Barrel 21 Distillery and Dining

Such a nice mood restaurant! The staffs are very kind with good manners! They have somewhere limited options for lunch, so I prefer to visit here for dinner. Especially, I really enjoyed when there were special menus that may be seasonal. One of the best part is you can reserve. They have good cocktail/mocktail options.

B21 might be the only place I’d go in state college to get a ribeye steak instead of cooking my own. Had ANOTHER great steak with a good old fashioned. The salmon was also great. Every time I go here I think, why don’t I go more often? I think the only time I’ve been disappointed is when I ordered a limited time item that wasn’t there when I went back! They never miss.

Sharing our experience, ours is less then memorable. We were told that at 3:30pm with an entire resturant VACANT that they were not able to accommodate our party of 10. Literally entire rooms that were empty. That's ok your family friendly neighbor was able to creatively accommodate our party at OTTOs (must visit) we came back 2hours later to the same EMPTY resturant who could of had our business, but turning away 3 families with kids was there priority as they all stood around doing nothing but waiting for supposed reservations that never showed. NOT family friendly or very unaccommodating. Welcome to the hospitality industry thinking creatively on your feet and turning tables is how you keep your lights on. Do not recommend.

Stopped in for a bite to eat before heading to Beaver Stadium for a concert. Online reservations said "come on it, there is currently no wait". Got there and there was an hour wait. Ended up waiting 20 minutes then sitting in the bar area, 40 minutes later they called saying my table was ready! I ordered the Cherry Apple Cider, which was good (and cheap - only $4). Hubs and I both ordered the Barrel Burger (ribeye cheeseburger with brown sugar balsamic onions, and bacon). I honestly don't remember the bacon being on my burger but I'm sure it was there. The burger was super dry and lacked flavor. I also got a side of truffle fries for $1 upgrade - they were good and worth the extra $1 The food was dropped off by what seemed to be a manager, who was nice - hubs was suppose to get French fries and they brought a salad by mistake and he offered to get fries for him (the salad looked good, so he kept the salad and said the dressing was delicious). Our server NEVER returned to our table except to bring our bill but he was super nice when he was taking our order......so I'm not sure how to tip. Bathrooms were super clean and the place was decorated nicely.

We sat at the bar and had a few drinks and entrees. Steaks and salmon were cooked perfectly and had nice flavor. We ate them so fast we didn’t get a picture! Kudos to the chef. Bartender Lexi was super attentive and very friendly, she makes a mean martini. Definitely will be back!

Excellent atmosphere, good appetizers (the chili lime french fries were quite spicy); however, it does not take much for me to reach my spice Limit. The Barrell Burger was awesome. First ever ribeye blend burger I had, and the bacon was top of the line and nice n crispy on the edges. My boss had the Delmonico Steak and loved it.

Far and away our favorite place for a night out in State College. Chef Justin's weekend specials (Friday/Saturday night only) are consistently excellent. We come here all the time! Their classic and seasonal drink selections are delicious and well prepared. If we come on a non-weekend, we typically get a mix of appetizers or burgers. Their soup du jour is consistently good. I do wish they had a better selection on their normal dinner menu, as I don't usually crave the catfish or sandwiches.

To be fair, there were some BIG groups there when we went yesterday at 4:30. So of course that would put more on the staff when it comes to getting your drinks or food out faster. So that didn't factor into my review. The drink menu is amazing. Can I just stay here all week and sample them all? My son had a Pear & Sage Sour (B21 apple-pear infused gin, lemon, honey and sage) and I had a Southern Spring Mule (B21 white tail bourbon, homemade apricot liqueur, homemade ginger liqueur, lemon and fresh mint). For dinner, he had the chislic poutine (a refined edge to a major comfort food) and I had the pear salad. Both were amazing. Definitely making this our lunch or dinner spot when I come out to visit.

I stopped in here every time I am out here in state college, they have amazing mixed drinks and fantastic food pairings.

Beef patty melt is the greatest thing I've ever eaten. I'm from out of town and this food is elite!

