Carver Brewing Co.

The service was a little lacking– server rarely checked on us, but it was busy. Valentine’s Day, you know. Give them the benefit of the doubt there.
The food is spot on. I had the four corners steak sandwich, no red peppers, chipotle sauce on the side. The chipotle was spicccccy and it built up in a big way as you ate. The pretzel roll the sandwich is on was a nice balance for the sauce though. The meat was high quality too– not gristly or greasy. We had the salad rather than a side, which was a good choice. Everything was pretty heavy so the salad was a good balance.
Our favorite beer was the Raspberry Wheat Ale– just a little bit of bite, a little sweet. We also had a beer flight that included the Powerhouse porter, the flux incapicatator, the vapor trail IPA, and the Barleywine. The porter was perfect– very heavy on the coffee, but not too bitter. The flux had a citra hop that is the key flavor and freaking delicious. The others were nothing to write home about, but drinkable.
The root beer is made with local honey, and was so good! Highly recommend their float for dessert. We also had the raspberry crème brûlée, which had a coarse rock crystal sugar on top instead of the finer sugar crust. It was good, but not as exciting as the root beer.

Word to the wise. Don’t order fish! From out of town, Denver CO. Heard this was the place to go. Unfortunately, we both got served Salmon that was completely raw inside. Which was sad, because the portion was a great size. I was the only one to send back the dish. Then received a poor portion of salmon overcooked and placed back on top the same salad they took away, making the lettuce all soggy and greasy. We got a beer compted from the bill, but honestly would have rather just given the dishes back to the kitchen and left. Gordon Ramsey would of kicked those kitchen chefs out! Not acceptable.

Stopped by cause the Unilocal reviews. First, the bartenders are friendly and helpful. Tried a couple local brews and settled on The Schwartz. Very tasty. I was going to have just wings and maybe Al Pastor tacos, but Ashley kept raving about how great the open faced roast beef sandwich special was. So, tried it. Was not disappointed. It was delicious, just as she promised.

Good atmosphere, great service, ok food. We went there for breakfast and food was ok, the coffee almost made up for it though! I’d give this place another chance on food though… maybe we just ordered poorly.

Amazing experience each and every time I visit. The food is great and you can take home a growler of your favorite brew. If you’re an our of towner, be sure to visit this gem on Main St., you wont be disappointed. The service is awesome! I also enjoy that the menu changes often so when I come back there’s always a different selection of soups, keeps the offerings updated and a welcome surprise!

Rude people. Rude waitstaff. Rude hostess. Rude everything. Horrible place. I’ve been here every winter for years in a row and I’m horribly disappointed!!!
Update*** I tried to send an email to the company’s contact and was sent a mailer demon. Doesn’t do any good to complain.

We ate dinner there as well as breakfast and it was really good. The food was very tasty and the beer selection was great! I had a baked potatoe with chili that was to die for! Their breakfast is excellent too will be back again!

We went to Carver Brewing for dinner and breakfast. We had great service and everything we ate was excellent. Try the maple bacon for an appetizer. I drank the nut brown beer for dinner and it was very good.
For breakfast I had the eggs benedict and it had s great hollandaise sauce. My daughters nut pancake was huge and very good.

We came into town this evening with a group of 31. Yes, a BIG group. Steamworks, wasn’t able to accommodate us within a reasonable time frame but was honest about it over the phone. Carver Brewery told my husband over the phone that they could accommodate us but it would be about an hour wait. When we arrived at Carver, they said that their was no way anyone would have told us they could accommodate us. INDIA, the «GM» was extremely rude. We visit Durango often and we will definitely visit Doc Hathaway’s again.
I’m only leaving a 1 star because I have no other choice. I can’t speak for their food but their customer service and communication was terrible!

I’ve been here a few times over the years and am pretty satisfied with the overall food, service, and atmosphere experience. Last time I ate here, I really enjoyed the B.L.A.S.T. sandwich I ordered, however the people I was eating with thought their food was so-​so. For dessert, we had the egg nog crème brûlée and I really loved it despite not liking egg nog!!! The large bike in their back patio is another bonus!

Great food with fast friendly service. Highly recommended the Buffalo burger and the Thai shrimp sandwich. The Beer is also top notch. Enjoyed the Colorado Trail nut brown ale.

Finally redeeming our Christmas «experience» present from last year, my parents decided to treat my fiancé and I to a weekend getaway in Durango to ride the train to Silverton and spend a long weekend together. After an 8 hour drive over gorgeous passes and seeing the fall colors, we checked into our cute condo off Main St and were in the mood for a beer, or 5. Unilocal — suggesting Carver, came to the rescue when deciding on a place to go — as a cold draft beer sounded great.
The 4 of us were seated fairly quickly for a Friday night and ordered 2 flights consisting of a variety of beers — of the servers choice, as all sounded delicious. My favorite was the IPA and the pale ale — as I love hops! While the menu is extensive, I was most impressed by the variety. Mexican, Italian, Indian and more! We decided on sharing a few appetizers — the chicken quesadilla and chorizo nachos — both delicious!
Our server was super nice and friendly. When he accidently brought the wrong drink order for B, he quickly replaced it with the correct beverage and apologized. He seemed very professional and genuinely likes his job!
The atmosphere is very relaxed, chill and inviting. The big open garage doors create a fun and open environment :)
This little slice of paradise was just what we needed after a fun road trip! :)

Carver Brewing has a lot going on, so I’m not sure where to start: okay, my bartender, Tom, because he made the experience. He was genuine and really listened to me. I was running a half-​marathon the next day so he suggested the Salmon Curry Quinoa bowl based on heaviness of meal, proteins, and overall tastiness. I wasn’t sure — I didn’t mean to be that healthy. After hemming and hawing for sometime, I took a chance. It was absolutely amazing. Who knew it could be healthy and so tasty?
Tom was supercool about letting me have a small taste before committing to a full pint. All the beers were really good: Colorado Trail Nutbrown Ale, Iron Horse Oatmeal Stout, and the Oktoberfest Bier. Their beer selection was really well-​rounded. They obviously want to have something for everyone.
Since I started with service, I’ll end with it: Tom checked in after every beer and after I tried my entrè. He was awesome!

