Motor Row Brewing

 

 

 

 

Smaller taproom above the ground floor brewery has 8 stools stuffed around a small bar, 4 high tops behind the stools, and 30 or so seats on more communal tables.
8 or 9 brews on tap are all easy drinking, but I especially liked the Belgian honey blonde.
Service was attentive and willing to learn.
Good music on the blower.
A great cozy place just south of the loop.

 

 

 

First visit to Motor Row. I was drawn here because it was close to Chinatown and specialized in lagers. I tried several of the lagers and was impressed with the quality and taste. Some ales on tap too. Vibe is somewhat austere but pleasant. Biggest knock was service - my friend and I sat down and one female server gave us beer menus but didn't explain anything and proceeded to sit down on a chair behind the bar. She never asked if we had any questions and when I spoke up to order she just looked up from her chair and didn't move. Not the most welcoming. I asked a few general questions about what kind of hops were used in a specific beer and was told that she didn't know and was still learning the information.

General rhetorical question: why doesn't management provide some sort of cheat sheet with FAQs for waitstaff to refer to if they don't have a strong background on the business and beers?

Visited at 6 on a Saturday. Pretty empty at that time. It is located at the south edge of the south loop. Area is becoming developed but not a lot around yet. The taproom space is small, 10 seat bar and maybe 6 small bar tables. 7 of their own on tap, mostly lagers, all German influenced. I'd come by on a future trip to see how they develop.

Great Vibe Great Quality Great Service Great Selection A+++

Not very noticeable from the street, it's across from a Burger King as far as landmarks go.
Taproom is on the 2nd floor, up an elevator. The space is very clean and modern, almost like a corporate break room, with the requisite ping pong table, microwave, and dishwasher. Stacks of games in a little kitchenette alcove, and a popcorn machine. Table seating in the back, small stainless steel bar for about 8 people. One tv above the bar, not distracting, at least until Naked and Afraid came on.

Crowd was friendly and chatty, bartender was as well. Quick service, they were able to answer a few beer questions I had. Second and third time in, the staff were fairly aloof.

Selection is mainly lagers, six total plus one APA and DIPA. I did a flight and everything was above average quality, but sort of cut from the same cloth. Good range though, from a clean Helles to a Schwarzbier, Baltic Porter, hoppy IPL, and a couple others. Overall it was a good experience, though I hope they can branch out a little bit.

Wonderful lagers. Friendly staff

 

 

New brewery, gonna take some time to hammer every thing out. The space is great and it looks like they have some really nice equipment in the back. Just need to get the recipes tweaked and hopefully this place succeeds.

Summer update: bad beers gone, great new tasty lagers added and 10 fold better than previously. Keep up the good work!