Lowell Beer Works

Colby Sedlier

Professor Julian Zabalbeascoa

F.Y.S.H Section 303

26 September 2013

                                       Lowell Beer Works

            Although I have been told that Lowell is a city known for its Cambodian population and their ever-so popular Cambodian restaurants, I decided that for my adventure for food, I would chose a location that was well-known for both its food and atmosphere. After talking to several other of my peers, I finally decided on giving Lowell Beer Works a try which is located just behind the new University Suites on the University of Massachusetts Lowell’s East Campus. I went in expecting there to be just typical bar food like Andre Dubus III talks about in his memoir Townie but I left with a completely different point of view. I have gone back on three more separate occasions and honestly, I would rank it in my top 3 favorite restaurants. From beer battered dough bites to a sesame shrimp stir-fry (my absolute favorite entrée on the menu), they have it all. I would say that Lowell Beer Works is simply delicious and a must try restaurant.

            When you first walk into the facility, you are actually outside. Lowell Beer Works features seating for what it seems to be at least 50-60 individuals right outside its front door. It is a perfect location for a warm summer night with music playing in the background and an nice cold beer for those who are of age (I wouldn’t know, I am just assuming). It is well lighted and attended by the wait-staff so there is no need to worry about being consumed by the surrounding darkness and being left out. The tables are also nicely spread apart while also featuring collapsible umbrellas for those sunny summer days.

            If one were to continue inside of the building, they first walk in and are greeted quickly by their host or hostess on duty. I have been treated kindly and quickly each and every time that I have attended. If one is of age, he or she can just walk straight in and take a seat at the bar which features comfortable bar stools, televisions that can be changed at the audience’s request, and an array of both name-brand and local alcohol.  For example, Lowell Beer Works incorporates its own brewery products into its line of drinks such as its famous blueberry ale (so I’ve been told that it is fantastic). Besides the bar, the restaurant can also hold hundreds of individuals in its comfortable booth-style seating, traditional seating, or even bar table seating.

            But who really cares about the seating? Let’s just get right into the food. My server has always been very friendly and well-trained and I have yet to hear of an order being over-cooked/under-cooked or “messed up”. To deny the chance to start off with an appetizer would be something completely foolish. The menu offers a bundle of different appetizers guaranteed to appeal to its audience. For myself, getting a Caesar salad is always the best choice because the greenery is always fresh and the croutons always perfectly crunchy. That may be a little biased only because I thoroughly enjoy them however, my family and friends have ordered other appetizers such as the beer battered dough bites and apparently, it is said that they are to die for. Enough about the appetizers though.

            To move into the entrées, one will find that they range from a juicy burger which is delectable to my favorite, the sesame shrimp stir-fry. It consists of sautéed green and red peppers, shrimp, and chicken featured in a sesame and ginger sauce with a ball of white rice. It is seasoned very well and overall I would say that the entrée is well worth the $13 price. To follow up with this delicacy, their dessert menu is also spectacular with my favorite being three slices of  Oreo crusted “pie” in which contains coffee and vanilla icecream, peanut butter, and fluffy whipped cream. It is honestly the most flavorful dessert that I have ever tasted.

            Overall, Lowell Beer Works is nothing short of brilliant. Its prices are adequate enough that a college student can afford it once in a while but at the same time features plenty of food for the little price that you pay. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone that asked and I firmly believe that it is a gem that resides within the city of Lowell. It is a restaurant that can also be found in Boston which is known as one of the greatest cities in the United States (just a little biased) and for this restaurant chain to be located in Lowell, it brings up its reputation to that of Boston even if it does in the slightest amount. In my opinion, Lowell Beer Works is, and will always will be pure bliss.