The Blind Pig Co.

The Blind Pig Co.The Blind Pig Co.
The Blind Pig Co.The Blind Pig Co.
Bar

120 N Walnut St
Champaign, Illinois, 61820-4010
United States

(217) 398-1532 | map
blindpigco.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.47
Reviews:
29
Ratings:
44
pDev:
8.5%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Jordanmtate:
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Rated by Jordanmtate from Illinois

4/5  rDev -10.5%

Oct 26, 2014
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.12 by porters4life from Illinois

Nov 12, 2018
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Reviewed by Docrock from Illinois

3.11/5  rDev -30.4%
vibe: 3.25 | quality: 3.25 | service: 2.5 | selection: 3.5
Had to spend some time in Champaign and this was recommended by a friend. Looked at previous reviews and thought, allright, going to be a good night. Was there after Spring semester was over so maybe that had something to do with the crowd but not sure many undergrads visit anyway. Service was abysmal, bartender was too busy to help as she was snapchatting away. Beer selectionon tap was 5 of their own beers and a few other. Since bartender was of no help, couldnt get a good read on what is supposed to be a good bottle selection. Atmosphere as we walked in was nice, dark, lots of old oak and empty beer bottles from all over stuffed on shelves and on beams, but there were no unusual or treats to be had. Maybe something has happened since the last review but current rating is way off.
May 29, 2016
 
Rated: 4.33 by Bones10 from Illinois

Feb 19, 2016
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Rated by Vondy08 from Illinois

5/5  rDev +11.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
I love this bar. Great selection. Knowledgable staff without being snobby if you're new
May 12, 2015
 
Rated: 4.86 by bussy77 from Illinois

Dec 18, 2014
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Rated by twb0392 from Wisconsin

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%
Great atmosphere, good rotating tap list
Nov 25, 2014
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Reviewed by BalancingBrooms from California

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
One of my favorite places in CU. I spent a lot of time here when I was at UIUC but dont let that scare you off as its not a campus/undergrad bar type of place. Awesome tap lists with frequent takeovers, special releases, and vintage pours available. Service is great with knowledgeable staff. Prices are very fair. If youre in the CU area I would highly recommend you check out the Blind Pig. Its my personal benchmark for what a craft beer bar should be.
Oct 03, 2014
 
 
Rated: 5 by Corby

Jul 19, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by smasol101

Jul 17, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by JIMTRK16 from Illinois

May 04, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by Lynn from Ohio

Apr 13, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by Hopheadjeffery from Illinois

Apr 03, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Storning from Virginia

Mar 06, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by guytyping from Illinois

Nov 16, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by NateMac13 from Illinois

Oct 28, 2013
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Reviewed by Treebs from Illinois

4.64/5  rDev +3.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5
I really really wish I appreciated beer more when I went to college at U of I. I frequented this place my junior and senior year and it was even better than I remembered when I went back a few weeks ago.

The place is dimly lit with wood accents everywhere. The bar is on the left side of the building and the rest is seating. Tall tables, short tables, booths and an area to play darts with lots of chairs. Pretty great set up. Not dirty at all, except for the hipsters, and the place was very well kept.

The service was great. Even for a late Friday night (We got there around 11:30) the service at the bar was quick and the bartenders were knowledgeable about the tap selections and what was in/out/coming up/etc.

There was a large number of taps that were 98% craft. It was great. The selection was a great mix of Illinois locals (Flossmoor, Two Brothers, etc.) and other beers from coast to coast (Sculpin comes to mind, love draft Sculpin). The actually had Sculpin on cask earlier in the night, but that was kicked before we got there.

The prices for drafts were all $5 or $6 for nice pint glasses. When applicable they did use proper glassware. The bottles were a little above MSRP, but not by much which was surprising. I paid $15 for a Boulevard Chocolate Ale as a nightcap which was more than reasonable for a beer that's not on the shelf anymore.

Overall I loved this place and wish I had a place like this right next door like I did in college. If one comes my I wont take advantage of it like I did the Blind Pig during my college days.
Dec 10, 2011
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Reviewed by DoubleSimcoe from Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
So this place has not had a review in almost two years, even though it is the best bar in Central Illinois and one of the best in America according to BA?

The wife and I are living in Decatur for a while and it sucks in here, so we decided to check Champaign out. Man, what a difference! 45 miles and a world away. Where Decatur is all ghetto and blight, Champaign has a cool little downtown with tons of bars and restaurants.

