Lakewood Brewing Company — Restaurant in Garland

I've been coming to Lakewood for so long... Before it was even set up inside with the big windows to the brewery side, way before the outside addition etc. Trivia nights, business gatherings and just because we loved it. It's also close, and especially before the one downtown, it was the only for us. Sunday 9/21 I went for an event hosted by a plant community on Facebook. I arrived one hour into the event and barely got my plants out of my cart before a woman asks "Are you a vendor?" I say no.

It's funny, when she first walked up and said "Hi!" I thought she was a FRIEND from that community.

She says "Well did you pay to be here??" I just say "...No. But I come to these monthly and do this?" I'm confused why she's questioning me when I'm not even set up yet??

Well. SHE'S the EVENT COORDINATOR for the brewery. (If she had a little badge to shove in my face, I'm sure she would have loved it!) And she somehow instantly decided I was being RUDE?? As SHE'S coming AT me with questions, and I'm... simply answering them??

"DID YOU TALK TO THE PERSON WHO PUTS ON THESE PLANT SWAPS?!" Me: No... Again, I do this monthly? "WHERE? HERE?!?" I said: All over Dallas, including the one here, last time. Yes. I was at that table [next to us] doing exactly this." She doesn't care, just pure attack mode about how I'M so rude???

...Remember I thought she was a FRIEND at first glance?! Like really, lady, this makes ZERO sense. And WAY to treat your CUSTOMERS... Yikes!

I asked if I need to go have the host of the event tell her it's fine, or what?? (Like seriously. I'm in a position thinking how do I end this?? The event people always recognize me when I see them... I've been doing this FOR. YEARS. with THIS group, so I'm thinking I can end this fast, right?)

No. Oh no. She wanted to continue with her monologue and animated accusations of how RUDE I somehow am... ??

She says "If you were cool, I would have given you a table and everything..." (Yeeeeah... after that approach... I'm suuure.) And she goes on about how if she "Comes over again and [I'm] still 'LIKE THIS' [???] We're gonna have to say goodbye!!"

I said "I don't know what I'm 'like' that you don't like, so much... But I definitely was having a great day, and in a great mood, so..?" [Just pure confusion at this whole wild interaction.] She, in a very exaggerated way, told me I "CAN BE KIND". ...Over... and over again? And that she didn't need my "SAS".

I said, very politely mind you... "Um. I don't think the 'sas' is coming from this direction..." pointing from me to her. I'm still just genuinely confused what her DEAL even is?? And she's definitely enjoying herself, so it seems like there's no end in sight.

She says, speaking through gritted teeth (aggressive much? wow.) "Maybe we need to start over. It's nice to meet you... .....!!"and says my name with venom in her voice. Lol. At this point, she really can't look more goofy, out there making a scene.... But it's like, are... are you finally done??! ...I mean what is even happening here??

Naturally... She goes to tell the person for the event. And, because of HER spectacle! I got dropped from doing the SAME thing I've been doing with THAT group, for YEARS now ...YES, INCLUDING last time it was hosted AT LAKEWOOD... All because she just had to have an issue with ME, for no apparent reason.

...And what... Is she new since like SPRING (last time the event, including myself, family and our friends we invited, were there...) with THAT agrrssive superiority complex, or was she just feeling pleasant that day?! .....Then what happened? 😬

My husband was on the way with our son and we were supposed to have another family join us later. At one of "our breweries", for one of "my plant community events"...

But, thanks to Lady Paula Blart, The Mall Cop, now that's all in the past. She cost me much more than just the day, and cost the brewery at least 2 families business, as my friend said they "don't need go there anymore" either.

Her badgering and delusion was completely out of the blue, and beyond...

Growing up in Garland and becoming a huge beer advocate in these last 10 years, I was extremely excited when a brewery finally opened up in my hometown -- it was one of the first when I wrote my original review, now as I'm sure you all know, there's tons more all over the place.

First time I came in, I asked about merch that mentioned Garland, and I was told that the owner only came to Garland because it was cheaper than Lakewood, and they had no reason to be proud about the Garland aspect at all, hence no merch with the word 'Garland' on it.

Oh well, I choose to get over it and move on. Since the beginning, I have returned several times because they just plain nailed it with their Temptress imperial porter series. I have enjoyed an IPA or two, as well as a couple saisons, but its that imperial porter and all its derivatives that keeps me coming back. It must be said, however, that it does feel like they dont quite seem to go as big as they could in terms of variety, but hey make beer that pays the bills, I get it.

I have updated my review from 2 stars to 4 stars since the first iteration many years back. As time has passed, they have definitely come back down to earth and are often doing community events. They worked hard thru the pandemic, too, so mad respect there.

It does still feel like the beertenders sometimes aren't quite knowledgeable about the beer itself, but this is a mixed bag. In my opinon it does continue to feel a little more commercial than cozy, and to keep a point from my original review: those who are looking for a more genuine experience, come in and try the Temptress, but aftwards go check out some of the many more small guys nearby.

Maybe one day they'll get that 5th star out of me, but for now the most I can do is up my rating from 2 to 4. With the lack of variety/updating of their lineup, plus that whole commercial vs cozy factor, to my standards it still misses the mark. Not to mention I admittedly still have trouble letting go of the fact that they still don't seem Garland proud one bit.. since my first visit I've been able to purchase tons of merch with the word Garland on it from other local breweries, but never found something from Lakewood. And I check every time I go, and will continue to do so with the hope that this will...

We drove 30 minutes to go here so our son could play in the beer garden while we enjoyed a beer or two. When we arrived we were told a private event was taking over the beer garden at 5pm (this was not on the website). At 4:15 we went to the empty garden, where a very rude blonde lady with glasses told us we had to leave because of the private event - she wasn’t apologetic or friendly. She told us to “leave the area immediately”. When we finally left the brewery around 5:45 the beer garden was still empty and there was no sign of the “private event”. I have no issue with the venue hosting private events, but it should be posted on the website and staff should be polite about it. The entire time we were there she never once offered to get us anything, she didn’t offer to assist us, she didn’t smile, she was dismissive and unsmiling, she seemed to be annoyed that there were regular paying customers present. Our son fell while playing on the concrete (since she wouldn’t let him in the grass). She saw and heard him crying. She never once offered to help, asked if he was ok. She walked right past us as if we were not there. She was not aggressive or threatening, just a very...