FIB War Room

[Beerlistman]

I believe the fried chicken is only available later in the day. I also agree that the bologna > burger.

 

[zieglemt]

Do you, though?

Between lunch (and waiting for said lunch) at Au Cheval and the Art Institute, that's your afternoon right there.

This is pretty true. I wouldn't just mosey on down if you are set on it. Be there when they open and you should be able to at least get a couple spots at the bar.

If you can do that, I wouldn't discourage you from going. If the wait is insane, put your name in and grab a beer or 2 at Cruz Blanca. If you haven't been called by the time you are done there (I think they often over-quote wait times at lunch) go to Small Cheval on the river 4 or 5 blocks east/on your way to the Art Institute.

 

[user 306237]

This is pretty true. I wouldn't just mosey on down if you are set on it. Be there when they open and you should be able to at least get a couple spots at the bar.

If you can do that, I wouldn't discourage you from going. If the wait is insane, put your name in and grab a beer or 2 at Cruz Blanca. If you haven't been called by the time you are done there (I think they often over-quote wait times at lunch) go to Small Cheval on the river 4 or 5 blocks east/on your way to the Art Institute.

And for what it's worth, that is a lovely way to spend an afternoon!

But I wouldn't expect to be able to go from O'Hare/Midway to Uptown to the West Loop to the Eastern edge of the Loop to whatever weird corner of Lincoln Park Off Color is in (and maybe Goose Island after) then back to Uptown then back to the West Loop and then to River North even if you rely on Uber more than CTA and still enjoy much of it.

 

[ThatJackOC]

(Link to media)


Able to go this year! Anybody know how quickly The Big North has sold out in past years? May not be in front of a comp. right when tickets go live.

 

[trickytunadicky]

Next Friday unfortunately, hopefully it lasts!

Thanks again to everyone for all of the feedback. I'll be with my wife and we are staying with some friends from college so it won't be a day dedicated just to beer. We are staying in Uptown. Current plan looks something like this:

Flight lands early Friday morning, drop our things in Uptown and slowly make our way down towards Au Cheval for lunch. (I know some places may be better, but gotta try the hype!) Grab some beers at Cruz Blanca either while waiting for a table or after lunch. After we're done, head over to the art institute in the afternoon, and then swing by Off Color (any maybe stop by Goose Island, my wife is a fan) afterwards.

May try to head back over towards The Loyalist for dinner or just do Hopleaf/something in Uptown/Ravenswood if time is tight, then we have a wedding welcome party at Fado in River North Friday night

Decent amount of traveling which we will be doing via the El and Uber but I think it's doable?

Might I recommend the Contemporary Art Museum instead? It’s cheaper and smaller so you won’t feel ripped off for how little time you have. And it’s in river north, so closer back toward where you will be headed.

 

[SAISON FUCK]

Might I recommend the Contemporary Art Museum instead? It’s cheaper and smaller so you won’t feel ripped off for how little time you have. And it’s in river north, so closer back toward where you will be headed.

But Water Lillies? Just kidding. **** Monet.

 

[thewimperoo]

(Link to media)


Able to go this year! Anybody know how quickly The Big North has sold out in past years? May not be in front of a comp. right when tickets go live.

It's taken days if not weeks to sell out in the past. Not sure it even sold out the first year.

 

[Alum]

Yeah, I pondered trying to get tickets the week of last year and they were still available.

I also believe this'll be my first go. Reaaaaaalllly wanted to go last year but just couldn't make it work.

 

[Lansman]

(Link to media)


Able to go this year! Anybody know how quickly The Big North has sold out in past years? May not be in front of a comp. right when tickets go live.

Definitely looks interesting so clicked the link for tickets...Which are $82(!) and include a 'food token'.

I understand that you need to pay for entertainment, security, the beer, etc, but this seems a bit steep at first glance. For those who have gone in the past, is it "worth it" at that price?

 

[JRBecks]

Im hoping to pop my publican cherry tomorrow night? Since its a last minute decision reservations are out of the question. my question is for the experienced publican goers, are reservations necessary for a Friday night like 6-630?

CC: vav

 

[ChaQuiseman]

Definitely looks interesting so clicked the link for tickets...Which are $82(!) and include a 'food token'.

I understand that you need to pay for entertainment, security, the beer, etc, but this seems a bit steep at first glance. For those who have gone in the past, is it "worth it" at that price?

