Moan and Dove

7/11/2007 9:24:01 PM, wednesday, july 11, 2007
I only found out after that it is so highly rated. It is a relatively small place, well lit by natural light. Moderate bar was all full, but the socializing tables in the middle were fine for us. Instant service, good glasses and good and varied selection. I particular liked the photo of the latest beers up on their website that I could prior check out. Northwest Mass., not an easy trip to come out on a regular basis, which I would do. I enjoyed it,it was a laid-back and diversified crowd.

10/23/2006 8:24:39 PM, monday, october 23, 2006
I have spent a lot of money and time in this place. Money in bold. Although pricey, you get what you pay for. One of the best tap and bottle selections in Massachusetts all served in its matching glass. Bartenders can be a bit non-responsive and snobby at times, but some are def better than others. If Benny or Nathan are there, you are in luck. Kind of dark (and the bartenders keep making it darker throughout the night) with about 6 booths on one side, a couple tables with stools in the middle, and another 10-15 stools at the bar. TV only in use during redsox season. This place is partly responsible for my beer education. Oh yeah, Free All you can eat Peanuts!

10/15/2006 7:28:14 PM, sunday, october 15, 2006
I have had a lot of fun at this place. I lived in western mass for 5 years and I have had many special occasions celebrated at this tiny establishment. The beer selection is amazing. Great drafts (you can check out the draft selection on thier website) plus an excellent bottle selection. The bartenders can be pretentious until they discover that you know a little bit about beer. Free peanuts always make me thirsty for expensive beer. I’ve heard great music and bad music here depending on who is behind the bar. You can bring in food and the redsox games are usually on the tv in the corner. Go to the spirit haus for the same great beer to enjoy at home.

2/18/2006 5:03:46 PM, saturday, february 18, 2006
Could have spent the night there, if I had known. Friendly service, loads of peanuts, exceptional beer selection, and nice pop art paintings makes this a cosy place to spend the night, moaning and doving.

9/26/2005 11:20:47 AM, monday, september 26, 2005
A happy little hole in the wall somewhere between Amherst center and Hampshire College. Good clientele because too far away for UMass meathead crowd. Draws a mix of discerning students and locals. Gets really busy only on the weekends. Great rotating draft selection, and very extensive Belgian bottles. Very knowledgeable staff. Only beef is the very static bottle listing that almost never changes, and, IMO, misses some of the best style examples that I know they can definitely get here in MA. They have awesome events, like weeks featuring on-draft Belgians, extreme beers, IPAs, visiting brewers (Calagione of Dogfish, Tom + Peggy from Heavyweight) from time-to-time. Don’t miss these events if you’re in the area!

8/21/2005 2:20:08 PM, sunday, august 21, 2005 [ Updated sunday, august 21, 2005 ]
A really good beer bar with a very nice selection. My visit netted me with a pint of Peche Mortel. The problem though, was getting my 4th beer literally taken from my hands by some bitch of a bartender and not being given a reason why. Guilt by association maybe? Was it because Clark was so wasted? Anyway, if you’re not happy with the service, reflect it in the gratuity, right? Let’s just say, they got stiffed.

7/21/2005 4:19:23 PM, thursday, july 21, 2005
I fell in love with this place the minute we drove down West street and saw it from a distance. I was told you could bring in outside food, so we sort of had a little Beer/Cheeze pairing. Without wasting any time, we started with a bottle of Cantillon Iris. Having gone through the two big liquor stores in the area I had a fair idea of prices and thought that the markup here was reasonable. I spent time shooting the shit with Dan, the owner. I tried to barter with him for the bottle of ’96 Cantillon on the bar, but no deal. He’s as much of a Cantillon freak as I am. I was more than happy with my consolation prize, the Iris was served with Cantillon glassware and with the wicker basket. Just perfect. As the evening carried on, the place got nicely packed, but not too much, you could move comfortably from your seat to the bar and/or the bathroom. Entertaiment was provided by two guys who were inducted into the Mug Club, who had to recite poems on barstools in front of the blackboard that showed the tap offerings and favorites of the staff. Simply put, the best Beer bar experience I’ve had on this side of the pond. I promise I’ll return.

7/19/2005 9:46:16 AM, tuesday, july 19, 2005
i’m a little biased here this is my local pub. the selection is great the people that come and go are great and the food thing, nicely laminated menus from the great place across the street so order away.

6/14/2005 8:56:36 PM, tuesday, june 14, 2005
Nifty! Located in South Amherst. Small and rustic and dark. Heh, if they had hay on the floor the vision of a small town pub would be complete. They have a huge beer selection and even serve in correct glassware. The bartender really knew his stuff about beer as well. The two times I’ve been here they’ve has a cask of something on the bar. Great place!

5/29/2005 7:58:46 PM, sunday, may 29, 2005
Nice place. Very rustic and what you’d imagine a rural local bar would be like. AMAZING beer selection, which is probably wasted on the majority of the college kids in the area. All served in proper stemware by knowledgable staff. If you’re in the area you have to come here.