I will forever be amazed by cool places, especially when they appear in unexpected cities like Abilene. Located on the second story of a beautiful building in downtown Abilene sits Grain Theory, a brewpub and coffee shop towering over the city. It is a mixed indoor-outdoor space with plenty of shaded outdoor and cooled indoor seating. Looking at their tap list, my girlfriend and I were impressed by their unique beers to try. I started with the Strawberry Peach Tonic (Fruited Hard Seltzer) and she had a Bella Rose (Rosé IPA). Both were served in cool glasses, with mine being tall and skinny and hers being almost like a wine glass. Shocking to nobody, mine was quite fruity while her Rosé IPA was hoppy with an underlying rosé flavor. Next, I ordered their Oktoberfest (German Märzen) and she had their Season's End (Belgian Dubbel). She described her drink as tasting like a Biscoff cookie. My Oktoberfest was quite malty, and I was a big fan. To close, we both ordered their Luscent (Belgian Table Beer) because small beers are back in fashion and I wanted to try it. It was obviously very light but still had a good flavor that was very bready. Nice and easy to close out our drinks with. They also have food and coffee that we didn't try, but the food looked sensational from what we saw others eating. They also have plenty of board games and card games to play while you're at the brewery and many beers available to take to-go. My only minor complaint is the lack of TVs in the brewery. Maybe it's a purposeful decision, but Texas Tech was playing football, and it would be a great place to watch the game. The bartenders are very friendly and willing to let you try and sample as many beers as you need to make your decision. Grain Theory feels like the kind of place every small Texas city wishes it had. I am very excited to come back here and try more beers, especially with how excellent the space is. RIYL: Cool-shaped beer glasses or a rooftop bar read more

Grain Theory - Rosé IPA and Strawberry Peach Tonic - Breweries Near Me - Abilene, Texas

Okay, on a whim, we stopped by after a Firefighter pension conference. The place is clean, relaxed, and the people are friendly. We ordered the buffalo chicken fries and the bratwurst. We also had the Wayfinder beer and a double express (yes, I had both). The fries were perfectly balanced with a touch of heat and a hint of blue cheese flavor. With the Wayfinder Pilsner, it was AMAZING! The bratwurst was traditional in its meat, with sweetness added to the onions. Mustard was mild but added the right amount of flavor. Altogether, I would eat here once a week if I lived in the community. Delicious and highly recommended! read more

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Stopped by Grain Theory on our way back to Dallas. When you arrive there is plenty of the parking. Also just in case it is confusing, the brewery is upstairs. You'll want to take the stairs to the second floor and enter the brewery. When you walk in we were transported to a summer themed vibe with tropical themed items hanging from the ceiling and around the brewery. To order you'll need to walk up to the counter. I started by ordering a vanilla latte (which surprisingly, the coffee at grain theory is so good) which was excellent. After that, I returned to the bar to order a double scorpion ipa which had notes of stone fruit, pineapple and lychee. If you are in Abilene, you'll definitely want to make a stop here! read more

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Food was really good. The bratwurst was full of flavor and the grain mustard along with the bun and sweet onions really brought it home. The order process was a bit clunky. It was our first time in and we weren't initially greeted but the great service when ordering made up for it. This place looks like a great place for groups to hang out and enjoy an evening. read more

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So, I have already had one review here. After being in Abilene for about 6 months, and coming to Grain Theory (almost daily) during that time, I finally tried the Brewhouse Burger. OMG, as an "Old Fay Guy" who has had more than his fair share of burgers, this is by far one of, if not the best, burger I have ever had. Shout out to Chef Rob and the kitchen staff. This burger will stand up (surpass) a burger from anyplace around. read more

The absolute best pretzel bites I've ever had, and this is not your typical frozen pretzel bites. These are made in house with tons of love. I don't get out to Abilene that much anymore for work, but you bet your ass if I do ever make it back I will be coming here. Great beer, great service and the charcuterie plate is amazing also. read more

It's a hard to put this place into words! Excellent beer choices and eclectic food selection. Hint~ try the Let's Get Sauced - all the sauces and fries. Amazing! read more

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Wonderful spot downtown! I stopped in for lunch and to get some work done. I was pleasantly surprised at the reasonable prices on the food menu. The staff were friendly and helpful. I chose the small chicken salad with pulled chicken. I sat at one of the communal tables and started work. The buzzer provided went off quickly, and I was very happy with the portion size of the small salad. It was a family friendly dining experience with great views from the second floor of this historic building. It was lovely but not too loud. I had a great lunch and can't wait to get back to try the burgers! I saw some come out from the window and they looked fantastic. Parking was easy, and the overall experience was very positive. Great job Grain Theory, keep crushing it! read more

