Beertown

[S. St. Jeb]

http://www.beertown.ca/

Locations in Burlington, Cambridge, London, Waterloo

Have been twice (in Burlington), once for drinks after work, and today for dinner.

Great beer menu with both static and rotating bottles and draught. List is readily available on-line, including what is 'on deck'. Everyone in our party enjoyed their food tonight.

[S. St. Jeb]

Not meaning to promote this place, only to provide information, but this quote from the Amsterdam Brew House thread does not apply. Both my visits have been positive.

My server did not really know what was on tap despite me grilling him 2-3 times asking about what else is available. I walked down to the bar and inspected the chalkboard for myself and found some interesting options (El Dorado Saison, Apricot Sour.) The chalkboard is also not accurate and reflects what could (should?) be available. Space Invader, KLB Raspberry Wheat and Fracture were prominently displayed on the chalk board, but not available.

[seangm]

Beertown opened a location in Whitby. Always nice to get a new (good) beer focused place in Durham Region, since despite a few solid breweries it's not as saturated as the rest of the GTA. Food was good, better than the typical chains in that part of Whitby, with a good selection of rotating draft, static pours and cans/bottles. Nice to see Willibald and Third Moon out my way; had the City Slicker from the former and a Bone Tree. Had a Vim & Vigor Pils on tap as well.

Prices seemed to be what I'd expect, maybe even reasonable considering how wild everything is these days. Two entrees, our share of the appetizers and 5 beers came to $115 before tip. Place was packed on a Saturday night, which is nice to see, but leads to my one complaint- the noise is brutal. Difficult to have a conversation, I'd recommend the patio if you can get a spot. Otherwise a welcome addition to the area.

[anthony9]

I’ve never been to Beertown, but it seems like this concept can really give someone that has never had stuff from a small producer a taste for something new and different.

Looking at their list, there are some ones that are in Durham region, but also some pretty surprising stuff like Small Pony and Origin of Darkness.

While I prefer hipster and hipster-adjacent places, this really does seem like a great middle option between those and the places that have one or two big craft or pseudo-craft taps.

As a suburbanite myself, I’d would love for this kind of thing to be in my neck of the wood.

[S. St. Jeb]

my one complaint- the noise is brutal. Difficult to have a conversation

It's my only complaint too. I'm not sure it's been difficult to have conversation, but it's definitely loud if the place is full.

[Craig]

I’ve never been to Beertown, but it seems like this concept can really give someone that has never had stuff from a small producer a taste for something new and different.

Looking at their list, there are some ones that are in Durham region, but also some pretty surprising stuff like Small Pony and Origin of Darkness.

While I prefer hipster and hipster-adjacent places, this really does seem like a great middle option between those and the places that have one or two big craft or pseudo-craft taps.

As a suburbanite myself, I’d would love for this kind of thing to be in my neck of the wood.

Like you're saying, I don't think a Beertown should or is even trying to take on the hipster downtown joints, or the craft beer mecca bar that most good sized towns have. I think they're aiming more at the suburbs, strip malls and box store areas that are currently being served by East Side's, Milestones, etc. and we can all agree it's a huge step up on the beer front there!

I've been in a few of them now, and they're all really loud when they're full. I found the Guelph one, my local, actually more expensive than the competition in the area but with a vastly better selection. They're a little cheaper than the Wooly downtown, which is the beer mecca sort of place.

[Cass]

I know I've shared some Beertown thoughts elsewhere, but Craig's spot-on that they're basically a suburban restaurant concept that focuses on craft beer. Which isn't a knock, as there is/was a gap in the market and they filled it. In Oakville, it is the only place in town with a legitimately decent lineup of beer.

My beef with the Oakville Beertown is value for money - the beers are all 14/15oz or smaller, and $8-$9+ per, plus tax and tip. And I've observed consistent under-filling of glasses, and whether purposeful or not, drives me mad. I end up going to other places in town where the selection isn't the same, but the beer pricing and sizing is more 'traditional'.

I will say that the Toronto Beertown is a generally reliable place and good for commuters, as its location at Wellington and University is only a couple of mins from Union.

[Craig]

For a while there I thought Bier Markt was going to be the thing that filled that gap. They had a few locations, and I was seeing them on restaurant chain gift cards and stuff like that. Seems like they didn't make it for whatever reason.

[anthony9]

Between the two, it seems like a Chevrolet-Cadillac kind of targeting. I think Beertown sounds much less intimidating than Bier Markt.

[seangm]

For a while there I thought Bier Markt was going to be the thing that filled that gap. They had a few locations, and I was seeing them on restaurant chain gift cards and stuff like that. Seems like they didn't make it for whatever reason.

Actually, this is kind of spot on; Beertown feels like an updated take on Bier Markt. I don't head downtown as much these days so it's definitely welcomed in the 'burbs, especially since it replaced what I think was a Montana's.

[MatttthewGeorge]

My beef with the Oakville Beertown is value for money - the beers are all 14/15oz or smaller, and $8-$9+ per, plus tax and tip. And I've observed consistent under-filling of glasses, and whether purposeful or not, drives me mad. I end up going to other places in town where the selection isn't the same, but the beer pricing and sizing is more 'traditional'.

This smaller sizing is my main issue with Beertown. I frequent the Waterloo location on occasion and would love a proper pint of Lone Pine... the 14oz glass just isn't satisfying and price/oz feels like a ripoff.

[Cass]

This smaller sizing is my main issue with Beertown. I frequent the Waterloo location on occasion and would love a proper pint of Lone Pine... the 14oz glass just isn't satisfying and price/oz feels like a ripoff.

Yeah, and the rub is that Lone Pine was one of the very few beers that was served in an 18oz glass (at least at the Oak location), but it ultimately changed to 14 in line with everything else.

[distr0]

Great veg/vegan/gf menu at beertown as well