Free State Brewing Company

8/3/2008 5:12:34 PM, sunday, august 03, 2008
Been here numerous times, and I always have a good time, except for walking through the cigarette smoke on the patio to get into the door. Its been busy everytime and you pretty much have to fight for a seat or to get said seat back if you get up to go to the bathroom. House beers are just average, very cold and pretty good seasonals. Not much as far as ambiance, cheap chairs and tables and some bar stools in bad need of repair. Just looks old and tired.

6/4/2008 1:54:10 PM, wednesday, june 04, 2008
I have visited several times. It seems that each time my experience worsens. Place is loud and in disarray much of the time with a busy, busy, busy, climate which stressed me out. Service was not good and food complemented the service. Tried several ales and all seemed a bit flat.

1/29/2008 10:42:10 PM, tuesday, january 29, 2008 [ Updated tuesday, january 29, 2008 ]
Visited this place on a busy Friday evening to meet some RBians. It was busy and loud, watress wasn’t really friendly but on her game asking about beer every chance she could. My biggest complaint is the beer was served WAY too cold, especially for a place with such a good reputation. I had two pints (Oatmeal Stout, ESB) there and a growler (Scotch) to go. Only the growler was above average. I did not have food but it looked good. Ambiance is nothing special, cheap tables in the front, bar in the back, not separated well. Did not seem to be well organized. Very loud. I will give it the benefit of the doubt for the next visit.

1/8/2008 10:57:40 AM, tuesday, january 08, 2008
Visited Free State on my long move across country from NY to CA. Went a few miles out of my way to do it, like 100, but wasn’t going to miss out on trying some of their beers. They had a good selection of their beers on including Owd Macs. The food was good and a great lunch to have after living on Fast food for a few days.

11/24/2007 10:48:41 PM, saturday, november 24, 2007
All non-smoking inside now (city-wide). Great menu line-up with very tasty specials. Ex. Stroganov, BBQ, pasta. Small bar and lounge but worth the wait for upstairs or downstairs seating. TV over bar for sports addicts. Small outdoor patio now occupied by chain-smokers. Very friendly and beer-savy staff. Great seasonal beers and always tasty food specials. A 21st-Century oaisis in the state of Kansas.

7/15/2007 12:10:42 PM, sunday, july 15, 2007
Having lived in Lawrence for five years, I can’t begin to remember how many times I’ve been to Free State, but two things have always remained constant: good beer and I’ve never left disappointed with the food or the service. Not many places can say that. If you want a lively pub atmosphere with 6+ handmade beers on tap/cask, ask to be seated downstairs near the bar (no smoking) or upstairs overlooking the street and the bar. If you want a more subdued atmosphere where you can sample the beer and food in quieter surroundings, ask to be seated in the back rooms.

5/29/2007 4:07:08 PM, tuesday, may 29, 2007 [ Updated wednesday, august 06, 2008 ]
Visited for lunch in May 2007. I had the Owd Macs (the reason I had driven to Lawrence), the fruit and cheese plate, and the Soup of the Day (pork posole). Everything was great, and the service was top notch. Overall, this place is pretty ordinary inside, but the food and brews make it a most stop if you are anywhere near Lawrence, Kansas. One big drawback is they serve regular lineup WAY too cold. In the evenings this place tends to get crowded and really loud. This becomes a problem throughout the space, because bar, tables and upstairs are not separated particularly well.

4/18/2007 8:25:09 PM, wednesday, april 18, 2007
Nice brewpub. I arrived around 1:00 on a Saturday afternoon and the place was packed with a waiting line for tables, luckily I prefer eating and drinking at the bar, so I got right in. Obviously from the ratings the beers are top notch and really should be sampled - the Old Backus was outstanding. The salmon burger was fantastic. There were three bartenders all busy and could be, but very nice and accommodating. For as busy as they were the level of service was impressive. Parking to get here is a bit of a bear & you may have to do a bit of driving - although when you get parking its either free or the cheapest meters you’ve ever seen. Well worth visiting.

3/20/2007 3:07:42 PM, tuesday, march 20, 2007
Has a great location downtown close to campus. Two levels with an outdoor seating as well. The upper level has a nice view out of a huge window onto the down town street. The beer was solid all around with a few stand outs. The service was unbelievable. I was even given 5 different types of mustard to use. Probably the friendliest and best service I have seen anywhere I have ever been. Just outstanding. I ordered the Rueben and it was delicious. The rest of the menu looked very good as well. A MUST stop.

12/6/2006 10:02:02 PM, wednesday, december 06, 2006
The mother ship of kansas brewing. I’ve been visiting this place for a long time. I’m never disappointed. There is almost always at least one special beer treat on tap here. You won’t be disappointed.