Tap Brewing Company reminds me of a train station, if train stations were sexy and served great beer. The main section is long and narrow with a dark wood bar that stretches the whole of one side, and cozy dark booths along the opposite side. The ceiling, wood, and distressed paintings on the wall give the space a romantic vintage feel. At the back sits the well lit, shiny Brew kettle and Lauter tun. The glass room serves as a beautiful focal point for the space. They complete the mood with mellow, intoxicating music.
Current beer selections are displayed on a chalkboard above the bar, with not-yet-available but in-the-works beer on display, too.
We sat at the bar and ordered a single flight, which had five 5 oz beer. We were tempted to get two, but since there is just one of us to drink the beer at each location, and it was Drew’s driving day (see – my tolerance sucks) it seemed overkill.
We consulted the bartended when choosing our flight, ordering his two favorites, the Ignoble IPL and the Vanilla Norton Imperial Stout, and a few other selections that stood out.
The bar tender was dead on in his selections. We bought a growler of the Ignoble, the best of an impressive lineup. I’m learning what a great collectable the growler is when traveling in the states. I use to collect shot glasses and knick knacks from my journey which would rung in between $8 and $10 a piece, but all of our growlers have come in between $10 and $16 including a fill! A cool souvenir with that night’s beer rations is a great collectable, if you ask me.
In addition to growlers they have grab-and-go bombers for $5, and a range of branded glasswear for purchase. Downstairs, you can get a peek at the rest of the brewpubs tanks. There is also a big room in the basement with pool tables, golden tee golf, skee-ball and a jukebox. That room is open on Friday and Saturday.
If I weren’t on a very specific beer mission, I would have ordered the ceasar, which is garnished with both celery and a thick, curled piece of bacon, yum!.
Year Opened: 2003
Location:
100 Washington St
Haverhill, Massachusetts
Hours:
Tuesday to Saturday: 11:30 am – 10 pm
Sunday: 10am – 9 pm
Website: http://www.tapbrewingcompany.com/
Sample Tray Available: Yes. Five 5oz samples for $6.50.
Brewer: Jonathan Curtis
To-Go:
1.89L Growler $12 (bottle plus fill!)
Bomber: $5.00
Branded glasswear
Connect:
@tapbrewingco
Facebook.com/tapbrewingco
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@GillianWesleyNS
@DrewMooreNS
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