Savannah, GA - Moon River Brewery, Brewpub Options

[Chauvan]

Moon River Brewery is a brewpub located in the heart of downtown Savannah. The brewpub is set in a 19th century building with a bar set at the entrance and seating for about 200 people in the main room. The restaurant also has a downstairs area that can be reserved for parties and is also the meeting place of the local homebrew club, Savannah Brewer's Leage (Meetings first Wednesday of the month @ 1900).

Typically of the house beers there are 6 selections and normally 2 of them they are out of. They also rotate various beers thoughout the year as the mood strikes the head brewer and co-owner, John Pinkerton. John does NOT offer public tours of the brewing area, though you can see the operation through the large glass windows. (Though as an aside if he knows you're part of the homebrew club, he will provide you with some of his yeast slurry from his primaries).

Beer The beers at Moon River are generally within style and rarely with any off notes. They however are nothing spectacular and very basic recipes. However, when they do a specialty beer (the last I had was a Honey Maibock), then they really shine. They also offer sampler pricing of all the beers on tap.

Food Nothing that you wouldn't expect at a bar; tasty and reasonably priced for downtown Savannah. I would like to note the Simple Man platter on the appetizer menu. Smoked sausage, grilled onions with a cut of Brie cheese, glazed with molasses and a very large croissant. Simple and perfect.

Service This can be hit or miss on any given night. They try real hard for those of in the club, but upstairs is more of a service jungle. Never rude, just rather forgetful.

Overall Not the best I've ever been too, but definitely worth a try if you're ever in the Low Country. And since it's the only Brewpub in Savannah, what do you have to lose?

[sidney porter]

When ever I am in Savannah I make it a point to stop in. Normally it is through the week, for a late lunch and beer. The food is solid bar food, the beers are well made. In the past it seems like they have a large selection of styles. Looking at their website it appears that they have scaled back on the selections. I have alway had good service but at 2pm on a Tuesday they are not very busy.

http://www.moonriverbrewing.com/

[Connie]

I rated it a 5. I don't usually drink beer there, but everyone I'm with does and on a given day/evening they are out of at least one of their beers. It's always a guess as to which one. It annoys me. Food's good. I wish they had more on the menu though.

[realbeerguy]

[quote name='Chauvan' date='Sep 12 2007, 02:01 AM' post='937670']


Typically of the house beers there are 6 selections and normally 2 of them they are out of. They also rotate various beers thoughout the year as the mood strikes the head brewer and co-owner, John Pinkerton. John does NOT offer public tours of the brewing area, though you can see the operation through the large glass windows. (Though as an aside if he knows you're part of the homebrew club, he will provide you with some of his yeast slurry from his primaries).

Beer The beers at Moon River are generally within style and rarely with any off notes. They however are nothing spectacular and very basic recipes. However, when they do a specialty beer (the last I had was a Honey Maibock), then they really shine. They also offer sampler pricing of all the beers on tap.


Over the last year, Pink & his Ass't Brewer Chris have been faced with structural problems under the brew room floor. This had an effect on the amount they could brew, leading to a shortage in the standard tap offerings. Just recently, some seasonals have started. One was the Maibock, just recently was the Dixie Crystall a Belguim made with local Dixie sugar. "Tater", made with sweet potatoes is due up soon. The brewerey plans are to move the brew room to the back, increasing capacity so according to John, more seasonals can be offered. He is also getting into barrel aged beers so look for them in the future.

In addition, John has made & put on tap, the winner of the SBL's Club competition.

[slowhead]

cool place...i especially like the fact that they give you to-go cups to walk down the street with..something that would never happen here in orlando..

[Mookie]

When I was in Savannah I was unable to drink for medical reasons.

A friend of a friend is visiting from Scotland. He's very beer-savy, would probably be a great brewer if he every tried. He's an engineer. We started talking because I was limping and explained that I'd dropped 5 gallons of Mead on it, which got his attention. He wanted to know if he'd somehow missed a local micro-brewery and I assured him he hadn't. We don't have one. My friend vouches that he's tried plenty too, and never misses a chance to visit a micro-brewery.

Anyway, he said that Moon River Stout (or Chocloate Stout if they make that) was the best beer he's had in the states so far. He said it had a really rich chocolate finish, "just right."

Wish I could go taste it and right my own review, but passing on his second hand is all I can do for now.

M

[frankerector]

i will be going to Savanah on the 14Jan. I have consulted Pubcrawler.com!

[frankerector]

What about Churchill's Pub, Molly McPhersons, Murphy's Law, or B&B Billiards? Do they suck?

[frankerector]

I guess nobody reads this post

[realbeerguy]

I guess nobody reads this post

Not the right place, this is for reviews.

That being said, MR has good beer, has been offering casks, & some unusual things like the following:

Year-end Firkins Of Beer Pleasure

• Jan. 8: Swamp Fox IPA with a second dry-hopping with U.S. Amarillo hops. This gives this hoppy ale an unmistakable peachy/apricot flavor.

• Jan.15: Savannah Fest Bier dry-hopped with German Spalt hops.


• Jan. 22: Little Chocolate Doughnut Porter, Moon River’s first-place winner at the 2008 Georgia Cask Ale Tasting. Using a proprietary technology known as dry-dough-nutting, we add Krispy Kreme goodness to a cask of fresh Captain’s Porter. On Jan. 31, we will compete again in the 2009 Georgia Cask Ale Tasting.

• Jan. 29: Blackberry Wit. The blackberries complement the coriander and orange peel flavors present in the Wild Wacky Wit (this from their newsletter)

I'll be there tonight drining the Swamp Fox.

Churchill's right next door.

A new place opened up around the corner across from the Visitor's center called "The Distillery". After MR, go there.
Molly's is a good place, some authentic food, short beer list.

Post your review after going.

rbg