I wasn't able to make it to last year's, but I went to the first year they held the fest in 2016 which was $65 per ticket. It's held at Balmoral, and from the instant you walk through the door they handed you a 16oz can. You had unlimited pours for the entire event, and I'm not talking typical 5oz fest-size pours. As if that wasn't enough, there were coolers pretty much everywhere that had 16oz cans that you could grab at any time.

The food was decent - I believe you received two or three tacos and maybe a potato salad side (or something to that effect). The music was alright, though none of the bands were necessarily my cup-of-tea. Finally, they also had axe throwing, which seems like a terrible idea with so many drunk people, but was actually really well done.

Overall, I thought it was one of the better beer events that I've been to (with Half Acre's "Throw" party in 2015 just slightly edging 2016 Big North out) and was well worth the $65. Even at $82 per ticket, I'll definitely be making it to this year's, assuming that I'm free on that day. Half Acre rarely disappoints.

 

[JRBecks]

Since its a last minute decision reservations are out of the question.

I stand corrected... got reservations for 615, will you be around vav ?

 

[zieglemt]

The music was alright, though none of the bands were necessarily my cup-of-tea.

I know Twin Peaks headlined in '16 and a little over a year later they were able to sell out a 3 night NYE run at Thalia @ (I think) $30/night. I think Ne-Hi was the headliner last year. While they haven't blown up as much, still a solid band.

So yeah, if you are into the emerging Chicago indie rock scene, there is some decent value in that $82 for the music.

 

[Scalzo]

Deths Tar white russians are a beautiful thing

 

[Farnsworth]

I think Ne-Hi was the headliner last year.

Ya, NE-HI were fantastic last year.



And all in all, I thought Big North was well worth the price. Might have been my favorite event of the past year. Not too crowded, lines were never an issue, food was great, and unlimited proper pours of beer that were not just their standards but included a lot of their Wylds, limited runs, and one offs.

 

[Scalzo]

Ya, NE-HI were fantastic last year.



And all in all, I thought Big North was well worth the price. Might have been my favorite event of the past year. Not too crowded, lines were never an issue, food was great, and unlimited proper pours of beer that were not just their standards but included a lot of their Wylds, limited runs, and one offs.

Ill be attending again, def was my favorite event of the year -beer wise they had Fader, White Noise, and a bunch of other crushable classics in additon to a bunch of their wylds and stronger beers. The music and events they had going on inside made a great atmosphere.

but I disagree, it was probably just a little too crowded imo tho. Trying to get pours at the bar inside was not a fun time - and snaking around the building was a bit cumbersome

 

[vav1]

I stand corrected... got reservations for 615, will you be around vav ?

I should be yep.

Deths Tar white russians are a beautiful thing

I want to go to there.

 

[PHBoiler]

Headed to Chicago next weekend (6/29-7/1) and looking for some recommendations. I'll be downtown in Chicago for a day/night then heading to stay in Naperville for the rest of the weekend as I'm attending a wedding in Elburn.

As far as breweries are concerned, I've been to Half Acre, Goose Island (Fulton), Dovetail, and Revolution in the past and for bars I've done Hopleaf and Clark St. Alehouse. Definitely open to going back to most of these places, but does anyone have any recommendations for other breweries or bars that are worth checking out? Thanks!

Go to Reams in Elburn. Newbies get a free bier stick. Look at the finest meats and cheeses in the land. You can get their ribeye in sandwich form at Eddie Gaedels a few blocks away. They also have solid beers. Corner Grind in Elburn has great breakfast and coffee. That’s your entire Elburn rundown.

 

[Scalzo]

I should be yep.



I want to go to there.

Rev had an event in Barrington and I accidentally showed up to it - they were showing The Big Lebowski - and they had 2016 Deths tar on tap, mixed into one of 5 different "Russian variants" - they also had Freedom of Speech which was insanely drinkable and delicious - bright and effervescent peach mixed perfectly with a bit of funk and biscuit character, I'm not big on sours but this was delicious. Reminded me a bit of New Glarus's berliner before they had issues

beeraficionado - Ryan did great work spreading the gospel - just wish the movie had started a bit earlier!

vav I'd imagine BCBS or other ba stouts working well too. I plan on making them @ home w whatever I got - but Deths Tar seemed to blend perfectly

Go to Reams in Elburn. Newbies get a free bier stick. Look at the finest meats and cheeses in the land. You can get their ribeye in sandwich form at Eddie Gaedels a few blocks away. They also have solid beers. Corner Grind in Elburn has great breakfast and coffee. That’s your entire Elburn rundown.

