Tired Hands Fermentaria Tap Room — Restaurant in Lower Merion Township

We went on a Saturday and they were busy. We got a table quickly and used the QR order system. Our beer came out quick but our food took about 30 minutes. The food was good but not especially memorable.

Here is where 4 stars come in:

AR codes are an accessibility issue. My husband is nearly completely blind and he has issues not only lining up the QR code to get the menu but also using and navigating the menu. Yes I did offer to help and did help but that is not the issue. The QR code contrast was low (beige writing on white paper) so it was difficult for him. There was no where we could see to discreetly grab a paper menu.

The food took 35 minutes. Had we been told they were running late on tickets we probably would have skipped, we wanted to eat and drink at the same time. Having a heavy beer prior to our meal wasn’t ideal. Had we been told at any point after our beers came out we likely would have cancelled our food and just ordered another drink and eaten somewhere else. It just sort of made the whole meal not so much fun.

My husband got the wedge salad and I got the chicken sandwhich. Beyond the blue cheese the dressing on the salad was flavorless. No seasoning, it needed some dill and garlic and flavor.

The chicken sand which was okay, also needed some more flavor in the sauce. The fries were really good though but at the price for the sandwich more then ketchup would have been good for dipping like an aioli or something.

Overall I was underwhelmed by the food and service. I would likely try it again when they are less busy, I just have a super low tolerance for QR menus paired with uncommunicative staff.

The beer was good, I liked that they had smaller pours and stocked fridge to take what you wanted home. We loved the graphics and art.

The music was awesome, overall it was a...

To start, please be sure to also see a review of the Tired Hands Cafe as it was a wholly different experience. Now to the Fermenteria visit... I have genuinely never experienced such an aggressively rude server. Of many examples, I asked her what the Strawberry Milkshake IPA was like and she made a face like it was the dumbest question in the world and said "it's like a strawberry milkshake ipa." I didn't imagine how condescending this was and we were all uncomfortable. We also asked if they would mind giving us separate checks and she said "nope we don't do that" (they do) and then shrugged and said "you'll work it out." After that we were not inclined to stay. She didn't bring us silverware and were all too put off by her dismissivness to even ask so part of a dish went uneaten. She dropped our check while passing the table and said "have a good day" without looking up. Not for nothing, we took train the train out specifically to go there, were genuinely pleasant (I promise!!) and it wasn't a busy time of day. We were all flummoxed. To add, we were all so committed to the idea of going to the idea of going there that we still went to the Tired Hands Cafe and had a lovely experience. (I.e. the goal of this is not to stick it to them - it was just that bad that it needs to...

A couple of things...the beers actually TASTE fresh. We sampled six different brews with our dinner and every one was unique and good. They have a large selection and there's bound to be at least two or three (if not more) to please every palate. But, you knew that because, this is a brew house. The pleasant surprise was just how fresh the food was. Generous portions. Nice variety of choices. Now to the slight drawbacks...it's loud in here because of all the hard surfaces. This isn't necessarily a negative, just expect it. Weekend evenings are going to be packed. Again, not a negative, just plan and prepare for it. A cool place to eat and imbibe. We'll be back, maybe a less busy time next time but, we will be back... so, for an update: stopped in for lunch this Friday and the place is still just as sweet. Had a meatball paninni, so good, and a couple of fresh beers. The Acid Raindrop (7%) on tap was a beverage I could drink daily. With moderation as it has a nice little kick. Kathy was my bar tender and was polite and sociable. I will be back. Maybe I won't wait four years...