Don't get me wrong. Â The drinks are well made, and for $7 each they are very good! Drinks like this in Denver would run $10+ each, but I don't think the Buena Vista market would support that price and I feel Deerhammer is more about the Whiskey or Gin and selling bottles rather than trying to be a bar slinging drinks.
Although the drinks are killer, I'm giving Deerhammer 2 stars because their service was horrendous. Â We walked in around 4pm and the bartender was busy talking to a couple at the bar, we asked if we could sit on the patio and he said sure. Â Thinking he would come out to take our order we waited patiently for a few minutes. After no luck, my girlfriend went into grab drinks and no one would even acknowledge her, instead a new couple walked in and he immediately started telling them about the history of the place and their alcohol. Â I went in and asked if we could order now, but the bartender was busy helping the new customers... Â He took my order and said he would bring the drinks right out. Of course that meant I'll make yours as soon as I'm done with these new people who just came in.
So about 15 minutes later we finally got our drinks. Â
They spent so much money on the railing for their patio, they had to buy the flimsiest tables I've ever seen. Â The table was wobbling all over and when a large group came to sit at the tables next to us, my girlfriend's drink spilled all over her shorts and legs.
I ran in to grab some water and napkins only to find the water jug was empty. Â When I told the bartender the jug was empty and I needed some water his response was "so it is" and then he continued his conversation with the couple at the bar.
Finally the other employee came up, and asked if I was ready for the check and I replied yes, absolutely! Â But I really just wanted some service.
I don't think I will go back, it was simply too bad of an experience... but if you go. Â Take my advice and sit at the bar... that seems to be the only place to get decent service here.
Terrible service, but the drinks were tasty.
My boyfriend and I decided to stop into Deer Hammer while in BV over the 4th of July weekend. Â We walked into the front and asked the bartender if we could sit on the patio. Â He said sure and then ten minutes later he still had not come outside to help us. Â I went in to order a drink and he completely ignored me and kept talking to the two people sitting at the bar. Â So, in order to let him finish his conversation, I went to the empty water jug to try to get something to drink. Â When I turned to the water jug, another couple walked in. Â The bartender ended his conversation, greeted the couple and started helping them. Â I was so frustrated that I went back outside and sent my boyfriend in. Â He asked if he could order drinks, the guys said oh yeah sure i'll bring them out to you. Â Another ten minutes goes by, the new couple walk out with their drinks and a few minutes later we finally got ours. Â
After all of this, the table was so wobbly and unstable that I only got to drink half of my drink before it spilled all over the floor. Â My boyfriend went in to grab some water and something to clean it up with. Â The water jug was still empty. Â When he tried to give it to the bartender to refill, he said the water jug is empty and the guy only said "so it is" and then said ANYWAY and went back to his conversation at the bar. Â There was a second guy working in the place, standing and drinking a glass of water. Â This second guy came around to the bar and the only acknowledgement he gave my boyfriend was "You ready to check out". Â To which we replied "yes absolutely". Â
It is a disappointment because we have heard so many great things about this place and the drinks were good. Â We have a house in BV so we spend a lot of time here and frequent many local restaurants. Â On the fence about whether we will ever go back. Â The drinks were good and I would love to actually finish one instead of wear it, but I just can't get past the awful service. Â IF we ever go back, we will make sure to sit at the bar so that we will at least get offered a drink.
Spending the week at Buena Vista and looking for things to do, so we went into Deerhammer cause I like whiskey. I was surprised to see they offered an Old Fashioned cocktail. I know how to make good old fashions and it is difficult to find a bar that compares. I was surprised how good the cocktail was. we even got a tour of the distillery and they answered all my questions.
Good time.
This place is the coziest, especially when it's snowing outside. Â
We stopped in the first night in BV on a recent trip and ended up coming in the next night we loved it so much. Â We're both beer and wine lovers, and hardly ever order cocktails. Â But whoa did this place make me think twice about that. Â
When we walked in, we were greeted and walked through a tasting of delicious their gin and whiskey. Â We ordered the old fashioned, the green grind, and the high roller. Â The old fashioned was strong and delicious. Â The green grind was probably my favorite...cucumber, mint, and whiskey....amazing. Â The high roller was great too- pineapple, almond, and lime and whiskey...tasted like being on the beach without the annoying too-sweet-syrupy-garbage that many beach-y drinks reek of. Â It was also the perfect taste of whiskey in each drink- not overpowering, and at the same time the flavors didn't mask the fine taste of the alcohol. Â All drinks were $7 which is ridiculously cheap considering the quality of the whiskey and the fine crafting of each cocktail. Â
You can bet the next time we're in BV we'll be coming back here.
We heard about Deerhammer when we were at Eddyline Brewery (see my review) and knew we had to check this place out. Deerhammer has limited hours of operation (in the winter, not sure about summer hours), and we got there shortly after it opened for the night. We were warmly greeted by the owner (although we didn't know it at the time) and we sat at the bar while she walked us through the different mixed drinks they have and their tasting they offer. She was very friendly and professional and whipped up some awesome cocktails for us, showcasing the Deerhammer whiskey. She also explained the whiskey making process and gave us a tour of the distillery.
I bought a bottle of their limited edition whiskey (sorry, the bottle is at my house as I write this review, while I am not) to save for special occasions. It was very smooth, and very tasty. As I write this review, I am reminded that I need to check out their website and get on their mailing list so that i can find out when they are in Denver distributing their whiskey so that I can buy more.
Definitely recommend this place, even if you aren't a whiskey fan. My adult daughter is not a whiskey fan (she went since we were celebrating my birthday and didn't have a choice), but she enjoyed the cocktail she had. I will definitely go back here in future visits to Buena Vista
They let our pup join us outside as we wiped off the metal seats from the recent rain. Â I was excited to get the chance to taste some liquor from a small mountain town distillery, even though I was very nervous since the majority of small mountain town liquors I have tried have either been way too strong or just completely whacking for lack of a better term. Â
We were very impressed to find that they were featuring their white whiskey. Â It takes some balls to feature a white whiskey since it is such a wild card and is un-affected by so many different aging variances that can turn a sh*t whiskey into something palatable. Â I was excited cause this was a clear sign they were not hiding anything, allowing us not only to taste their un-finished whiskey but featuring it in most of their drinks. Â On their website they say they make "Simple. Honest. Colorado whiskey" and I'll be damned if that ain't true.
I feel like this place is the perfect mix of old-world-distilling/small-mountain-town-feel/new-Âworld-style. We both ended up ordering multiple drinks while taking advantage of their free mustard and pretzels and having a good ol' time.
This place is something special and I hope they spread the vibes throughout their beautiful town.
Great little spot to relax with an adult beverage! Â If you like real cocktails (not those syrupy fruity spring break concoctions in a fish bowl) this is a must. Â The whiskey was remarkably good on its own, which is how I had it, and there are a selection of cocktails that I can only imagine would highlight the spirit well.
Very welcoming owners, comfortable atmosphere and reasonable prices - a real trifecta!
Hubby and I spent the weekend rafting and hiking in BV and saw this on a website of things to do/see in BV....so we checked it out! The staff was immediatley attentive to us as soon as we walked into the door. They told us all about the distillery and gave us a sampke. I am nit obe to drink whiskey, let alone straight, but theirs went down really smooth. We ended up ordering drinks to take it out to their patio. I got their version if a Moscow Mule and hubby got their version of a Mai Tai. They were great, went down smooth. I kinda liked the Mai Tai one better, but I think that's just my taste buds preference. Â Can't wait to go back!
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