Saturday 26th of November 2011 02:04:54 PM

link
Brewer's Alley is a very nice brewpub restaurant, definitely worth visiting if you're near downtown Frederick, MD. The couple times I've been there, I've been quite impressed with the food and service. Once was a Thursday evening (they have a nice surf & turf lobster deal) and another was Tuesday evening (with a live band). It seems to be a popular place, and their sampler of ~9 beers is a good value. The Brewer's Alley brewpub originally offered its own house beer, which was either brewed in house, or contracted at Frederick Brewery. Eventually the owners desired to expand, and the solution was to open Monocacy Brewery, which by Maryland law needed to have a different name. They craft lighter and heavier beers equally well, because I was quite impressed with the hoppy low-strength 4.1% Humulus Lupus Rex Pale Ale, and with the high-strength 8.4% Scotch Ale. I also really enjoyed their year-round Weizen Bier and their seasonal Three Kings Spiced Ale. I like this place.

Friday 14th of January 2011 01:53:56 AM

link
I've been here before I became a 'beer geek'. Back then, I did appreciate that they make their beer in house and it's pretty fresh. The food then was fantastic then and it still is now.

Brick oven pizzas, an awesome hot crab dip app, the burgers are great, the oysters on a half shell were awesome.

The beers are award winning as early as this 2010's WBC. Their IPA won silver in english style IPA. I'd say, that is pretty f'n good for a small brewpub that distributes locally still.

They do offer growlers for their beer. The last time I went, I had their dunkelweiss and their porter. Very, very, good...both of them. Between the two, the porter was better.

Whenever I'm back in MD(live in NM now...I know), I always try to make it back to The Alley. I still need to try their IPA.

Saturday 23rd of May 2009 04:34:29 PM

link
Second visit and quality generally held up. Got their six-beer 'sampler' this time and the standout was the Weizen -- crisp flavors of banana and coriander and a very clean finish. One of the better of this variety I've had. The Trinity is cask-conditioned and is quite smooth, as well. The 21 Cherries is not my thing -- which is why I scored it low -- but for a lambic-style-lover, it would probably be well-liked. Have had their Pilsner before and it is also a highlight.

IPA = 4
Weizen = 5
Trinity Stout = 3
ESB = 3
1862 = 4
21 Cherries = 2


Very good meal. Spicy Buffalo Burger was complemented by a well-seasoned aoli and melted blue cheese. My wife had a fantastic lobster & crab po' boy. Appetizers were nothing to rave about, but were also good.

Brewpub is in an historic part of Frederick -- brick building with separate bar area and dining rooms. Family-friendly atmosphere and the service was very attentive.

Monday 21st of April 2008 01:44:50 AM

link
Brewer's Alley is one of the best family restaurants in the heart of downtown Frederick. Also brewing its own beer, it sports a decent selection of beers on tap. The pilsner, koelsch, and oatmeal stout are popular choices while they have recently added on tap the new Oxford Rasberry wheat variety (which isn't brewed there). The beers are nothing original but very well made and delicious, especially the seasonal Scotch Ale.
The service is always top notch as the bartenders and servers seem to constantly see if you need anything. Being in the heart of Frederick, the atmosphere has a very small town and young feel to it. The food is also great as the pizza is especially good.

Sunday 23rd of December 2007 08:29:51 PM

link
Much more of a restaurant than a brewery, Brewer's Alley is Frederick's oldest brewpub. Their beers are pretty inoffensive and unremarkable, but that said I would say they're all competently made and have no real drawbacks. I attribute their 'user-friendliness' to the fact that it's a brewpub in Frederick...there's definitely a beer-culture in the area but I wouldn't classify it as beer geeky necessarily, if that makes sense.
The pilsner is probably the best of their beers. Wednesday nights they do $1.50 pints and if you get there early enough there's a free buffet of sorts. And fair warning, if you go it's gonna be a young post college crowd, with a decidedly small town feel.