September 27, 2009
I have a love/hate relationship with this place. I love Mahar’s because it’s unique and it’s the only place outside of NYC where you can find more than one cask ale on tap. when you drink at Mahar’s there are a few protocols you should follow. It’s kind of like dealing with the ’soup Nazi’. Just order your beer, don’t ask a lot of stupid questions and be grateful that they’re doors are still open. I’ve drank enough in the place to now be recognized by the bartenders and not get the snarky attitudes I use to get as a newb. Lately I’ve been a little disappointed with their poor quality of the beers they’ve served me. I don’t know if it was due to bad run of bottom of the barrel swill or what, but the last five or so beers I had have been really horrible. Oh yeah, I don’t ever buy bottles of beer...I only drink their draft selections. Long live the real ales!

September 14, 2009
Nice bar that gets extremely crowded. Rarely will find a place to sit on a weekend. Huge beer menu that comes on a print out. The staff is not exceptionally friendly, but they know the beer and they serve it correctly.

April 19, 2009
Quaint atmosphere, especially with the stand up bar area. Numerous tap handles and other beer decorations create the right mood. Selection is top quality local craft, east coast craft, and a good range of imports. I was able to savor an imperial pint of Coninston Bluebird Bitter here, well before it made its way into beer retail merchant stores. On my weeknight visit I found the service to be good and the bar uncrowded, but I can imagine it is rowdy on Friday or Saturday night. There has to be a reason why they resort to standing at the bar in that narrow corridor, and I’d bet it’s not good.

April 4, 2009
Overheard on last visit: (customer) "I’ll have a Guinness", (bartender) "Not today". <awkward silence> (customer) "Oh?" (bartender) "No delivery". I think this place relies on the idea that people who come in there know what kind of beer they want, and can choose them by name only, as they do not offer descriptions (or even a note on the "styles") in their printout. And they DON’T seem approachable for question asking. I don’t know that they would answer it if you got up the gall to ask! That said, their beer selection is the best for a bar in Albany and the perfect place to go for a single pint (justifies the prices). I regularly go, but I go prepared... check their website before you stop for what’s on tap!

March 25, 2009
Albany’s only true beer bar - unless you count the new biergarten downtown. The other ratings are right - this place has a certain atmosphere and protocol - comply or die. I can easily see how it could rub people the wrong way. Personally, as a beer lover in this small city, it does the job for me nicely.

March 16, 2009
My old stomping ground. Drop by on a monday when the crowd is a bit more sparse. Don’t make your first visit there on a thursday night when it’s really busy. To appreciate this gem, you have to be there when there are not a lot of patrons present. The owner/bartender Bill will point you in the right direction if you just tell him what style of beer you’d like to drink. And if you’re looking for fizzy yellow beer, this isn’t the place. Bill usually keeps a decent selection of Middle Ages beers on tap and in cask. My favorite, the Wailing Wench is served there from time to time along with other solid ales like Middle Ages Ten and Druid Fluid. This place will surely hold the interest of any serious beer lover as there are rotating beers from far and wide along with a very good bottle selection. The folks at Mahar’s recently celebrated their 20th anniversary and I’m glad to say that I was there to help celebrate. May they enjoy many more years of success! And they keep their taps clean too which is important

March 16, 2009
Tomorrow is St. Patrick’s Day - the rooooools will be in effect. Anyone coming in wearing green will need 137 forms of ID before they are served. And you will be asked for it every time you order a beer. There will be a sign on the door that says, “Private Party.” If you’re a regular, don’t pay any attention to it. If you start to have a good time with your friends, you will be asked to leave. This is not a place for fun. This is not a place for you. Just check our web site – we’re looking to get rid of customers. Cross your legs while sitting at a table – you’re out. Push your horn-rimmed glasses back up your nose with your middle finger – you’re out. Scratch yourself in some unmentionable place – you’re out. Like the Seinfeld episode (the Beer Nazi) - come in, stand in line, order a $23.95 beer, drink it without saying a word, then get the f%$#@! out. And don’t come back. We have enough dopes to take your place at the bar. (Author) I have a good idea. Stop for l

May 18, 2008
This is one of my favorite places. I was there a lot when I lived in Albany, and this is where I really grew my appreciation for beer. Best selection I have seen and a pleasant pub atmosphere makes this a must visit!

March 27, 2008
Best place for good beer in the capital district. Watch out for Bill.

February 6, 2008
I have been to Mahars when visiting Albany. The place alwyas has a good selection usually with a few oddballs and things you don’t see often. The bartender is not the nicest guy and seems to have a bit of an attitude and is kind of scary but if you get your order in fast and get the beer and go drink at a table you should be fine. I like that you are able to print out the list of the beers they currently have so you can attempt to try them all. Worth a stop if you are in the area.