Big River Grille and Brewing Works

November 18, 2008
Cool location downtown, even though parking can be a bitch. Went here to watch the 2008 election returns. The beers were about average, no real standouts. The staff was quick, friendly, and knew about their own beers as well as other locals around town. The food was on the bad side of average. The sampler was a decent value.

December 13, 2007
okay menu, but a little pricey. Service was okay and the place was clean. Beers were nothing to shout about, but they were okay. they do offer samplers.

May 15, 2006
May 2006: This place really trumpeted their beers, but boy did they suck! Didn’t eat, but wasn’t really interested to. Skip this place and go to Boscos and Blackstone.

March 16, 2006
A great place for recovering alcoholics, I suppose. Most beers are 4% or less and they all taste like shit, save the stout. Avoid at all costs.

March 6, 2006
Was in here mid week for lunch. Not a very busy crowd so service was great. They only had their 6 regular taps going on this visit, no seasonals or specials. The food was great and fast. The server even suggested beer to go with the food we ordered. I agree with illnismitty, THEY NEED AN IPA. The Red Brick will be the hoppiest thing you find here if that is your interest. They do have a large outside patio for sitting and enjoying the day go by watching the 2nd Ave activates. Parking is always a problem downtown and so expect to pay!

December 29, 2005
The building is not near as nice as the Chattanooga location, but still not bad. You have to pay to park, most likely behind the place, once again, not a problem. They had seven beers on tap when I visited, one was a seasonal, 3 of their house brews differed from the offerings in Chattanooga. I have learned that some beer recipes are shared while others are location specific. As always the food was great. Service was definitely lacking, much different than Chattanooga.

December 4, 2005 [ Updated May 20, 2008 ]
Located in the heart of downtown, parking can be a pain. I am rather perplexed at all of the unwarranted negativity about the beers. All of the house offerings are drinkable session beers. The Magnolia brown ale is their best beer. They could really use a good IPA for the house brew. The Red Brick Ale is their hoppiest, but may not satisfy the hop heads The food is decent, especially the pastas and salads. There is pub fare as well. If you are a close- minded uber beer snob that only wants highly rated beers that will sand blast your palate, then don’t even stop in. Flying Saucer has your Barleywinea, Double IPAa, or Imperial Stouts. In all fairness, the major problem with this place is that it is not as appealing as the 2 other area brewpubs, the Yazoo tap room, and the Flying Saucer. If you are doing a Nashville Beer Tour, but this one down as if time permits.

October 24, 2005
I’ve been to the one in Chattanooga before several times, but the service at this one was horrible. Noisy, dark and smoky. No house IPA, so I settled for the Red Brick which was o.k., but we couldn’t get a menu brought to the table and several of us asked more than once. I finished my beer and we all decided to look else where for a bite. I won’t be back.

October 8, 2005
Easy to find at the end of Broadway. Average ambiance. It was dark in there and nothing really interesting about how it was decorated. We ordered a sampler and when the bartender saw us taking notes, he asked if we worked for another brewery. We said no, that we were on Ratebeer. A few minutes later he returned with two additional (free) samplers for Sweet Magnolia and Thick Brick Red that were "taken off the engine instead of the taps". They were much smoother and creamier than the regular tapped ones, and the ones from the engine didn’t have that lingering metallic taste that all the rest of their beers had. Overall, average to boring atmosphere, and weird tasting beers. I didn’t care for it and I won’t be back.

August 22, 2005
I went to Big River on a Saturday for lunch and liked the food so well that I came back for dinner. They have 6 regular brews and usually one or two seasonal brews. The beers range from average to very good. I’d recommend the Red Brick Ale to a hoppy beer lover. It was a very good balanced hoppy / malty brew. Parking free can be a chore but it is possible. I will be returning to Big River the next time I am in town. Recommended.