The Brewmasters Tavern

On our way back home to NH from a concert at Tanglewood, we passed through Williamsburg and decided to find a place for lunch. We happened upon The Brewmasters Tavern. The 1812 built property was astonishing in itself, with wide pine floors, and other beautiful woodwork and marble accents. We sat outside in the garden, and were the only ones out there, but again, it was a Wednesday afternoon around 2:30 pm. Sid was our waiter, and did a great job, and was very attentive. They had several lunch specials for $ 5.50. I chose the shepherd’s pie, which was an ample portion for me. It tasted just like homemade!!! My husband ordered a chicken caesar salad off the lunch menu and it was loaded with chicken and the dressing was superb!
I had a glass of wine and my husband had a 16 oz craft beer. Our total bill came to $ 24.00! When in the area, we’ll be back!

My family on a drive to Northern Massachusetts stopped by here for dinner. It was our first stop and our last stop at this restaurant.
The service was slow, the bread was not your typical yeast rolls and the steak that my wife ordered was so tough that she could not eat it.
The saving grace of this meal was the chicken pesto Pizza, it was very good. The food and service where average at best .
Good luck!

Have eaten at this restaurant many times so we decided to try the Easter brunch. I made reservations weeks in advance for 4. The night before, friends of ours had no plans, so I called Brewmaster to increase our reservation from 4 to 6. I spoke to Lynn and ask to increase our reservation. She first huffed at me, then had trouble finding my reservation, then told me it couldn’t be done. I asked why not, she said that we were in a booth. I ask if we could just squeeze into the booth, she told me no. I asked if there was a better time, her answer, no we are full up. Did not even try to find a way to make it work, was put out, short and rude. The are ways to convey a message, and ways not to. If Lynn has no phone skill, perhaps she should not be on the phone. We arrived were seated in a booth that, with a chair on the end, we would’ve all fit at. The food was good, but the whole incident left a bad taste in my mouth. My sister had already written off this place because she had an incident where she was seated 20 minutes prior to the end of the specials, she was not waited on for 25 minutes, and was told they could not order the special. my husband and I have slow or disinterested servers there as well. Today we had Tess, she was great. This place needs to step up their game.

My wife had the baked stuffed haddock and I had the Ruben:) we also had the French onion soup and blackberry brown ale. All delicious:)

This was one of the WORST experiences I’ve ever had. As an employee of the food service industry, I’m very understanding when it comes to bad food or slow service– within reason, of course.
There were 3 of us that came here this evening for dinner, we drove all the way from Springfield because we were so eager to try it. After a 35 minute drive we anticipated a great dinner and we’re very hungry.
We started off with 3 appetizers, the artichoke red pepper fondue, the chili cheese fries, and the gorgonzola bread. I tried to order clam chowder but they had run out of it. (And also were out of the two previous beers I’d ordered)
All three were very good, but we’re never confirmed to be with our server, Briana. She seemed very new to the industry and either very shy or very neglectful. She rarely visited our table, and left us asking for more water before dinner even came out.
Upon ordering dinner, (Pasta with a red sauce, chorizo, chicken, and shrimp– The Brewmasters Turkey sandwich with Onion Rings [for an upcharge] and attempted to order the maple salmon, but they were out of that too, so we got fish and chips, substituting fries for a side vegetable-​squash.)
The pasta came with a soup or salad and the one who ordered it was counting on clam chowder so instead gave the choice to my other party, a Caesar salad. I also ordered a side Caesar to start with. Hers came out, and we were still eating our appetizers so I assumed it would be out soon.
With no sign of my salad, our dinner came out. The (I’m assuming) food runner brought our dinner, and I told her I was missing my salad and she assured me she would have it come right out.
Our waitress never came to check on us, and after about 20 literal minutes she finally came to the table and I told her to forget my salad, dinner was pretty much over.
My guests did not enjoy their dinner either. The onion rings I ordered were unbearably greasy, as was the fish and chips we got. It was nearly inedible, –and we love fried foods! The chicken in the pasta, I’m sure was microwaved, by its rubbery texture… it just wasn’t good, let alone great.
The manager finally came over to the table with our check, after about 30 more minutes of waiting and was SO RUDE. It was THE WORST table visit I have EVER expirienced. He started off by saying «I believe all of your concerns have been taken care of on the check, and next time maybe don’t order your appetizers so early on so we won’t forget your salad.» I was taken back by his lack of professionalism, and all around manners! I replied with, «well I’m sorry but the waitress never checked on us so we couldn’t tell you that there weren’t two salads on the table.» He then ended our conversation with «have a great whatever it is that you people have». I work in a very well reputable establishment in longmeadow and I’ve been in the industry for over 10 years, and have never encountered such an inconsiderate, rude, prick, of a manager, let alone any staff member. His name was Aaron, and he was also acting as a bartender.
I wouldn’t even want a gift card to try this place again, I wouldn’t go back if someone else paid for me!
I would never ever recommend this restaurant to anyone, ever.
Don’t waste your time, seriously, go somewhere you’ll actually get treated with respect and hospitality.

