Big Trout Brewing Company — Restaurant in Winter Park

Went to watch a friend play some music. Not being able to physically drink beer, I am always hesitant to even walk into a brewery. I have been shamed in the past about not ordering a beer, and my experience here was no different. I ordered a club soda and a chicken salad. I was ignored long enough, I had to wave down another server to tell mine I would like another club soda. Fine, I realize I'm not the clientele they want to cater to, so I asked for my tab. No itemized bill, and with the sales tax being high in WP, I didn't think much of it, so I paid it. When someone asked how much the soda water was, I told them, well, I just paid $32 for a salad and two of them. Asked another server (as I was still being ignored by the first) to add up my bill out of curiosity. It was $22. Apparently I was charged $3 for a small glass of club soda (Kroger brand can mind you), but upon closer inspection the server said I had four of them. She only spoke with me twice the entire night, even after discovering the error, she never apologized, never made an attempt to explain the discrepancy, she simply ignored me. I also tipped 20% as a standard, so my total was up to $37. The other server said she wanted to make it right, so she set two cans of Kroger Club soda down and said, well you paid for them you may as well take them. Unless you're a tourist fresh off the slopes, or a over indulgent beer drinker, you have no business being in here, and they will make sure...

This was our 4th or 5th trip to Big Trout over past few years since this place opened. Beer has been steady and avg for CO Breweries. Food has been hit or miss but generally good. Today, we went in for 2 apps and drinks at 2:49 since we were picking our kids up from the mountain at 3:30. The place was partially full but had open tables. We sat immediately ordered a cup of green chili and pretzels. Food I would assume would be 20 min as a long wait since it's heated up apps. We went through 2 rds of drinks and when we asked at the 30 min mark if the apps were maybe just not rung in, we were told it's coming right out. 46 min in the Food showed up. We asked for the check right away since we were now late for grabbing the kids and were met with folks that could care less about any of this. The place is low efficiency with either a lack of management on the premises or management that does not think this matters. Just posting this as there is only 1 review and 5 stars is not this place. Prepare to wait and avoid if you have time commitments. If you are just lounging and could care less about waiting...

I really want to like this place. We have been here 3 times because my whole family wants to like it. Great location and nice open windows and it's right "in the middle" of the fun open area of Winter Park. My kids ordered some root beer fizz drink that wasn't great. I think it was just under carb'd that day but it had no fizz. They didn't finish it. All the beers my wife and I have tried are fine. Well made but nothing I've just been in love with. The thing that was most detracting for me was the service the first and second times we went. Granted it was super busy, because it's right at the base where everyone goes, but I really think they would do better with more staff. If I recall correctly, it was 1 bartender and 1 server and ordering and paying just took an insanely long time. I'm sure this place would fit perfectly for some people and just be amazing. And I wish I loved it, but...