According to the bartender, Friendly Beasts has been in operation for approximately 7 years. I can only blame my focus on the beer scene for my missing Friendly Beasts. I like cider but sometimes go awry due to too sweet versions. Not the case at Friendly Beasts! I tried a flight of all 5 on tap and would've been ok with a glass of any one of them. I opted for the Cinna-Sloth to bring the fall feeling despite the hot weather. My friend and I arrived minutes before open but weren't alone for long. The place is super casual, small inside with a short bar and some tables and a nice patio next to the B-trail. I will definitely return to Friendly Beasts and look forward to seeing their winter ciders. read more

Friendly Beasts Cider - Friendly Flight! - Cideries Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

Wish I'd discovered this place sooner! Bartender was super kind and we came right at 5, so we were the only ones there. It was fun to try the different ciders and I would say we like most of them! I especially liked the one with earl grey tea from tea&kettle. Love a place that supports other locally owned businesses! read more

Friendly Beasts Cider - Cideries Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

Absolutely loved this cider bar. The bartender was very friendly and knowledgeable about all of the drinks. We split a flight (great deal!) and then decided to order more small pours so we could try the ones we missed. Casual ambience, dog friendly, nice patio overlooking the B Line. read more

Excellent cider and friendly staff. Very talented artist that draws the menu board! I make it a point to visit there anytime I'm in B town visiting my daughter. The cider is delicious! read more

Friendly Beasts Cider - Cider tasting - Cideries Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

If you are looking for a place to try your first cider, look no farther than Friendly Beasts! This is my fifth place I've tried and it's the first time that I have liked all five varieties. There were some sweet ciders, some dry ciders, and one somewhere in the middle that has some hops. If you are in your car, finding the place is a little tricky because it faces the B-line trail. You have to pull into the parking lot on the east side of the building from 2nd St, drive around the building, and then park on the west side. Trust me, it's worth it! During my visit, the garage door was open which greatly expands the "dining" area out onto a patio. Several folks were enjoying the sunny weather and watching folks go by on the trail. I was inside with the folks who were playing table games while sipping their pours or flights. I sat at the counter and was able to chat with one of the owners. She said that her husband and she started out making batches of cider at home and made the jump to start their own business in late 2017. They like to keep up with the latest trends in cider so they've paired with a local tea supplier and have offered tea ciders. I missed the Earl Grey pairing, but I really enjoyed my French Raspberry blend. If you've only had non-alcoholic cider before, then I encourage trying the Starling (6.5%). It is the closest thing I've tried to the flavor I would expect as a newbie. Consider it your gateway cider! The Buzzed Boomer was also popular because it has a hoppy blended flavor that would appeal to IPA drinkers. The dry ciders had just a hint of sour but was blended with just enough sweetness to temper it from being too much. Great cider, friendly staff and environment, enjoyable location. All this awaits your visit! Review #2686 read more

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For the most part I have nothing but positive things to say about Friendly Beasts; but after coming in for an extremely limited, possibly once-in-a-lifetime can of cider to take home and share, only to have it opened by the bartender at the last possible second after I'd bought it, I was rather disappointed. I'd made it clear that I didn't want it in a glass, but c'est la vie. Otherwise, the cider is very tasty and the location is fun, especially if they have live music. read more

What a hidden gem in Bloomington. Fatima was a delight to visit with. The ciders they brew are all delicious. I love that they tend toward the drier side. The cherry barrel aged was a good semi. Loved the Porcupine- so much so that I enjoyed it at the Tap with my meal. I hope they can expand and start to distribute in bottles or cans. The growler never would've made it home! We will be back to try the cinnamon cider this fall or winter! read more

Friendly Beasts Cider - three glasses of cid on a wooden tray - Cideries Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

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Friendly Beasts is a lovely new cidery, right off the B-Line trail. They're in the Artisan Alley building, and maybe a little bit hard to find -- but just walk around to the side of the building facing the trail, and look for the murals. When it's warm enough, they have outdoor seating, otherwise enter through the bright blue door. They have a good variety of ciders, and I'd recommend starting off with a flight. When I was there, they had ciders ranging from *very* sweet to dry and a little funky (my preference!). I particularly enjoyed the Whale's BowTie and the hopped one (I forgot it's name!), but it's worth trying them all. They also offer hot mulled cider as a special, sometimes, which could be a lovely treat if you're chilly from walking/running/cycling on the trail. read more

Friendly Beasts Cider - Logo - Cideries Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

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Great cider! This is a cozy location just off the B-Line. We went for the Cup & Kettle tea + coder collaboration and were really pleased with the unique flavors. Grab a pint or a flight and catch up with friends or simply read a book; there were plenty of folks doing both. Small outdoor seating area, couches, and a few small tables make for a relaxing and intimate environment. This would be a fun date spot! They have a regular lineup and constantly try out new flavors. Bullets and growlers available for carry out. And this has nothing to do with the cider, but their logo is awesome! read more

Friendly Beasts Cider - Flight - Cideries Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

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This is an aspirational four stars. I think it has a lot of promise and is a great addition to the Bloomington scene. We arrived with a few hiccups. There had been a yoga event before we arrived (it was shortly after they opened) and it took a few minutes to bring furniture back into the space. The lighting was very dark--like we couldn't see the menu because the only light was coming in from a high window. Hubs did not receive the cider he had ordered, but we didn't realize it until later. I think there's room for improvement in the ambiance. The furniture was quite rickety and random in a "we found these on the curb" kind of way. Other than that, I love cider and enjoyed the five different ones I tried. Price was reasonable. The taco truck was outside and people were able to order food and eat it inside. I love that they had people in the space before it opened--it seems like a great idea to open the space for other things in order to build community. I'm looking forward to watching what Friendly Beasts does next. read more

Friendly beast is a really neat hidden gem that the locals seem flock to. They are right off the b-line and run by a really nice local couple. They produce and sell their cider creations in a fun cozy establishment that feels like your in a friend's house. They have indoor /outdoor seating, seating at their bar top and a seating area reminiscent of a family room. They also have an array of card and board games to relax and unwind with friends. They have 8 ciders on tap and since they are the cider creators they play with spices and flavors for different times of the year, seasons and for new amazing discoveries. There is usually a new flavor to try when we stop in. Although they don't serve food, they do offer an addicting snack mix to munch on! If like me, you LIKE cider, you definitely want to check them out. If you have never tried a cider, this is the place to do so. With their flight option you can get a sampling of 5 different flavors to try and if you prefer beer, they even have hoppy ciders for you! Not only can you drive there, but it's convenient to bike to as well. A great meet up for a fun night out where you can unwind and not feel rushed. It's not your tipical "bar" where you can't hear the person next to you. The ambiance is casual and the noise level average, so you can easily catch up with friends or just battle them in some fun nostalgic games. If you're like me you will always opt for a flight, it's always fun to get to have multiple flavors and find new favorites! read more

I finally got to check this place out, and it was everything I hoped it would be. Super friendly owners, excellent ciders, good location, and fabulous prices! I started with a flight, so I could try all their ciders, and then I got a glass of the Hoppy Flamingo. I can't wait to go back! And, bonus, if you buy a t-shirt on Thursday, you get a free drink! Cheers to that! read more

Friendly Beasts Cider - Hoppy Flamango - Cideries Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

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What a lovely new place to chill with friends! The cider is delicious, the owners are so nice, and the ambience is great!