Pale Fire Brewing Co. — Restaurant in Harrisonburg

I visited this brewery today with my friends, and while I was initially excited about the experience, I left feeling quite disappointed due to an uncomfortable encounter. As the designated driver for the day, I decided to ask if I could order a non-alcoholic version of one of their signature drinks listed on the menu.

To my surprise, I was met with an awkward pause and a very judgmental look on both of the bartender’s face (one was a woman with red highlights in her hair and the other was a guy wearing a blue Evil Knievel T-shirt) Despite the uncomfortable atmosphere, I repeated my request, explaining that I loved the flavor of the drink but needed it without alcohol. The response I received was far from welcoming or accommodating. The server curtly replied, "Yeah, we can make it," which left me feeling unwelcome and judged for my choice.

As a patron who values responsible drinking and being considerate of my friends' safety, this experience was quite off-putting. The brewery should prioritize a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for all customers, whether they choose to consume alcohol or not. It's essential to respect everyone's choices and ensure that no one feels judged for their preferences.

While the brewery's beverages may be great, the overall experience was marred by this encounter. I hope they can improve their customer service and create a more welcoming environment for all patrons...

Pale Fire Brewery is like going on a first date with a smoking hot babe only to find they are vapid and superficial. The brewery is a snazzy spot to have a beer- don’t get me wrong. The décor is comfortable, approachable, and polished. There’s a cozy seating area around a fire with a TV and the brick walls are reminiscent of the buildings’ past life. There is artwork from the beer labels on the walls. The crowd on a Saturday afternoon is a healthy mix of cougars and college kids. This is the kind of place you want to grab a beer, but all of the aesthetic and branding are as deep as the brewery goes. The service was lackluster at best and after trying the ten-or-so beers on the menu, I was generally underwhelmed. Nothing about the beer was memorable or noteworthy. While I wouldn’t steer guests away from visiting Pale Fire, I certainly would not go out of my way to go again. Smoking hot babes are great for a date or two, but let’s be honest, we...

We did not have a great experience at Pale Fire. We are JMU alumni and we were there with friends for homecoming weekend. There was a bluegrass band that was very good, so the atmosphere was loud. We were standing near the band so our conversations were louder than if there was not a band. We were there for about an hour and a half and had 2 beers. A beer was accidentally spilled at our table (it is a brewery, this does happen) and we were told that we were being too loud, that we were there too long and that we were no longer being served. We were all very confused. We were having a very nice time and this came out of nowhere. When asked to speak with a manager about this, they said there was no manager and that the wait staff got together and made this decision. To say we were shocked is an understatement. We did not appreciate the treatment from the staff and we would not recommend Pale Fire...The staff was disrespectable for no reason and it was...