Stopped in for a bite to eat before heading to Beaver Stadium for a concert. Online reservations said "come on it, there is currently no wait". Got there and there was an hour wait. Ended up waiting 20 minutes then sitting in the bar area, 40 minutes later they called saying my table was ready! I ordered the Cherry Apple Cider, which was good (and cheap - only $4). Hubs and I both ordered the Barrel Burger (ribeye cheeseburger with brown sugar balsamic onions, and bacon). I honestly don't remember the bacon being on my burger but I'm sure it was there. The burger was super dry and lacked flavor. I also got a side of truffle fries for $1 upgrade - they were good and worth the extra $1 The food was dropped off by what seemed to be a manager, who was nice - hubs was suppose to get French fries and they brought a salad by mistake and he offered to get fries for him (the salad looked good, so he kept the salad and said the dressing was delicious). Our server NEVER returned to our table except to bring our bill but he was super nice when he was taking our order......so I'm not sure how to tip. Bathrooms were super clean and the place was decorated nicely.

We came for dinner with a group of 16 while in town for a swim meet. Some restaurants struggle with large groups but not this place! Our waitress was absolutely fantastic at making sure everyone had what they needed. The atmosphere was perfect for a group. The main takeaway from the entire group was that the FOOD WAS INCREDIBLE! Two of the chefs, Alec and Quinn, came out to the table to make sure everything was ok and even answered questions about some of the dishes. The adults were loving the crafted cocktails and the kids loved the desserts! If you're looking for a farm to table style restaurant that provides great service and pays attention to all the details-this is it!

Was visiting area and restaurant was recommended. Fun cocktails and mocktails. Service was great, staff friendly and accommodating. Large portions of well seasoned food. Really enjoyed it.

Barrel 21 Distillery is a gem nestled in the heart of Happy Valley (State College). From the moment you step inside, you're greeted with the rich aroma of carefully crafted spirits and the warmth of genuine hospitality. Sidney was our waitress and she was simply amazing. We had something in common as we are both from the Pittsburgh region. She attends Law school at Penn State, which is terrific. She was outstanding and super knowledgeable of the whiskey and if she didn't know the answer, she'd get us an answer. The Rye grain is a danko grain sourced from only the best supplier in the state of Pennsylvania by Robert McDonald from Dancing Star Farms. First and foremost, the quality of their spirits is unparalleled. Each sip tells a story of craftsmanship and dedication to the art of distillation. Whether you're indulging in their smooth bourbon, their crisp gin, or their flavorful vodka, you can taste the passion and expertise that goes into every bottle. The distillery Rye was my favorite for certain and sets Barrel 21 apart. Overall, Barrel 21 Distillery is a must-visit destination for spirits enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike. With its exceptional spirits, inviting atmosphere, and commitment to quality, it's no wonder that Barrel 21 has quickly become a beloved fixture in the community. Raise a glass to Barrel 21 - here's to many more years of excellence! This was an incredible stop. Happy we made it to the area and would like to stop again. Next time, I need to have more spirits to sample.

Waited for more than an hour for food. Don't come here. After waiting 45 minutes and we asked if we could cancel but they said that the food was on the way. 15 minutes later still no food.

They were out of multiple dinner options (and they only have a few to start with) which put a bummer on the evening. The charcuterie board was nice but very stingy with the amounts. We ordered multiple drinks and flights and were disappointed with all. Couldn't even get a mojito that tasted good. I honestly would give their staff an A+. and the ambiance was nice but not worth the price.

So this place is more of an upscale if you will type of destination. Not my style at all but it was very nice, clean and professional. It was next to the hotel so it was convenient and thought we'd give it a try. The service was also very nice and professional as well. The entire plate of food that I order all paired very well with one other and it was really enjoyable. Some of the menu items are on the expensive side but 2 of us had the Tuesday special and was able to eat for under $50. I would go back but it wouldn't be my pick. Once again, really nice place. It's just not somewhere that I personally feel the most comfortable in. I'm simple and easy to please.

I was staying the night locally and wanted a good happy hour and dinner before hitting my hotel for the night. This place was on point. The cocktail menu and happy hour specials are fantastic! Madison, the bartender, provided excellent service - attentive but not overbearing. The cocktails are on point and the salmon tartar was great. Fun menu and great ambiance. I will be returning.

