B.B. Rover’s

December 18, 2007
Being originally from a place of limited beer selection, the first time I came here I was flabergasted by the selection. 300 different brews? Wow... but now it’s time for an honest review. The place in general just seems dated and in need of remodeling. Food is an upswing for the joint- the majority of the specials and soups are made onsite, as well as having a much larger menu selection when compared to the other places. Prices- decent on the food, moderate on the beer. Service- can be stop and go- some regulars work, some newbies, but are knowledgeable about the beers. Beer- 16 taps, and 300+ on the guide. The guide can be misleading- there has been times when I ordered a beer that was out- only to be expected because the backend is small. The beers that are listed are usually on the bottom tier of the beer ladder, but how can you know what’s good if you don’t know what’s bad? Hidden bonus- drink 100 beers on the list here, the 101st is free (750ml Chimay Grand Reserve FREE? Sure!), you get your name on the wall, and are invited to an annual BBQ on Labor Day. Summary- if you come in acting like a beer-pagner, you’re not going to like the experience. However, this place is definately blue collar, and is a change of pace when compared to the bars in town that are crowded, overcharge, and smell worse than a urinal in a Las Vegas cathouse.

December 9, 2005
Although I used to work right down the street and had a good 45 minutes downtime waiting for the bus, I really only ventured in to BB Rover’s a few times before I relocated. It only took a few visits to send me scurrying to another bar the other way down the street. My visits weren’t frequent enough to verify that they are often out of many of the beers listed (besides, this was 3 years ago we’re talking here), but the number of beers they offer is completely overrated. It really wasn’t until long after I’d stop going that I even heard anyone imply that they had the biggest beer selection in town, but if that is indeed the case it’s only because they stock every single macro variation on the market, which - once tallied up - has to represent at least a quarter of all the beers they offer. The place is not particularly cheap and in terms of atmosphere it’s typical strip mall chain pub ambience, only packed into a very small space. Their draft selection is negligible, and to be honest I typically drink draft beer when I go out: seems to me the only way to justify the typically high import mark up. At least with draft I can rationalize that this isn’t something I could be drinking cheaper at home. Altogether, color me unimpressed and maybe even a bit revolted.

July 22, 2005
Maybe best for No Austin, and managing to avoid a long drive after drinking is a worthy concern, but I have often felt that despite the fair number of okay beers that this place caters to a more BMC crowd if by default only. And IMO - DO NOT ORDER FOOD! There was a health report just last night on news citing bloody food dripping in cooler and when I went in there last over ten years ago I saw trays of raw meat sitting on the kegs!! ACK!

July 15, 2005
This place is a pretty decent place that does have a very nice beer selection. The scene didn’t do much for me. There was nothing terribly cool about the inside and it’s in a strip center in North Austin. I was with a large group and we were spending a lot of money -- and a waitress kept hassling us about being in her way and how splitting checks. The selection was the best part of this place and the fact that it’s probably one of the only places in that neck of the woods that has such a selection. I wouldn’t go out of my way to go there, but it’s the best option when in the area.

July 2, 2005
Largest beer selection I’ve found in North Austin...their beer menu isn’t quite up to date I don’t think...food was decent for bar food...service was lacking...pubish/small town pizza restaurant vibe to it...