Chipotle Testing Craft Beer in Chicago

Discussion in 'Beer News' started by BreakingBad, Nov 5, 2012.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. cbeer88

    cbeer88 Initiate (0) Sep 5, 2007 Massachusetts

    Definitely not a new thing...

    Interesting follow-up question though - does anyone actually like drinking beer at a fast food joint?

    I figure if I have time for a beer, I have time for a more relaxing sit down restaurant/bar. Nothing against Chipotle's tasty burritos, but if I'm at a place like Chipotle, I'm typically there to grab some quick food and get out - not to relax over beers in uncomfortable industrial seating and decor.
     
  2. claaark13

    claaark13 Maven (1,412) Nov 29, 2007 Indiana
    Trader

    I have no intentions of ordering beer with my Burrito Bowl.
     
  3. otispdriftwood

    otispdriftwood Initiate (0) Dec 9, 2011 Colorado

    Looks like the beers they will try in the Chicago test are nothing but Corona and Negra Modelo clones.
     
  4. Ispeakforthetrees

    Ispeakforthetrees Initiate (0) Apr 2, 2012 Colorado

    Every chipolte I've been to in Colorado either has had offerings from the following breweries
    • New Belgium in majority of CO locations, nearly guaranteed a Fat Tire & Seasonal release
    • Bristol in the Springs
    • O'dells in Fort Collins and Greeley
    • I've seen Boulder Beer only once...oddly enough at the 16th street mall location
     
  5. ShogoKawada

    ShogoKawada Initiate (0) May 31, 2009 Pennsylvania

    chipotle's chips are the saltiest things in the world. I'm not entirely unconvinced they're nothing more than pressed rock salt.

    that being said, there is harpoon, magic hat, and 'gansett at the ones near me.
     
    CORKSCREWFISH likes this.
  6. chuckycheese

    chuckycheese Initiate (0) Feb 18, 2010 Maine

    incorrect, BA who doesn't get his limited release is saltiest thing in world.
     
  7. ClubberLang

    ClubberLang Crusader (422) Jun 1, 2007 Illinois

    The only way they're even remotely comparable is that 5 Rabbit is golden/yellow color and 5 Vulture is dark.
     
  8. Beerandraiderfan

    Beerandraiderfan Initiate (0) Apr 14, 2009 Nevada

    Yes. They've carried SNPA at every Chipotle I've been to.

    SNPA + Barbacoa burrito + Green Tabasco = better than most 'slow food/small plate/artisan tacos/food truck' trends I've reluctantly thrown $$ at in the big cities.
     
  9. otispdriftwood

    otispdriftwood Initiate (0) Dec 9, 2011 Colorado

    I got my opinion from the article:

    The brews to make the cut are the company’s 5 Rabbit, a golden ale described as simple and somewhat similar to Corona, and 5 Vulture, a dark ale with chiles and spices that’s been compared to Negra Modelo.

    Check your in box for a message from me.
     
  10. ShogoKawada

    ShogoKawada Initiate (0) May 31, 2009 Pennsylvania

    Chipotle is the subway of mexican food, too. It's really not that good. really.
     
  11. leedorham

    leedorham Initiate (0) Apr 27, 2006 Washington

    We have 3 or 4 different "Mexican grill" style chains around here. We just got a Chipotle here and everyone was all excited about it. Turns out they are by far the worst. No selection, flavorless ingredients. I'll take Costa Vida, Qdoba, or better yet a Taco Truck over Chipotle every time even if Chipotle starts serving Westy 12.
     
    ShogoKawada likes this.
  12. Ispeakforthetrees

    Ispeakforthetrees Initiate (0) Apr 2, 2012 Colorado

    Qdoba is disgusting, at least in CO.
    Their meat isn't even cooked to order when they run out. The prep for the entire day and only cook once they run out.
    I will say CO Chipolte is way better than other locations across the country, not sure why.
     
    Beerandraiderfan likes this.
  13. Mbennett

    Mbennett Initiate (0) Jun 16, 2011 New York


    This guy is clearly smarter than the owners of a multi-million dollar food corporation. He should be a board member.
     
  14. Retsinis

    Retsinis Maven (1,486) Sep 25, 2009 Arizona

    There is a Chipotle on my block. They just have Coronoa, Modelo, Bohemia. Hope that changes. I have seen some other chains, namely Rubio's offer Stone, which is something.
     
  15. queens1130

    queens1130 Initiate (0) Nov 21, 2008 California

    Let's be real, Chipotle isn't over the moon awesome mexi food. If I wanted real mexican food I'd go down the street from my work when the little old lady is hand making corn tortillas for my lunch tacos. It is however a big step up above Budweiser & while not authentic is delicious for what it is.
     
    mrcraft and Beerandraiderfan like this.
  16. coreyfmcdonald

    coreyfmcdonald Initiate (0) Nov 13, 2008 Georgia

    While I thank you for your support, I want to point out that I did not claim this to be a poor business decision. I simply said that I do not think this will lead to much incremental sales and, as an avid craft beer drinker and Chipotle consumer, I will likely never purchase craft beer at Chipotle. I am confident that the Chipotle executives have many more financial figures with which they can make their decision than I do.
     
  17. TheNoodleIncident

    TheNoodleIncident Initiate (0) Apr 30, 2012 New York

    Let me translate into the version he was too nice to say: "don't be a dick"
     
  18. AgentZero

    AgentZero Initiate (0) Jul 19, 2009 Illinois

    I went to the Chipotle Cultivate Festival a couple of months ago, and they had a craft beer tent their featuring probably in the neighborhood of 20 craft breweries. Some of them included were FFF, Founders, GI, Revolution, Half Acre, and a long list of others I don't remember. I was pleasantly surprised to see they had craft on the mind, so it's not a complete shock now they are going this direction.

    I've always supported Chipotle for their belief in the humane treatment of animals. While adding craft beer isn't really going to do anything for me as I'm not likely to start drinking during my lunch hour (the normal time I visit there), it's nice to see large corporations embracing the craft beer movement.
     
    Beerandraiderfan likes this.
  19. zappafrank

    zappafrank Initiate (0) Sep 9, 2012 Ohio

    WELCOME TO MOE'S!!
     
    woosterbill and tabascosigned like this.
  20. Mbennett

    Mbennett Initiate (0) Jun 16, 2011 New York


    Fair enough. After reading my post, I realize it came off kinda harsh. I guess the last sentence you posted kinda irked me... "Having said that, a small craft beer selection will only add incremental sales for them".

    If Chipotle is adding craft beer to their stores, it is purely based on the assumption that they are going to add to their bottom line. Making a blanket statement that it "will only add incremental sales for them" seems like a uninformed statement to make.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.