Monday 7th of January 2013 07:04:34 PM

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Parking is convenient as this is right near a mall and there's plenty of parking available.

Other than that, this is very much a typical Granite City Brewery. The beer is decent, but not great. They have a good selection of beers - a light lager, wheat, IPA, bock, and stout. I had the bock and enjoyed it.

For food, I had already eaten so I just ordered a giant cookie w/ ice cream as dessert. It was ridiculously large, but very good.

Thursday 10th of May 2012 11:37:09 AM

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Whether or not a Granite City is really a brew pub will be debated as long as this business model exists.

The beer: I generally like the seasonal Pilsner the best. The Pale Ale, that many bartenders call an IPA, is drinkable - but it is definitely not an IPA. In general, the beers are drinkable and meet the general BJCP style guidelines. However, I generally find all a little on the light side, but consistent.

If you are not aware, Granite City brews at a centralized location, and use a process they call "suspended fermentation." They send unfermented beer to their restaurants. At that time the person certified on site, typically the manager or head chef, pitch the yeast and determine when it is ready to be served. If you are looking around and only seeing fermentation tanks, you've seen all there is to see.

Tips: Good happy hour specials, mug club specials, and other specials throughout the week.

Service: some people I've talked to find the staff to be a little stuffy. In general, I have always found them to be friendly and approachable. Further, if something goes wrong - management confronts it and deals with it right away.

Food: Only had dinner here a couple of times, it is OK. I think they feel that it is more than it actually is. It leans a little to the more costly side for this type of restaurant.

Atmosphere: every GC I've been in is basically the same. It is clean, well lit, and comfortable. Semi-open display kitchen from the main dining room. The bar is large, with booths and table - and a lot of TV's; it tries to be a bit of a sports bar. Very nice outdoor patio seating area, given the location of a mall parking lot.