October 31, 2011
This is for the newer location. I never went to the old one. It’s in a sterile strip mall, and it really feels like it inside too. Decor is strange; no theme or continuity to it. Feels like it could just as well be a sushi bar or a yoga studio. Staff is attractive, but not much beyond a very basic understanding of beer. Almost no local beers available, which I find odd, and is a big negative for me. Quite a few interesting import choices. They seem to like for us to get the idea that they have a huge selection, but when you actually order, often they will say they’re out of it. Food was okay. As it got later, they started vacuuming and putting chairs on tables and even turning off some of the lights! They weren’t closed yet, but they might as well have told us to leave. I’ll give them another try, but overall disappointing given the amount of money we spent.

January 30, 2011
Ambiance is OK. This place is ridiculously small. The bathrooms are outside like at a gas station, so that sucks. I think this used to be a fast food place. I will say they have done an excellent job decorating the small area they do have. Service is excellent. Very nice waitress did her best to help with the beer. She wasn’t an expert, but offered to ask someone else when unable to answer beer related questions. Beer selection is excellent. Many beers that cannot be found anywhere else. Small selection of food was very good. Seeing as they are serving many great beers not available anywhere else I wont be too critical of the value, that said the beer is overpriced. Overall this place is a must try for beer people. Something good you haven’t tried will be on tap. Also, the waitress said they are moving to a larger location soon.... which is needed badly.

September 22, 2010
Manderes has a decent tap list and a great bottle list. Unfortunately, more than half the bottles my friends and I ordered were out of stock. They definitely have the best bottle list in Sacramento ... their bottle availability, however, isn’t as good. Other than that, the ambiance, food, and service were all excellent.

December 27, 2008 [ Updated January 10, 2009 ]
I was visiting relatives and making a local beer tour. I had Manderes on my list as a maybe, but then ran into the Allagash rep who highly recommended it. It’s about 15 miles east of downtown Sacramento, but well worth making the trip if you are anywhere close to the area. Great bottle and draft selection. The owner & bartender were very knowledgeable and friendly. They also have a pretty decent wine list as well. Had the Angus burger with the black & tan onion rings, both were delicious. Challenge them to a game of Wii golf if it’s not too busy.

August 17, 2008
Wow.... Wow... All I can say is WOW! The beer selection is ENORMOUS, the owner, Brent Withed is a customer service master and the quality of the food is only a notch below the finest dining establishments in Sacramento.

August 17, 2008 [ Updated August 27, 2008 ]
By far the best selection of craft beers in the Sacramento area. They also live up to their no crap on tap philosophy. The beer menu changes periodically so it’s always a good idea to ask what’s new. There’s a beer tasting on the second Wednesday of every month. Tasting includes 8 different beers plus appetizers. It gets busy so make reservations.

January 30, 2008
Folsom has grown exponentially over the past decade, and now it has a big-time beer bar. There are a dozen stools servicing a nice bar stocked with 15 taps and about 90 bottles of well-selected beer, representing the best stock in the Sacramento area. There are also another dozen tables to accommodate drinkers and diners. The food is classy bar fare, well-prepared and tasty. The owner and his barkeeps are very friendly and eager to improve their beer knowledge. There is a good mix of customers, some of whom are rather bizarre considering the location (Folsom). A very nice experience.

January 12, 2008
It is a strange location, and the inside of the building doesn’t match the outside. It was a fast food place converted into a gastro pub. Once inside, it is easy to forget about the strange conversion. Food is great, we were there for lunch so there were many items not available then that are for dinner but the burger and fries were spectactular. As for the beer, EASILY the best selection in the greater Sacramento area. 20 taps. lots of great belgian and hoppy beers and a huge bottled selection. We will be back.