Harper’s Restaurant and Brewpub

July 27, 2008
Cool looking and had decent beer when I was living in the area. Always a great thing to come and get half priced beer on Wednesday. Service was always slow, the servers don’t know their beer. The brews were always sugared up so that they gota higher ABV. Then the good brew master left. I haven’t been back since, planning to next time I’m there for a growler as Florida doesn’t have them.

April 24, 2008
Place looked very new, clean, with brewing equipment on display inside. Very spacious inside also. I went when it wasn’t busy at all so it was no problem finding a seat. I only came to check out their homebrew selection and to catch up with some old friends. The selection seemed interesting but less dark beers than I had hoped for. I tried their Pale ale and was pretty pleased with it. However, the service was horrible—it wasn’t even busy at all. It took a long time for us to place an order and then to actually get the drinks. When mine came, it wasn’t even what I ordered. Once I finally got the beverage I wanted it was quite good. The prices were really good, I had happened to come (unknowingly) on a day where all drinks were half off. So my pint of the good stuff was only $1.50. The atmosphere was nice, however it quickly go way too loud inside. Now, this place is a Restaurant and pub, so I was expecting to be able to converse and actually hear the other people that I came with, but no. A band started to play and they were so loud that I couldn’t continue a conversation with my friend next to me. So all in all, Harper’s has definite potential with their nice facility, seemingly quality brews (if there’s a next time I’ll have to try the food), and low prices. However, the service and volume made it unpleasant enough that I may take my time revisiting.

January 29, 2008
I like the building and the interior. The round bar is also a good idea. That’s about where it ends. They lost their good brewmaster so the beer sucks now. The service is horibble. Also, there is usually a cover. Not worth going to unless you are there for 1/2 off night, which is Wednesday unless they changed it.

November 23, 2007
Setup is nice. That is about it the beer sucked not impressed at all.

November 3, 2007
Nothing spectacular but the closest thing to a brewpub in the MSU area. Big dining area, though I opted for the small patio out front. Selection was somewhat limited with beers on the lighter side. The Oatmeal Stout was worth tasting.

February 15, 2007
The burgers and hummus are actually pretty good. The beer is terrible and the other drinks are expensive. Service is awful. The waitresses are unfriendly and slow. Bartenders are even worse.

January 3, 2006
I’ve visited Harpers a couple times and come away satisfied, if not blown away. At any one time there are six beers on tap, four being regular offerings, and two being seasonal or special offerings. If you order food, stick with the lower-end stuff; the more expensive dishes are disappointing. On my last visit, the artichoke pizza was excellent, absolutely loaded with artichokes and roasted garlic. The beers are average, but there are deals to be had. Service is variable; the place was understaffed both times I’ve visited, so visit during normally "slow" days (Mondays!) to get adequate service. It’s Lansing’s only brewpub, so take it or leave it!

July 7, 2005
Beer sucks, service sucks, owners suck, food sucks and is expensive. Not worth going to, unless you are looking for some hot soroity tail. Although quite few, there are much better bars in the area.

June 12, 2005
Haven’t had their beer, but a few other drinks. The upstairs is pretty blah. Downstairs is more fun, there was an 80’s cover band playing which was a lot of fun. The pickings are certainly slim in East Lansing.

March 18, 2005
More of a college bar that also has "homemade" beer. The beers all have nasty off flavors. If they cleaned their tap lines more often, their beers would be better I’m sure.