-Brewdog York-
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Look & Feel:
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Toilets:
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Review:
At the end of 2016 the infamous pioneers of the craft ale revolution Brewdog finally opened their long anticipated York bar on Micklegate despite several setbacks. The time it took to convert the old studios into their rundown urban style seems disproportionate to what we’re presented with, most people’s first impressions seem to be, “it’ll be nice when it’s finished”. Having visited Brewdog bars in Manchester and Leeds we were fully aware that this is the look that they were going for and it certainly stands out from every other bar in York, although the tattered paint, raw brick surfaces, scruffy chipboard and weathered wood might not be to everyone’s taste they’ve definitely invested in the style.
This is a really large and open bar with three rooms supplying more tattered chairs and tables while the main area has comfy booths, a large bar with its clipboard wall of beers and is all low lit by Edison bulbs and the ambient glow of red neon. What can’t be denied to the simply outstanding variety of 14 keg ales that are available, we won’t get into the whole cask vs keg thing as it’s a moot point and doesn’t affect this particular review. You could easily spend all night there and not have the same beer twice, although your pockets may be considerably lighter by the end of the experience as it isn’t the cheapest of places. Also with pretty high ABVs on most beers you’re best to take note of the serving suggestions, there’s no way anyone will judge you for having a half here. Brewdog is about craft and craft is quality which deserves to be savoured and enjoyed, the staff are brilliantly enthusiastic, patient and informative about the whole Brewdog experience so you don’t need to feel this is exclusively for beer geeks. Of course it is the beer connoisseurs choice of bar and may not be for those that just want to sink 10 pints of pale ale so bare that in mind if you’re a bit of a traditionalist.
Due to the location there’s minimal outdoor space with just a couple of benches on the street and although the toilets are new the rundown style doesn’t really do them any favours but they’re perfectly functional. Accessibility is pretty good throughout with just a few sections with steps here and there and obviously dogs are always welcome. They have regular events; meetups, games nights, meet the brewer, exclusive Brewdog beer launches and a pretty good choice of background music too, there always seems to be something going on to compliment the main focus of craft ale. All in all was Brewdog York worth all the hype? I’d say mostly so, it’s undoubtedly another welcome addition to the York beer scene, especially on Micklegate which has turned its reputation on its head in the last few years. It perfectly fills the trendy beer niche market and we’ll be popping by regularly despite quite a few friends not been so keen on the décor, at the end of the day it’s the beer that wins out.
At the end of 2016 the infamous pioneers of the craft ale revolution Brewdog finally opened their long anticipated York bar on Micklegate despite several setbacks. The time it took to convert the old studios into their rundown urban style seems disproportionate to what we’re presented with, most people’s first impressions seem to be, “it’ll be nice when it’s finished”. Having visited Brewdog bars in Manchester and Leeds we were fully aware that this is the look that they were going for and it certainly stands out from every other bar in York, although the tattered paint, raw brick surfaces, scruffy chipboard and weathered wood might not be to everyone’s taste they’ve definitely invested in the style.
This is a really large and open bar with three rooms supplying more tattered chairs and tables while the main area has comfy booths, a large bar with its clipboard wall of beers and is all low lit by Edison bulbs and the ambient glow of red neon. What can’t be denied to the simply outstanding variety of 14 keg ales that are available, we won’t get into the whole cask vs keg thing as it’s a moot point and doesn’t affect this particular review. You could easily spend all night there and not have the same beer twice, although your pockets may be considerably lighter by the end of the experience as it isn’t the cheapest of places. Also with pretty high ABVs on most beers you’re best to take note of the serving suggestions, there’s no way anyone will judge you for having a half here. Brewdog is about craft and craft is quality which deserves to be savoured and enjoyed, the staff are brilliantly enthusiastic, patient and informative about the whole Brewdog experience so you don’t need to feel this is exclusively for beer geeks. Of course it is the beer connoisseurs choice of bar and may not be for those that just want to sink 10 pints of pale ale so bare that in mind if you’re a bit of a traditionalist.
Due to the location there’s minimal outdoor space with just a couple of benches on the street and although the toilets are new the rundown style doesn’t really do them any favours but they’re perfectly functional. Accessibility is pretty good throughout with just a few sections with steps here and there and obviously dogs are always welcome. They have regular events; meetups, games nights, meet the brewer, exclusive Brewdog beer launches and a pretty good choice of background music too, there always seems to be something going on to compliment the main focus of craft ale. All in all was Brewdog York worth all the hype? I’d say mostly so, it’s undoubtedly another welcome addition to the York beer scene, especially on Micklegate which has turned its reputation on its head in the last few years. It perfectly fills the trendy beer niche market and we’ll be popping by regularly despite quite a few friends not been so keen on the décor, at the end of the day it’s the beer that wins out.
