Old Saratoga Brewing Company

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  I wish I lived here so I could frequent this brewery all the time! It would be my local hangout! You get free tastings which are terrific and the atmosphere is so chill. Highly recommend!

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  Posted on 05.12.13 Andrea D.

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  Lovely local tap room that lets you drink to your heart's content. They give you 5 oz. pours and ask for nothing in return (though you can thank them by tipping and buying some beer). Growlers are rather expensive at $35 (regular) and $50 (novelty jug), but you gotta recoup the generosity SOMEHOW. And if you live around here, refills are only $7.
  
  It's not a huge place, but on a Saturday we never felt crammed. It's an old-school brewery without artisanal hot dogs and fancy mobile food partnerships, but a great local hangout (and friendly way station for visitors).
  
  The beers were pretty good, including their IPAs (especially the Black IPA they brew for Mendocino) and the amber ales. The KIngfisher lager is the best-selling beer in India (which probably helps underwrite the taproom), so check it out.

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  Posted on 04.01.13 Yan T.

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  This place is fantastic.  I went here with my wife and another couple, and we had an amazing time.  They gave us a brewery tour, and served plenty of delicious Olde Saratoga and Mendocino Brewing Company beers.  Highly recommended.

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  Posted on 03.26.13 Derek K.

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  If it were possible I would give this place zero stars.  
  
  We went here on a Saturday night truly looking forward to sampling some local beers and when we walked in the guy behind the counter asked if we were there for the party.  We didn't realize the place was closed for an event because there were only a few people hanging out drinking. So we said no, thinking he  was joking.  Then he asked again saying "didn't you see the sign on the door?" "Don't you know how to read?" And finally, "didn't you go to school, go look at the sign"  
  
  We thought he was kidding but he totally kicked us out. =/
  
  Unbelievable how rude this guy was and I will NOT EVER be returning nor will I purchase their beer at any point in the future.

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  Posted on 12.08.12 Maria D.

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  A hidden secret I hope doesn't get out... stumbled upon the brewery while riding the bike, will definately have to plan it on my list of stops for just about every other ride in the area.

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  Posted on 08.07.12 George H.

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  Two horrible experiences.  The first time I went in there were 3 people there.  After 5 minutes someone finally came up and asked if they could help me as if they were being inconvenienced.  Bought beer even though I felt like walking out.  Returned a few days later with a friend.  We're both female.  The place was a little crowded but there was room at the bar.  3 men behind the bar.  We waited about 6 minutes and were never acknowledged by the closest bartender.  We then moved over since there was plenty of space at the bar.  Finally flagged the second guy down,  he was rude and seemed bothered that he got stuck with having to help us.   Made no attempt to help us.  Requested beer that was not in the cooler.  He said they didn't have any.  Didn't even attempt to look.  Really?  No other beer than the 10 or so in the case at a brewery????  That's okay.  I'm a big spender and a great tipper and I took my business elsewhere.

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  Posted on 07.14.12 I S.

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  A buddy of mine has been bugging me to come check this place out, he is a regular here and now I know why.  This place is great, all the beers are fantastic.  Every Saturday they have free tours and their tours are a lot better than all the other beer tours I have taken. You actually are walking through the brewery right where all the brew masters work, it is quite something else. I also sampled some hops which I have never done in any other beer tour.  The guide has so much knowledge about the beers and brewing process.  The guide actually brings you through the whole brewery, describing what this does and what that does, you sample 2 fresh beers that have been made a few days ago.  Nothing beats fresh beer...aaaahhhh.  I will definitely be coming back here to hang out and sample more beers.  Oh and by the way the Saratoga lager and Red tail ale are killer!

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  Posted on 05.15.12 Eugene L.

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  This. Place. Is. Awesome.  I really have nothing else to say, but I will.  
  
  On a Saturday afternoon, a dude friend and I decided to tie a few on and because neither of us had ever been to OSB we decided, why not.  
  
  Its a tasting room. Taste to your hearts content (or once you fall in love with a brew, the bartenders had no problem letting us "taste" the same beer 3 times) and then buy something if you're so inclined and make sure you leave a nice tip.  So pretty much you can drink a few not pay a dime other than tipping and then fill up your "growla" for $7 (first fill up with purchase of said "growla" is free and use your frequent buyer card to get a free #6 fill up)...one of the best values in the Region.  
  
  I'm a dark beer girl.  I tried the seasonal oatmeal stout (which was good, but certainly not the best oatmeal stout I've had), the black hawk stout (which was a good Irish style dry stout bearing no resemblance to Guinness, so don't bother trying to compare the 2), and the Imperial Stout which was exceptional (a very strong punch at 10% and a great black coffee and chocolate taste which I absolutely love).  
  
  No food....I should take a point off for not even having peanuts or pretzels, but that Imperial Stout was so dang good and the bar tender so accommodating with our "tasting" style that I'm not going to take off any stars.  
  
  There is a dart board.  I loved the tin cut-outs on the chairs (little beer mugs...cute).
  
  I did not encounter any surly or inattentive barkeeps.  They were having electric problems when I first got there, but they were fixed and the bar tenders never missed a beat.  Pretty much as soon as I put my glass down after finishing a sample they were on top of me and my dude friend asking what we wanted to try next.  
  
  I can see myself hanging out here a lot more often then I should.
  
  As per Nick P.--don't screw this up people.  Keep it cool.

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  Posted on 09.18.11 Colleen M.