The Blind Pig is one of the best, both in ambience and beer selection. Super laid-back joint across from Radio Maria and right where all the action is. Dark inside, with lots of wood and dim lights. Cozy and quiet, almost no music or noise. Pretty empty on a Tuesday evening at around 6pm.

Friendly bartender and great selection of beer, with 26 taps and highlights such as Stone Double Dry Hopped IPA, Stone Belgo Anise Imperial Stout, Lost Abbey Serpent Stout, Smuttynose Imperial Stout, Dieu du Ciel Epices... plus Delirium, Lindeman's and some quality Euros. Also Guinness, PBR and Bud Light.

If anything, I missed a bit of variety (barleywines, DIPA's) and bigger beers, but it's fine. And the prices! $4 for most everything, including Lost Abbey (I had two glasses).
The bottle selection is very good too, with Port Brewing, Lost Abbey, Big Sky, Boulevard and some pricey vintages, all divided in styles.

No food, though, so eat beforehand or afterwards to soak up all the high-octane. The beers we tasted were damn fresh and served in nice glassware, so the Pig gets extra points for that.

One of the best bars in the US? Why not. This is Central Illinois, after all! I look forward to going back and back again as long as we are stuck in Decatur.
Jul 21, 2011
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Reviewed by emerge077 from Illinois

4.43/5  rDev -0.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4
Wow, what to say about this place...if you only have time to visit one bar in Champaign, go here. This is the best beer bar i've been to in downstate IL, and it's up there with Chicago beer meccas like the Map Room, Hopleaf, & Local Option.

Others have described the place well, and all I have to say this is the most authentic British Pub atmosphere i've experienced in the US. Nothing slick about it, just the feeling that it's been here for decades, and will be for decades to come. Dark with rustic antique wood everywhere, heavy beams overhead lined with dusty bottles of obscure beers. A second room with old-timey darts and amazing woodwork on the three enclosed booths in the back. Simple yet effective in terms of atmosphere, Blind Pig is the real deal.

There was no one else at the back when we came in, so I chatted with Jason the bartender for awhile. He was beer savvy and was a great guy to talk to. He mentioned that the new brewing operation a block away was on the verge of brewing their 1st batch, and the space was super small, requiring some customized equipment. Moylans Hopsickle and Port Panzer were on draft. Two casks were also nice to see, although one was out. Bottle list was well rounded with a few gems, in a perfect world they would get rid of the macros, and put some traditional Lambics and even more diverse styles on there.

It felt like home the minute I sat down, and was a really comfortable place to enjoy a beer (or three). The crowd was low key and seemed to be enjoying the beer selection also. Will make a point to return in the future!
Sep 08, 2009
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Reviewed by bluemoonswoon from Illinois

4.29/5  rDev -4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4
Stopped in here on a recent trip to Champaign. Beerflyed the area and found this place.

Walking into the place was certainly something else. It's incredible how dark this place is yet manages not to feel the least bit dank. Pretty larger bar. Has an outdoor seating area on the street, to join the countless others on this strip. When you step inside you feel like the bar is closing around you the further you walk in. Big fat wooden table tops, big fat wooden bar with big fat wooden awnings directly above, with big fat wooden crossbeams above that. The place feels at once massive and tiny and overall, disarmingly comfortable and cozy. Authentic dart boards line the back wall that lead to a sort of dilapidated bathroom that smelled a bit too much like old pee for my tastes, but sort of adds to the charm of the place in certain respects. Sitting at the bar I barely noticed that there was an entirely separate room from the main seating area. This room is a great deal brighter, except of course for the three massive wooden booths that are swaddled by more wooden awnings and lattice work. Apart from this there are more dart boards and by then the place takes on a sort of loungey character with overstuffed, buttoned down vinyl upholstered barrel chairs and booths. Really my kind of place in terms of atmosphere, could spend night after night in here alone or with a group of friends, this place lends itself equally to both. Oh yeah the beer. Not to much to be said here that hasn't already been said. Easily the pick of the litter in terms of selection, while they won't always carry what the big boys in Chicago are able to get their hands on they still bring in a good amount of beer on tap (about 15-20) and bottles (75 or more that I could count) plus an occasional rarity (they had Double Crooked Tree when I stopped by). Also the price is hard to beat considering what you would pay in the city. Service was adequate, though sometimes I had to do that move where I push my empty glass to the edge of the bar to get the bartenders attention. This on a particularly slow Friday evening. Other than these minor inconveniences, and really I was in no hurry, I just wanted another tasty beer, this place is just about flawless.
Apr 21, 2009
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Reviewed by gimmehead from Illinois