The aesthetic of the place was beautiful. Very well lit inside with comfortable and modern decor and feel. The service was great, our waiter was training another waitress and the two of them knocked it out the park. Filling out waters constantly, making sure we were good on our yummy cocktails we ordered. The drink and food menu is small but has a good amount of options! Seasonal flavors, rotation of alcohol/food items. The meal was well executed my partner loved her pasta and the wasabi mashed potatoes was delicious for me. The duck wasn't fully rendered and the fat was chewy. Yet it was delicious nonetheless and we had a wonderful time.

This place is awesome. Staff is so friendly. Food is so good. Dog friendly plus. It was a fantastic stop. Felt so welcomed. Emily, Trevor and the rest of the staff are WONDERFUL. Can't say enough about this place.

Our first trip to Barrel 21 although we are locals and go to Otto's regularly. We have transitioned from beer to bourbon. Our dinner was delicious and our Old Fashioned's were superb. We also liked the vibe. Madison's service was spot on. We will be back!!!

Went here again for brunch this past Sunday. Once again -- outstanding! Olivia was a great server, and the food options on the buffet were fantastic! Smoked chicken Mac and Cheese? Yes please! Thinly sliced home fries were a hit! Fresh fruit was lovely. And the Bloody Mary was outstanding!

Great food, service and ambience. Definitely worth it. A unique menu that has delicious food.

We went for my husband's birthday. A tenderloin salad came out with a no tenderloin, we had to ask where the tenderloin was, server didn't know. Then sent a bowl of tenderloin out, never asked how to cook. Then manager asked me to explain to her what happened. Server never came to get bill we had to take to the bar. we've really enjoyed in the past, will not go back.

Here are the pluses: -The ambience was very nice here. -Our waitress was attentive. Esp. for a busy football weekend, she did her best to attend to all her tables. -The salmon was cooked nicely (5 stars). Perfectly seasoned and skin was crunchy. -The scallops were also seasoned and cooked perfectly as well. Chef Ramsey would definitely say, "Nicely cooked!" Here are the minuses: -But the sauce was very spicy for both the salmon and scallop dishes. For the salmon, I understand they said "habanero" sauce, but I didn't expect that they'd pair such a spicy sauce with salmon. -Same with scallops with udon noodles in Thai chili sauce, it was also very spicy. I have Thai food all the time and like it very spicy, but don't expect this level of spiciness at an American restaurant. -We didn't have the duck, but it also mentioned wasabi sauce. This means, 3 out of the 5 main entrees were spicy. -The burger was underwhelming. Asked for medium rare and came to be almost well done. Under-seasoned. Summary: If it weren't for the too-spicy sauces and under-seasoned burger, this place can definitely be 5 stars. Overall, though, having a place like this in State College is definitely a plus.

The good: the ambience was nice and the restaurant was clean. The not so good- the sevice was awful. We visited and it was not overly busy. We only saw our waiter thrice- once when he brought water, once when he took our order, and when he dropped off the bill. He never came for our drink order, he never checked to see if the food was okay. Never checked in period. I ordered the burger medium and it was very rare. I didn't eat 10% of my food and he never asked why when he dropped of the check. So he got a 15% tip, which I never leave(I always leave at least 20%). You're leaving money on the table if you don't take care of your guests.

Great food, amazing drinks and the best service in a long, long time. The difficult thing about growing up in the restaurant business and working at better establishments is the standard I expect when dining out. This is the tenth time in four days (4 states) that I've dined out and most of the places were uninspiring. So, my expectations weren't too high. Barrel 21 has blown me away. From being greeted right away, to having cold water on our table, to getting drinks within minutes, everything that is expected of a great restaurant was met. Then appetizers arrived a few minutes later and the table was buzzing over the quality of the food and drink. Then dinner came. The presentation was superb. The portions were more than enough. And the flavor was out-of-this world! I can't say enough about Barrel 21. It has given this cynical diner hope that there are still great places to eat and drink!

