Pretoria Fields

"We always have such a wonderful time here. Amazing range of beer, all done very nicely, great outdoor space, easy to get to around downtown Albany."

"This rating is for the establishment, not the beer. I'm sad at what Pretoria Fields the business has become. It used to be a nice treat for my husband and me. We liked to swing by our favorite take out and get dinner and enjoy it at Pretoria Fields. In time they had a food truck and it was decent, but we didn't always feel like pizza. To be honest when they stopped allowing outside food we didn't come as often. Especially with a group it was not as enjoyable because their little food truck (even while they did expand beyond pizza) could not serve fast enough for us all to enjoy our meals together. The person who got their food first was long done and ready to go before the last person's food had even come out. Especially on busy nights like Trivia night it was annoying to be hungry and have to wait so long to get food. But when they took away the food truck and brought in dried out old pizza that is just sitting in a food warmer that was really the last straw. They have gone so far backwards as far as the food goes that when we feel like going out we usually go to a place that we like to eat that happens to have their beer instead of going for their beer and trying to be happy with their inferior offerings. I understand in times past some may have abused the privilege of being able to bring in your own food, but by banning outside food and not providing acceptable alternatives (the pizza warmer is NOT working out, friends) you are being disloyal to your loyal customers. It ruins, yes *ruins* the entire experience. Rather could you not just make guidelines that if you bring in food you have to order drinks and clean up after yourselves? Is that not reasonable? Until such time as something changes, we'll be enjoying our Pretoria Fields beer at Harvest Moon or someplace else that has edible food. We'll miss you."

"We were disappointed when they decided not to allow the bringing in of own your own food like most normal micro breweries do. I guess they wanted to force you to use their food truck. But now it’s even worse. They have fired their food truck staff and replaced it with warmed up old pizza that is sold in the back of the seating area. So sad, they’ve taken away every reason to go here. Might as well go to restaurant where you can get their beer (or something else) on tap and food that is good. Great staff, but the management here is so very odd."

"Pretoria Fields was our last craft brewery stop on our way home from the Forgotten Coast. They've been on my "Breweries to Visit" list for a long time, but just never was in the area to drop in. I'd had their Walkers Station Stout, buying a six pack in a local grocery, and was fairly well impressed with that so I figured not to be disappointed with the brewery and I was right. This is a fairly large facility in the middle of downtown Albany not too far from the government buildings (which probably drives a good bit of traffic their way ;-)). Having had lunch an hour or so earlier, we did not sample the food but we did have our usual two flights of beers. I typically judge a brewery first, and most in terms of craftsmanship, on their pilsners and lagers as these take patience and experience to make really well. Pretoria Fields did very well on this score and I'd not hesitate to recommend them. It seems most folks who rate beers do so based on ABV, depth of color and, at times, bitterness so you find lagers typically rated lower than, say, stouts, double IPAs, or Imperial anythings. I look at the style and, for me, how a specific beer stacks up against my impressions of others I've had within the style which is why my ratings for lagers/pilsners tends to be higher than averages. In any event, PF stacks up well across the board and is another brewery that is well worth stopping by if your passing anywhere near Albany."

"This brewery is so classy and well done. The building and grounds are very cool. Love the brick walls in the outdoor area. Had a great beer there while in town for a night. They are really raising the bar!"