September 6, 2009
Been here a couple of times with friends and never found much reason to come back. Someone told me they added a selection of guest taps and I had 20 mins to kill so I figured what the heck. Arrived this morning to check it out (kudos for being open at 10am on a Saturday) but remain disappointed in the place. They have one guest tap -- Bison Chocolate Stout -- but it’s empty...on a Saturday. The only other beers are Rubicon’s typically boring line up of marginal brews. IPA, Amber, Irish Stout, Pale Ale, and Golden. (SIGH). There is a hand pump, but it’s empty, too. I’m disappointed because this place has so much potential. Obviously their location keeps it as busy as it is. Maybe that’s the reason there isn’t a high quality or creative beer to be found on the premises. The food isn’t bad and they do have outdoor seating which are pluses. Also, I’m giving them an extra nod for playing 80’s hard rock at 10:30 am. For some reason that makes me feel better about drinking at this hour.

August 4, 2009
Been there many a time, spent many a dollar. Great on the summer evenings, wonderful atmosphere and always a friendly crowd, but if you’re not a basketball fan, avoid it like the plague if the Sac Kings are in the playoffs... the place can get LOUD! A nice beer selection for every taste. I prefer the "Rosebud" and the "Monkey Knife Fight", but always the Winter Wheat" barley wine during the cooler months. Vince’s cider is always a nice change up on a hot afternoon and it packs a punch. The food is so-so and the menu hasn’t changed in 10+ years -could really use an update. Overall impression is positive for the occasional drop in beer, but as the daily neighborhood pub, it gets old.

July 6, 2009
If you want a place to go to for beer and food in Sac. This is it! No matter what I get I always leave with a smile while rubbing my belly. Be sure to order Hop Sauce.

May 5, 2009
This is a busy brewpub with a short bar and quite a few tables indoors and outdoors. There is always a wide range of craft brews that run from average to good. The food is typical pub fare that is perhaps slightly above average. The barkeep was friendly and helpful.

December 29, 2008
Great looking old brick building and cozy insides. Very busy at lunch as it’s 2 blocks from 2500 state employees, and it has been pretty busy other times I have been there (e.g. Sunday 6-8 pm). That said, food is above average for pub fare - though not as much beer influence featured in it as one might hope. Proximity to San Francisco would bring expectations that they might push the food level a bit, but not so much. Reuben on "store" bread, rings with a bland batter. Beer is great however. They offer a pretty regular (from my few visits) cask ale option, a dry hopped version of their IPA was available on my last visit. The standard brews - Rosebud, IPA, M.K.Fight - are all well crafted and consistent in quality.

April 15, 2008
Decent brewpub real near the Capitol complex. They had Marin WhiteKnuckle on tap (much better on tap than in the bottle IMHO) and a good selection of their own stuff. Their IPA is much better on tap than in the bottle as well. Kind of small and cozy, but considering the location that’s understandable.

March 24, 2008
It has been a couple months since my visit. But here goes. The place was in a bit of an odd area I thought, mostly residential but some businesses are located here as well. Patio in front would make for a good spot to enjoy brews in the spring. Brews were all pretty good, alot to choose from. Food was good as well. Day crew could have used at least one more person on the floor. I’ll have to visit one more time to decide if I really like this place as much as I think I do.

May 3, 2007 [ Updated March 2, 2008 ]
I visited here on a sunny Sunday afternoon. There is a nice patio out front. The bar is somewhat small and on the right side as you walk in. There are maybe 10 seats at the bar proper. To the left are a few tables and this venue has a pretty cozy atmosphere. Straight ahead is some brewing equpimpent. The bathrooms are located down a hallway in the back, which brings you past the kitchen on the right. Seems a little too intimate. The bathroom was pretty dark and rather unkempt. I managed to find a seat at the bar and they had about 7 of their own beers on tap. They also had 3 or 4 guest beers on tap including Old Foghorn and Black Butte Porter. The menu was small, but they had some typical pub food. The bartender was helpful and attentive. She answered my questions and when she didn’t know the answer, she went out of her way to ask someone who knew. I ordered a pulled pork sandwich, which was ENORMOUS and tasty as hell. The beers I had were pretty good. This is my favorite place in Sacramento, so far. I still have to make it over to Hoppy, though. I have been here a couple of times since the initial rating, and I agree with it. The food is fucking magnificent. Huge portions that are so flavorful.

February 16, 2007
Always a bit crowded. The selection on a given day may not be super, but the brewer almost always has one or more interesting new things (if you go every few weeks). It’s not a gourmet restaurant, but the foods good and the beer is even better!

January 13, 2007
its like home