The Olde Stone Brewing Company
380 George St N, Peterborough, ON K9H 3R3
Sunday-Tuesday 12pm-11pm
Wednesday-Saturday 12pm-12am
Accepts Reservations
We came on a Sunday around 2:30pm
Old-Style Pub Feel, Extensive Pub Food Menu, Dark Lighting, Small Space, Bar and Table Seating
Entrance to The Olde Stone Brewing Company on the East side of George Street
Atmosphere
Fernanda: If it wasn't for the big sign outside, I wouldn't have guessed that this was a brewery. Walking in is a bit confusing. There are signs that point to three different entries: the "brewery" downstairs, The Olde Stone on the left, and Hot Belly Mama's restaurant on the right. After mistakenly going downstairs, we finally entered Olde Stone Brewing Company. It had an old feel to it, but a comforting one, with thick, dark wood decorations, many signs, and celebrity paintings. The big feature is the bar, which made me feel like I was in an old western movie.
Scott: Before you even enter, it's clear that Olde Stone has an old-time feel. Its wooden décor extends into its façade and continues inside. Make sure you turn left once within, or you'll end up in the neighbouring restaurant. Despite the sign that the brewery is downstairs, you'll want to stay on the entrance level. Most of the lighting comes from large windows at the front of the building, but even in the day it's somewhat dark near the back. This contributes to the pub-of-yore atmosphere. The walls are decorated with paintings of celebrities, and there's a bar at the back with limited seating. It's probably best for small groups or pairs, but it may be possible to accomodate larger groups.
Food and Service
Stone Brew Calamari with Red Pepper and Feta Aioli
Fernanda: We only got to try the Stone Brew Calamari. It was a smaller portion than I had expected, maybe better for one person, rather than as a sharing dish. I will be coming back with a bigger appetite to try the many food items that they have. The service was quick. She took time to describe the beer flight that we'd ordered. She seemed occupied, but I wish I could have been able to ask her some more questions about the brewery.
Scott: We weren't too hungry when we arrived, so we only tried the Stone Brew Calamari. The Red Pepper and Feta Aioli that accompanied the dish was nice and light, providing good balance for the grease of the squid. I would have liked to try one of their other dishes, as the menu was extensive and included several kinds of foods. The service was relatively prompt. The building was mostly empty for the majority of the time that we were there.
Beer
A Flight at The Olde Stone, Including Six Beers
Fernanda: I was a big fan of their beers. They were very big in flavour. They were also all of generally low ABVs. Most were light, crisp, and easy-to-drink. I was surprised that I enjoyed their Pickwick's Best Bitter because I'm not usually a fan of bitter drinks, but this one was well-balanced. They also had two rotating taps, which definitel stood out from the rest, flavour-wise. They were the Ginger Lemongrass Witbier and the Dry-hopped Bitter. I hope to find these beers at the LCBO some day.
Scott: The Mighty Sampler (a flight including six 4 oz. glasses of Olde Stone's beers) is a great value deal for only $10. It let us sample their entire draught menu. I particularly enjoyed the Red Fife Wheat Ale, which was light, smooth, sweet, and easy-to-drink with a strongly bready nature. It was also nice to see that they had a couple of rotating taps. Guest beers were also available, and if you're not in the mood for a brew, they also have Scotch, bourbon, and wine (red and white).
Overall
If you feel like stepping back in time and having an old-style pub experience, then The Olde Stone is the place for you. With its wooden décor, bottles lining the walls, and classic bar, it gives you the traditional feel of having a casual drink, whether alone or with friends. It's best suited for pairs and small groups, but larger groups can probably be accomodated. Make sure to keep an eye on their rotating taps if you're looking for something a little different that might not be around for a long time. There should be more than enough food options to suit everyone's tastes.