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  Ah, those words every man longs to hear.... "Free Beer".....
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  I've been here many times, but my last experience tops them all.  In case you don't know what this place is, it's a bar.  A bar where they serve beer they make, as well as some others.  There's not much here - couple TVs, few tables, a really nice bar (including a lower section for wheelchair access).  I thought I'd have to pay for a flight of beers, as I wanted to try out a few before I re-filled my growler, again.  What's a growler?  Google it.  OK FINE I'll tell you: It's a big brown jug you keep your beer in.  There's like 8 beers in it, easily, and for a whopping $7 bucks (that's dirt cheap, kids) they'll refill it with any beer you'd like.  AND there's a punch-card thingy where you get your 6th fillup FREE.
  Speaking of FREE, that's how much I paid for tasting all the beers. $0.  The awesome lady behind the beer let me try as many small glasses as I liked.  She was really cool.  We talked for a bit about what was going on in town, and how it's changed over the years.  It was very nice.
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  As far as the beer goes:  The Kingfisher is easily the most drinkable.  There's no aftertaste but it has a nice balanced flavor to it.  The Eye of the Hawk is excellent and has a wonderful sweet-honey thing going on.  It was a tough call, but I went with the Kingfisher this time.  I wasn't a huge fan of the Red Tail ale, but if you're a fan of hoppy beers, you'd like it.
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  Free beer, kids.  FREE. BEER.

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  Posted on 09.07.11 Jack M.

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  Picked up sandwiches at the Spring Street deli and ventured out for lunch at the brewery.  Couldn't figure out who was staff and who wasn't of the 2 guys there - turns out BOTH were.  Tried 4 different beers - all free tastings.  The Eye of the Hawk Select Ale was our fav and we bought a case to bring home - $32.  Need to be proactive with the staff, but once engaged in conversation - it works out just fine.  We enjoyed our time there.

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  Posted on 07.17.11 Jane M.

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  Definitely worth the trip from Albany. I love this place. I always order food from the local food places while sipping free beer here.  On my way back fill up the growler with my favorite beer Black Eye (mix of Eye of the hawk select ale/black hawk stout) for 7 bucks.
  They also have other choices like white hawk IPA, red tail ale, Blue heron pale ale and Kingfisher lager.
  
  Bottom line: Can't find a better brewing company in the Upstate area.

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  Posted on 05.31.11 Shaggy L.

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  This review is 100% based on the service and atmosphere of this joint - as I never did actually get served so I have no idea what their beer tastes like.
  Whenever I travel I like to hit up the local breweries, craft brewed beer is a passion of mine and I USUALLY really enjoy visiting local breweries and brewpubs when I'm out of town. USUALLY, until I visited Olde Saratoga Brewing Company. What a miserable little corner of earth this place is.
  I walked in with a date and sat at the TOTALLY EMPTY bar there were 6 other guests in the bar and 2 employees working. We sat for about 5 minutes with no acknowledgement whatsoever. Then a pair of dudes walked in and were immediately greeted and given a beer. Hmm odd. *quick pit check* nope, we don't smell bad, we look pretty cute and respectable, hmmmm. We eyeballed the 2 employees behind the bar that were seemingly purposefully ignoring us, they  continued to serve the other patrons and still, noting for us. We waited another 10 or so minutes and eventually decided to bail. They obviously didn't want us there. Oh well.
  The only thing that stands out to me is that I was the only woman in the bar. Maybe it's dudes only? IDK. All I know is I'm going back to the area in 2 weeks and I WONT be revisiting Olde Saratoga Brewing Company.

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  Posted on 02.03.11 Brooke E.

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  Relaxed atmosphere, free beer tastings- tip the bartender and enjoy! These guys are the makers of Red Tail Ale.....but they have a variety of beers to try. You can have food delivered and you can bring wine in if someone in your group prefers that over beer.

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  Posted on 08.17.10 Nicole M.

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  There is one thing I should have mentioned in my original review: unless you are a Saratoga police person or firefighter or other intimate of the bartenders, the service at Old Saratoga brewery is going to make the surly barkeeps at Mahar's seem like your doting grandmother by comparison.
  
  One day I am going to get up the courage to go behind the bar and do my own pour like the regulars, but meanwhile I wait like other acolytes as my thirst builds up. A dollar in the tip jar, though not a bad thing to do, does not seem to change this situation.
  
  Also, at times they get a bit too busy, or whatever, to replace the kegs as they tap out. Last night they were out of both Eye of the Hawk and Imperial IPA, two standards. A brewery out of beer? Remarkable.

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  Posted on 01.30.10 Otis M.

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  $4 gets you two pints and a free glass.  And the beer is dynamite.  A hidden treasure in Saratoga.  Perfect for a quiet night with a few friends.  It's small, so don't expect to be accomodated if you're in a big, rowdy group.  No track tourists here.  A pleasant relief.
  
  A friend of mine rented this place out for a party.  If I could go back, I'd do the same for my Birfday.

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  Posted on 03.30.09 Boogie S.

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  This is a tasting room first. You can buy a growla' and fill it up for like 5 bucks. 5 fills earns you a freebie. Keep that in mind when you go because it's pretty small, they dont have food and you sort of feel like you are going into someone's basement, or in this case a little rooms off the main brewery to drink.
  
  If you are cool with that it's five starts all the way. You can try all the beers they brew there, and some that they brew from their parent company in California.
  
  This is a great place to meet people after work for a beer (I didnt see any liquor) and play darts or sit at one of the high pub tables.
  
  I have been in a bunch of times when they are offering food for happy hour, but they don't have a kitchen.
  
  Great local hide-out. Don't fuck that up by pretending you are from out of town (even if you are), and just enjoy this little gem.
  
  The parking lot is small and totally blows. I have been afraid after some sampling that I might hit another car.

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  Posted on 04.13.08 Nick P.

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