Back for my son's graduation and food was substantially improved. Several in our group had cornmeal catfish and absolutely loved their meals. Hubby had Barrel Burger and said it was awesome. I was wanting something small so I ordered the Simple Salad. It was huge and the maple balsamic dressing was very good. We appreciated that they sat us without a reservation (it was early for dinner hour) and were very accommodating. Our server was friendly and attentive. All in all, an excellent experience.

Surprisingly delicious food at this hidden gem in State College. We were moving our son in for graduate school and staying at the Fairfield Inn which has both this and its sister restaurant, Otto's, conveniently in the parking lot. Service was incredible and these could have been the best poutine ever! Such a delicious steak we shared and there were still leftovers (see picture how large this was!) Also - the cocktails were top notch, we definitely plan on returning for a distillery tasting next time!

Earlier this week, I had to travel to State College for work and I went to Barrel 21 with some friends. I have been here multiple times, but never wrote a review. We went there for dinner, and I had their burger and fries without the bun. You can tell by the photo that it did not disappoint. The aioli sauce was phenomenal and I tore the whole plate up. Not a crumb left. The burger was filled with so much flavor and the bacon that was on top was everything. If you are looking for something simple and good, head to Barrel 21. Now you may find some wait times during the weekend, but during the week you can catch them a good time to get right in. I also had an old fashioned because that is my go to drink. I was pleased with the outcome of the old fashioned. Our sever was great and attentive. The ambiance is quite pretty, but can be laid back as well. This would be a great place for a first date.

I went here for brunch on a Sunday. The selection was mediocre at best and highly overpriced for what they offer. There's also very little to choose from for vegetarians. Their French toast offering did not look appetizing so I had pastries, broccoli and cheese soup, and yogurt. Not worth the money for me.

** I considered giving this place 4 stars because compared to places I've eaten and drank around the US, it's more of a 4 star place. HOWEVER, based on the local options in State College, this is as good as it gets, as far as I can tell. So it's a slightly relative 5 star rating but 4 stars for a city more into the food scene. We moved to State College about 3 months ago but already had family visiting and didn't know any good spots to take them! We resorted to Yelp and were disappointed that most places have 2-3.5 star ratings. Not great. Ultimately we decided to try Barrel21 because our group loves distilleries and craft cocktails, and it seemed like a cool place to go. I'm so glad we went there! It was a Sunday evening and a bit quiet and slow, but there was a pianist (not too loud) and plenty of seating. The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated and they have a nice clean bathroom. It was a bit fancier than we expected in our jeans and flannels but I think we fit in just fine and the formality is only what you want it to be. Their menu changes somewhat frequently (perhaps once a month or once every few months- I don't know for sure), so menu photos you see on yelp may not be what they currently offer. For cocktails, our table had a Green Point (very liquor forward but delicious), a Gin-Ger (extremely smoky w/ scotch), a blackberry bourbon smash, and a blueberry horseradish mule (made with their own infused vodka). I think everyone enjoyed the cocktails they got. I had the mule and really appreciate when a bar can take the basic mule and make it their own. The horseradish wasn't overpowering and added great depth to a normally syrupy cocktail. The blackberry bourbon smash was my second favorite! All of their cocktails really sounded delicious so I hope to be back soon and slowly work my way through the menu. For appetizers, we had the jalapeno/andouille deviled eggs as well as the vodka soaked olives. The deviled eggs were my favorite. They also served us complimentary bread with a herb butter. For dinner, 3/4 of the table got the culotte steak and all enjoyed it. I ordered their special salad (mixed greens, apple slices, cucumber, tomatoes) and had their aged gin vinaigrette with it. The vinaigrette was, in my opinion, the star of the show with the salad. It was delicious and not as sweet as many vinaigrettes. I highly recommend it. I added chicken to my salad and it was also very good- well seasoned and a larger portion. The large salad is HUGE, just FYI, so if you want to go light, get the half salad. I also ordered the truffle fries and was impressed. Overall the food was very good and they don't skimp on portions. A few other quick notes- they have some really good looking happy hour deals, as well as a cocktail of the day that is discounted. It's very difficult for me to figure out happy hour deals in town so I've added a photo to this yelp page that will hopefully be a help to some of you. The service we received was very friendly but i know some at the table thought our server was too chatty and stayed awkwardly long at the tables. She also seemed to come by at odd times. It didn't bother me too much but I know my husband thought it was a little weird. Anyway- this is a gem for state college and I highly recommend it! The prices are a little high for dinner but you get what you pay for. Excellent cocktails and a cool vibe.