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I drive the Vegas - Austin commute at least once a year, and I've always dreaded the distance between Albuquerque and Austin... a long boring stretch with no interesting stops in between to give my weary body a break. I usually avoid going through Abilene but when I saw Grain Theory pop up on an online search, I was sufficiently hungry and needing a rest so I decided to take a different route and headed to downtown Abilene. I was pleasantly surprised at the cute downtown, even more excited to find a fashionable brewery with good food and chill vibes after a long day of driving. I had dinner in the outdoor area as the sun set, and this was a lovely way wrap my day. read more

Only enjoyed a couple of beers here, so cannot comment on the food. Friendly, helpful staff. My IPA was a winner, as was a blackberry cider. Fun, chill atmosphere in a great upstairs location with outdoor spaces. Would certainly come here again... read more

Great bar food, great beer, great ambience for hanging with friends. We were in town for a tennis tournament and met a bunch of the other parents there. Great time. Knowledgeable and friendly employees. Highly recommend. read more

Actually a really solid burger and also special burger being the jalapeño burger I ordered. The chicken type sandwich is a banger too and overall good vibes and a solid clean restaurant/bar read more

We were traveling and I did a lot of research to find an appropriate spot for lunch in Abilene. I chose Grain Theory because of a salad on their menu. It was loaded with all sorts of grains and protein. I'm a vegetarian and it can be hard to find food on trips so I was so excited to get a good meal. When we got there I was told that wasn't offered during brunch hours. It was 30 mins from brunch being over. They wouldn't make the salad. She offered to make some other things but since I've never had jackfruit I didn't want to take a chance. I found the menu on their website and there was no note the site that said it wasn't offered all the time. read more

We visited in September while enjoying a road trip through Abilene. We ordered and shared the fall grain bowl with added peri marinated chicken and chose the avocado dressing to top it; as well as the honey balsamic sprouts (brussels sprouts). Unfortunately, I do not remember which beer my husband ordered (probably a blonde). However, I ordered the Coppola Prosecco Rose and it paired nicely with the bowl and the sprouts. I am so grateful that I did not embarass myself by turning that bowl up and drinking that delicous sauce with amazing seasoning that dressed the sprouts. SO GOOD! My husband and I really enjoyed the abundance of vegetables in the grain bowl. It was very beautiful to behold and was a nice healthy choice. The peri marinated chicken was a nice addition. I was impressed by the coffee selections here and would consider returning and trying the coffee and all of the epic sounding sauces. There is a menu just for their sauces.! That is something I can get behind! You place your order at the counter and pick up your food when it is ready. The staff is friendly and helpful. I asked questions about suggested sauces for the bowl and the lady at the counter recommended the avocado goddess dressing and it did not disappoint. read more

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In my humble opinion: Grain Theory June 17. 1:30 pm - party of two. Initially- not knowing about any elevator- the entrance is intimidating. There is an elevator. Therefore being handicap accessible. The room is set up sorta banquet hall style with long bench tables. Order at the "order here" sign. We ordered the space grass and the mellow zealot. Both were very yummy. My drink was amazing and very refreshing. His was strong and slightly bitter. We decided to sit at the bar and order a small loaded fries with bacon. ($10) they were delicious. Unfortunately, despite my want to come back for dinner, we didn't make it. Their food menu is limited, but looks amazing. FYI- they also offer a variety of board games for you as you visit. And the outdoor space is great too. Edit to add: they also serve fresh brewed coffee and gourmet teas. read more

