Beer's great as always from Great Divide. Yes, I know it's a corporate Vibe/T-street franchise, but I wasn't expecting a dark fancy cocktail lounge "vibe". Kinda weird and fancy feel that didn't seem to fit the spotlighted beer company's profile. Food and cocktails seemed to be a bit ratcheted up for the mall. Beer prices were very fair though. I appreciated they weren't $9 pours - yay! We had the mexican street corn (tasted like canned corn was used), the nachos (chips were awesome but it was served cold and the distribution of toppings was poor), and the wings (they were great but $2 per wing was rough). Since we live close, we'll be back for the beer once the patio opens next month but will probably skip the food and whatever cool "vibe" the franchise was going for inside.
Update/addition - 1/15. We received a coupon in the mail for some discounts on Brunch and a 20% coupon the other side. Double deal! Yay! So we went back for brunch. I ordered a beer and my partner ordered a Bloody Mary. Much to her fun surprise, she found out it was a Bloody Mary bar! They were running a special. After getting my beer I asked about Mimosa's and the wait staff said they were running a bottomless special on those. Had I known, I would've just ordered that instead. Heheheh - I wound up ordering it after my beer anyway. My partner said the Bloody Mary was great and I cruised over to the fixing bar area to find that it was stacked! Everything laid out really nicely and looked super good. My partner agreed - she said the mix was stellar and the fixings and the amount of fixing selections were amazing. My bottomless Mimosa was incredible. The pours were relatively generous and the juice was at the Bloody Mary bar so I could add as much or as little juice as I wanted. THIS is the way it should be done! At $20 each, we were happy for that price point and it definitely felt justified. For food, the menu looked pretty good and it was hard to choose actually. Given our past experience, we waited to see some food come out. We saw a bunch of items and all of them looked really really good. We saw the breakfast burrito come out a couple of times at some other tables, and decided to go for it. When it came out - we were pleasantly surprised and happy with the presentation and taste. The price I seem to remember was around $15 or $16, and after we finished - we both agreed that it was on point. The food to price ratio was called for, in our opinion. And we were happy that it wasn't a "let's make it as big as we can" experience. We thought that the size was just right to make it filling enough without being sick from overeating. Experience may vary by how much you can eat =) When the wait staff checked in on us, we gave them the feedback that we were liking everything. I shared my past experience and I said that this was way better this time and appreciated that. My only feedback this time was that it would have been nice to know the drink special upfront since it wasn't included on the menu and could be done on a small sheet of paper. The wait staff was friendly and receptive and thankful for the feedback. We continued eating and they came back later saying that they would be giving us a dessert of our choice on the house! Then as we were finishing and getting ready to get the bill, what seemed like the manager or shift manager came over to thank us for the feedback. I retold my story about and they were very receptive and appreciative. They shared that they are looking to refine and iterate on the experience based on feedback, so the productive comments were welcome. THIS also made super appreciative of what they're trying to achieve at this location. All-in-all we were excited about this experience and ready to continue trying this Great Divide food location for sure. I encourage everyone to keep the constructive feedback flowing to this location so they can...
Read moreBeer was excellent as expected for Great Divide. Food was okay (excellent salads very fresh, chicken fajitas were a bit dry, salsa and guacamole were actually quite good). The bar staff that served us were excellent, attentive, knowledgeable about the beers, professional and fun. However, the manager that evening was not in their league (April 26 about 4pm). We had a Great Divide gift card. We inquired BEFORE ordering (as we were seated) and again when we ordered if the gift card was valid (since this is a new location) both employees said yes. It has been in my husband's wallet for a couple of months so we asked the amount. The second employee indicated she could not check until we checked out as she had to scan it then. Made sense so we ordered...decent experience then checked out. Third employee checked (bar staff works as a team) us out and said the gift card was not valid there as they only serve Great Divide beer there but were not a Great Divide. Interesting considering the sign says Great Divide, menus say Great Divide, checks and receipts say Great Divide all branding in location says GreatDivide... and our gift card says Great Divide. We explain we asked before ordering twice and we're assured it was valid. She understands and attempts to correct/honor it. Manager comes out tells us it is not valid. We go through everything that happened again and he continues his condescending tone and at one point suggested (not so subtley) that we were trying to get something for free. We explain we are not, we simply are trying to understand the situation, redeem a gift card that was already purchased by someone and that while we are uncertain of the amount on the card we were told by staff they would let us know at checkout (the outer card holder with amount would not fit in husband's wallet and we forgot after a couple months). Anyway we insist on paying the full amount as we are NOT scammers. The manager was belittling and accusatory. We never caused a scene, raised our voices or adapted the poor tone of this manager. The gift card brought us in, we inquired about it validity and were assured by staff it was valid and we simply asked why after ordering we were given different info. I understand now after researching on-line the restaurant is a Valid concept or whatever not actually a Great Divide. So for us anyway, this is a bait and switch, since we were not advised of that when we inquired about the gift card validity. Like I said the gift card brought us in, it did part of the job that gift cards exists for... generating new or repeat business. However after this experience with the manager we will NEVER be back. We do not like being accused of scamming or trying to cheat someone. Other places serve great beer and better food and treat people with dignity. This manager and experience gives Great Divide and apparently Valid Concepts a bad name. I know they won't care about 2 people never coming back. But we do have friends and family and have lived in Lakewood for over 30 years (also frequented Bakers Street when it was at this location) so maybe it should matter. Bottom line this the not a Great...
Read moreGreat Divide Brewery has brought its celebrated craft beer and culinary expertise to a new home in Belmar, and it’s clear they’ve set out to make this location a standout destination for food lovers and beer enthusiasts alike. My visit revealed a hidden gem on their menu: the cinnamon roll pancakes.
Belmar’s Great Divide Brewery & Roadhouse perfectly blends rustic charm with modern flair. Exposed brick walls, communal tables, and an inviting buzz of conversation make it an ideal spot for a relaxed brunch. While their beer selection is legendary, I was drawn to the brunch menu, and the cinnamon roll pancakes didn’t disappoint.
The pancakes arrived like a masterpiece. Perfectly stacked, they showcased swirls of gooey cinnamon-sugar that oozed slightly onto the plate, giving the dish an irresistible, caramelized aroma. The finishing touch—a luscious drizzle of cream cheese glaze—added a level of indulgence that was impossible to resist.
The taste was just as remarkable. Each bite was a harmonious balance of textures and flavors. The pancakes were light and fluffy yet sturdy enough to carry the rich cinnamon-sugar layers. The glaze provided a tangy contrast to the sweetness, elevating the dish from simple comfort food to an expertly crafted culinary experience.
For the perfect pairing, I opted for their Hazy IPA, which offered bright citrus notes that cut through the richness of the pancakes beautifully. If beer at brunch isn’t your style, their coffee program is equally commendable, offering bold and smooth blends that complement the dish’s sweetness.
The service at this Belmar location was warm and efficient, with staff eager to share their knowledge of the menu and suggest beer pairings. The brewery’s lively ambiance was filled with locals enjoying everything from family brunches to casual gatherings.
Great Divide Brewery & Roadhouse in Belmar has already made its mark, proving they’re more than just a beer haven—they’re a culinary destination. The cinnamon roll pancakes are an absolute must-try, whether you’re looking to indulge your sweet tooth or pair them with a craft beer for a brunch experience that’s anything...
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