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Best Chain Brewpubs
General Beer Discussion by DANSTING
They are opening a new Granite City Food and Brewery in the Kansas City area this week, and it got me to thinking. What do you think is the best chain brewpubs? For me, it's Rock Bottom. I think they make good beer, and their food is good too. I've also been to a John Harvard Brew House and it was pretty good. I've never been to a Gordon Biersch, Hops, or Granite City yet, but I'm sure there are others that I'm not thinking of. Just curious as to what you think.
19 years ago
EAGLEFAN538
69535
Iron Hill minus the Newark location.... SERIOUSLY!
quote: Originally posted by Flashpro
I also have to say Iron Hill. John Harvards was getting better, but still nothing ever exciting. Gordon Biersch wasn't that great either, but OK. Maybe a little better than Rock Bottom. Those are the only ones I've been to I think.
Truer words were never spoken! I hate that location more than I can begin to explain. But the beer is not the problem there. The dirty glasses, cold serving temps, and rude wait staff is the problem there.
quote: Originally posted by eaglefan538 Iron Hill minus the Newark location.... SERIOUSLY!
Maybe it would be better to define what a "chain" really might be. Personally I look at a chain as a place that is in more than one city, like Rock Bottom or Granite City. I wouldn't consider 75th St. a chain in my mind. Just my thoughts...but I'm not that cool so.......
SUDSMCDUFF
62727
I just got back from my first visit to a BJ's, there food is really good and the beers are mostly above average, a few plain janes but they have a couple of special ones...plus their belgium selection is good, at least 10 bottles of premium beer (chimay,kwak,scaldis...even westmalle!)..all and all, an enjoyable experience! Gordon Biersch is a so so venue. Went to the one in New Orleans and had one of there simple lagers, good and refreshing but thats about it.
quote: Originally posted by JohnC
BJ's Brewhouse is a very good chain: their standard beers are pretty decent and the brewers have some freedom to create some beers on their own. The one near me Always has a beer on cask plus a couple of other brewer specials. They usually have some Belgians (e.g. Piraat) on draft. They have a nice menu and good food
the normal GB (gag und barf) brews are just that. However, at the Palo Alto location, and the SF one as well, the Winter Bock and the Maibock are another story. Back in der Vaterland, brewries have free beer days once or twice in a year. Those two GB location do the same for the tapping of Winter and Maibocks. John Tucci the brewer-now at SF- damn sure knows what a lager is, and makes em to perfection. His understudies at the PA location are holding the line as well. As far as ain't so swift: Rock Bottom (honest at least) and Tired House are to be missed. Pizza Port sounds interesting to say the least. California uber Alles!
I've only been to one Oggie's; the beer was pretty good, the food was about average, but the atmosphere was terrible. The same holds true for Rock Bottom with the exception of some of their seasonal beers which are very good. Gordon Bierch did not impress me at all. BJ's has decent beers and occasionally a good cask ale and the food is pretty good as well. I think Pizza Port had the best overall beer and a very good selection of guest beers but the menu was somewhat limited. Their festivals are a must!
I forgot that I've been to Calhoun's too. Pretty good food, decent beers.
quote: Originally posted by pksmith
I suppose the best that I've actually been to would be Calhoun's Smoky Mountain. They make a nice array of very drinkable beers and their pizza is the bomb. Brick oven cooked with garlic roasted tomatoes.