4.39/5  rDev -1.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5
If you want draft beer in C-U ( including on cask), this is definately the spot. 18 taps of quality craft beer with another being used for PBR. Selections are all over the board, style wise: Hercules, Titan, the Poet stout, Red's Rye, Dirty Bastard, Blanche de Chambly, Duchesse de Bourgogne, Burning River, Kostritzer Schwarzbier, etc, with Oak Aged Yeti waiting in the wings. Friendly and very knowledgeable staff, one of which is a fellow BA who will gladly talk beer all night. The atmosphere is great, beautiful woodwork, some of which is salvaged from an old church. Very comfortable with loads of character. The music is controlled by the staff and kept at a comfortable level, allowing for conversation without screaming. No food, no pool tables, no 19 year old kids. The Blind Pig is all about the beer.

EDIT- Tuesday nights are smoke free till 9 or 9:30

Edit 2, 7/11/05- Service, atmosphere, etc are still great, but selection getting even better. Every time I stop in there the tap lineup is better. Someday the Blind Pig might get all 5s.

EDIT 3 1/8/09- After a few years since my last entry, I thought I'd give the BP another quick review.
While still my favorite local pub by far, the BP isn't what it used to be. When I started to frequent the bar, everyone on staff was very knowledgeable and seemed to have a true passion for beer. It was a place where I could not only drink great beer, but also learn about it. Now it seems like most of the staff is typical of any urban bar. Don't get me wrong, they're all very friendly, nice, [insert cuddly descriptor] but they don't KNOW beer. Yes, I'm making a broad generalization that doesn't apply to all. I don't want to know more about the beer I'm drinking than the guy (or gal) serving it. I want them to tell me about the beer. When I ask what cask is next,I want them to tell me, "We've got this super secret special beer from XXX that we're tapping just for you", not, "I'm not really sure, but have you tried the Duchesse?" Yes! I've tried it because it's taken up a handle for the last 3 years! While they've added more taps, the selction hasn't seemed to follow. They have several beers that are ALWAYS on tap, like PBR, Guiness, Stella, Duchesse, Woodchuck Cider and Lindeman's Whatever. The sense of excitement over the taps is gone. Gone are the days when they purloined a keg of Racer 10, Oak Aged Yeti, Peche Mortel, Two-Hearted on cask (Thanks Illinois!) or some other rare treat. Now when I walk in the door, I know the tap lineup will be solid, but not exceptional. Good beer from Founders, Unibroue, Ommegang, Arcadia, Michigan Brewing Co, maybe some 3F and various imports. I know that to many beer enthusiasts that live in craft beer wastelands this seems like a great lineup- I have a hard time arguing against it as well. It's just that it's not the same Blind Pig as it used to be. These are the things that I miss about the Blind Pig: the sense of wonderment and anticipation when a new keg is tapped, thinking all week about will be on tap at the BP on Saturday, and, will it be something special from a brewery that I've only heard about and never dreamed of tasting? Maybe I'm just jaded or feeling nostalgiac for my craft beer innocence, but the BP, although still a great place to get a beer, ain't what it used to be.

To clear up a few misconceptions that I ve read in recent reviews

The BP does not have 40+ taps. They have 28 +/-1 or 2 and usually one beer on cask.

It not expensive, relatively speaking. You will pay the same price for craft beer here(possibly cheaper) than you will at any other bar in Champaign-Urbana

Weekend nights get busy so the ABSOLUTE BEST TIME to be there is on Saturdays from open(2 or 3 PM, depending) until about 6 or 7. This is when my favorite bartender works and the place is relatively dead. Most Saturday afternoons it's you, the bartender and 1 or 2 other people that you've never met, but you find that they love craft beer as much as you do. This when you can focus on the beer and, have some great conversation with random people and possibly learn a thign or two.
Jan 09, 2009
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Reviewed by redjameskidd from Illinois

3.93/5  rDev -12.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4
Edit: I am changing my earlier "A" review of this bar after having experienced quite a bit more of Champaign and central IL over the past few years.

