Chicago

So Otto and the little’un visit the windy city and visit a few of there brewpubs and bars, here for you delight and delectation is what we found. But first you need to get a weekly CTA transport ticket each $23 (£2 a day for all bus, tram, & metro) sorted. It makes life a lot less complicated. Note I have done a bit of a potted history of the city at the bottom after the “G” Map.

So just to get in the swing of things lets check out a couple of beer bars first. Kasey's is located on Printer's Row near the old Dearborne Station. It is a stereotypical Chicago bar, which is to say it is narrow and deep, with high (tin) ceilings, and lots of old, well-worn woodwork. There was a good selection of classic rock playing...loud enough to enjoy but quiet enough to hold conversations with others. There were also 8 flat screen televisions showing sports but they didn't dominate the place. 

The beer selection was pretty impressive. I counted 18 taps which included the ever present Guinness and Smithwick's, but the rest were all "craft" or super quality beer.  So I opted for a New Holland Breweries, Dragons Milk Stout and Margaret had Two Brothers, Cane & Ebel. Now there are no ABV's on the menu! but we know mine is strong as you can tell back the burn taste and the small chalice glass, so I order another to have in-between so get Green Flash IPA, (we later find out the beers were 10%, 7% & 7% respectively) Time for food as they are really hitting the spot, after 3 beer free days! also we had not really eaten since breakfast.

So off to Hackney's just a short walk away at the end of the block, on the way we pass a wine shop called Printers Row Wine shop, not on our list but looked interesting? But food called us so we carry on to enter another packed bar, with a small queue of 3-4 groups for tables, the maitre-d asked us if we wanted to sit on a tall table in the bar area for 2, that was vacant, (dogh) obviously that was a yes, result. So we skipped the line and had beers and food ASAP.  Hackney's is the quintessential neighborhood bar, and from the looks of it, Hackney's has been around for longer than the craft beer scene has actually 1939 this open venue is the newest they only have 6. It is divided into two rooms, one the "bar" area and the other seating. It's has a lived-in, cozy feel to it. I liked it. I felt welcome. All was good.  I had a burger and Margaret had tuna melt all with fries and salad we split them and had surf and turf, very filling.  I think there were about 20 taps. Everything is listed on the handwritten chalkboard. There was a nice blend of European beers (mainly German), craft  from Left Hand, Stone Levitation, and lots of locals The closest they had to macro were Stella and Guinness.  also a small but awesome bottle list, and at $5.45 for an 18oz pour, I thought prices were very reasonable.

So we nip into the off license we has spotted, that is in-between the two pubs, not to be disappointed over 100+ different beer from Brewdog & Sam Smiths to Mikeller and some rear Belgian beers plus sort after and hard to find US Craft beers, what a place this is.

Next we decided to visit the Rock Bottom Brew Pub (we missed Seattle as did not think was worth it!) This a completely different experience form the Portland OR "RB" and is a whole lot better. As you enter you are in a large dining area, but carry on walking and you enter the bar area that is "L" shaped and has seating in from and to the rear that is boothed and table and chairs. So we sit at the bar and rap with the bar man who is at university here and comes from Portland so we chat about beer etc... then get a taster tray with a few special ones added for free, excellent. We also chat to a girl at the bar who works in Hard Rock Cafe, while she is at Uni. We then meet Jim the assistant brew dude and chat for a while until he has to get back to work, later we meet Chris the main brewer the brewery is behind the bar and the main reception area set behind glass, the beers are a whole lot better than the Portland RB (that I thought was very corporate) here they have more of a free range and even barrel age there beers we sampled the latest an 11% stout from Bourbon barrels mmmm (not for the faint hearted).

Also in the same area is Public House, 400 N. State St. we had walked passed this on our way to the House of Blues and Rock Bottom, and were intrigued by the large tap handle with a Smiley face as the pub sign, The place is huge with a “cheers” like bar in one room and a large bar all along the back wall in the other main dining room, they even have a few tables with fonts at the tables (seems an easy way to print money?) Any way they had 25 on draught from US micros, Belgian Classic’s to the standard macros and a bottle list of over 75+ with some quite interesting beers on offer. I went for an IPA @ 7.5% from Lagunitas, called Sumpin Sumpin Ale, mmmmm (the bar maid was having trouble pouring it and had poured at least 3 pints down the sink! Then brought it to me with a huge head so instead of 16oz I was probable only getting 10oz at best, so straight back to be filled to the top) Margaret had Summit Extra Pale Ale @ 5.3% then we decided to have a couple of bottles from the renowned Three Floyds Brewery, from Indiana, We had Pride and Joy @ 5% a lovely pale ale very fruity, then Gumball Head @ 5.5% a fruity/citrus wheat beer and most bodacious, finally we had Robert the Bruce @ 7% a Scottish Style brown ale again most excellent.