The foods ok, but it needs to be better. Service is on noho extra slow mo mode. Opa Opa may be having issues with distributors, but the service and food is easier to fix.

Good beer, slow food service. When the food does arrive its always great. The out door options are awesome and the parking is as good as it gets in Northampton.

Took a scenic drive this weekend and ended up here for the third time in a few months.
Great rustic atmosphere and great beer selection! This trip we got a Pizza and it was amazing! I highly recommend Cajun Chicken pizza! The Fondue was amazing as well!
If you’re in the area, make a stop here and enjoy!

I love this place. We have celebrated Mothers Day several times, and other special occasions. But it’s also great for weeknight specials, which are an incredible bargain. Huge Surf and Turk including Filet Mignon for $ 10 ! Cheeseburger and beer for $ 5 ! These are remarkable deals, and the food is very good. At times there are some minor issues with service or cooking, but I’m not sure what other reviewers expect for a full dinner with drinks in the 10 to 12 dollar range. By any standard this is a very solid experience.

We had a great meal here while visiting family. Meal came out in a reasonable time, beer list was local craft brewery’s at an amazing price, the waitress hit all of her marks. As a table we had the pot pie, prime rib, Delmonico steak, salmon, and a second prime rib. All were melt in your mouth good and great portion sizes. We left happy and full. If you want a high priced Boston Bistro; go to Boston. If you want wonderful tavern food for a reasonable price; the Brewmasters is a winner.

It’s so depressing that these great looking places on the Exterior do not even meet decent expectations. Food and service is the worst in the area. So bad I would nt go if it was free.

Had an early dinner at a great price, thanks to many opportunities for specially priced meals. Include the locally brewed beer and you have a really nice dinner from very nice staff for a great price… what else is there?!

Hilltown peeps have one oasis, and the Brewmasters is THE place. The salads are generous, and the Reuben is a giant bucket of AMAZING. OPA’s Amber Ale is a favorite. Great place to watch a game while chilling at the bar… AND IT’S LOCAL.
The bottom line is that this is a solid, reliable place to have a decent craft beer and food at a reasonable price.

This review is about our experience in early 2014. We thought that the beer selection was good, but too many fruit beers for me. I do not like it when a brewpub has a snifter portion of beer that is high priced and the waiter doesn’t tell you about the smaller size and the selection board doesn’t post the price and then you are shocked to see the price on the check. POST THE PRICES AND THE VOLUME! It is plain courtesy. The food on the prior two or three visits was ok for my mate, but I loved the oyster poorboy that was taken off the menu and we haven’t returned. Same owner as OPA OPA and the Capt’n Jimmy, that I reviewed.

I have eaten lunch here in the past and there has always been good service at the bar during their lunch hour. Tonight is the first time I have eaten dinner here and it has been mediocre at best. They did make an accommodation for my party of three to sit in the bar area to watch the game, but the accommodation was to sit one of us in the aisle, making us feel in the way of foot traffic.
We experienced a longer than usual wait between sitting and ordering, and between ordering and our food arriving.
When our food did arrive, there was soup spilled over into the saucer that then spilled on the table and there wasn’t enough sauce provided for the portion size. One of our entrees had a pile of individual butter packets piled in the middle of the food, which was hot enough to liquidate the butter, and it spilled over everything. In between the appetizer and the dinner, the waitress cleared one of our forks and did not replace it, so one of us had to wait to eat.
For dessert, we ordered the crème brûlée and the chocolate chip cookie bake. The crème brûlée was ok, not served warm, and the cookie bake was simple and delicious.
Overall, it was a less then enjoyable restaurant experience. The food was overpriced for what it was, and the service overall was lacking. Lesson learned — not the place to go for good after 1pm.

Gonna have to knock these guys down a star, I think I ate here 4 times visiting over a two week period. While the lunch is always great, dinner is going downhill fast, especially if they are busy.
Normal fish portion for lunch was about 5 oz, not bad for a $ 5 meal. Dinner portions were 2 oz, at best, seems like they are generous at lunch, then run out of product and have to cut back portion size.
Although it was funny watching my huge strapping friend look at his fish portion, «What is this an intervention?»