It is a good place, but unfortunately its heart is not in craft beer as much as the owners would like you to believe. Of the 27 taps, a good 10 of them in the center of the beer list never change, and remain the uninteresting standbys. This is a "beer bar" that offers Bud, Miller, AND PBR on tap...along with Blue Moon, Guinness, etc, etc...thanks a lot. Ultimately, the number of unique taps ends up being quite a bit smaller than advertised.

Positives: the atmosphere is pretty great. Everything is made of wood. It's a definite hipster and hippy hangout in downtown Champaign. Bearded men are everywhere. Half of them are working on anthropology theses. There is a fun, local Irish group called Emerald Rum that plays on Sunday nights.

On the other hand, however, if you're really into craft beer and are motivated by actual selection, then it is impossible to argue--Radio Maria across the street has the better beer selection. This is simple fact. They waste zero of their taps on the macrobrews you will find at The Blind Pig. Every one of Radio Maria's is something unique and interesting.

What is boils down to is a culture war. Ye Olde English Pub Style, or industrial modern? If you're making a decision based on aesthetics, check out The Blind Pig. If you're making the decision based on beer, go over to Radio Maria.
Dec 08, 2008
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Reviewed by Gonzoillini from Illinois

4.8/5  rDev +7.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5
a great brew pub for good beers in a college town dominated by Greek society bars and loud music. The selection of on tap beers is great, as is the 5 6 oz beers for 8$ (more for high abv beers). i had a moylans hopsickle, arcadia ipa (on cask), unibroue maudite, st bernadus abt 12, and a rogue jls lager (not sure exactly which one it was, the bartender was on his first night) for only 11$. Has 20+ taps as well as a huge selection of bottles ( 12 oz and bombers). If you are ever in central Illinois and roll through Champaign you would be doing yourself a diservice to not stop by a for a brew or three.
Dec 05, 2008
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Reviewed by Vilmer from Pennsylvania

4.66/5  rDev +4.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
This is probably my favorite bar. I've only been here a few times but I always have a great time. Over 20 beers on tap, and I believe they change weekly. They've got great printed menus listing each beer, brewery, style, and abv. I've never gotten a bottle here, so I don't know about the bottle selection, but with all the beers on tap, you should be able to find something you like. My absolute favorite thing about this bar is that you can get a sampler of 6 oz glasses of any five beers on tap. If you've got a group, you can get 2 or 3 samplers and have a taste of everything on tap. The bar has lots of small tables spread throughout and is quiet enough that you can easily have a conversation. Also, there website lists what is currently on tap.
Jun 19, 2008
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Reviewed by xagent from California

5/5  rDev +11.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
Fond memories, even though I only started going here during the last year while at U of I. Will definitely miss this place. Nothing out here seems to compare to it.

Great beer selection, among the best I've seen anywhere

The printed menus = genius. Describing each draught beer, along with it's ABV%, and organizing each bottled beer by style.

Atmosphere was the best of any good beer bar I've ever been to. Most other good beer bars have too much of a dive atmosphere/are way way too small (think Mike and Molly's, but the only thing that saved them was their beer garden). Is definitely not a scummy place.

Nice that you can drink outside and enjoy the fresh air or a smoke.

I'm living in the South Bay Area, CA right now, and let's just say the entire Bay is devoid of such bars except in San Francisco. And all the beer bars in SF are small, crowded, dives, at least to the few that I've already been to.
Jun 16, 2008
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Reviewed by SammyDavisJrJrJr from Illinois

4.3/5  rDev -3.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
Nice pubesque atomsphere that could only be improved with a little more light. Really solid selection with only a couple of handles devoted to macros (PBR & Stella.) Bottle selection was not as impressive, but did not seem to be the focus of this place. The only people I saw drinking beer from a bottle were a couple of sorority types drinking Bud Light straight from the bottle. I had a pint of Arcadia Hopmouth from the firckin that was perfect. Seemed like the cleanest line I had drank out of in a long time. At five bucks, a very solid deal. The bartender was helpful with selections, but I had to beg him to get ne ny check. This place would hold it's own in a place like Chicago, but is an absolut gem in Champaign. Don't miss when you're in the area.
Apr 27, 2008
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Reviewed by robbyc1 from Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
Made a trip to Champaign this weekend from Chicago (home of Hopleaf and Maproom, both A+'s for me). I was not disappointed, a great place.