So before we get into the real deal with the beers why not grab something to eat we had been told ‘you need to go to Lou Mitchell's for breakfast it rocks?’ Located at the beginning of Route 66 at 565 W. Jackson Boulevard, Lou Mitchell’s has been host to many. Everyone from U.S. Presidents, Mayors, Governors, Senators, Representatives, athletes, coaches, authors, judges, lawyers, clergy, and stars of the stage and screen. It’s a time-honored whistle stop on the campaign trails of many elected officials. Additionally, the restaurant’s patrons have served many members of the media as a solid source on how Chicagoans really think and feel about a variety of issues.  Uncle Lou’s father started the family business in 1923, and then entered his son, Lou Mitchell.

The fun part of Lou Mitchell’s magic formula was added one day in 1958. Since that day, millions of donut holes to all and boxes of milk duds to the ladies and children have been given out. The news spread and patrons flocked from all around the world: England, France, Germany, Italy...
Today Lou Mitchell’s is not only a Chicago institution, but also recognized nationally and internationally with endless accolades. Among the list are USA Today, American Way, newspapers, magazines, food critics, television. “It’s a must see place.” So the dead was done and we were well and truly stuffed you are met with donut holes and coffee, then you get a bowl with fresh prunes and a quarter orange, mmmm.

The place was constantly packed and people coming and going but you are not rushed in any way, plus you get a mini pack of Milk Duds and ice cream to finish off with, total decadence. We both well and truly recommend this place if you come to Chicago.

Now its beer time again;  "Hamburger Mary's Rec Room" 5400 N Clark Street, Which is quite near the Metropolitan brewery but they only do open to the public on a Tuesday evening and a Sat afternoon and you need to book first). This is a typical "sports" bar, lots of TV’s and bar stool seating.  Brick lined walls and cheerful decor.   The rec room housed a micro brewery and has 5 of the house brews on tap, 4 in bottles plus several other taps from local and national breweries.  Whilst we were there, the Chicago Bulls basketball team were the main TV attraction and the place was lively and noisy. The Bulls eventually came back from 10 points behind to win by 5 points and the place was in uproar.

So onwards and upwards, we get the Blue Line Metro to Piece Pizzeria and Brewery, 1927 West North Avenue. A great place to chill have a pizza and sink a couple of cold ones. We sat at the front of the bar, and were server by the delightful Sadie,  (one of the best waitresses we have come across in the last 3 weeks) who was very helpful and hard working. She even told us the way to the Map Room which was our next port of call and how to get to Revolution Brewery after that, sorted. So we had a sample of all the beers on offer $1 for a 3oz glass. A small pizza each and a pint of our favorite beers. The beers start around 4.5% abv for the Alt and go up to 9.5 for the IPA, the beers with names like; Golden Arm; Wack Job and Bell End Bitter! Is there a theme here or is it just me? The atmosphere was great plenty people just chilling with a beer, there was a good vibe. Around 15 flat screen TV's all with sport on. (no sound) The brewery is to one side and looks quite a good kit, it should be for the amount of Gold Medals they have won at the GABF and World Beer Fest. Overall this was far and away one my favorite places. If your looking to have a few beers and pizza look no further. If your looking for a place to sit down and have a quiet meal, or a place to chat with beer geeks though maybe not the right place.

As we are in the area we take a short walk to the Map Room 1949 N. Hoyne.  After a couple of wrong turns we arrive there a little later.  A corner bar that is cash only and no wonder, the prices are the cheapest we have come across, and its like an English pub, as you go to the bar for your beer, (I had almost forgot what that was like) There are 26+ draught beers and a bottle list of over 200 beers with a big leaning towards the Belgian classics and some rare and sought after beers from USA and rest of the world, awesome.  The place itself is one long room with bar seating and tall table and chairs along the back wall and some small table's for 4 at the rear, were people are chilling playing, pub games, Ie dominos.  The walls are adorned with (yes you guessed it) maps they are even painted on the rear wall. Also Belgian and British beer signs are scattered across the wall, they have a La Chouffe gnome  along with a Wychwood Hobgoblin behind the bar. We had a couple of beers each, my choices were from the dark side Arcadia Starboard Stout and New Belgian, 1554 Enlightened Dark Ale, Margaret's choices  were a saison beer form Jolly Pumpkin and then a trip to Austria for a Stiegl Pils which came in the branded glass and was very strange like a vase! Note this is another of the top 20 must visit bars as voted on Beer Advocates site, and it is well deserved a top beer experience.

