Elysian Brewing Co

10/05/09

beware rude bar staff

by caphillres at Citysearch

If you'd asked me 2 days ago if I'd recommend The Elysian I would have said "absolutely, yes". Not anymore. I stopped in to pick up some beer to go & was subjected to possibly the rudest "service", if you can call it that, that I have ever had the misfortune to experience in Seattle.

My husband & I stood at the bar for some time before the bartender, a smallish, shorthaired brunette, slight accent, chose to shower us with her sparkling personality (sorry, I'm trying hard to be appropriate here). I asked about the availability of growlers. I then asked to get the pumpkin ale. She looked at me like I was mentally challenged & responded "there's 2 kinds". I then asked about them, wanting her opinion as she is employed as a bartender & should be able to give patrons that kind of info....would imagine that's part of the job description. She replied abruptly "one's stronger". I asked stronger how? Higher alcohol content? More pumpkin-y? She looked at me like I had 3 heads. I explained I was going to a beer tasting party & wanted to know more about the beer I was bringing. She could have cared less about that. My husband suggested at that point we just get both. She audibly sighed & went to fill the growlers. While doing so, she pleasantly joked around with the guys at the bar, flicking water at one of them. It seems, when she chose to, she was quite capable of being pleasant. Maybe we were interrupting her time with her buddies, I don't know. The bar was relatively empty as it was around 4 on a sunny Saturday afternoon so she definitely was not frenzied with work stress. When the growlers, which were identical, were plunked down in front of me I asked if she wouldn't mind labeling them so I knew which we would be tasting at the party. She turned her back on me mid-sentence, ripped a piece of receipt paper in half, scribbled the beer names on the paper & slapped them on the bottles with some scotch tape. Then she quite loudly slapped the bill folder on the bar in front of me & walked off. I tried giving her my card & she kind of blew me off for a moment or so, came back & grabbed it. For $44 worth of beer & some very reasonable questions from a customer, I was stunned by how hostile her behavior was.

In tough economic times, with lay offs & cut backs, one would think people would be motivated to keep the jobs they have. Not to mention companies wanting to keep their customers happy & coming back. I question any company that would employ someone like her to represent them. I live just a few blocks away from The Elysian & will not hesitate to tell everyone I know of the experience I had. Word of mouth is a powerful thing. I walked out, honestly wondering what the heck I did that could have provoked such enmity from a complete stranger. My conclusion is...nothing. I had merely asked her for her professional opinion & information.

Way to go, Elysian, you guys went from a BIG thumbs up to an absolute thumbs DOWN.

• Pros: decent beer
• Cons: service

02/10/09

Rude hostess

by devylish at Citysearch

Met friends here last Saturday night - albeit a weekend evening, we dared to go out and have a low-key night playing Scrabble over drinks and food. Chose the place for their food/drink and large tables. Upon arriving, my friends had already been waiting for 10 min and had put our name in for 5. Were told the wait was another 20 min maybe. After we waited while I was there for 40 min very patiently, a couple of us went to check. We weren't rude, we just inquired. The snotty hostess informed me that someone had set the party at 5. I said we were only 4. My friend was just accommodating another who might join us, but we were 4. She again said it was set for 5. I again said, it's actually 4. Then she said firmly and rudely, 'Well, you'll still have to wait'. I hadn't thought otherwise. I simply asked how long it would be which she never gave us. In another 10-15 min, we did have friends join, which did make us 5, but they were leaving in 30 min to go to Piecora's and see a band so they weren't staying and the booths are plenty big for 3 men and 2 women. Another was joining us after they'd left so it was still 4. When we were seated about 15 min later, our friends followed us - and the hostess came by and remarking w/ a rude smirk on her face that she'd come by w/ another menu, cuz we'd told her it was only 4.

It amazes me in these economic times, our money isn't greeted as appreciated. We all drank, ate, tipped well - because the server actually was extremely nice and friendly. The pork tacos were awful tho and sort of tasted like they're slathered in lard - I don't know how I ate one, but couldn't finish the other. I didn't say anything because I figured they'd a bad and busy night. The beer is great. A star for each our server and the beer.

I've never been treated so rudely at The Elysian by anyone else there.. and if I hadn't been inside near the window, I would've gotten up and talked to the manager. Inexcusable and I won't go back readily.

• Pros: Beer, some of the waitstaff
• Cons: Hostess, crowded on weekends/wait, pork tacos

10/12/08

good beer. good enough food. good times.

by 206rep at Citysearch

The service was speedy, the food was satisfactory, and the beer was very original and full of flavor. From pumpkin to peppercorn, or saison to supernova - this place brews it all! Expect to taste good beer with decent food and sufficient service then you will not be disappointed.

• Pros: ambience, beer, service
• Cons: parking, pork tacos, no ranch dressing