3 favorite brewery taprooms

Great thread indeed. Sadly, I haven't been to too many breweries/taprooms - not a terribly well-traveled guy, don't really have the pockets to travel, etc. However, here are my top three:

1). New Glarus. Hands down the standard by which all others should be judged. Perched atop a hill overlooking the town of New Glarus, the beer garden is a glorious place to spend an afternoon. Plus, you can bring your own grub, dogs, kids, etc.
2). Cellarmarker. In the SOMA neighborhood of San Francisco, it's a very cool, urban taproom with a giant garage door that opens onto the sidewalk/street. Sleek, intimate vibe. Awesome spot.
3). Green Tree Brewery. A local spot for me located on the banks of the Mississippi in LeClaire, Iowa. Beautiful views, fantastic brews.

 

I will say while the beer is excellent.... Other Half has the smallest tap room ive ever been in. couldn't be larger than 15x15

 

MacGreggors Tap Room - Rochester NY. They have 100+ on tap, and a flight menu that changes weekly. For the flights, they offer 6 flights of 6 beers on the menu, each one with a different style. For example, a flight of various fruit beers, a flight of various IPAs, etc. The food is great, and the atmosphere is usually pretty solid depending on which one you go to (I think there's 6 locations (all locally owned), the one to be at is in Henrietta NY, it's walking distance to RIT campus). They also have darts, billiards, and a few arcade-esque games there (Golden Tee is one!). It doesn't have the typical college setting though, which is the best part.

 

Troegs, Forrest and Main, and Other Half

 

When did they install a brewery? I used to be a regular at the Fairport location, and went to the original location in the South Wedge a fair bit too. The Jefferson Rd. location used to be a music venue called The Red Creek. I saw lots of shows there back when. One of the more memorable was Ginger Baker (of Cream) in a blues-rock trio, with a guitar and bass player, neither of whom looked more 15. They rocked though!

 

You know, I jumped right into this thread, and royally botched...
1. I didn't even mention 3 brewery taprooms
2. I was thinking of just tap rooms, not brewery tap rooms. They still do not have a brewery. I guess I'll edit my post to suit the thread... lol

I had no idea Jefferson Rd location used to be a music venue though, interesting!

 

1) Hair of the Dog. I go there about once every other week. The Reuben is my favorite and I have to try whatever "_____ from the Wood" on tap.

2) pFriem. Just a great place. Definitely the best looking brewery I've ever seen. And the food is amazing.

3) Pelican. The best view of any taproom - maybe anywhere.

 

The Red Creek was legendary! Lots of up and coming bands, and bands that used to be famous played there. Jay Leno played there when he was a road warrior stand-up comic. Story goes, that he traveled with a Popeil Pocket Fisherman in his luggage, and actually tried fishing in Red Creek out back.

 

I thought about adding Pelican to my Honorable Mentions, but the pricing (mostly) and (IMHO, I know I'm a minority) average-ish beer means they just missed the cut. View is awesome though, next stop, Japan!

 

Agreed. With the exception of Mother of All Storms, their beer is not something that I seek out. But that view is stunning.

 

No shit. That's actually really cool!

Anddd because I can't edit my previously failed post:

Genesee Brew House - Rochester, NY. The location of this place is the best, you can sit outside basically right over the Genesee River. Their food is great, and the beers are good too! There is sometimes a wait for dinner, so in the mean time you can go inside and sample their pilot batches, and learn the history of Genesee, etc. Flights are $2!

Harpoon - Boston, MA. This was already mentioned, but for good reason -- it's awesome! Great atmosphere, and a cool view of the city. And their tour is fun -- ends with 10 minutes of basically all you can drink samples.

Brewery Ommegang - Cooperstown NY. They call their taproom a "cafe", at least they did when I was visiting, but they're pretty big into food there. Even at their tastings, they would provide crackers, cheese, preztels, mustards, sauces, and recommend which went best with what beer. The even have Three Philosophers ice cream!

 

1. Woodland Empire - my favorite in Boise, and less than a mile from my house, almost always something new
2. Payette - easy to get to, on the way home, but selection has dwindled while they construct their new brewery & taproom, but $4 pints still work for me
3. 10 Barrel (Boise) - 20 taps of their own stuff, almost always something new and $10 flights of 10

 

Wow, so many Breweries, so little time! Three that come to mind are;
Avery's in Boulder- Great Tao Room and restaurant.
Oscar Blues in Longmont- Great restaurant.
O'Dells in Ft Collins- Great outdoor area

Honorable mention- Crooked Stave in Denver. Its in an old factory building. The old ironwork is interesting.
Epic in Denver- Located in the showroom of an old car dealership, Mercedes I think.

 

I opted for the taprooms that I've traveled to go see specifically vs. the local ones near us.

* Ballast Point - Outdoor patio was great in good weather. People were very friendly and helpful.
* Crooked Stave - Awesome place if you can get out there. Very chill vibe and food options in warehouse.
* Modern Times - Vast space, friendly staff and easy to get to.

 

Surly
FFF
Half Acre

 

In no order, and of what ive been to:

Three floyds
Cigar city
Barrelworks

 

My favorites so far:

La Cumbre. Great place, lots of friendly people, great food truck out front and of course great beer.

Wicked Weed Funkatorium. Loved this place, so many barrels sitting around making delicious brews. I like their main location too, but the Funkatorium was more my style.

Other Half. Tasty brews, can get yelled at by homeless people. Nice music playing, grimy and fun!

Lost Nation. Great food, lots of outdoor space, tasty brews, friendly staff

Mystic Brewery. Great place, awesome beer and lots that are brewery only. Easy take out food delivered to you at your bar seat.

 

After just reading your thread title I quickly thought of Edmunds's Oast and Wicked Weed - hehe. My third would be The Wrecking Bar in Atlanta with honorable mention to Revolution in Chicago and Flat Branch in Columbia, MO.

 

My favorites that I've been to:

Best views: Pelican, Ouray Brewing, Taos Mesa Brewing

Best Atmosphere: Founders, Phantom Carriage, Avery

Best Texas: Jester King, Freetail, Community

 

Stone
Lagunitas
Long Trail

That being said, I LOVE LOVE the tiny, more intimate places normally located in warehouses such as:

Holy City
Alesmith
Lost Abbey