Barrel Theory Beer Company

Parking is awful. Everything else is killer.

 

I am not sure why so many people are complaining about the parking situation. Do people really expect to find parking that is within 50 feet of the building in a downtown setting? There are enough free spots to park if you can handle walking 3 blocks.

And to keep this beer related, maverick is incredible. Haven't had an APA out of MN that good in a long time. Hopefully they keep that one around.

 

I am not as familiar with downtown St. Paul. I didn't realize how bad parking could be. At least now I know, and, now that I do know, I will be back.

 

Sorry if this seemed directed towards you. Meant it as more of a general comment based off replies in this thread. I have to fight traffic every time I go there (which is annoying), but the beer is well worth it

 

Parking was a non issue. Parked about 100 ft from the door at a non metered spot. Sunday AM in Lowertown can be crowded with the Market going on but there are always spots available. And yes, everything else is fantastic.

 

I think it was more the Saints game throwing things off when we went. Really a minor issue, all things considered.

 

That's exactly what I was thinking yesterday.

 

For those complaining about parking, perhaps you should spend some more time in lovely St. Paul. For those of us who frequent the less popular Twin City, parking is a non-issue. It's not as "cool" as Minneapolis, and I'm biased being an east sider...but St. Paul has it's own charm.

I totally get that you want free parking...but you're going to have to walk for it. Go to a Saints game, the Jazz Festival at Mears Park, a Wild game, a concert at Xcel or Roy Wilkins...you'll get used to the parking situation rather quickly. Add in some time to find parking and walk a few blocks. There is ample street parking, street lots, and ramps for those who don't mind paying. When I go to Wild games, I park near Bad Weather a full mile from the arena. I personally think the parking around Barrel Theory is great...tons of street spots within a 2 or 3 block radius. If you circle the adjacent blocks a few times you'll find one.

I can't imagine the complaints that will come in if 12welve Eyes is half as popular as Barrel Theory, as their parking situation is far worse if you're set on a free or metered street spot. Their front door opens up to Light Rail tracks, no street parking. At least Stacked Deck will be in a complex with large parking garage.

 

I'm with you. I honestly don't understand the complaints about parking near Barrel Theory. It's a popular brewery in a popular part of the downtown core of a major US city and people are whining about having to walk a few blocks for FREE or very cheap parking. Maybe it's because I grew up in a major city on the East Coast or maybe it's because I live in the city and go downtown often but honestly this whole issue screams "I live in the suburbs and don't get out much". What did you expect, free valet parking and a handjob?

/rant

 

Agree with all of this, although the Saints games are a massive pain for those of us who live in Lowertown when you try inviting a friend over. I have a garage space, but my friends are screwed.

But yeah, 12welve Eyes is in a much more difficult spot in terms of parking. Unless you like the Green Line.

 

Agreed. I've been to B/T three times so far and have never had trouble finding convenient parking. So I'm bewildered by all the complaints.

On the other hand, if the illusion of parking problems scares some people away, well... I guess that's just more space at the bar for me.

 

If you drive to visit Barrel Theory during a Saints game or certain Mears Park events, you're probably either going to have to pay a few bucks for parking or walk some non-trivial distance. If you visit at other times, bring quarters, and you should be able to park nearby for fairly cheap or for free. Barrel Theory's prices are on the high side relative to its competitors (though not radically so), so the costs can add up: You could easily find yourself dropping $20 for two beers ($6 pint + $7 10 oz. specialty pour + $2 in tips + $5 for a parking ramp). If you regularly visit top restaurants and purchase 750-ml bottles of barrel-aged imperial stouts and sours, this may not faze you. If you seek happy hour specials and wait for Summit or Schell's 12-packs to go on sale for $10.99, it may. This is valuable information for consumers and should cause zero offense.

Lowertown is booming and failing to Keep Saint Paul Boring. Compensate for the trouble that it might or might not have taken you to get to Barrel Theory by taking in some of the many things the neighborhood has to offer (other taprooms like Tin Whiskers and the upcoming 12welve Eyes, Stacked Deck, and Culhane, top restaurants and bars, art galleries, Farmers' Market, Mears Park, Union Depot, Mississippi River / Lower Landing Park, CHS Field / Saints, etc.).

Pro tip to walkers who visit 12welve Eyes (or Barrel Theory during a Saints game): There's usually ample free street parking across the river on the West Side around Fillmore and Livingston. Then you just have to walk across the Robert Street bridge and you're practically at 12welve Eyes (approximately 0.6 mile walk).

 

Drove 7 hours from Winnipeg specifically to visit Barrel Theory (made a few other stops along the way) and was thoroughly impressed. Purple Lamborghini may have been the best berliner I've ever had the fortune of trying and I can't say a bad thing about the 3 other beers we tried either.

The service was amazing as well. I bought a glass (would've bought beer to take home had it been an option) and the woman remembered my ID was a Canadian one and gave me a second free glass for my fiancee. I'll be making more trips to MN now most definitely.

 

I live 60+ miles from the nearest paid parking spot, so I'm just not used to having to deal with it.

 

I'm sorry you may have been subjected to the prospect of parallel parking. Godspeed.

 

The last time I went to Barrel Theory, it was a Saints home game. There were multiple open spots behind the sex shop across 94 that were unmetered.

 

Thanks for the F-shack. Love, Dirty Mike and the Boys.

 

Ironically, I drive a red Prius.

 

Pretty hard to do in a minivan.