I love that someone called this "Bennington's Best-Kept Secret". That's an apt description.
Just to be clear: YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE, OR BE WITH, A MEMBER TO COME HERE. Harvest Brewing is a member-supported Co-op. Anyone can come hang out, drink, eat, enjoy live music, play games, watch films, and engage in conversation.
A very different type of place from the others in Bennington, Harvest is constantly evolving and its popularity is well-deserved.
Sean and Lydia provide a place in town for good beer (taps, cans, bottles). Their tap list is impressive and usually includes a cider. They also have a limited selection of wine. The bars are coated in chalkboard paint and cleaned every night. There is chalk on the bar (or just ask) and you'll find everything from tic tac toe to some pretty amazing drawings (Lydia drew a face one night that was incredible).
There are always peanuts on the bar but Harvest also has food, and if there is a bowl on the menu: get it. The food is limited -- don't go expecting choice. As a general rule, there is one bowl provided that can usually be made vegetarian. It's a grain or other starch with veggies, meat, and some kind of sauce. Very fresh and very delicious. The last few months have also seen charcuterie on the menu -- always excellent, too. But the bowls are the star -- Sean puts them together and they always work.
PRO TIP: if there is an option to get chips and salsa get it. The salsa is the recipe from The Rattlesnake Cafe (moment of silence, please) and will bring back memories to townies of times past.
If the bowl or charcuterie don't get you excited, outside food is welcome and Cilantro is right next door so grab some Mexican food and bring it on over.
There is often live music on the weekends by local artists like Beard & Glasses, and Sam's band that goes by a different name each time. These guys are kick ass, take requests, and are incredibly talented and infectious.
Open Wednesday through Sunday, there are games around (or bring your own) and foosball, ping pong and darts. There's talk of dart and ping pong leagues starting up, too.
On Sunday nights there's a movie... this month is Bill Murray month, October was spooky stuff.
Sean's vinyl and CD collections are impressive (although don't ask him to play Billy Joel) and he always has great tunes on when there isn't a band.
I'm all over the place with this review but there's a LOT going on at Harvest. It's the perfect place for a fun night with cool people -- nothing crazy -- and different from the other spots around town. Pop in, consider a membership ($1 off every beer!), check out the bands, bring a book or a board game and enjoy a great crowd.
Ask to sign up for the email mailing list and you'll get it in your inbox every Wednesday with what's coming up for that week -- a great way to stay in touch.
Oh, and Lydia does all of the design work -- much of it by hand. Gorgeous stuff! read more