Southern Tier is actually a nice addition to the North Shore. The corporate craft brewery is a very different experience than a local craft brewery. It's big and more fancy but once you get past the pretty light fixtures and nice industrial space, it definitely feels more like a chain restaurant with a lot of beers on tap and communal tables.
We braved the crowds in their opening days where the bar was 4 deep to order a beer before standing around waiting for a table. They text you when your table is ready. Clearly we weren't getting seats at the bar, so that eliminates sampling to help you find a beer you like. We each ordered their IPA and it was a 4 star beer. I got a 2nd beer later with my food that wasn't as successful. The Tangier Session IPA was watery and pretty much lacking in every regard.
Once seated I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich with tomato jam, roasted red peppers & gruyere with a side salad - the sandwich was excessively sweet with a lot of bread and the salad consisted of greens out of a bag drowned in sweet & sour vinaigrette. My husband got The Southern Tier Burger & side salad. He was informed they 'Smash Grill' all their burgers on a flat top griddle & they are all cooked the same - well done. He still decided to order it and the ingredient flavors were good but the meat was dry & overcooked.
Service was actually good considering how busy everyone was. Overall I'm voting this place pretty average.