I can honestly say I had the worst dining experience of my entire life at the Brewmaster’s Tavern. Shame on them! Another example of why I think Unilocal should offer a 0 star rating.
Made reservation for 7pm. Table not ready when we arrived.
Took 40, yes, FORTY minutes to get our waters. My husband had to go up to the hostess to make sure we were still being waited on by the server that took our drink orders. Ordered 4 beers, one came out. About 20 mins later the other 3 were brought out by the hostess who put them in the middle of the table and told us she didnt know how to tell them apart. Being as we all ordered «house» brews, this was pretty comical. It took us a few sips, but we figured out whose beer belonged to who on our own.
Appetizer was forgotten about. Second time we had to get the hostess to intervene. We ordered beer cheese fondue and chips. Fondue candle wasnt lit. So we basically got a bag of cold chips with chunky, cold cheese dip. Yum.
Second round of beers ordered. Another 30 mins of waiting with empty glasses. No refills on our water. Bartender brought beers out. Where was this server the entire evening? Food runners, hostess, bartender handled our table??? Confusing.
ONE HOUR and 30 mins after we ordered, our four entrees were brought out. My mother in law had a small pasta dish, my father in law had absolutely disgusting frozen scallops, and my husband and I both ordered fliet mignon– medium. They brought out our steaks WELL, and I mean WELLLLLLL done. I couldnt even cut through it.
3^rd time we had to get the hostess, as our server never came back to check on us. I handed her a plate with both steaks on it to show her how absolutely horrid they looked and asked for new steaks.
Manager comes out, says she’ll see what she can do.
No new steaks arrive, in-​laws awkwardly eat their (gross) meals. I sampled a scallop and spit it in my napkin because it tasted rancid.
30 mins later, husband talks to manager for the second time and we’re told we will be compensated for a «portion» of our meal. Bill comes out– over $ 130. The filet mignon meals were ~30 and they only took 50% off of these, so they expected us to pay $ 15 for a microwaved baked potato and overcooked green beans.
Another 30 mins. Hubs goes to manager and explains how ridiculous this entire night has been. We were there for two hours and didnt get even eat a meal. After a 5^th intervention with the staff, they comped our entire meal.
I worked in the service industry my entire life and have never seen anything quite like this before. It’s really sad because we brought our parents there as a special treat to make a large announcement. We used to come around Christmas, too.
I WILL NEVER EVER BE BACK HERE!!!

The atmosphere is the classic «Ye Olde New England» type often seen around these parts, but simplified and updated somewhat. The menu is extremely traditional, but also updated a bit. Our shared appetizer, for example, fried calamari, came with hot peppers and bleu cheese, and was quite tasty. My companion ordered broiled scallops and was impressed by the quality and size of the portion, if not the excessive amount of paprika on top. I had the roast turkey dinner, Thanksgiving on a plate, dark and white meat, stuffing, mashed potato, cranberry sauce, and green beans. Both entrees were under $ 20 each and the portions were huge. They also come with soup or salad, not much more than adequate. Beer is good, too. A good solid 3*. If I lived around here, I’d be back about once a month.

I still miss The Williams House which was there before The Brewmasters Tavern. I mostly visit now because I love the area and the historic colonial building The Brewmasters Tavern is housed in. I’ve never been a huge fan of Opa-​Opa brews. The are decent, drinkable, but boring. Stopped in for lunch today and ordered the Brewmasters burger and my wife the baked haddock $ 5 lunch special. Server was fast and friendly, but the kitchen slow. I tried the Honesty IPA, had good flavor, but lacked any head or carbonation. Burger was pretty good, and the onion rings were even better. Had to send back the clam chowder because of how extremely thick it was. It was unappealing and looked like glue. The mediocre food and beer are just not enough to make me drive up there on a regular basis.

Charming New England atmosphere, friendly and attentive service, but very mediocre and institutional food. I’ll upload some pics.
The Opa beer & cheese fondue was… weird? More starchy than cheesy, perhaps? And the tortilla chips were a strange pairing.
I had the baked stuffed haddock, which was not something that I would get again. Lots of stuffing, overcooked fish, thoroughly uninspired sides and a reminder of why I generally steer clear from anything «baked stuffed.»
Boyfriend had a Buffalo Chicken pizza which he said was ok, except that they had left off any hint of buffalo sauce and instead topped it with some kind of Italian-​seasoned chicken breast.
I probably won’t be back.