Brier Creek Beer Garden - Raleigh

The selection and quality of beers here are undeniably excellent. I ordered the white bohnenburger, but calling it a burger might be a bit of a stretch—it felt more like a mushy dish served in a bun. It wasn't terrible, but I probably wouldn't order it again. On a positive note, the menu is very accessible for vegans, with multiple options available. The side of carrots is vegan (as confirmed by the waiter) and they were incredible—definitely the highlight of my meal. The service was great, and the outdoor, dog-friendly seating was a nice touch. My only real issue was with the burger.

We stopped by BCBG for a beer and were delighted to find their impressive eight-page beer menu featuring various designs and bottles. I was pleasantly surprised to see that they not only had vegan options, but they were also clearly labeled on the menu! I ordered the mushroom sliders, which consisted of two grilled shiitake mushrooms with roasted pepper hummus, Kalamata olives, and arugula in between. They were absolutely delicious! In addition to the sliders, their vegan offerings included a vegetarian chili and a white bean burger. They also had plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free choices available. It was a fantastic decision to stop for a beer and enjoy a small bite to eat. I was particularly impressed that their homemade veggie burger was explicitly vegan, as many places usually use some binding agent. We will definitely be back to try more of their vegan dishes!

This restaurant offers an impressive variety of draft beers, featuring both local and national craft options, as well as a vast selection of craft cans. However, the food can be inconsistent. I tried the pretzel grilled cheese and bacon appetizer, and I would recommend steering clear of it. The cheddar was overpowering, there wasn't enough gruyere, and the pretzel seemed to be a frozen Cisco special, likely microwaved, which resulted in a soft, wrinkled top and a hard bottom. On a brighter note, I had the sausage and sauerkraut entree, which was excellent. The dish included kielbasa and sauerkraut served in a skillet, accompanied by a side of Dijon mustard and perfectly cooked potato chunks. For a beer garden that focuses on German cuisine, you really need to improve your pretzel offerings!

Like many restaurants during the pandemic, staffing has posed a challenge. The food was excellent; we ordered the Reuben sandwich, and it did not disappoint. The bartender was outstanding, but he had too much on his plate. He was expected to serve the tables outside the bar but was overwhelmed with pouring beers and making drinks. I believe that other servers should assist by checking on guests that the bartender doesn't have time to attend to. I noticed several other patrons, in addition to ourselves, waiting to place drink or food orders.

This was fantastic! I really hope they bring back paper menus, at least for the beer selection. With such a wide variety, it’s tough to choose when you have to keep scrolling on your small phone screen. The food was delicious, and the atmosphere was lively! It seems to draw in a lot of happy customers as well!