Rhoobarb
Well-Known Member
My girlfirend and I happend to be in Bloomington for a model train show Sunday morning and wanted to go somewhere afterward for a beer or two and to catch the Bears game. We happened upon Illinois Brewing on North Center Street right downtown. I had never been myself, but I recalled hearing that this place had real problems when they first opened, from beers being good to so-so to downright awful. To be honest, I had forgetten about the place.
Well, they seem to have resolved whatever problems they have had. While it is not the best brewpub I've ever been to, it's still pretty decent and worth stopping in if you're in the area.
The place is in an older buliding - maybe a warehouse or old office building? High ceilings and a lot of windows looking out onto the intesection of Center and Front Streets. Pints are reasonable at $3 each! I had all five of the offerings they had on tap at the time: Uptown Amber, McGuire's Irish Red, a Kolsch, Stumblin’ Stout and Colonel Harrington IPA.
The Irish Red was a little off for the style, but still good. The Amber was a nice, middle of the road ale. The Stout and IPA were my favorites. Not much hop aroma from the IPA, but the taste was good. If you're a hop head, you'll be left wanting. But if you like more of a 'subtle IPA', you'll like this one. The stout is a nice, dry stout with just a bit of roasted flavor - very drinkable. They also had on tap Mojo IPA, Sierra Nevada Ruthless Weiss and had just run out of Schlafly Oktoberfest the night before.
They served free chili during the game, which was pretty good. My gf stuck with the IPA and ordered the $1.95 nachos - skip those if you go. They are nothing more than ballpark nachos with round mini-chips and cheese whiz. The pizza looked okay.
I'd pass on the food because - first and foremost, this is a bar. If you're looking for a 'brewpub' with gourmet food, lotsa 'character', wood paneling, ferns and copper tanks, you're in the wrong place. But if you want a beer, have a seat!
I hope this place continues to improve as time goes on. It seems to me they are on the right track. I'll go back whenever I'm in Bloomington next.
Well, they seem to have resolved whatever problems they have had. While it is not the best brewpub I've ever been to, it's still pretty decent and worth stopping in if you're in the area.
The place is in an older buliding - maybe a warehouse or old office building? High ceilings and a lot of windows looking out onto the intesection of Center and Front Streets. Pints are reasonable at $3 each! I had all five of the offerings they had on tap at the time: Uptown Amber, McGuire's Irish Red, a Kolsch, Stumblin’ Stout and Colonel Harrington IPA.
The Irish Red was a little off for the style, but still good. The Amber was a nice, middle of the road ale. The Stout and IPA were my favorites. Not much hop aroma from the IPA, but the taste was good. If you're a hop head, you'll be left wanting. But if you like more of a 'subtle IPA', you'll like this one. The stout is a nice, dry stout with just a bit of roasted flavor - very drinkable. They also had on tap Mojo IPA, Sierra Nevada Ruthless Weiss and had just run out of Schlafly Oktoberfest the night before.
They served free chili during the game, which was pretty good. My gf stuck with the IPA and ordered the $1.95 nachos - skip those if you go. They are nothing more than ballpark nachos with round mini-chips and cheese whiz. The pizza looked okay.
I'd pass on the food because - first and foremost, this is a bar. If you're looking for a 'brewpub' with gourmet food, lotsa 'character', wood paneling, ferns and copper tanks, you're in the wrong place. But if you want a beer, have a seat!
I hope this place continues to improve as time goes on. It seems to me they are on the right track. I'll go back whenever I'm in Bloomington next.