Excelsior Brewing Company — Restaurant in Excelsior

So I stopped by this brewery this last Sunday afternoon around 3:45. I hadn't been there for awhile thanks to covid, but I always enjoyed the atmosphere and the beer, and was excited to be there again, as well as bring someone there who hadn't been there before. Because we hadn't planned to go there initially but were stopping in because we happened to be in Excelsior, we didn't have a chance to make reservations. I walked up to the counter and asked if any tables were available, and the woman there said there was, but it was reserved at 4:30, and we would have to give it up then. That was fine with us, so we ordered a couple of beers and had a seat. While at the table, I went on the site and reserved another table for 4:30, so if we decided to stay longer, we could. Sure enough a table was available at that time.

When I went in at 4:25 to turn in the table reservation marker and change tables, the woman snapped at me for not giving up the table and said next time I needed to give up the table when I was told. I told her I had made a reservation for 4:30 and was coming in to change tables, and initially she said she didn't see a reservation, then she saw it. Then she told me I could just keep the table. The entire exchange was unpleasant.

I know things are crazy in these times, and everyone is doing what they can, but given I was introducing this place to someone new, it gave them a very poor first experience. How one treats customers and handles communication can make all the difference in one's experience, whatever the nature of the business. I am sad this was my...

We stopped in on a Sunday afternoon. Doing some shopping at the stores down main street. Trying to support the local community. Hopped into the brewery which we have been to before. Our previous experiences were positive. This one not so much. When inquiring about some of the beers. They explained nothing in layman terms. And didn't even offer a sample. To satisfy our curiosity. And then on top of it, the Johnny Knoxville wannabe beer tender was kind of smug about the fact we were using multiple dog passes.

Now as far as I know, it says nowhere in any pass that I can't use multiple. Nor does it say anywhere in the establishment that you can only use one per visit. Now given our love for beer it is a common Christmas present for our family from multiple people. And I do not travel in this area often enough to go there four times.

My wife and I have been to over 250 breweries. And this might have been one of the worst experiences by the staff. Just saying. I was going to post some pictures of the establishment as I do for every brewery visit. I think I'll skip...

I think your opinion of this place will vary depending on what you're looking for. We go to a lot of tap rooms in the Twin Cities and are generally used to sitting and talking with friends or playing games while enjoying a craft beer. That's just what we've gotten used to. We've been to Excelsior Brewing twice (both times in the winter) and found it to be crowded, loud and cold. Both times there was a band playing - and I will say the bands were really good! It just meant that we were standing and shouting to talk to our friends. (Yes, I could have done my due diligence and checked ahead of time to see if there was going to be live music. Then I would have gone in with different expectations.) So, if you're looking for good beer and live music and don't mind standing while enjoying both - check out this place! Beer and music are really good! If you're looking for conversation or playing games, go elsewhere or just at a non-busy time. I would like to try it in the summer to see if there is a...