Tuesday 11th of October 2011 02:42:36 PM

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This person needs 3 or more reviews on the site for their scores to start counting.

Been here a few times, never really been blown away by the beer. I had Dark Knight last time I was there which was good, but their other beers are just ok in my opinion. I had an ESB once that I argued with the server over because it looked like a brown ale, well she brought me the brown ale and I was wrong, but why was the ESB so dark? Their guest taps are usually interesting things that you won't find just about anywhere else so that's nice. Food is good, but expensive and unspectacular.

Friday 8th of April 2011 02:06:11 PM

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The reviewer above me did a pretty good job describing this one. The place is very tiny, with about 10 tables and a small bar. I hadn't been back here in years, but got to help out the brewer for a day as a fund-raiser reward a couple weeks ago. It was really interesting to see how they manage a brewery and restaurant in such a small space. The food is good and quick.

They usually have 3-5 of their own beers on tap. My favorite is the Little Barley Bitter: at 3.5% ABV it is a nice session beer. The Wild Brunette is a nice strong brown ale with wild rice. And if you can luck out and taste the Dark Knight (imperial stout) or Rosie's you are in for a treat.

This place is about a good old-fashioned place to have some craft beer and a burger and hang out for a bit. Worth a trip.

Sunday 5th of October 2008 10:44:41 PM

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Barley johns is sorta the same as it was a few years ago when I last visited it... you know how you wish things wouldn't change, barley johns has, but the quality's gotten better. I like that.

First off, beer selection is 6 or so of their beers with another 6 or so guest taps... not bad guest taps and nothing that clashes with what they brew or have on, so it works...

The taphandles are blown glass, and the bar itself is light brown... every where is light brown... it's like a crapily made cabin imo... not unappealing but bland in it's way with boring little tables and a interesting little brewing system that seems to fall over itself while making use of the available space. You're not going to be overwhelmed with the look of this place, but you come to drink a good beer or three, not to wax semantics.

The outside is the gem of this place in summer and with heaters in winter, the outside is where to sit and enjoy a beer... it packs in the summer tho, as they take reservations...

Service was good. I usually make it a point to sit near the servers station at small places like this... you hear the best stories, and they notice you listening to them so they half pay attention to you.

it's out of the way is the biggest drawback in contrast to the rest of the twin cities downtown and downtown burb pubs... my recommendation is to hit it before the surly tour if you can... they're both kinda up that way... it's only 10 minutes away...