District Brew Yards

I had been meaning to stop by this spot and was finally able to do so. Located on the east side of Ashland Ave it is easy to spot. Note that they have a few parking spots but most are for the kid's trampoline spot next door. Easy street parking on the Saturday we were there.

You enter on Ashland and at the host stand they take your credit card and give you as many beer cards as you have people. These beer cards are used when you self pour from the 4 tap stations. You can have just a few ounces if you want to sample or full glasses or anywhere in-between.

I like the indoor space, it has an industrial look with high ceilings, exposed architectural elements, etc. Besides the 4 tap stations, there is a self ordering kiosk for the Lilly Q BBQ that they offer. It is good and i thought well priced. Plenty of tables to seat everything from large groups to tables for two.

They have a nice patio on the south end of the building and you are able to reserve some of the larger spots in the patio so that is a nice option if you are having a party. Plenty of kids and dogs in attendance.

While a few beers were sold out, they had over 30 to choose from in a wide variety of styles with four breweries featured.

While I am generally not a fan of self serve places, it worked here and I look forward to another return visit.

 

A pleasant surprise to find a new concept for brewing working so well. As we know from the 8000+ micros in the U.S., the traditional model focusses on the individual brewer pouring their life and savings into a brewhouse and taproom. DBY offers a new business model, one that is collective, reduces capital costs and, quite possibly, increases quality at a faster rate. Or at least, that is the idea.

I've driven by DBY for over three years telling myself "someday." But finally, I rode my bike there and went in at opening time (3PM)... still not knowing what to expect. While not having anyone to watch, I got the drill quickly enough and sampled three from Twisted Hippo (the new collaborator), bought some BBQ sauce from Lillie's and then copped a 4 pack of an ATB pilsner. On the way out the door, a party was arriving and I immediately got the vibe that this place works and has a special energy that the solo taproom does not.

In many ways, I hope this collective concept takes off... or at least offers a serious alternative. It seems much more simpatico to the crafters' movement. Working together fosters quality faster and expands the micros market against the macros. DBY just opened another shop in Wheeling. Maybe working together collaboratively is the new post-Covid model. It is certainly easier for the consumer to sample three brewers than one !

As for the details at DBY, I suggest you read TMoney's review below as it captures DBY well...

It's not much of an assuming building (as if many truly are, even I understand that function should dominate over flowery form), but inside is an interesting idea - a new one to me, at the very least: Before heading up the ramp, you give your credit/debit information to the cashier, who gives you a card. This card you use at the various kiosks (rather, wall portions with taps attached, just to give the proper visual) to pay for the pours you provide yourself. Yup, you can pour as much or as little as you want. Not sure why everywhere doesn't charge this way (you don't need the self-serve, just really flexible menus and/or bartenders), especially to cater to the manic tickers amongst us, myself primus inter those particular pares. Up the ramp, you get the main space, across the way from the brewing equipment, which houses the various breweries' kiosk walls and a BBQ joint for some food. Whilst I was visiting, the resident breweries were Bold Dog, Burnt City (no longer on Lincoln, I see), Around the Bend, and Casa Hulmilde. Accompanying the suds are some board games and whatnot. As much as you serve yourself, you also bus your own tables (something that should be more common, just sayin'). Everything was actually pretty nice as far as atmosphere goes, mostly due to the fact that the space isn't as, well, spacious as one might assume, given the circumstances. It just feels like something of a cozy gaming hall that happens to have some beers a-flowin'. Not much in the way of comment on the staff, though the cashier and attendant (for lack of a better term for the gentleman who showed me how things worked, it being my first visit) were rather genial and helpful. Not gonna lie, I'm likely gonna come back here, prolly bringing some friends with if possible. My hope is that more breweries join up (again, if possible). I dig it.

 

 

Stopped in here to check things out. Progressive brewery cooperative concept, with 4 unique self-serve brewery kiosks. Large warehouse layout. Check in at the door, and pay when you leave.

Inside it feels like a mall food court, with brewery kiosks lining the walls. 6-10 beers available at each kiosk. Some games in one corner, and BBQ available from a steam table line to the left of the entrance. The small snacks we had were ok, i've seen some nice pics of the BBQ and will hopefully return to try some.

Selection was the strong suit, currently 36 drafts available (40 max), 6-10 at each kiosk. Quality was average, I dumped maybe 1/4 of the beers I sampled. A lot of diacetyl in general, but YMMV. Casa Humilde had the cleanest beers, Burnt City probably had the most innovative selection of the group. The sacrifice is there's no brewery staff to guide you or offer suggestions. Service was pretty much nonexistent, save for the guy that eventually came up and said I was swiping the card wrong. You can also tap the card and get a quick 1-2 ounce sample, but apparently they don’t like that. The cashier up front was super nice and was genuine. They play vinyl behind the counter too, which was cool, and also host a BYO vinyl night.