PQM >

 

[PHBoiler]

Rev had an event in Barrington and I accidentally showed up to it - they were showing The Big Lebowski - and they had 2016 Deths tar on tap, mixed into one of 5 different "Russian variants" - they also had Freedom of Speech which was insanely drinkable and delicious - bright and effervescent peach mixed perfectly with a bit of funk and biscuit character, I'm not big on sours but this was delicious. Reminded me a bit of New Glarus's berliner before they had issues

beeraficionado - Ryan did great work spreading the gospel - just wish the movie had started a bit earlier!

vav I'd imagine BCBS or other ba stouts working well too. I plan on making them @ home w whatever I got - but Deths Tar seemed to blend perfectly




PQM >

I’ve been to PQM on multiple occasions as well. I stand by my statement in both variety and quality. Price is obvious but that’s not exactly a fair comparison so I remove that from consideration.

 

[Scalzo]

There are numerous butchers and meat shops in Chicagoland and many of them are doing great things, I was mostly joking, as they offer different experiences - not inherently better or worse.

 

[trickytunadicky]

So I went to Cherry Circle Room last night. I have been hitting some spots around town with my friend who moved here around a year ago on nights we are both free, which lately has been Wednesdays, though next week we are planning to hit the Taco Bell Cantina on Wabash before Groundhog Day in the Park if the weather is good.

It was my first time ordering a cheese and crackers board for Market Price, some life alteringly good lobster bisque, and some good, but probably not great for the price considering how great everything else was, including the cocktails, duroc pork shoulder. No pics because the place goes into speakeasy mode for dinner and it's so dark you can barely see your way to your table. I don't hear the place get mentioned much, so I thought I would chime in with a short write up. They do have a short but decent beer list (at least one Off Color on the menu stood out, and I believe an Allagash as well), though their cocktails are the stars of the show, including a classic list, a vintage list and a build your own Manhattan with a choice between 3 bourbons and 3 vermouths. They also have a table side drink cart, but I was afraid of what that might entail, and figured I would order something boring from it, so I kept to the menu this visit. If I go back sometime for just soup and drinks, I may decide to go all in on the cart and plan ahead.

 

[pdurrrr]

Having my first Afterthought beer (Rafters) right now. Very impressive and helping me recover from the Bulls not taking Michael Porter Jr

 

[PHBoiler]

Having my first Afterthought beer (Rafters) right now. Very impressive and helping me recover from the Bulls not taking Michael Porter Jr

Opened a can of Haze after they passed on KBD for a dude from Boise. I’m totally with you on Porter too.

 

[ClCardinal84]

So I went to Cherry Circle Room last night. I have been hitting some spots around town with my friend who moved here around a year ago on nights we are both free, which lately has been Wednesdays, though next week we are planning to hit the Taco Bell Cantina on Wabash before Groundhog Day in the Park if the weather is good.

It was my first time ordering a cheese and crackers board for Market Price, some life alteringly good lobster bisque, and some good, but probably not great for the price considering how great everything else was, including the cocktails, duroc pork shoulder. No pics because the place goes into speakeasy mode for dinner and it's so dark you can barely see your way to your table. I don't hear the place get mentioned much, so I thought I would chime in with a short write up. They do have a short but decent beer list (at least one Off Color on the menu stood out, and I believe an Allagash as well), though their cocktails are the stars of the show, including a classic list, a vintage list and a build your own Manhattan with a choice between 3 bourbons and 3 vermouths. They also have a table side drink cart, but I was afraid of what that might entail, and figured I would order something boring from it, so I kept to the menu this visit. If I go back sometime for just soup and drinks, I may decide to go all in on the cart and plan ahead.

I freaking love CCR. Food, drink and atmosphere are always on point. Get the cart next time. It’s worth it. The presentation alone is worth the extra few bucks. I always take out of town guests there.

 

[furley]

Go to Reams in Elburn. Newbies get a free bier stick. Look at the finest meats and cheeses in the land. You can get their ribeye in sandwich form at Eddie Gaedels a few blocks away. They also have solid beers. Corner Grind in Elburn has great breakfast and coffee. That’s your entire Elburn rundown.

there's a restaurant named Eddie Gaedel's?

like the baseball gimmick........... little person?

 

[middlebrow]

there's a restaurant named Eddie Gaedel's?

like the baseball gimmick........... little person?

he's local aint he, maybe a family member? i know baseballs viewership is falling, maybe we need mike veeck to be the next commissioner. more stunts, less bunts

 

[capnmike]

Marksy any cans in the taproom....specifically, any that will last/be around tomorrow?

 

[furley]

more stunts, less bunts

 

[Dunt1]

Ghost Lemons....needs some time