Tuesday 24th of May 2011 02:34:48 PM

link
A lot of beers were on tap The sample tray was only five beers, so you have to pick and choose. Larger than average samples glasses, though. Go for the odd ones that you can't get in bottles. Both the food and service were excellent. We arrived to a packed lunchtime crowd, but they were on the way out! I felt the value was pretty good, so I bought a shirt as well that day.

Saturday 10th of July 2010 12:28:32 PM

link
The pub is on the highway, just south of the Twisp River. A long covered veranda separates the pub from the parking strip (and there is more parking in back). Inside you traverse a hallway/waiting area (the brewery itself can be glimpsed through a door to the left), then enter a large room with high ceilings and full windows on two sides. The bar area is directly to the left. The ceiling is supported by a couple of large wooden beams, and is equipped with a few ceiling fans, and several interesting hanging burlap quilts, presumably to provide some noise baffling. The bar consists of a long curved brown concrete top with dark metal below, a dark metal foot rail, and is lined with tall dark metal chairs with wooden seats and backs. The “bar back” is simply windows looking into the brewery cool room and shelves full of chilling bottles and kegs. Also in the bar area is a tall wooden bench with tall tables and the same tall chairs as at the bar. The bench separates the bar section from the restaurant section. The restaurant area has black metal tables with dark wooden tops and shorter versions of the same chairs as are in the bar area. One corner of the restaurant has a music stage.

At the back of the building, adjacent to the river, is an extensive patio covered with concrete pavers and furnished with numerous wooden tables and plastic chairs. A fence constructed of wooden blocks and aluminum rails marks the edge beyond which the ground descends fairly steeply to the river. In late spring, at least, the roar of the river provides some great white noise! Along one side of the patio is a trellis supporting a wall of growing hop plants.

There are seven regular beers, two seasonals, two guest beers, and two ciders (locally made at an organic orchard from apples and pears; the apple was excellent - fruity and dry). The beers tend to lighter styles, but there is still a decent range.

Food is good and reasonably innovative in execution, if fairly traditional in style. The burgers we had were quite tasty as were the salads.

Wednesday 16th of September 2009 02:35:35 PM

link
I was looking forward to this stop after a long (dry) trip from Republic, WA, Sunday mid-day the place was pretty busy, mostly people having lunch. The food and menu looked great. We were there for the beer...rather disappointed. Our group tried several and many then ordered domestics afterwards. They were out of cream ale and pilsner eventhough they were listed on the board. So we got the impression it was more about the food than the beer..won't stop again.

Tuesday 18th of August 2009 06:59:53 PM

link
I'm going to have to break this review in to two parts: One for the pub, one for the beers.

The pub is an excellent place for dinner, probably the best in the Methow valley. The patio overlooks the Twisp River, and has adequate seating even on sunny nice days. Our waitress was very friendly, attentive and helpful. Everyone was very happy with their meals, and had a great dinner here. Really not much to complain about here!

Now for the beer... As someone that always makes an effort to try every open brewery/brewpub when I'm out travelling, I naturally had to stop at this place for that very reason. I got a sample of all of the brews offered.

I ordered the sampler, and overall, the beers were made very clean. Now this might be something most people take for granted, but it's the most important, and often difficult step to making good beer. But the recipe makeup, and the overall brewing process could use some work in my opinion. The Vienna Lager was especially a disappointment as it was the one I was most excited to try. It was hazy, had no lager character, and had a very grainy aftertaste from the pilsner malt. It honestly didn't taste or look lagered in any way shape or form. Really, the beer has potential, it just needs work. I ordered a pint of their guest tap, the Alpine Marzen. The waittress reacted like that was the normal occurrence after someone orders a sampler.

I would definitely stop by again next time I'm in the area to give them another try!

Wednesday 8th of July 2009 07:47:20 PM

link
We (The Family and I) headed north up on Hwy 2 and found this awesome place along the Twisp river. The brewery up front of the restaurant looked awesome and they had fresh 6 beers for me to try. We got an awesome outside seat overlooking the river. The food was great pub food and we had our fill. The Cream Ale was so fresh and tasty and I really like the porter. I really liked the IPA as it was full of fresh hops. This was a great place with some real atmosphere. Kids are welcome and they have a play area for the kids. We had some great service and they really knew the food and beer they where serving. If you are up in the area take a ride up to the Methow Valley area and stop in for some great beer. You will be truly happy you did.

Sunday 22nd of June 2008 11:46:49 PM

link

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

I want to like the beer at this place - I really do. Let me state outright that the place is cool, cool food, cool location and cool people. The food is very good - but the beer, oh man, the beer. I'm not sure what's wrong with it. One night we had a few pitchers and couldn't even finish them because the taste was so bad. So I chatted it up with the waitress, who told me that lots of the locals drink the guest tap when they come in. The waitress even comped us a pitcher - as if to say that she thought the beer sucked too.

I'm a homebrewer and know a bit about beer, but I don't know why the Methow Valley Brewing company can't figure out what's wrong with their beer. Maybe it's the yeast strain?? or their lack of attention to hygiene in the brewery?? I sure wish they'd figure it out - 'cause then I'd start drinking their beer again.

Go for the ambience and the food, but skip the beer. Yikes - sad to say about a brewery

Tuesday 4th of September 2007 11:20:36 PM

link
Twisp (Indian word for "yellow jacket" and they are in abundance in the summer) lies 8 miles South of the Old West town of Winthrop and it's worth the trip.
The Twisp River Pub sits right on the river w/a beer garden and excellent view. On a hot day (and they do! get hot in the Methow Valley) there's nothing better than whiling away a late afternoon sipping one of Jesse's brews and, on Wednesday, waiting for the live music to begin. This is an area for artists who escaped the big city life so the professionalism is evident when the band strikes the first chord.
Sorry to report however, that brewer Jesse isn't doing so well. Patrons at the bar say that he's got a girlfriend so his beer "ain't what it used to be" but wife Persimmon and I thought they were all just fine, although he was out of the IPA, Stout and Porter. However, I had spent 6 weeks here awhile back and can report the Stout and Porter are excellent. Jesse says he likes to brew 22 varieties every year and told us he had just purchased a bunch of cherries from local organic farmers in preparation of making a cherry Hefeweizen w/a pound of cherries for each batch. Kreik-y!!
Menu is diverse featuring fish tacos and a great hummus plate with hot, toasted pita slices that seem to disappear especially when combined with a pint of Porter. Found the service to be a bit slow but very friendly and with the sights and sounds of the river and taste of the beer, well...it didn't seem to matter all that much.
Good luck with the girlfriend Jess...but don't forget your priorities, pal!!