Beer, Booze, + BBQ: Here's What’s Happening at Captain Lawrence Barrel House

Photos by Damion Patrignelli and Andrew Dominick

On the heels of renovating their Elmsford taproom and menu overhaul, then adding a distillery, Captain Lawrence Brewing Company’s expansion continues on the outskirts Downtown Mount Kisco.

Captain Lawrence Barrel House—sure to be dubbed Captain Lawrence Kisco by many—is different from the main brewery in terms of they’re not actually brewing beer or distilling spirits here. “Barrel House” should give away that this satellite version of Captain Lawrence is for barrel storage and aging booze produced by their distillery, Current Spirits. Whiskey, bourbon, single malt, and barrel-rested gin are all on the premises soaking up all those toasted oaky notes as we speak, and soon, giant oak foeders (pronounced food-ers) for aging sour beer will make their way into the back rooms.

And Captain Lawrence Barrel House isn’t just a honey hole for storage and aging, it’s there for your socializing, beer drinking enjoyment.

Visitors can expect 16 draft lines of mostly of Captain Lawrence beer, plus a few reserved for their own hard seltzer and a cider guest tap. Additionally, for non-craft beer nerds, there are three wines, pours and tasting flights of Current Spirits lineup of liquors, and canned cocktails, and mixed drinks like an old fashioned, spicy margarita, and a Moscow Mule.

Right at the entrance / bar area is a retail corner. Perfect for quick pick up.

As far as where to sip on your quaff, you have options. Pull up at the bar, grab a table in the dining room, or head out back where there’s an outdoor biergarten with obligatory picnic tables and string lights.

Once you pick which part of the Barrel House to post up at, pair your pint with some pub grub. Regulars of the main brewery will certainly recognize some of Kisco’s menu put in place by executive chef Forrest Pasternack (formerly of the lauded Bailey’s Backyard in Ridgefield, CT) who took over the reigns shortly after Tim Ocasio’s departure. Tacos, wings, a must-eat LaFrieda blend burger, and a fried chicken sandwich are familiar at both locations.

Missing in Kisco is the wood-fired pizza, but there is BBQ and all the fixins. The house-smoked meats include ribs, pulled pork, and prime brisket, all served with a slathering of tangy sauce made with Captain Lawrence’s Clearwater Kölsch. There’s also snappy casing beer braised bratwurst with spicy mustard and tender Korean style short ribs with a sauce that packs some fire with a touch of ginger. You can choose your own sides of either coleslaw, brown sugar butter buttermilk biscuits, street corn, or a creamy herb mac & cheese.

Other Kisco Barrel House notables are buffalo chicken nachos, short rib and bacon nachos, and an addictive, almost all you’d need with a few brews, order of lomo saltado fries drizzled with plenty of that aji verde sauce we all love with our stir-fried steak, onions, and tomatoes.

On your way out—or on your way in—you’ll notice a grab and go retail corner full of Captain Lawrence merch, four packs of beer, and Current Spirits’ lineup of liquors and canned cocktails.

Orange Crusher is a light, refreshing lager with orange. A good intro beer to kick off a killer happy hour that lasts all day on Wednesdays, and from 4-6 on Thursday and Friday.

Currently, Captain Lawrence Barrel House is open Wednesday – Thursday from 4 – 9 p.m., Friday from 2 – 9, Saturday from 12 – 9, and Sunday from 12 – 8.

As with everything that’s coming back from restrictions, it’s best to tune into Barrel House’s Instagram for updates. And you might want to be on the lookout as they hope to add some kind of tasting room experience in the near future.

369 Lexington Avenue; Mount Kisco
845.261.3279; https://www.captainlawrencebrewing.com/