I would rate JT's a solid 3.5 to 4 stars. It is the kind of brewpub that is more of a place for regulars and locals given it's location near Westgate Mall. I've been a Mug Club member here for the last four years, which is a decent program they have where you buy an annual membership and get your own 25 oz. mug behind the bar. Mondays & Thursdays are Mug Club days where the beer is cheap - $2.50 a mug. To top it off, various days throughout the year are \"Free Beer\" days, where the first mug is free. Not that I needed an excuse to drink on Tax Day, but it was nice. There is also Thursday night poker, which a number of my friends attend.\n\nThe food is generally good. I've worked my way through the menu over the years and I would say the sandwiches are the high point. I especially enjoy the roast beef BLT, the jerk chicken and the eggplant parmesan. I also enjoy the artichoke white 9\" pizza. The beer fries are decent depending on how soon you get them out of the fryer. I always joke about getting the scotch egg but I've only followed through once - it probably took a year off my life. The appetizers are good if you're looking for fried food to soak up the beer. The beer fries plate is almost impossible to finish. I really enjoy the beer pretzels - simple and delicious with spicy mustard, though I do rub off most of the salt. Service can be hit or miss. The bartenders can sometimes be distant and preoccupied with their friends, and I've had a couple of terrible experiences with certain waitstaff. On the whole service is quick and friendly, but it can be somewhat unpleasant on an off night.\n\nThe beer selection is usually decent, but you have to know what you like coming into the place. I would rank their Alt and Dark Alt as almost the best I've had in that particular subgenre. I also enjoy the Rebellion Rye, Triple Treat, APA and Biere de Garde. Some of the others are less impressive. I've never been a fan of their weisse varieties or their lighter beers (Goldenshine, Koln Kolsch, etc.). In comparing Madison brewpubs JT Whitney's isn't the best, but they're consistently good.
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