On a Saturday night, a bit warm, lots of folks on the sidewalk, pointed me to the door, entered to a dark, nice looking bar. Lots of tables around as well. As others have said, no food here but they'll order some if you want.

Not many folks inside when I entered, but by 10pm it was packed. Nice female bartenders, one knew all the beers they had, and suggested a few I might like. I decided to help them out. Lots of folks came up looking for help (they do have 40 beers on tap, mostly micros, some macros) and I provided it. They had a nice Wit beer from the Two Bros., very nice. Really nice, for $8 they will give you 5 - 5to6 oz. glasses of most taps (an extra buck for some specialties), a nice touch. I did a sample of Arcadia Scotch Ale, Hennepin, Fulllers London Pride, Young's Double Chocolate, and the 2Bros Wit beer. Nice. You can see all their taps on the website. The cask had Arcadia Hopmouth, a double IPA, and I love IPA's on cask, really softens the hops. Very nice.

Now the bottle list is really interesting as well, about 100, with unusual micros and a few surprising Belgians. If I lived here I would be here every week.

I would say the prices are cheep for a Chicagoan, but reasonable for Champaign, prices around $4-$6 for most taps, uneven pricing on bottles, $3.50 for Goose's Bourbon County Stout, which is less than retail? And some others looked overpriced, but overall decent pricing.

A must stop if in the area, look for the shorter brown haired bartender, she knows her stuff!
Apr 21, 2008
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Reviewed by Gehrig from Illinois

4.8/5  rDev +7.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5
A tremendous bar, easily atop the local establishments for a variety of reasons, Blind Pig is a great place to stop in for a beer or three in Champaign-Urbana. Located right near downtown, it's a long, narrow barroom with a nearly all wood interior. Seating primarily surrounds the perimeter, with decent bar space available. The place exudes character well before trying their dynamite selection of beers.

Speaking of which, if you want to go out and get a few good beers, there is no better bar in the area than The Blind Pig, hands down the best selection of draft and bottled beer in local taverns. They have 19 taps, with an enormous variety--Guinness, Great Divide Hercules DIPA, Stella Artois, Founders Dirty Bastard, Rogue Mocha Porter, Left Hand Snowbound, and much more. The bottled selection is even more impressive, with probably 60 or more to choose from. I was deeply pleased to see various Chimay wares, especially the Grand Reserve, but also Anchor Porter, various Avery beers including Salvation and Old Jubilation for the holidays, Baltika porter, Hoegaarden, Dogfish Head 90-minute Imperial IPA, Moylans Old Blarney (which I wanted to try but didn't get to, unfortunately), Trappistes Rochefort 8 (one of my very favorites), a couple from Samuel Smith's, Schlafly's, and far more than I could write down. Really top-notch as far as great beer. Again, the best in the area by a mile.

They've opened up some space since I've last haunted the joint, and not a moment too soon, considering that it was fine with 30 people, not for 75. Given the confines, they limit the number of patrons at a time. Yet it's a great place to grab a mid-afternoon brew, a late-evening bottle with friends, and to do some stellar sampling, all at good prices. No smoking in Champaign County--good for some, tears for others, but it is what it is.

Highly recommended.
Jan 23, 2008
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Reviewed by champ103 from Texas

3.9/5  rDev -12.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4
A great place to try some beers in Champaign. The atmosphere is great. It has a unique old wood and barn look to it. The selection is not the best, but for a college town you can't complain. There is something there for everyone, though a bit typical for a beer bar. Some bottle highlights for me are Anchor Porter, O'Fallon's Porter, Goose Island Bourbon County Stout, and Tucker. On tap, they have some Rogue beers and Fuller's London Pride. The bartenders are easy to talk to and know about the beers they have. All and all, a fun place to quaff some beers with friends.
Dec 22, 2007
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Reviewed by nelson4 from Illinois

4.7/5  rDev +5.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5
The atmosphere is like nothing around the area. Service can only be better if there weren't so many people. I recommend whatever is on cask,or getting a taster tray of something hard to pronounce. The taster trays allow for people to try beers they are unfamiliar without having to commit to a whole pint. The selection rotates so try not to get too attached to one beer. Whenever I have dealt with the staff they have always been courteous and relatively knowledgeable. Truly, it is a unique place. The secret is out that this is the best pub in central Illinois.
Sep 27, 2007
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Reviewed by Blupoet03 from Illinois

4.06/5  rDev -9.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 5
For the longest time, this was a weekly stop for my friends and I. The owner allowed smoking in the bar after the short-lived Champaign ban was repealed until the state-wide ban takes effect next year, and we've opted to visit smoke-free bars more often than not since then.