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I brought my family to grain theory about a year ago and it was a great experience. The food was great and appeared to be made in house. I recently decided to take them there again, remembering that the previous time was a good experience. I was greatly disappointed this visit. The food was completely different. It was pre-made food items (chicken, ground beef, fries etc.). Every burger was exactly the same shape, every chicken sandwich was exactly the same as well. Yet somehow, the kitchen staff managed to mess it up. My burger was medium rare, which I ate because I am not the type to complain and make a fuss, however, my daughters burger was extremely pink. The toppings were cold, and the chicken was fried for too long in old oil (wings & sandwich). The kitchen staff appeared to have an attitude and once I was done (my kids did not eat their food) I went to ask for a box, (still trying to maintain my optimism), and I noticed the kitchen was poorly managed and had a mess that appeared to have been there for some time. counter was dirty and the trash, which was overfull, caused trash to fall on the floor and was right next to where they were prepping the food. The fries were overcooked and fried in old oil. I suppose if you drink enough of their beer you'd be to drunk to notice how poor the food quality really is. A huge contrast from just a year ago and it is safe to say I will never take my family here again. My wife feels sick and has thrown up, I am praying it is not a food borne illness and just her total disgust of the little food she did eat. I will also be demanding full refund (disputing the charge), normally I would let it go and just not go back but spending 15+ dollars on a poorly prepped whole sale meat patty is insane in this economy ( I spent 80 dollars+ total). I almost forgot to mention I still attempted to salvage the experience by ordering a bratwurst (15+ dollars) and it was also pre-made whole sale garbage that (surprise surprise) was not cooked properly and the toppings were cold. We left our food there, no need for a box. This place is a shell of what it used to be. My advice to the owner, go back to homemade ingredients in the kitchen and hire some decent cooks. If not that, then at least stop serving a full menu of mediocre food hoping people would be too inebriated to notice. Its insulting and bad faith for a local spot to do business this poorly. Keep making the beer and go down to one menu item (chicken wings) that way you won't have to worry about having to hire a decent kitchen staff. read more

We went here a year ago it was great but now they have changed they don't ask how to cook the meat. It was pink on the inside it .was awful, not going back ever again. read more

Steak and eggs oh my goodness Nashville hot chicken sandwich was amazing Pretzel bites with the special must could make and food 5 star read more

Grain Theory - Freshly brewed beer and amazing waitstaff - Breweries Near Me - Abilene, Texas

We love coming here!! I have had several things here and they are all great. The beer and the food are all good and the trivia is always a good time. It's one of the best places in Abilene. read more

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Been working in Abilene for over a year and finally got around to trying this place. Currently the renovation in the downtown area makes it kind of challenging to get here but well worth navigating the construction. We were greeted very quickly by a gentleman who looked like a manager. We mentioned it was our first time here so he quickly explained how it all worked and off we went. We ordered the special of the day which was the meatball sub and some craft colas which were all very affordable. The subs just melted from the first bite to the last. Not real saucy or messy but for me, just the right amount of sauce with the perfect amount of cheese and the meatballs were a good size and full of delicious flavor. The bread was not overly toasted with just the right amount crisp yet soft. The cola was also a great choice but will take your A1C to the next level . Be sure to ask for ice because they won't stay cold too long. The layout of the place was spectacular! Huge doors that open up to the outside world and a wonderfully cool breeze just blew through there on a sunny March afternoon. Stools can be a little uncomfortable but the bench seating is great with ample seating for everyone that was there that day. Overall it was a great experience one the first visit and can't wait to try this place out on my next trip. Only reason I give four stars (Actually would have been 4.5 if it was an option) was the weird guy with a mustache that 1st, says I needed to stand against the wall in line too look at the menu. 2) asked him for ice after we were seated and he said to go get at the bar when he should have offered to bring us some. Otherwise, everything else makes it worth future lunch visits. read more

Great Vibe! I'm older and hate the word vibe, but it fits here. I was visiting Abilene for a softball game yet PERFECT BASEBALL is the beer I had. I highly recommend it. Very crowded at the time, increased by them hosting an event, made the line long while ordering food, except they opened a side line for drink orders only, brilliant. Upstairs place with outdoor seating overlooking the town is a must. Patrons were a mix of everyone, buddies having a few, couples on dates, older married just enjoying themselves. Food looked great. I'm headed back this weekend, definitely eating this time, more PERFECT BASEBALL and hopefully some perfect softball. read more

Great food. Outstanding staff. Fish and chips crispy. Hamburger delicious. Nice environment.

Such a cool restaurant in downtown Abilene. I had the bratwurst and the biltong. Both were outstanding. The restaurant is easily walkable from anywhere in the downtown area. Go try it. You'll be glad you did! read more

Was initially a little worried when I walked in and one of the harsher varieties of metal was being played by the DJ. That changed with the next song and everything after was enjoyable and not too loud to hold a conversation over. Beers and service were fantastic. The burger was good but a little more cooked than I would have preferred. To be fair, I did not specify doneness so am willing to given it another try on the next visit. Am tempted to visit earlier in the day to try coffee but that will have to wait for another visit to Abilene. read more

Food and beer were very good. It was a short walk from our hotel. It was a little hard to find and and additional sign pointing to the upstairs location would have been helpful read more

What an experience! Was passing through town and saw this place on Yelp. It was amazing! My son mentioned the fish n chips was his favorite (ever) and the bite of my wife's burger easily put it in the top 5 best I've ever had. The beer was amazing - highly recommend the saison, but you should absolutely try every single one to find the one that works for you! read more