Time for another brew pub now Revolution 2323 N. Milwaukee Ave.,. We hopped on the Blue Line to California, and walked a half block to the bar. Revolution is located in a cool urban setting with lots of wood finishes, an "O" shaped bar and a good amount of tables. This is a great space, a cool building, has a great atmosphere, with an open kitchen area, high ceilings, huge bar, good music (per my taste).  We had a quick sampler tray, NOTE - 11 x 5oz glasses and a 10% one to finish with. Then a pint Eugene (a really nice porter) and a tasty Anti-Hero IPA. The beer was very good. There was a nice collection of guest taps as well, and a bottle list of over 100 US micro beers with a few European ones as well, but we were not there for that. We sat at a table near the brew kit, as it was very busy, no room at the bar, so we had a pulled pork sandwich and fries, between us and it was very nice. As we were chatting Morgan the manager came over and took us into the brewery for a quick low down on the brewery a 15 barrel plant, and photo shoot.  We would definitely return again next time we are in the windy city.

So off to the long awaited visit to Goose Island, 1800 North Clybourn Avenue,. So we get off the metro and walk to the Brew pub and actually walk passed it as it is set in a modern retail complex. The building is great and the bar is great but there is no atmosphere, (I know it is lunch time and not really busy but we have been the only people in some bars at lunch time and they rocked) Also the beer was not that great, we have a couple of pints the Pills being the best! and a Pulled pork sandwich and fries between us, then a sampler tray that was OK. (I think we were expecting more) They were still brewing on the kit and there were some great guest beers on tap as well, but I think we have had so many great beers recently and GI are getting a bit like a super macro now, (In-Bev/Bush have just bought them out) We should of been here years ago when they were great, still Honkers and the IPA still rock, but that’s as far as it goes.  On the plus side they did have 4 cask ales on offer.

So we try another beer bar next "Local Options" 1102 W. Webster Ave. So back to the tram and a short walk late we are ensconced at the bar. This is a must-see destinations on a trip out to Chicago The bar is unassuming, near one of the college campuses. The bar (and website) is very simple, with heavy metal-esque tattoo style art. Otherwise the walls are all black. One small bar on the side, a few tables in front, and some benches/bar stools on the side opposite the bar. No frills, very small. Someone not in the know (or keen on my level of beer geekdom) might even call the place a dive bar ?  As soon as you walk in on the left wall there is a gigantic chalkboard with all of the draft beer options written on it. As soon as we sat down and got to study the list I was literally giddy with excitement - it was possibly the best list of craft beer I have ever seen?  some of the best choices included: 2 from Mikkeller, De Dolle and De Molen offerings, Jolly Pumpkin, Lost Abbey, Stone, its just goes on and on 25 taps in total, and all "Big Beers" nothing under 6% abv Lots of dark beers as well. So glad we went here we both had a couple of beers and chilled at the bar.

So onwards and upwards to the Moonshine Brew Pub, 1824 W Division St, Score! We hit it on a Monday and all the house brews were only $3 a pint YES so no samples here also on a Monday they do Burgers and fries in a basket for $4 and they looked so scummy.  But we were not there to eat, on with the beers,  a good mix of ABV's nothing to taxing ranging from 3.9% (!) to 6.8% It is quite a good place one main room with a bar at one end, plus another bar to the right in a raise area and some nice comfy seating. We thought the Able Danger IPA and Chronic - a Cascadian Dark Ale were the best. They also have 15 guest taps and a small bottle selection.  Well worth a visit especially on a Monday.

One of our final brew pubs we visited was also one of the best, Haymarkett Brewery and Pub, we got off at the wrong stop so after a shortish walk (luckily the rain had stopped) we arrive at the bar around 11.45am. The place is empty but has a good vibe.   The beer selection is surprisingly extensive with a great selection of well chosen US micro brews, including their own tasty examples of a great variety of styles --- blonde ale, pale ale, saison, IPA, IIPA, Belgian IPA, dubbel, tripel, etc. You can choose a 4, 12, 16, or 20 oz serving for most beers. We sit at the bar and get a 4oz sample of all the ten beers on offer and there are some big beers in this place as it leans towards the Big IPA's and the Belgian Style, I thought  "this would make a great neighborhood bar."  Nothing flashy about this joint, just good food and a good place to have a beer.  Great atmosphere. I liked the look and position of the main bar when you walk in. The steel fermentation bins filled with beer get the mouth watering and the wide array of TV's mean "non-stop" viewing action, especially for sporting events. Comfortable booth seating is available, but the high wooden chairs and tables do the trick. I also like the beer taps. They are made out of what appears to be hand made carved blocks of wood; its unique and cool.

