Holgate's Brewhouse, Keatings Hotel

Overall 2 - Food 2, Ambience 2, Value 2, Service 2

They brew good beer. However the food and beverage, and accommodation leaves a lot to be desired. The rooms lacked warmth and a certain amount of cleanliness. The food was very average. A cut of steak that looked and tasted worse than something from a supermarket. The fish and chips resulted in an ambulance trip to Melbourne, a denial of liability and an offer of a refund from the management ,which never eventuated, and a desire to never go near Woodend ever again. Daylesford is not far away and its venues rarely disappoint.   (CB - May, 2011)

Overall 2.8 - Food 2, Ambience 5, Value 2, Service 2

Overall a very disappointing experience, we will not be recommending this venue. The calamari was floury and tasteless, and of the nine main meals we ordered the majority were unpleasant. We braved it for desserts but again found they were lacking, The fig tart was okay in comparission, however the chocolate cake was dull and flat, with a strange concoction of cream mixed with lumps of chocolate and mandarin - more like a year 10 experiment than a presentation by a qualified chef! The service staff preferred to chat amongst themselves than serve at the bar, and the ordering of our mains was hurried. Such a shame as 12 months ago we had a good experience - never again!   (ck64 - August, 2010)

Overall 7.3 - Food 8, Ambience 7, Value 6, Service 8

Enjoyed the food it was terrific, felt a little cramped for space however. Table was too small for four patrons.

Service was good without being outstanding, used dirty knife on floor adjacent to table detracted from experience.   (July, 2010)

Overall 2.8 - Food 2, Ambience 5, Value 3, Service 1

Had booked the room with 3 course meal and breakfast.

Dinner consisted of some hot olives and ale bread. Bread was good but the olives were not - under the category of what were they thinking.

Main courses choice was the steak - ordered medium rare - cooked medium well. One of the steaks tasted like liver the other like grass. When this was mentioned to the waitress (term used very losely) she said it must have been the butter. Never had a piece of meat that tasted like grass before - can't say mmmmmm.

Then came the desserts. The choices were poor and we thought we had made the best by ordering the rocky road and the Macaroons. The macaroons were well made but the white chocolate sauce in the middle and sugar on top made them sickly sweet. The rocky road was very interesting - philo pastry shell, with marshmallows mandrin slices, sour cream, yogurt and chocolate sauce and cooking chocolate bottons.

The beer was quite good.

In the end I would never consider returning. They need to hire new staff and new cook then rewrite the menu to something well thoughtout.

Actually would be a good episode for the tv show Kitchen Nightmares.   (anthony - June, 2010)

Overall 3.8 - Food 8, Ambience 1, Value 4, Service 2

The meals and the beer were impressive but sadly the atmosphere and service was severely lacking to the point that there is no way I wourl return or reccomend it to friends

The entire establishment really lacked a 'pub' feel and felt more like a dining room in a rennovated suburban sports club, (yes we were on the 'pub' side rather than the formal dining section).

We all felt a rather uncomfortable, sterile and dissapointing ambience (which is the complete opposite of what a good pub should be!) which resulted in the consensus that it was fairly depressing place to be on a Saturday afternoon.

Service was lukewarm at best with no smile or personality to speak of (which is expected when counter meals are $25).

A conspicuous shortage of pint sized glasses (yes they did have some) also seemed very strange for a pub.   (Mikesmash - March, 2010)

Overall 9 - Food 9, Ambience 8, Value 9, Service 10

White linen table napkins are a welcoming sight at a table, one is led to feel a little more effort will be given to the meal. Holgates carries this futher with great service and an outstanding hotel meal.   (Mike - November, 2008)

Overall 3.5 - Food 2, Ambience 4, Value 4, Service 4

Four of us went out on a Saturday night to celebrate a Birthday. It seemed quiet when we came in, yet somehow it was well over 1 hour before we received our main meals. I ordered calamari with pasta. The calamari was very tough and disappointing. A friend ordered the warm lamb greek salad and found the lamb tough although the salad was crisp. Another friend rated the stuffed chicken breast as delicious and teh final verdict on the pork fillet was OK but the servin gof pork was small. To add insult a table of 3 who ordered well after us, were served their main meal prior to us. We went through a bottle of wine just waiting for the meal and had to order more but they didnt have any of what we just drank. We were not tempted to order dessert as we didnt know the wait time. There were only 2 staff on and 1 was often serving in the bar. Have been here before and found teh service has been better. Wood floors are very noisy and when a large group is in, you find yourself speaking quite loud to be heard. Very disappointing evening.   (October, 2008)

Overall 9 - Food 9, Ambience 9, Value 9, Service 9

A great Hotel, have been back again and would definitely recommend it. My only feedback is, I believe that just one more Bar person would assist greatly with the efficiency bar at Peak times. Not to criticise the current staff, they're fabulous!   (Holgate's Brewhouse, Keatings Hotel - September, 2008)

Overall 7 - Food 8, Ambience 6, Value 7, Service 7

Had a good day.   (August, 2008)

Overall 8 - Food 9, Ambience 9, Value 9, Service 5

I know that it was a cold day but the open fire did not warm the room enough and would like to see some back up heating provided.   (Anne - July, 2008)

Overall 7.3 - Food 9, Ambience 6, Value 9, Service 5

We were placed in a room with a table of about 12 people who were having a good time and were very loud. That's great for them but being in such a small room it made it hard for ourselves and the other couple who were in the room to enjoy ourselves. The service was also quite slow, but the food was great.   (Lora - May, 2008)

Overall 8.3 - Food 8, Ambience 9, Value 8, Service 8

Only one barman during lunch service, but he managed several groups of diners all at once. Good food, good prices, good beer. Short wait for meals, but easily filled in time sampling Holgate beers on their tasting paddle. Barman was happy to talk to us about brewing process, explain the different beer styles and flavours in between serving customers. Would gladly recommend to others.   (mike donaldson - April, 2008)

Overall 8.5 - Food 9, Ambience 9, Value 9, Service 7

Great beer, great food. Good service when available.   (April, 2008)

Overall 6.8 - Food 7, Ambience 6, Value 7, Service 7

Nice meals at a reasonable price.   (February, 2008)

Overall 2.3 - Food 2, Ambience 2, Value 3, Service 2

was a wednesday lunch when i was dining in the "informal" dining room and the food was of a poor standard there were a few in the restaurant and it seemed to take an age to get the meals to anybody and the service was ok but could have been much better and the owner was nowhere to be seen even upon request very poor form ladies and gentlemen very poor form   (poor form - November, 2007)