Grain Theory - Four flight beer tasting - Breweries Near Me - Abilene, Texas

So disappointed in the southwest bowl ordered to go. I asked for no grain and add extra lettuce with the kale and carrots and add onion and there was no kale, carrot or onion. I ordered a large and picked up a small so took it back in and they literally threw spring mix in a bigger box with corn and jackfruit. So ridiculous for $17. Won't be back. read more

Grain Theory - Breweries Near Me - Abilene, Texas

Wish they didn't over cooked my steak and the cheese on the loaded fries were kinda hard like it's been sitting there for some time. read more

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Such great food and ambience. As a vegetarian, you simply can't go wrong here. Great service and a wonderful spot to enjoy with friends. Just wish it were closer to home, but it's a must visit any time I am in Abilene. read more

Food is great. Love the quinoa bowl with chicken! Beer is great. My fave is the modern magic IPA. Jacob is amazing as well as the other staff. Attentive and knowledgeable. Went to Oktoberfest and had a blast. They hosted a stein-holding competition which was so fun. They also have amazing coffee and breakfast. Definitely a regular spot for us! read more

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Fabulous find in Abilene - beer, wine, food, and coffee! Artisan jams and aiolis pair with the food offerings and there is even sous vide steak frites! If you're local, the Beer Ambassador (free beer for life) would be a worthwhile investment in a small business that takes their beer making seriously! read more

Grain Theory - Subtle Hustle Coffee Brown Ale - Breweries Near Me - Abilene, Texas

Delicious! Everytime! The cooks are always so nice when we pick up our steak frites and fish! (Our favorites) I'm leaving this picture here for reference, so I can order it at the same time I'm ordering my food. Unless I miss these drink options upon arrival, I don't see these beverages listed until after I've ordered and picked up my food, since it faces the pick up area. read more

Casual nice spot upstairs. Their fries are very thick nice stale fries. Also their cinnamon pretzels were pretty good. Also tried their matcha and it was decent. Service is pretty fast. read more

Upstairs bar and restaurant. Downtown. Restaurant was clean. Staff was nice. Outdoor seating, covered. Came out quickly. Order food and standup counter. Fiancé had the fish and chips. The batter was crunchy, light and flavorful. The fries are OK. They have multiple sauces.I had fries with bacon. They were OK. The serving sizes were good as the food was heavy. read more

Grain Theory - Left screen is fish and chips. Right bacon fries - Breweries Near Me - Abilene, Texas

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Good beer and good food. Friendly atmosphere. Service is walk up to order and a buzzer to notify you when it is ready. Bartenders were knowledgeable about the beers they were pouring and made a good recommendation based on what I wanted read more

Event coordinator Rani Burke sent us a quote/estimate for our rehearsal wedding dinner, but when I went to pay a few days later she said "oh whoops, we are actually not taking reservations on that day because of Oktoberfest." Totally unprofessional and unacceptable. Why even offer and send a quote before you check the calendar? Ridiculous read more

Had the Steak Frites & it was fantastic--too bad for $29 it was such a tiny portion of both steak & fries! Don't go by the pics on here--it's half the size of what's shown! Maybe an off night? read more

We loved this atmosphere , very welcoming and kid friendly. Let's start with the beers. I mean, it's an ipa. Taste like they want to be a normal beer but ate too much barley and now we have to act like they all taste good and we love them. Good beers honestly. Food was fantastic. Honestly, ranch was weird because it was purple but very tasty. Easily the best fries I've ever had. Honestly the should take those fries, fry them another minute longer. Throw some garlic on them then load them up with blue cheese, chopped beef. Jalapeños red onion and buf sauce! read more

Grain Theory - Peri peri roll, hummus, chicken tenders, salad. - Breweries Near Me - Abilene, Texas

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I'm new to the area and grain theory has quickly become my favorite spot! You literally cannot go wrong with anything on the menu, it's all stellar (especially the fries!). The location is so cute, and such a nice vibe! The cashiers are always super chill, the food does take a little while to come out, but it's beyond worth the wait. Highly, highly recommend doing the "get sauced" on your first visit, literally all of their sauces are stellar, my favorite is the curry ketchup. The coffee bar is great too :) read more

Our law firm recently hosted our Christmas party in The Blakeley party room, and it was absolutely fantastic! The space is not only beautiful but incredibly convenient for events like ours. Rani, the event manager, was truly outstanding to work with. She was helpful from start to finish and always attentive to every detail. She even made sure to check in on our guests throughout the party, making everything run seamlessly. We couldn't have asked for a better experience and highly recommend The Blakeley for any special event! read more