Upstream Brewing Company (Old Market)

October 7, 2008
Visited on a Monday night and the place was packed. I was able to find street parking but I could see that being an issue. The atmosphere was upscale with most everyone being better dressed than I. I ran through a solid sampler and had a really nice thin crust pizza. Definitely worth a stop. The wait staff was very friendly and attentive. I had a fun conversation with a business traveller, who like me had never been there before and we got tourist tips from a local. A good experience for my first time ever drinking or eating in Omaha.

September 29, 2008
Visited on Friday evening, September 26th. This is a big old brick building with a ton of space, and great variety to seating options. There is a nice bar area, big dining area, pretty outdoor sidewalk seating and an upstairs pool hall. There is a place for every type of group here. We were a party of 7, with 3 kids so the dining room it was. Service was attentive, though not terribly knowledgeable on the beers. The beer selection was slightly above typical for a brewpub this size 9-10 regulars and a seasonal. They do an 11 beer sampler, which I declined due to table real estate. I had the ESB and the Oktberfest. Both were clean, and solid. The menu is quite varied, from steak to sandwiches to pizzas. Everything we ordered was fresh and tasty. My pork Schnitzel was huge, and quite good.

September 5, 2008
On the corner of 11th and Howard Street with street parking in front and lot parking in the area. Clean brick and wood older building with bar in middle and tables on the right for food and beverages and brewing operations in the back behind glass. Twelve on tap and are offered as a sampler. All were solid drinkable brews. Freindly bartender with good knowledge. I was there late and had the calamari app. Good portion and was fresh and tender. Good location and well worth the stop.

June 14, 2008
Great little place that was a very fun time. The staff knew everything about the beer and the Stout was pretty decent. I’ve had better but I’ve certainly had a lot worse.

December 14, 2007
Showing signs of maturity. The food quality is not living up to expectations. No flexibility with the menu, which can be frustrating. Many of the beers seem to have slipped, but the Scotch Ale and Capital are consistently good. The speciality beers (Oak aged IPA) are good.

October 10, 2007
The look of the place is great. It’s in an old brick building with a lot of history in the Old Market Square. I didn’t have any food, but the guy next to me at the bar said it was good. The local beer drinkers claim the beers here can hold their own with any of the Washington State beers. I beg to differ quite a bit. But, having said that, it’s definitely worth a visit. You won’t be let down. They even have a cooler inside the front door with growlers and bottles of their specialty beers like an oak aged IPA. Go for the Double IPA - its their best brew in my opinion.

September 18, 2007
The only place in Omaha where you can get cask beer. The IPA and ESB are great on cask, and I have been told by Chris, one of the brewers, that the stout is good on cask too (however it does not go on cask too often, so I have not had the opportunity). They also have one of the best dishes of any restaurant I have ever eaten...tortellini with smoked salmon, asparagus, and artichokes in a garlic and dill cream sauce...FANTASTIC!

June 29, 2007
Visited for dinner on a Sunday night. The place was located in what seemed like a newly renovated part of town. A really cool location and building. We were seated right away and our server was very prompt and was good in explaining the beers. The beer sampler was $10 for 11 five-ounce samples. The beers were bad to really good. They had about four or five of their beers which were basically targeted to the macro drinkers. One tasted almost exactly like Bud and another just like Michelob Light. Their raspberry beer was gross. But the more creative their beers, the better. Their Double I.P.A. was really good. They also sold some beers to go that weren’t on the menu, but we didn’t try any. We only ordered soup, but the Gouda Ale soup was very good. Plus, the other food smelled great, so this might be a great place to come in for a meal. Maybe not worth a trip to Omaha to try out, but worth a stop if in the area for a nice place to have some good beers, if you avoid a couple of the beers aimed toward the masses.

March 1, 2007 [ Updated July 29, 2007 ]
Upstream has established itself in the Old Market in large part because of the consistency of its service, the pleasant management, the attractive and cozy (sometimes loud) internior, and delightful outdoor patio. The beer has had its ups and downs, and as of this writing appears to be on an upswing again. In addition to the 5-7 beers on tap, you can take home a bottle of Upstream belgian or barleywine - sometimes at least six choices are available. Note: lunch menu prices are signifcantly lower than dinner, and include a few local favorites not available in the evening.

February 6, 2007
Excellent place. Great atmosphere in the Old market. Great beer.