Excellent! I've been to their partner restaurant - Otto's Pub - about a dozen times. It's very good. I chose Barrel 21 simply because it's one of the few places in State College that take reservations. This is convenient on a football weekend. The food was excellent, the service very good, and the prices are completely reasonable. They have a great selection of their own beer too.

The service was fine. The food was overpriced for how terrible it was. The grits with smoked pork tasted like straight salt. The French toast was dry. The orange juice tasted like minute made. The home fries, while they were covered, were cold. Which tells me that they weren't REHEATED properly. Sadly to say, the best thing there was the cut fruit that was starting to get soft from how long it was sitting at room temperature. It's safe to say that my family will never be going back there to spend 22 dollars a person for their terrible brunch buffet.

Great vibe ... great food ... great service ... what more can I say. Ok, I know you want more, so here it is. We decided to dine here for two reasons: 1) We had lunch at their affiliated restaurant Otto's Pub and Brewery the day before and had a great experience; and, 2) it was a short walk across the parking lot from our hotel after a long day at the Penn State Arts Festival and we were tired. Whatever the reason, lucky us. This is a nice restaurant with a great vibe. The hostess, our server, the manager and the staff in general were all fun and professional. Even more notable given that the place was full on a Saturday evening and a group of about 25 came in within minutes of our arrival. I had the catfish entree as I like catfish and so few places serve it; it was great. My wife had a chicken dish with a fabulous sauce (she asked for more sauce). So, the chef's great performance matched the service at the front of the house. Thanks for a great and fun evening out! (Sorry, forgot to take pictures.)

I was dining alone so went to a bar countertop table. No one waited on me until I said something to the host. He talked to the bartender (many of which were putting away glassware behind the bar) and said I'll be your server. Ordered a salad with salmon and the salmon was cold and completely raw. I spit it out, and left. Would not recommend.

I'm giving them 4 stars for State College, as it's great to see restaurants that try to do things the right way start pop up in town. Was the Saturday for dinner after a football game, so keeping that in mind as well. Restaurant itself has a very nice somewhat upscale yet casual atmosphere. Waitress was a little overwhelmed and not very attentive, but again understandable with a football crowd. In terms of the food, everything had potential but missed in some element of execution. All the components of the burger were good, yet it was under seasoned and over cooked (well done vs medium ordered). Would have been a lot better with a little more salt. Truffle fries excellent. Scallops were very good and cooked perfectly, yet Thai chili sauce served with them was overly spicy and noodles were clumped together and over cooked. Salmon again cooked and seasoned perfectly, but pasty sauce which was again very spicy. Glad I was able to try Barrel 21, which has tons of potential with a little better execution. Maybe they're sharper on non-football weekends. Certainly understandable. Even as it was, better than the vast majority of restaurants in town. Note that they take reservations via Resy, even on football weekends, a major plus.

Good espresso martinis and Ottos beers. Like the cheesesteak egg rolls. Only open on weekends ?

the WORST place to go for Mother's Day brunch. $28 per person, food was cold! the burners weren't lit

Good food, atmosphere and service. The wait staff was very attentive and helpful. Reservations available.

Super great atmosphere! The brunch was amazing and super reasonable in price! Definitely going back!

Server was vey nice and attentive. My chicken sandwich and side salad was excellent. 10/10. Crispy and flavorful. The salad with the sesame vinaigrette was excellent. Roasted pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds onions, carrots. Excellent. My son's chicken sandwich was 3/10. Overcooked and too much char. Truffle fries were good. A little inconsistency but I will give it another try.

This started out as a martini, but the gin was so terrible it was undrinkable. I asked the Baman to add lime juice and simple syrup and tried to turn it into a Gimlet. It was still bad. The duck was tough and chewy, like it had been pre cooked and microwaved. I won't go back.