The best thing about the Blind Pig after the shear variety of beers they offer on tap is that there are no TVs and you can always carry on a conversation. It is a very relaxed atmosphere.

Unfortunately, the beer selection can get repetitive, but there's usually enough variety that it is forgiven.

Now all they need is a staff who knows beer and no smoking and they'll be back to being my favorite pub.
Jul 10, 2007
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Reviewed by YukataNinja from Illinois

4.14/5  rDev -7.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
This is a nice little, dark, wooden bar to go to with a few friends and enjoy a couple of pints. The dark wood makes for a good bar feel, and hopefully with the upcoming smoking ban (Feb 07) that will make it even more enjoyable, if you like that. It can get kind of pack in there, but even with just 2 or 3 bar tenders they still get you your drink quickly and in the correct glassware. The tap selection is great (15+ choices), with a good mix of domestic, foreign, and different styles. The taps also rotate quickly, you could come every week or so and have many new choices, while there are always a couple of good mainstays (listed in other's posts). I've enjoyed every time I've been and am always up for going back.
Jan 18, 2007
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Reviewed by kdog630 from Illinois

4.43/5  rDev -0.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
You are struck by the aged wooden bar and dark wood throughout the establishment. If you think it has been around since the 30s, you'd be wrong. But it has been put together so well, you'd be forgiven. At least 20 tappers along the bar and an impressive selection of bottles as well as a full bar (who cares!). I was impressed with the printed menus that provide details about the draught beers, including style, origin and abv.

Stopped in on a Saturday. Not too crowded for 6:30, but more people came in as the evening progressed. $3.5 - $5+ depending on the beer, and the correct glassware to boot.

Will definitely go again.
Jan 08, 2007
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Reviewed by czoch75 from Illinois

4.56/5  rDev +2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4
I live about ten miles from this wonderful establishment and finally had a chnce to go there this past Saturday. My friend and I stopped by around 2 and the only people in there was the owner(Chris) and bartender(John). My intial impression was amazing as the first thing that caught my eye was the multiple coolers of micros behind the bar. Interior was all darker wood and very inviting. Bartender was pretty knowledgeable about the different beers on tap as well as the bottles and even let us sample a few of the taps for free! Was only intending on being there for a couple beers but several beers later looked at the clock and noticed a few hours had passed. Being the only ones in there service was excellent and price was reasonable for the more obsure offerings available. Bartender even knew type of glass to use which was a huge bonus. We left there and returned two hours later only to find the place was packed. Managed to get a table inside and waited for an outside table to come available until then. Service was still good at that hour, although it was a different bartender working. The first bartender returned as a customer and even remembered my name and stopped at my table! The ONLY drawback that I saw in this place was the size. The bartender did let us know that by summers end, there will be a bonus room to double their size and that the booths would have doors on them of some sort?! Sounds intriging and I can't wait to see that one. This will definitely be my regular go to place from now on. I hear they tap a cask every now and then and one will be there on Tuesday so I think I will have to stop and see. This is a top notch place!
Jun 19, 2006
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Reviewed by skillerified from California

4.56/5  rDev +2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
In town for a film festival and heard about this place when John Malkovich mention being accosted by a drunk girl who had come from here. Sounded like our kind of place.

Loved the atmosphere and music. The place has a sort of rustic feel. Lots of wood and dark wood colors. Nice and quiet on a Saturday afternoon. I swear they were playing Tom Waits when we got there, a big plus in my opinion. Cigar friendly, also a plus. Just a very comfortable and casual sort of place.

Service was good. My friends (not exactly beer geeks) wanted shots. Despite being a beer oriented bar, the bar tender was very friendly and able to cook something up for us.

Selection was a little short, about 15 taps and 60-70 bottles, but what they had was excellent. It was a pleasure to try a Great Lakes Blackout Stout on tap. Then a nice Goose Island 1800 Demolition Ale, served with proper glassware. Can't get those in Texas.

