FIB War Room

[lb304854]

I live down the street from Wrigley and I'm personally gushing over the fact that a Big Star, Smoke Daddy, Boka Group Steakhouse and Matthias Merges cocktail bar are opening 0.3 miles from my front door. Maybe I'm in the minority though.

The permanent quality and convenience of your life is really cramping my 3-5 days a year nostalgia.

 

[ClCardinal84]

The permanent quality and convenience of your life is really cramping my 3-5 days a year nostalgia.

LOL. Still plenty of ****** bars down Clark for nostalgia and stepping over Friday afternoon puke puddles unless Red Ivy, Mullen's and Bar Louie were your huckleberry.

 

[lb304854]

Damn, haven't got a thetomG like in a minute.

 

[lb304854]

 

[trickytunadicky]

Well, never seeing Frank again.

 

[Gonzoillini1]

Was able to hit up 6 new (to me) breweries this week, and started off on Saturday afternoon in Evanston.

First stop of the weekend was at Temperance Brewing

Couple Might Meets Right variants, and pours of Gatecrasher and Escapist.

Lots of Might Meets Right variants still on draft, as well as a really interesting gin barrel aged saison with cucumbers.

Taproom was smaller than I expected, but sounds like a massive expansion will be on the very near horizon that will be bringing an event space, kitchen, stage and lots more in the space next to the taproom (the old antiques store).

Came away really impressed with the beer quality, staff and the space and would definitely be hitting up the place more often if it wasn't such a pain in the ass to get to from the Western burbs.

 

[Gonzoillini1]

Stop #2 of the weekend was at Sketchbook Brewing Company.

7bbl system producing a wide variety of styles (although I guess 4 of them are variations on IPA), and an ingenious double draft system so that any beer can have pints and growlers poured at the same time.

Really small taproom (probably can't hold more than 36 people or so), but didn't feel overly cramped when we went (I'm sure the Ramblers playing at the same time at a place without TV's helped).

Again I came away impressed by the beer quality (black rye saison was particularly impressive for a sub-style I don't normally enjoy in dark saisons), the folks working and hope that their upcoming contract brewed beer will maintain the same quality as their current system.

 

[Gonzoillini1]

Stop #3 of the afternoon, and the last new place on Saturday, was at the Peckish Pig.

Was going to check out Smylie Brothers Brewing instead, but lots of regulars / staff at both Temperance and Sketchbook recommended Peckish Pig as the place we should hit up for food / drinks instead.

Definitely a restaurant first that also produces above average beer that pairs well with the really good food. The Gin & Juice IPA was really good as was the Rye So Serious pale ale, but as it was the end of the evening that was all I was able to try this particular trip.

Came away impressed by all of the places we checked out, and it seems like the city wants to work with these places even with its own dry recent history.

 

[Gonzoillini1]

Sunday afternoon started with brunch at Duseks, and then we moved on to stop #4 of the weekend at Marz Community Brewing.

Started with the Yuice #3 (really good) and then had the Swiss Saphir (meh to worse, but wasn't familiar at all with Saphir or Styrian Wolf hops) and also tasted the Barrel Aged Super Pina Collider (really good) and the Peruvian Coffee Stout (good, but extremely intense coffee aroma and flavor that was verging on too much).

Brewing space looked really clean and "new" and as an equipment nerd I liked how it was an open view from the upstairs taproom.

Beer quality was generally good, and the misses where on the experimental side which is what I've come to expect with their beer. Space is really well designed, and the staff / kitchen was humming on a Sunday afternoon. A really great option that has been added to the area.

 

[Gonzoillini1]

Stop #5 was at Whiner Beer Co. which is located inside The Plant that houses a number of different businesses that all share a mutually beneficial relationship to each other / the environment.

Started off with a Fast Food which was a delicious and clean saison, and then moved on to Noodles which was a dry hopped brett saison collaboration with Hopewell. Also tried the Brigitte Bardot which was refreshingly light on acidity and not so aggressively fruited to leave little base beer showing through.

The space is visually stunning with really low key lighting and a great vibe that was pumping out Motown and 1960's classics on Sunday afternoon. Beer quality was great, and while it is very much focused on saison / mixed fermentation goodness, the kolsch and Belgian / American pale ale hybrid were available for those who aren't as into farmhouse styles as I am.

 

[Gonzoillini1]

6th and final stop of the weekend was at Great Central Brewing who is contract brewing for a number of folks around town (Maplewood, Begyle, Kinslagher among a number of others that were on draft).

Pretty simple layout with large communal tables, a 14ish person bar, a ping pong table and a back cozy area with a couch / lounge chair. The place was very loud as well and skewed much younger than the other stops we checked out earlier in the day.

Started off with the house Hefeweizen and Pilsner, and while neither was Dovetail quality, they were both solid if unspectacular. Also tried a couple of the beers they make for Maplewood and was pretty impressed with Charlatan and Fat Pug.

What the place lacked in ambiance it made up for as a great communal watching spot for the Duke / Kansas game. Not a place that I'm in any hurry to go back to, but certainly worth checking out if you are in the area (1 block away from Goose Island Fulton).

 

[vav1]

Gonzoillini i love your visit posts <3

 

[thewimperoo]

I really need to do that Evanston run. These are pretty much the next spots on my list except for replacing Great Central with Jolly Pumpkin.

 

[Gonzoillini1]

I really need to do that Evanston run. These are pretty much the next spots on my list except for replacing Great Central with Jolly Pumpkin.