I can’t speak to the food, as we didn’t have a chance to eat here, but the beer was good and the menu LOOKED great. they have something for everyone – I especially thought the salmon curry dish looked fab.
I would definitely revisit this spot to try some more beer and noms.

They Mixed and matched the Tatanka Buger with the Rodeo Burger without a hitch. The Buffalo of the Tatanka was cooked perfect. Added Carmelized onions and a bit of sweet BBQ sauce and I wolfed it down. The fact that a curve ball was thrown to them, and they picked up without a hitch was awesome. I’d definitely go here again. Great brews, great atmosphere… there is not a whole lot not to love.

I’ve only had breakfast at Carver’s, so this review speaks to that. But, if the rest of their menu and daily/​nightly service is as good, then I’ll be back for sure!
Breakfast service is busy busy, so come early if you can. We had about a 20+ minute wait on a Sunday a couple of weeks ago. However, as soon as we saw a couple of seats open up at the bar, we grabbed them. The bartender that waited on us was super friendly and lovely. He was extremely attentive — hands down some of the best service I’ve had at a restaurant.
We ordered a couple of deluxe bloody mary’s, which were delicious. They come with a little beer chaser (which the bartender refilled), bacon (!) and other accoutrements.
I had the IPA for the chaser, and my friend at the Oktoberfest. Both were standard and pretty good.
My friend and I shared the coconut-​crusted French toast and an item on their daily special — a savory pancake enchilada filled with eggs, sausage, cheese and covered in a green chile sauce. (Hatch green chile season means they are everywhere!!) Both dishes were quite good, and the proportions were huge! We were hungry, so we ate most of them. But we were certainly stuffed. My one small critique would be that the pancake enchilada should have come with more of the green chile sauce and perhaps a bit more sausage. Because of the size, it really needed a bit more of both.
The size of the restaurant is kind of misleading. There is actually two dining spaces/​bars. We sat at the one front of the restaurant. But in the back, past the bathrooms, is another space. It seemed pretty empty, so I don’t know if you can just go back there and seat yourself or that is also part of the waiting list.
I imagine Carver’s probably stays busy, as it’s pretty centrally located downtown. I’d be interested to go back and have lunch there or evening drinks.

Full disclosure: part of the negativity behind my review is probably based on the high expectations I had for this place after seeing the Unilocal reviews… and the subsequent dashing of those expectations on the rocky shores of reality.
Bluntly: their food reminds of fancy Applebee’s and my brother’s roommate brews better beer. Overall, decent (though too expensive) for a not-​so-​special family night out, but poor compared to other breweries.
When I hear «brewery» or «brewpub,» I think of an establishment that defines itself by its brewing capabilities first and foremost, and offers food as a supplement for those interesting in making a meal out of the experience. Often, as the beer is the main draw, the chefs are free to experiment with interesting culinary whimsy (just as often, to great effect). For Carver Brewing Co., I can’t tell whether the beer or the food is supposed be the supplement… in a bad way.
It’s like they had the wherewithal to make really good beer or really good food, but not both, but they decided to try anyway.
When I first sat down and saw their menu, my heart sank a bit. Whereas at other brewpubs I have spent a long time looking at the menu, having a hard time deciding what tempting item to order, here I also spent a long time looking at the menu – trying to see if I would like *anything*.
I settled on a buffalo burger – it didn’t look that bad, and the fact that it was bison was a cute twist. They didn’t have it. I ended up splitting a reuben and another sandwich with my brother. The food honestly wasn’t BAD, but it was probably only a ³⁄₅.
At that point I was hoping that the beer was where they could really shine, but sadly I was disappointed. I ordered the raspberry berliner weisse, which came out fluorescent red, tart (which is ok for a berliner weisse), and very sweet. It tasted like they might have added some fruit-​flavored chemicals or something – like vinegary raspberry soda. The other two beers I tried did not impress me either. They tasted like what a macrobrewery would do to try to get in on the «craft brewing» phenomenon – a bland simulacrum of good beer.
Anyway, long story short: expensive, just-​above-​decent food, and macro-​style craft beer.

One of my two favorite places to eat and drink beer in Durango. Carver has some great tasting beers, though I usually only get the stout and brown ales. But every year we visit, this is a must for us. Never been disappointed in their food either. It’s fairly small but worth wait if it’s busy.
Only thing I miss is that the kids meals used to come on frisbees which my son loved.

Carver’s has been around as long as I can remember. Never once have we had a meal there that was not excellent. Same goes for the service-​always friendly and efficient. The healthy menu options are very much appreciated. You can’t go wrong here.

I am impressed with Carver’s! Our meal began with a beer flight and a Carver’s Bulldog. The root beer is made in house, and the mixed drink was delicious. We ordered stuffed mushrooms as our appetizer. They were gone in about five seconds flat! My boyfriend had a burger which he absolutely raved about, I had a pasta dish with an egg on it. Strange combo, but it worked. Service here was great. This place is going to be my go-​to for all future visits to Durango. We even brought home 2 growlers with their raspberry ale. :) Cheers!