bar?

 

When it's super busy, the bottom floor probably doesn't have the best layout. But there are two separate bars upstairs, so they could easily spread things out if need be.

 

True, i guess as a huge fan of their beers i expected a better experience, but maybe its just something that needs to be worked out. I also purchased a few glasses while I was there and asked where the bottle openers were at; the manager then told me that was a good idea but surly didnt sell any beers that were in bottles so they didnt carry them.... just seems like a bit more effort into the business side of things would help them exponentially.... just my 2 cents as a current and future customer.

 

I went on Sunday and really enjoyed it. Gorgeous facility and will be extra amazing in the warm month(s) when they can roll open the one wall out to the huge patio/garden.

Got seated right away, server was friendly and knowledgeable, the food was really good and nicely constructed to work well with the beer lineup. I would be beyond ecstatic to have a brewery/taproom of this caliber in my home city.

Also, Todd the Axeman was out of this world delicious - Pentagram still disappoints me, great beer just not sour enough for my preference.

 

He should know they bottle Darkness, Pentagram, Smoke and their anniversary beers. It might be neat if they made an opener with a little wax-cutting tool like some wine bottle openers have.

 

Not sour enough for your tastes? Have you tried aging that sucker? Magic!

 

exactly what i thought, I mentioned darkenss, pentagram, eight, smoke, etc... all are waxed but I like your idea... just the only brewery ive ever been to that has a separate shop for merch, and no bottle openers...

 

13 is drinking great ATM

 

OT a bit... but this got me thinking has anyone heard anything about Misanthrope Bottles? They had an empty one sitting at the old taproom forever but haven't heard anything in quite some time.

 

I have one cellaring. Don't get me wrong, it's a great beer just the tart nose never matches up with the taste for me.

 

I as well went Sunday. Didn't eat but beer line was 0 which was great. I also fully agree with Pentagram, very ok beer. This year's batch is the best one I've had though. Last year I opened up a 5 and Pentagram for us to do a side-by-side, needless to say Pentagram was still half full at the night's end and 5 was empty. It's not bad (Pentagram), I'd rather just get one on tap and call it a day till next release, no need to pay $20+ for a bottle when I can get better sours for far less (I am finding myself saying this a lot lately)

 

Interesting. I haven't seen a brand new restaurant open in quite some time that's so clearly vegetarian hostile. I eat meat, but the friend I travel to taprooms with does not.

 

Come on it's Surly! Would you expect anything else???

 

I count over a dozen options for us vegetarians. I've seen much more difficult menus to order from.

 

A couple of the items that appear vegetarian are not. A server went over this with me. The brussels sprouts & the pirogues are both cooked in some type of animal fat. The cauliflower is vegetarian though (and delicious).

 

The distinction between Vegetarianisn vs. Veganism strikes again...