Pretty large location located in a shopping center near UCI. They had 7 house beers on tap, a flight was about $9. The beers were just okay for the most part. The service at the bar was adequate, looked like one of the waitresses I saw helping people out was a little more enthusiastic. Worth a stop for a few ticks, but not a repeat visit.

Steelhead is a great little restaurant/brewery on UCI campus. Their beer selection has improved over the years and their head brewer Eddy is putting out some really top-notch beers these days. The menu changes slightly with new items being added now and then. Definitely a local favorite and worth a stop if you’re in Irvine or on UCI campus.

(Visited 07/2008): This Steelhead location is near UC Irvine near the Campus/University intersection. Parking is plentiful in the University Center.

The exterior is nice with lots of windows and a patio. The inside is open with high ceilings, with the bar on the left side that features windows showing off the brewing equipment. The remainder of the space is for table seating.

The beer selection is decent. There are around 6-7 Steelhead beers plus guest taps from brewers like Sierra Nevada. They offer a sampler of their beers. Overall the beers are decent.

Service was pretty good on a weekday evening. The bartender knew the beers and was happy to provide samples.

The pub food is pretty good. We shared the loaded fries appetizer and it was enjoyable.

Overall this is a worthwhile stop if you find yourself in the Irvine area.

OC post SAF tour: Next to UC Irvine where John went to school and located in a shopping mall. The beer itself is very average (6 on tap at this moment) with the ICIPA and Stout the best of the bunch. Looks to be family friendly and also would appeal to the sportbar person. Your average brewpub.

I love the food and the location. This is a great place to go and hang out with friends. The atmosphere is refreshingly young with the university located close by. The beers aren’t great, but the food is pretty good and the drinks are still far better than the typical swill found at ordinary bars. A nice place to go with family and friends, but not a place to seek out if you’re looking for the best beers the area has to offer.

Decent location, right across from the university and in a small shopping mall. Beers are decent, IPA, stout and red were all pretty good. Didn’t eat but menu is standard brewpub, and clean organized layout provides confidence. Looks like they put some effort in here, brew tour night, wine tasting night, art shows and stand up comedy. Would go back again.

I have been here many times over the years. The beer is good, but nothing special. There are better brewpubs in Orange County (BJ’s, Pizza Port, Taps). The food is pretty good. It is a kid-friendly place; they brew their own root beer. Lots of TV’s with sports on.