Bethlehem Brew Works

March 30, 2009
This has quickly become one of my favorite brew pubs. Beer selection is above average (3 regulars and 6 or 7 special/seasonal brews), as are most of the beers. Most styles are represented, and they’re not afraid to brew up something quirky (Machine sHop) or unique (various Lambics) once in a while, as well. The beer sampler is a great place to start. The menu is extensive and tasty. Many of the menu items use BBW beers in the batters or recipies to great success. Prices are fair and the service is well above the norm. No happy hour that I know of, but they do have special promos most weeknights. The Steelgaarden downstairs is also cool. If you can’t find something to like about this place, you’re a snob.

January 6, 2009
Nice place with decent food. Good selection of their beers. A touch expensive but its good stuff. I will go back

September 2, 2008
Stopped by on a beer tour, 09/01/08. Was using directions from Lew Bryson’s book, which were difficult to follow, but not the breweries fault. Called for better directions, were given incomplete and imprecise directions by a girl who had no idea where we were coming from, or how to get to thier business. Finally asked a police officer who provided concise and accurate directions to the facility. As usual I asked for a beer sampler maybe I’m getting cheap, but $8.50 for my choice of 6- 5oz beer seemed expensive. I was told also, that choosing the framboise as one of the selections would result in an additional $2.00 surcharge. I instead requested the oatmeal stout, which was very good. We perused the menu, which was also very expensive: I’m not sure I am willing to pay $10.99 for a burger, or 13.99 for a Kobe burger....we paid for our drinks and left, irritated by the prices, the poor directions, and the lethargic service.

March 23, 2008
Stopped by on Easter weekend on a Saturday, so we may have come at a less-crowded time. No two seats together at the bar, so we got a table in the tank room, a little darker, more ambiance. The hostess was friendly, and got us seated promptly. Our waiter, Daniel, was knowledgeable, polite, and friendly without being the in-your-face funny type that you too often see these days. The sampler is six beers (I let Daniel pick) served in a rack that looks like a gear, very much in keeping with the heavy metal theme of this steeltown brewpub. At $8.50 for the half dozen six-ounce servings, it’s a bargain. Having more than a shot glass of each beer really gave you a chance to appreciate it. We just had the fried appetizer sampler, nice appys, the sweet and spicy wing sauce was a great complement to the Imperial Stout! A nice place, easy parking out back in a metered lot, we’ll be back!

February 29, 2008
Stopped in for a beer when I was in town. Was very crowded but I was thirsty. Brewing visible from the windows and it is a very nice place. Very clean and fast paced bar. I hear the food is pretty good but I did not get to eat. There is a downstairs where there is a lounge atmosphere and martini list, if that is what you want.

January 14, 2008
Pretty cool spot right in the middle of the shops in downtown Bethlehem. Cool old building. Several of their own brews on tap with lots of bottled choices as well. Food was pretty good.

January 13, 2008
Not the cheapest place to dine, but definitely a place to hit if you’re in the area. The selection of custom brews was quite good with the Oatmeal Stout standing out most. If you prefer the lighter side of drinking, their Golden Ale ensures you can drink anywhere in the spectrum of good beers. I enjoyed the atmosphere and the Pumpkin Ale specialty available in the Fall.

January 13, 2008
Very impressive, good food, good beer, great atmosphere. Nice size place lots of room to walk and sit. Beer was quite impressive. Would def make the trip again.

July 26, 2007
Cool bar in a pleasant part of Bethlehem; dimmed lighting and nice seating options; reasonable crowd. Six beers upstairs (Oatmeal Stout, ESB, Berliner Weisse, Hefe, etc.), with lots (~100) of Belgian beers in the downstairs section (Cantillon, Rodenbach), which helps. Waiter gave us directions to the new Allentown Brew Works (where their brewer was opening a new location). Very pleasant place to stop; decent beers.

July 24, 2007
I probably liked this place more than I would have otherwise since i just came from Golden Avalanche where things were horrid. Overall this is a really nice brewpub, about standard for what I’ve seen. Large room, long bar, dark lighting late at night when we arrived made it quite relaxed. The bartender was cool, because after we had the Berliner Weisse and one other thing, he let us know that Allentown Brew Works was a better place to go drink as they have a more interesting beer selection. Still, I liked this place well enough, and the bottle list for the Steelgaarden was a nice read but it didn’t contain anything incredibly rare.