The Evanston run was really impressive, and Temperance / Sketchbook / Peckish Pig are all within about a 5-10 minute radius. Wish we would've checked out Smylie Brothers as well, but there is always next time.

LT wanted to check out Great Central for professional reasons, but based on their backlog (and the stories we've heard from other folks who are in line to have stuff brewed by them) it doesn't seem they will be ready to take on new clients anytime soon.

 

[beeraficionado]

Any recommendations for restaurants in the West Loop to hit before the JT concert tomorrow that are not Pork-focused? Preferably a place where having no reservation on a Wednesday at 5-6pm is no problem. Thanks!

 

[Alum]

"Gonzo Goes / Tony Tries"

 

[Alum]

Any recommendations for restaurants in the West Loop to hit before the JT concert tomorrow that are not Pork-focused? Preferably a place where having no reservation on a Wednesday at 5-6pm is no problem. Thanks!

You've been to Cruz Blanca, yes?

Can't go wrong with that.

There is a Shake Shack and Do-Rite Donuts and Chicken on Morgan now too if you are just looking for quick service.

 

[Tooch4321]

Any recommendations for restaurants in the West Loop to hit before the JT concert tomorrow that are not Pork-focused? Preferably a place where having no reservation on a Wednesday at 5-6pm is no problem. Thanks!

Monteverde, Elske (sitting at the bar), Bad Hunter or The Loyalist...

 

[danbanana]

Elske..

FYI: The best prix fixe value I've found in the city. Not quite Alinea/Next level but wayyyy cheaper.

 

[Tooch4321]

FYI: The best prix fixe value I've found in the city. Not quite Alinea/Next level but wayyyy cheaper.

Yeah, but I prefer to order the entire a la carte menu instead it's almost around the same price as getting two tasting menus. Next has always been unimpressive for the cost, so was Smyth, I'll gladly spend my money at Oriole any time, all the time. Alinea has lost it's shine, but never was really my thing, EL Ideas would be a rip-off if I had actually paid for the meal, it was literally like 3 dozen bites...

 

[capnmike]

The Evanston run was really impressive, and Temperance / Sketchbook / Peckish Pig are all within about a 5-10 minute radius. Wish we would've checked out Smylie Brothers as well, but there is always next time.

LT wanted to check out Great Central for professional reasons, but based on their backlog (and the stories we've heard from other folks who are in line to have stuff brewed by them) it doesn't seem they will be ready to take on new clients anytime soon.

I like the food at Smylie, but I try their beers almost out of obligation when we go...they often have something like NvU on draft and I’m tempted.

 

[danbanana]

Next has always been unimpressive for the cost

I went in December when they were doing the "Best Restaurants" menu, which was fantastic. And my favorite thing might have been the Next-created dish. My general opinion on those places is that they're all excellent experiences that cost a ******* fortune. Which is why Elske was so impressive for the money. Need to get back there soon.

 

[trickytunadicky]

Any recommendations for restaurants in the West Loop to hit before the JT concert tomorrow that are not Pork-focused? Preferably a place where having no reservation on a Wednesday at 5-6pm is no problem. Thanks!

I usually don’t have a problem getting into Little Goat.

 

[Tooch4321]

I went in December when they were doing the "Best Restaurants" menu, which was fantastic. And my favorite thing might have been the Next-created dish. My general opinion on those places is that they're all excellent experiences that cost a ******* fortune. Which is why Elske was so impressive for the money. Need to get back there soon.

I totally agree, BoKA, Sepia and Entente are also one-star spots where you can drop some major coin or eat well without digging deep into your pockets. I wound up grabbing a 20-pc McNugget after The Smyth, I shouldn't be hungry after dropping over $500 on a dinner. beeraficionado skip the West Loop hit Boeufhaus on Western and take a $5 Lyft to the UC instead...

 

[vav1]

Any recommendations for restaurants in the West Loop to hit before the JT concert tomorrow that are not Pork-focused? Preferably a place where having no reservation on a Wednesday at 5-6pm is no problem. Thanks!

Gee if only we had sections labeld Fish and Vegetables and someone could easily get you a table

Go to Elske though. It's awesome.

 

[danbanana]

Sepia

See, my one experience there was completely lack-luster and not worth the money spent (even if it wasn't a crazy amount). But "YMMV" as the kidz these days say...

 

[ClCardinal84]

I totally agree, BoKA, Sepia and Entente are also one-star spots where you can drop some major coin or eat well without digging deep into your pockets. I wound up grabbing a 20-pc McNugget after The Smyth, I shouldn't be hungry after dropping over $500 on a dinner. beeraficionado skip the West Loop hit Boeufhaus on Western and take a $5 Lyft to the UC instead...

I greatly enjoyed Bellemore in December. Stunning space and the duck 3-ways was amazing.

 

[beeraficionado]

Gee if only we had sections labeld Fish and Vegetables and someone could easily get you a table

Go to Elske though. It's awesome.

I'm an Anker guy. Those Vranac wines from Bosnia get me feeling some kind of way:

 

[Unbreakabolt]

beeraficionado skip the West Loop hit Boeufhaus on Western and take a $5 Lyft to the UC instead...

Bouefhaus lunch is the best deal in the city. $15 for any sandwich chips and a beer. The cheesesteak is incredible.

 

[TheJB]

Bouefhaus lunch is the best deal in the city. $15 for any sandwich chips and a beer. The cheesesteak is incredible.

This is 100% accurate, the cheesesteak is the best but honestly any of their sandwiches are amazing.