Loved the brunch service. The food was cooked perfectly and the apple french toast was to die for! My grandson ate two plates of food without the normal fighting! Will go back again. The ambiance was perfect!

When you start searching around for "fancy" restaurants, a distillery probably wouldn't come to mind, and it didn't for me either. I came here as a sort of backup plan when the other nice restaurants fell through, and I was immediately blown away. The atmosphere and decorations are top notch, the service was superb, and everything from the drinks to the desert was extraordinary. They even had a live pianist playing during dinner! Not at all what I expected from a distillery, but I was pleasantly surprised. The cocktails definitely give the food a run for their money on best thing about this place. I am not a huge fan of their straight liquor because it is reminiscent of rubbing alcohol, but in a cocktail they are great. My favorite cocktail was the Gin-Ger, which was spicy and liquor forward. For food we got some of everything, but I think the coulotte took the prize. If you are looking for fine dining and a great price point, come here!

This is a fine choice for a cocktail and bite and is right across from the Fairfield that I stayed at. It is a partnership with Otto's Brew Pub and serves their beers. The inside is upscale and has great bartenders. I had two of the cocktails - Ancho Daiquiri and Bourbon Sour. Both were great. The daiquiri was served room temp, which was interesting. I had the poutine. Surprisingly - a little too much bacon which made it taste too salty. The beef bites and gravy were tasty. Pricing was reasonable. There is a tasting room in the back and spirits for purchase by the bottle.

Very, very good place for a meal and drinks in the State College area. Our group of 5 had a few drinks (which are very strong, but smooth...you are getting your $$$ worth). Person who ordered the Gimlet really enjoyed it....person who got the UN THAI D thought is was VERY strong...I tasted and there was no mistake that there was alcohol in it....but it does say "Navy Strength Rum" in the description. Had a meals and apps (smoked thighs, poutine, burgers, pistrami sand, chuck roast entree, etc). Salads that came on side were tremendous, and dressings were home made. The poutine is a pretty good representation of what good poutine is (I felt) and not just some fries with gravy and cheese curds thrown on them. Prices I thought were as expected (not outlandish) for this type of restaurant. If I have any regrets, I should have gotten a steak...it looked excellent. If you're in town for an event or want to take someone from the university out for a nice dinner, stop searching and try this place. It will fit what you are looking for. NOTE: Make sure to call or make a reservation. It can get busy.

I haven't been here in a while, but it is a stop on the Central PA tasting trail, so we took our passports and off we went. I've read good and bad reviews, so in fact I made us some prime rib at home, and we ate before we came. We sat at the bar, and it did take 10 minutes before we were acknowledged. Wednesday night, place was about 40% occupied, 3,4 servers. Once we were waited on, service was nice. Bartender (Veronica?) was friendly, talkative, made a good Sazerac without seeming stressed on how to make it. Noted groups coming in. A group of 4, no hostess, they waited about 4 minutes then turned and left. Another group of 5, waited 5 minutes, but then were warmly greeted. Saw food passing by, salads, chicken tenders or something, looked tasty. Was afraid to see what they were charging for food though. As for the tasting trail, the "gift" is that you get a 3 pour sampler of their spirits, such as Gin, lemon cello, navy strength rum, bourbon, etc. nearby Ottos was on the tasting trail too, but when we visited there, they said you don't get anything, so we bought 2 small beers, stamped the passports and ate down the street. I think that Barrel has worked on their service, and their culinary is up to par for most, but they could in my opinion work on the hostess stand, and perhaps offer more reasonable prices. In the past, their was some arrogance as if they were the only bar in town, but I saw some improvement this visit, if not humbleness. I think there will always be fussy eaters, not enough vegan choices or some such thing, small portion size, etc. it seems like, if the prices were a bit lower, some of those complaints might fall by the wayside.

Fancy looking from the outside but don't be discouraged. This place has a cool ambiance and an interesting menu selection. Plus the mixed drink menu - made with their own liquors - are great to try. I didn't think the food served was top tier quality like they try to play it off as but it was good quality and tasted great. Some weird lulls in the service based on how many people were actually in the restaurant and the bartender disappeared for 15 minutes. They offered free bread for the three of us and only brought two mini rolls which I found very strange. Definitely some service shortfalls but nothing that can't be improved upon. Stop in during happy hour time for some deals to see if you like it all first, then come back for the full experience.