There is a back room called the Drinking and Writing Theatre, check out the link; http://www.drinkingandwriting.com/

So just across the street is the Bad Apple, 4300 N. Lincoln, this is such a cool place. we both rank it in the top 3 bars in Chicago, a definite must do. As you enter the bar is in front of you with seating along the other wall, there is a smaller room to the rear with table and chairs for families and can be sectioned off by a curtain. Also there is another room at the back of the bar with a pin ball table, old Pac-Man table and a shuffle board, also more seating. The walls are adorned with art work "skulls and iron" quite reasonably prices at around $2,200 a pop! But they are awesome. The beer list is approx 35 on tap and a massive bottle list of over 150+ which includes Belgian classics and US micros. All at very competitive prices even the draught is some of the cheapest we have encountered. The menu is basically Starters, Sandwiches and Burgers, there were a lot of people coming in for meals and take out, so we went for a Burger with cheese cooked medium, served with fries and a PB&J (home made peanut butter and Lindeman’s Framboise jam)also with fries and spit them both, they were very good. I had a 3 beers from the dark side and "M" had a couple of IPA's.

So then we head further out of town to a German bar, Resis Bierstube, 2034 W. Irving Park Rd. (Actually owned and run by a German Couple). The bar is Old-fashioned German decor and 70's diner (seats, tables) also a small but authentic bier garden to the rear (it was raining again so we did not venture out). There are 10 taps, serving BBK Kutscher Alt, BBK Gold Export, Bitburger, Julius Echter weisse, Hacker Pschorr lager, Konig pilsner, Kostritzer schwarzbier, Spaten Optimator. The food is authentic Bavarian we ahve a large pretzel with cheese and mustard, mmmm A very good stop for German beer and food if you are in the area.

Just over the road is Laschet’s Inn, 2119 West Irving Park Road. The 'Inn' isn't much to look at from the outside, a small yellow sign hovering above the entry. Inside, however, is another story: peppy German tunes, servers bustling about, old-timers in large booths and youngsters hoisting steins at the bar. It's all kind of a blur of happy liveliness - or as the Germans would say 'Gemütlichkeit'. They keep about 10 beers on-tap, several varieties. The three or four light lager seem to be the favorites of the old school German neighborhood folk. The other taps pour a variety of styles. On my last visit, Hefeweizen, Kolsh, Alt, Schartzbier, Berliner Weiss, and a few more that I don't recall. The bartenders are well informed and well spoken on all German styles. And the styles will move with the season. Supposed to be the best German food in the city?

So the little'un ("M") and my self home that this will be of some use to you if you visit Chicago and fancy a pint of the good stuff. There is a bit of a potter history below, cheers Otto.

Chicago a bit of history.

Chicago was founded in 1833, near a portage between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River watershed. Today, the city retains its status as a major hub for industry, telecommunications and infrastructure, with O'Hare International Airport being the second busiest airport, in terms of traffic movements, in the world.

The city is a center for business and finance and is listed as one of the world's top ten Global Financial Centers. The World Cities Study Group at Loughborough University rated Chicago as an "alpha world city".Chicago has been ranked by Forbes as the world's 5th most economically powerful city. Chicago is a stronghold of the Democratic Party and has been home to many influential politicians, including the current President of the United States, Barack Obama.
The city's notoriety expressed in popular culture is found in novels, plays, movies, songs, various types of journals (e.g., sports, entertainment, business, trade, and academic), and the news media. Chicago has numerous nicknames, which reflect the impressions and opinions about historical and contemporary Chicago. The best known include: "Chi-town," "Windy City," "Second City," and the "City of Big Shoulders." Chicago has also been called "the most American of big cities.

Chicago is the home of many professional sports teams and one of four U.S. cities to have teams from the five major American professional team sports (baseball, football, basketball, hockey, soccer).
The city was the official United States nominee for the 2016 Summer Olympics. Its rivals were Madrid, Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro, with the International Olympic Committee selecting Rio de Janeiro as the 2016 Olympics site in October, 2009. Chicago also hosted the 1959 Pan American Games. Chicago has been named as the Best Sports City by Sporting News three times in 1993, 2006, and 2010.

 USA

HOME

BACK TO TOP