Bambei Brewing — Local services in Four Corners States

Went with a friend who suggested going for lunch. Odd parking lot set up (not their fault) but if coming from McCaslin, turn left at the first left turn. The second was to a parking area close but that other is the one you want. Maybe a sign can be made since my fiend said he turned at the wrong spot too. Place had been an Old Chicago pizza for decades before reopening as a brewery. The outside patio is still the same with minor changes. Inside is mostly tables both low seating and other with bar like height. There is also bar seating as well as a four odd lone bar height stools along one window and a couple cushioned chairs and a sofa by them. The tap list is on one screen near when you place all your orders (beer and/or food). They have piles of menus also at the ordering space. Wondered if it would be better to have them spread out on the different table but have it shown to hit the bar to order. This way everyone who gets there doesn’t have to jockey around people ordering to get the menus and then stand around looking at the menus. This way they can sit and decide before heading to the bar. 5th had a nice variety of beers both that they brewed as well as guest taps. I suspect based on their website that as they brew more of their stuff, there will be less of the guest taps. The menu is mostly hamburgers, sandwiches, a couple salads and several appetizers. My friend had the classic burger and I ordered the Bambei burger. He liked his while I was a bit picky. For a Smashburger, the Pattie’s were still perfectly round and appeared not to be that juicy by themselves. Not sure if the bacon was precooked since they seemed a bit dry as well. The blue cheese dressing was nice and thick making me think possibly house made. Really didn’t get mush taste of the caramelized onions but that might have been from the dressing since that dominated the flavor. The fries were fine but not a lot of the rosemary garlic. My friend liked his red ale while the IPA wasn’t really great for me but not all are. I regretted not going for the black IPA as my first choice. Oh well that just means I have to come...

This is a newer spot (only a year old) and has potential, but is a long ways off from hitting the mark. The person who posted a review saying there was only one bartender working and the rest of the staff was just sort of hanging around, hit the nail on the head. The place wasn’t busy at all, but it still took 10 minutes to get a beer, which was largely flavorless (which isn’t a good sign, considering it was an anniversary IPA). The poor bartender apologized profusely and grabbed my beer in between hauling ice, rushing out food and beer orders and handling pick-ups as well. It was still a one-person job (I’ve worked in breweries) but he was overwhelmed while two men, who I can safely assume were the owner and brewmaster, were sitting at a table watching baseball.

The place has the vibe of someone wealthy who decided to buy or start a brewery, or someone who was able to secure a loan, but doesn’t really know the industry. The place has good branding and more merch than it should, a brewhouse that’s much too big and elaborate for what they’re putting out, and beer and atmosphere that haven’t caught up to those aspirations, yet. The burger was decent, even if the fries were overdone. It’s a place that would probably do well 10 years ago before the brewing industry bubble burst, with okay food and average at best beer — perfect for families on weeknights, but not really much there for beer enthusiasts. I’ll check back in a year or so and see if things have gotten better, if they survive what must be wild overhead costs....

If you’re looking for a new go-to spot with amazing vibes, Bambei Brewery is it! My bestie and I recently checked it out and instantly knew this place would become our new hang. From the moment we walked in, the staff was super friendly and made us feel right at home.

One of the coolest things about Bambei is that they have wine on tap—such a rare find at a brewery! Whether you’re in the mood for a crisp white or a bold red, they’ve got you covered. Of course, their beer selection is top-notch too, with something for every taste.

We also happened to stop by during happy hour, which was a total win. The deals were awesome, making it easy to try a bit of everything without breaking the bank. Pair that with the chill atmosphere and great service, and you’ve got yourself a perfect spot to unwind.

If you haven’t been yet, do yourself a favor and head to Bambei Brewery. Great drinks, welcoming staff, and a vibe that keeps you coming back—what more could you...