Highly recommend this place for the spirits, the beer, the food and for how accommodating they were. I called ahead because my daughter and I were looking for a place to have dinner and watch the NCAA volleyball championship. The staff lined up a high-top and changed the channel for us. We had great seats to watch. We started the night going to the tasting room. I enjoyed and recommend the bourbon and aged rye. I appreciated the hostess explaining details about how they each to me. We had the truffle fries as an appetizer. They were very crunchy and tasty. The garlic aeoli was strong and a nice complement to the fries. She had the fried catfish. I had a melt-in-your-mouth Delmonico steak with black garlic butter. I would recommend either, but strongly recommend the steak. I appreciated their farm-to-table concept. It came out in the food. We finished off with caramel cheesecake. It was creamy and full of caramel flavor. We'll be returning in a few weeks. I'm looking forward to trying their other restaurant that is also their brewery. I will return to Barrel 21 also.

Another, fantastic brunch at Barrel 21, country fried steak and shrimp and grits; how could you go wrong. One of theses weekends I will be caught up on my tasks and able enjoy some of the beautiful cocktails ! Thanks Loryn for the great service!

Very nice drink spot in the area. My fiance and I had excellent drinks and a very yummy dish to accompany them. This is a fun spot to try something new, and get a well crafted cocktail. Would come again.

After reading several scathing reviews on yelp, I wasn't so sure I wanted to eat at this restaurant. I did look at the pictures and I thought the dishes looked good and creative. The decor was also really nice. So we went. So glad we did! We ended up sitting at the bar and our bartender, Brad was fantastic! I got striped bass dish which I can't say enough good things about. The fish was actually sous vide and the mushrooms with it were a shiitake but they weren't your average grocery store variety. They were very flavorful and much smaller and flatter. I had a blueberry horseradish mule for my beverage and that was very delicious. For dessert I had the flourless chocolate cake with peanut butter icing. This was very good, in fact my whole meal was very good and it was chosen because it was gluten-free. For the type of restaurant this is, I definitely give it five stars. Service is very good, the interior is upscale, the menu is limited and I always consider this a plus. Sidenote, we had a ESPN celebrity sighting.

Good food from a unique menu lineup. The atmosphere was nice and the service was wonderful.

The Sunday brunch brings them up to 5 stars! What a great variety of both Breakfast and Lunch foods. Chicken chili, bagels Asst cream cheeses(homemade-they had prosciutto cream cheese) , assorted breakfast pastries. Greek yogurt cups w/granola/strawberries and honey, hot foods: broccoli/cheddar scrambled eggs, homemade home fries, bacon and sausage, peanut butter & jelly French toast(holy crap it was yummy!!), pasta w/beef ragu, pork stir fry with jasmine rice(this was so good I had seconds!!). They had an omelet bar, but instead of waiting in line, you fill out an order slip, the waiter drops it off to chef and delivers it to your table. All omelet bars should be this way!! The dessert bar....save room this was probably the best buffet dessert bars I have seen on a breakfast buffet. Probably 20+ types of cakes and pastries. Check out the pic. We were driving home or would have had a couple of Bloody Mary's from the bar. For $9 you could make your own. Probably 20 toppings/mixins. For $18/pp, this has to be the best breakfast buffet in State College, if not the best breakfast. Not crowded either. We were able to get a Sunday reserve on open table Sat. Night. I will be back...maybe next weekend!

I have been before and the food was very good. To night, though, the burger that was to medium was beyond well and burnt. Told the waitress and nothing.

Being a bourbon snob I'm always suspicious of local, non-Kentucky bourbons. Their smoked bourbon old fashioned with their B21 bourbon was lovely. The smoked chicken thighs appetizer was tasty and well done but the celery on the side was wet and soggy. The only negative. Side bbq and ranch sauces, made in house - very good. Pastrami sandwich was very good. Burger / excellent. Truffle fries / well above average. In all - a wonderful experience.