Druthers Brewing Company — Restaurant in City of Albany

My wife and I decided to finally take my parents out tonight to one of our favorite restaurants in the Capital Region, Druthers' location in Albany. While our previous 15 times to Druthers have been easily 5 star experiences, this one was not. It wasn't the food. The food was excellent as always, as was the great beer selection. It wasn't our waiter, Jake. He was also excellent. It was the inability of one of the managers, Charlotte, to be flexible and accommodating of a customer's easily fulfilled request. My wife is a bit of a picky eater. She has her favorite meals at all of the restaurants that we've ever been to, including Druthers. Druthers changes their menu seasonally, which is expected after having been there as many times as we have. My wife's meal, the Loaded Grilled Cheese, has come and gone a couple of times but has always been accommodated by the great kitchen staff. Tonight, after we realized that it was gone, we asked Jake if it could still be made. The ingredients were still used in the production of other items. It's a pretty simple sandwich - Grilled Cheese with smoked chicken and bacon on it, with ranch and barbecue sauce. The grilled cheese is still offered, but now with Philly cheesesteak on it. The smoked chicken and bacon are still in use in the Loaded Mac.

Now, if it were an extraordinarily busy evening and the kitchen was right out straight, I could understand not being able to fulfill anything not on the menu. But it was a Sunday night and the restaurant was maybe half full with no wait. We were sat right near the kitchen and could see when Jake asked his manager, Charlotte, if this could be done. It was her response that made me want to write this review. She goes in a snotty tone (I could hear her with how close we were to them), "No, just tell her we don't have the ingredients". Like I said, they had the ingredients and the kitchen wasn't busy, no reason why this couldn't have been accommodated, other than her approval.

So we said fine, and my wife ordered the Philly Cheesesteak Grilled Cheese, but with Chicken and Bacon. Jake brought it back to her to confirm that they could do it and she said in a snotty way once again, "No, she's just trying to get around it".

Now come on. On top of my full time job, I help run two customer facing small businesses. In either of those businesses I try my hardest to take care of my customers in whatever way I can. If this was Druthers policy, Charlotte didn't get the memo. We won't be back until they either have the Loaded Grilled Cheese on the menu, or until they can make the simple decision to take their customer's...

I used to frequent Druthers a lot the first several years they were open. Great food, great beer, and great atmosphere. But I'm a little disappointed in it now. We went in last night for the first time in a long time and I was surprised at how thin the menu was in places. There was literally only one beef burger available. The other burger was a veggie burger. And they seemed to have done away with pizza all together, replaced with flatbreads, which just isn't pizza. I'm sorry, but this is NY. Flatbreads are not pizza. It's a real shame because their margarita pizza was a favorite of mine. I ended up ordering the lone burger on the menu, which I wasn't impressed with, nor was I impressed with the fries. They used to be thinner, crispier, and tasted freshly cut. The fries I got last night tasted very generic. Like ones you would get at a little league concession stand. Bland. Nothing special about them at all. The burger was just okay. It tasted a little greasy. And why are beers being served in short, wide glasses now? What happened to serving them in proper beer glasses? I found this odd. Not really negative, I guess. Just odd. The table we were seated at, right next to the side exit and under the wooden American flag, was unfinished and sticky from years of wiping it with a dirty rag. Knowing I'd likely be touching my food, I didn't touch the table. I didn't even put my phone down on it. I sat with my hands on my lap the whole time. What happened to this place? It used to be so much better. They seemed to have lost some of their pride over the last couple years and it certainly shows in person and in other reviews as of late. Overall I was disappointed in the thinner menu and the lackluster food. The service was...

Druther’s Brewing Company in Albany, NY is a must-visit destination for anyone who appreciates great beer and delicious food. The brewery’s industrial-chic ambiance — offering a spacious and modern interior, comfortable seating and a wide selection of craft beers — creates a warm and inviting atmosphere perfect for a casual dinner or a night out with friends.

Their extensive menu features a variety of mouth-watering options including pub favorites like burgers and fries to more unique offerings such as Korean-style wings and cauliflower tacos. One of the highlights of eating at Druther’s Brewing Company is their farm-to-table approach to cooking, with an emphasis on using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Whether you’re in the mood for a juicy burger, crispy fries, or a hearty sandwich, their menu has something for everyone. Their signature dish, the Druther’s Burger, is a must-try, made with grass-fed beef, caramelized onions, and a homemade bun. Pair it with one of their award-winning beers for the ultimate dining experience. (Unfortunately my favorite, the Tomato Soup/Grilled Cheese was taken off the menu.)

In addition to their delicious food and beer, Druther’s Brewing Company also offers a friendly and attentive staff that is always ready to assist customers with their needs. The restaurant also provides a vibrant atmosphere, perfect for a night out with friends or a family dinner. Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch or a long, relaxing dinner, Druther’s Brewing Company is an excellent choice. With their emphasis on quality ingredients, excellent customer service, and a welcoming ambiance, it’s no wonder why this Albany restaurant has become a...