We actually enjoyed it so much, we went back the next day. If we come back for the same festival next year, this will definitely be on the list of places to hit well in town.
May 29, 2006
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Reviewed by ChiSox05 from Illinois

4.94/5  rDev +10.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
Couldn't wait to get back, as I remember my first time was enjoyable and they had 3F Alpha King in the cask. From the outside, a decrepit looking establishment with tall worn wooden doors and a big "Refrigeration" sign above. Friday night @ 11 and the place was as packed as I've seen it, early 20 somethings with cigarettes and tulip glasses filled with Belgians, The Strokes playing on the speakers. One empty seat at the bar, grabbed it quick and after work and a 3 hour drive the menu shakes in my hands. This is a beer oasis in the middle of farmland IL. 12 taps, including Delirium Tremens, 3F Alpha King and Robert the Bruce, Mojo IPA, Allagash, Lindemann's Corsendonk and I should have written the rest down. Great bottle selection, Oak Aged Yeti, Bell's, Rogue, Westmalle, St. Bernardus and much more. Place 15 ft. wide and about 70 ft. long, bar takes half of the width right in the middle of the place with tall cherry colored wood columns rising behind the bartenders. Large 50's style flourescent diner clock atop those, which deviates from the rustic, worn wood pub atmosphere. Unfinished bar, dimly lit, cozy. Proper glassware, friendly bartenders who provide hands down the best service in the area. Anywhere near Champaign just get here, it will be worth your time. Robert the Bruce on cask this time. Smoky, throw in an exhaust fan and this place is as close to perfection you can find outside of Chicago in these parts, and my kind of tunes. Great crowd, bartenders, selection, my new first stop every alma mater visit.
Dec 12, 2005
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Reviewed by GreenWBush from Oregon

4.86/5  rDev +8.7%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5
Damn. What a bar.

This place has one of the nicest pub atmosphere's i've enjoyed outside of London...old timey, homey, contemporary, and modern all at the same time. It was also great because there was next to noone there when we stopped by except for some strange characters...but I digress.

Lots of great taps that blow very frequently and they clean the tap lines once a week! You guys don't know how good you've got it!

Nice Belgian line-up too...trying some of these beers on-tap seems like a rare treat and it really is. The bartender, manager, everyone treated us great.

Just an amazing place to grab a brew. I'll be back with a truckload of Stone beer to give away which unfortunately is not sold in IL.
Oct 29, 2005
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Reviewed by jaskiern from Washington

4.94/5  rDev +10.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
The Blind Pig is what every beer pub should aspire to be. Bartenders are all knowledgable of their beer selection and can usually tell you about each. Currently, you can get a sample (2oz shot) of beers, 5 for $4. Quite a deal. The manager is very receptive to customer wants and will listen to suggestions or requests for drinks. I have never felt that the service was anything less than excellent. The selection is quite good also: there are ~20 taps and ~2 handpulls. The beers on tap are always fresh and are never flat. Live entertainment (a piano player) has been a recent and relatively new feature. The acoustics are perfect -- the noise level never gets too high, even with the piano player or the music playing from the CD player.

The pub has started to gain popularity, especially with the local university students. This is starting to affect the once-tranquil bar atmosphere. This is the only reason I marked off for the "atmosphere" rating above.
Aug 26, 2005
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Reviewed by ngandhi from Illinois

3.81/5  rDev -14.8%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5
The smoke is absolutely horrendous late at night. I sat by the door and still had to leave every 15 minutes to get some air. The smokers complained it was "hot."

This bar is an exhaust fan away from nearing perfection. Besides a respectable and rotating selection of Belgians on-tap, the bar does well to represent the American microbrews. All beers are served at cellar temperature in proper glassware.

And, at last, cask ale has hit Champaign. Blind Pig features two hand pulls serving the absolute freshest beer I've ever had; now I know I'm not crazy for drinking my own homebrew right out of the fermenter. The quality is impeccable.

The bartenders are remarkably capable. With only one person behind the bar, crowds are handled promptly. Since the bar opened, they have all amassed great knowledge about the beers, actively seeking input from customers and journeying off to other bars to get a sense of what's good. We could be in Britain.

Bring an oxygen mask and you'll experience the closest central Illinois gets to The Map Room. This bar is only going to get better.
Jun 01, 2005
The Blind Pig Co. in Champaign, IL
Place rating: 4.47 out of 5 with 44 ratings