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| - This really hurts to write such a scathing review, but sometimes an honest opinion needs to be put out there. I enjoy visiting all of the fine breweries that have opened in the valley over the recent years. Most are good, some are truly great, while a few are just plain awful. I typically give a new place a couple of months to be open before I stop in so that they can work those initial kinks out. I believe they opened in April/May. I have been here twice; once a few weeks ago on a Friday and the other night before heading to a show at The Rebel Lounge.
Let me begin with the highlights:
Décor: 3.5 A very nice wide open space with a big bar and large windows that give a look into the brewery. A very nice vintage vibe that is comfortable and inviting. Like others have said here, the stools leave a lot to be desired.
The beers: 2.5 Nothing too exciting here. The IPA is solid, but just pretty typical. The Summer Ale was OK. The Milk Stout was very good. And I have not had the Scottish Ale that everyone is raving about because I am not a big fan of the style. My additional wish, besides wanting them to improve on the quality, is to increase the number of selections. They had more guest taps than their own made beers. You're a brewery, act like one.
The food: 4 Now I know several ppl have complained about the limited menu, the lack of a kitchen and the pricing of the items, but what ppl need to understand is that they are a brewery, not a culinary destination. Some breweries don't even serve food. I actually enjoyed the charcuterie selection and also felt that the pricing wasn't that unfair. Most places that serve these types of boards offer predetermined items on a few items. Helton provides a sushi type menu where you can select the items and assemble your own board. Everything is sliced, weighed and assembled within view of the bar. All the meats and cheeses were fresh and of great quality.
Service: 1 When I was here a few weeks ago, it was fairly busy and I found a seat at the bar. 5 minutes to get a menu, another 5 to asked what I wanted, 10 minutes to get a beer in front of me, sat with an empty glass for another 15 miutes....see a trend here? My tender was short on conversation and seemed a little put out to be bothered to bring me another beer. The other night was much better. I sat at one of the long tables away form the bar. I didn't get any food, but my tender was very attentive with good conversation skills. She was quick to take my order and had excellent follow up when my glass was near empty. It was also dead at 6 o'clock on a Friday night, so I guess that could say a lot. Typically this type of service would render a 3 with me except for one little thing. On both visits I had items added to my tab that I did not order. Now, I can excuse the one on my visit a few weeks ago seeing as they were pretty slammed and could have very easily been an oversight. The other night, not so much. It was dead and there was an extra beer onmy tab that I did not order. My server apologized SEVERAL times, which made the entire thing not seem right. I'm not saying they are doing this intentionally....but I kind of am. Shady to say the least. I just wonder how many other ppl notice and say something.
Other MISC stuff: -1 I make a point not to grade location, parking, etc. These places make the best of what they can after making their product. One thing I will point out from my most recent visit was the owner consuming multiple beers behind the bar and in view of the customers. I observed at least 3 pints consumed while I was there for nearly 2 hours. I'm not saying this is wrong, but that's a lot to consume while on premises. The least he could have done was come out and mingle with his paying customers and get a vibe and some feedback.
11 points, minus 1= 10/4 catagories=2.5
I'll round up to 3 in hopes that they get their shit together and address the glaring deficiencies. I'll be back, but it won't be for quite a while. Would I recommend someone to visit Helton right now? No way. Take your money and go the extra 1.5 miles to Wren House Brewing. They don't have food, but their beers and service are far superior and they won't try to get you to pay for something that you didn't order.
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