Big Storm Brewing Tap Room - Clearwater — Restaurant in Pinellas Park

Super disappointed…I’ve been coming to this place since I started working over at the State Attorneys Office just down the street several years ago (I swear we haven’t found an occasion not worth celebrating). Now I very well may be wrong, but I can’t recall a time I’ve come in and didn’t have someone shout out “go ahead and seat yourself.” Based on my incorrect assumption, I guided my family (who are visiting from out of state and had been looking forward to ending their trip with the fish tacos I had incessantly talked their ears off about) we passed the tables with reserved signs, to one of the several empty tables we thought we were able to choose from. We were quickly graced with the presence of a young lady, who I assume is the hostess, and she wasted no time “informing” us the sign in the front says “wait to be seated.” Girl put in some effort, catching me completely off guard, I paused just in case the lack of sleep hadn’t caused me in mistake what I believed was transpiring,, but lack of sleep or not, her charming disposition was not of my imagination. She could’ve made Scrouge look like a Girl Scout working hard to earn that merit badge. We all immediately started to apologize (because it quickly became obvious this girl was HAVING. HERSELF. A. DAY.). I tried to take the blame, since I was the one who had been their before, explaining that I had no idea, every time we’ve come in we’ve been told to seat ourselves, it really was an honest mistake. That little thorn bush just couldn’t help herself and could barely give me a second to finish my sentence before spatting out the useless statement - “she had been working there since May.” I’m still slightly confused by that statement, because in and of itself it doesn’t negate or affirm anything, so she missed her mark there. I will say this though, given her A+ personality, it is nothing short of a miracle she has been able to maintain employment that long, so congratulations I guess?? Seemingly proud of the scene she was causing, she continued her snarky comments, smirking as she began walking away. Unfortunately, my family didn’t get to and will likely never, have a chance to experience all the things I loved about the place. That girl was so heinous, we couldn’t have gotten out of there fast enough. I am still taken aback because working in the industry for 13+ years myself, I could never imagine treating a guest like that, no matter how badly I had wanted to. Frankly, if someone asked me before tonight, I would have bet my entire months paycheck someone as miserable as she is, would NEVER be employed on your staff…….Well….I would’ve been living off ramen...

First.. The food was OK. Typical of a brewery type place. Here we go... My military unit decided to visit this establishment for a group dinner of about 20. As the waiter took our drinks, I requested an Arnold Palmer w sweet tea. Others at my table of 8, ordered various beers. All of the alcoholic drinks arrived in a very timely fashion. My drink hadn't. After about 10-15 mins of waiting, and watching other drinks arrive, I asked my server about my drink. He proceeds to say that none of the drinks had arrived yet. I then proceeded to spread my arms across the table to show how all the other drinks had come. He smiles, and says he'll get right on it. After about another five or so minutes, my main meal arrives, yet the appetizer is missing (which usually appears before the main meal and after the drink). As I slowly eat my fries, still awaiting a drink to wash it down with, my appetizer arrives. Another five minutes (at least) and I haven't received my drink, yet additional beers and various other drinks arrive. I ask a "server" who had just brought out some drinks for another table for some water, she says she will tell my server. A water! At this point, it has been well over 30 mins...closer to 40, and I've no drink...as I eat my food. No water no tea! I proceed to the bar, where by coincidence, the original server is headed out to FINALLY bring my drink. I then accept the drink from him and tell him that this service is not professional or acceptable. Not at any time did I raise my voice nor act in an "aggressive" manner. Later of which I was accused of when the server I asked for water later comes to the table and introduces herself as one of the Managers. I believe Joanna. She proceeds to tell me that her staff said I was acting in an aggressive manner and that I should give her staff more consideration because they are doing their best, and we're a larger party than they thought was coming. This lady literally confronts me as I'm attempting to eat my meal!

This behavior is ALSO totally unacceptable and unwarranted. I had to get her to leave by telling her I was going to eat my meal now.

31 years in the Army, and I've never been treated so rudely or unprofessional. A customer should never wait 40 mins for a drink...nor should a manager see a problem and then shirk it off to a subordinate.

I promise, my unit will never visit these premises...

This place used to be awesome, but now the quality has gone way down…. I asked for a beer at the bar, they opened a can and served it from a glass and charged me $7 for the beer. No one comes here to get beer from a can for $7. Second, the food. The food used be amazing. The pretzels and beer cheese was great, the smoked brisket was amazing, they don’t even sell the smoked brisket anymore and the pretzel and cheese is now $12. Are you guys serious? Your location isn’t at Amalie arena, idk how many people you expect to see buying $12 pretzels and $7 cans of beer. Also, the “Nashville hot” sandwich I had today on Saturday at noon, tasted like it was reheated because the breading was falling off, it was extremely oily to the point where it was soaking the fries in oil on my plate, and wasn’t even that spicy. I don’t know what the problem is at big storm but quality is going down and the prices are going up. Idk if it’s because you guys are trying to do everything (which no company really can) between coffee, vodka, ice cream, beer, and food service. But I know this place I used to go to on a monthly basis will no longer be my go to spot to meet up with friends every once in a while if the food is terrible and overpriced, and the beer is...