Crushed by Giants Brewing Company

Kind of a weird location, second floor next to AMC. Once inside it’s pretty good. Has a pizza parlor feel, but with exposed tanks and brick. Interesting old school music, made me feel like I was in a 1970s pizza place, but with craft beer. Vibe was actually ok, I would come here with friends or kids to share a pizza and a couple beers. The beer itself was merely ok. They had 14 beers available in multiple styles. I didn’t try the food but it smelled reasonable. Overall I kind of liked the stop, and I would hang out here, but its not worth going out of the way for the beer.

The hotel loomed across the street like a concrete beast, yet something darker, more magnetic, called from the brewery wedged between a popcorn empire and the hollow spectacle of the silver screen. I should’ve kept walking — Pizzeria Uno was just a few blocks down, but I was a sucker for new blood, a fresh pour, even when I knew better. The pull of a brewery can grab hold of a man, twist him up inside, no deep dish in this city of windy nightmares could do that.

So I step inside. An escalator, of all things — up I go, like a lamb to slaughter, turn left, not right. Right leads you into the neon belly of an AMC where you'll blow your beer fund on corporate popcorn and get brainwashed by whatever superhero drivel they're spewing this week. I see you, pal, with your kids in tow, casting that long, sad look at the bar. I know that look, the look of a man sentenced to die by family fun. It’s the gaze of a dog being led into the vet’s office for the final time. He knows. You know. RIP, my friend. I’ll drink a few extra in your name.

Inside, tanks gleam under industrial lights. Shiny bastards stacked to the right, more lurking in the back like the ghosts of brewing past. In front, a rectangular bar, guarded like Fort Knox by a smug little sign that dares to tell me to wait. I wait for no man — least of all when I’m thirsty. I barrel in, demand a menu, and what do they hand me? A goddamn QR code. I laugh. What are they going to do when the Amish roll in here thirsty? Or some poor soul still clinging to his BlackBerry, praying for a resurrection that’ll never come?

The beer. Liquid Baguette, a French pilsner. Das Boot, a German Octoberfest. The theme is clear — we’re supposed to be cultured, global citizens of the brewery world. But what’s next? An American IPA called “Fat Bastard”? No, that one’s been done. "Arrogant"? No need for lawsuits here. These beers are as forgettable as they are forget-inducing, designed not to linger but to drown out the din. They aren’t just brews; they’re your accomplices in this haze.

Apologies to the couples. The ones that were just trying to have a nice evening. And the guy two stools down laughing into his pint and cheering for the latest hero to save us from ourselves. Definitely wasn’t me.

In the end, it’ll do. That’s all I can say. It’ll do.

 

Visited here with my wife for a beer or two. Location is interesting, beer selection was pretty good (maybe 18-24 taps?). But, the beer I had was mostly just all right. Nothing to avoid, would certainly go back, but wouldn't go out of my way to plan for it.

 

 

This is an interesting location for a brewery. Located on the second floor of the AMC theater building, I wasn't sure what to expect as I took the escalator up.

As you enter there is a two sided peninsula type bar and then a groups of tables by the bar and in the area on the west side of the building. It is a modern space but they added a touch of old school Chicago tavern by an inventive use of glass blocks surrounding the windows.

Lots of vintage R&B music being played not sure if they use records or of those were just for display.

Our bartender was decent, not overly chatty but was quick with refills. I had a couple pints of the stout and my wife had a west coast IPA. Both beers were decent and to style. If I recall correctly, they offered 7 house beers.

We just had some fries on this visit but they were very good with an interesting aioli dipping sauce (in addition to ketchup).

I would return next time I find myself in this neighborhood.

Didn't know this place existed before looking at a map around Rock Bottom, so I figured I would cut over here after there to check things out. It's on the floor beneath the AMC, and the look is modern industrial: metals, woods, exposed ducts, some brick, that sort of thing. Read another architecture/design book, kids. I hit the bar and was greeted with a pair of tenders, both of which were genial and knowledgeable. Got a good view of the record collection behind the bar, but couldn't make too much out; based on the music playing overhead, nothing too crazy or loud. The six beers available were solid, but only kinda just that, the relative standout being the petite saison. Nothing really screamed for me to return on the strength of beer alone, but I do wanna check back at least once to see how things have progressed. Being finally hungry, I tried the black bean burger (no sides for my dumb Spartan ass), which I proceeded to devour. Pretty tasty stuff. Overall, it's a very nice place, especially for the River North area, but I'm not sure they're quite destination-level just yet.

2024:
After several visits, CBG remains a reliable staple for the Mag Mile/River North area. Beer selection doesn’t vary a whole lot, but quality is good across the board. Food and service are really good too, though more than 3 pizza options would be nice. Nice place to relax from the downtown buzz outside.

2022:
Crushed By Giants is the fourth and latest outpost of the DryHop/Roebuck Pizza/Corridor brewery group. Located downtown a block off Michigan Ave., the entrance is at Rush & Ohio. Go up the escalator and hang a left into the brewpub entrance.

Vibe is modern industrial with metal beams and wood paneled ceilings. Some faux brick around the horseshoe island bar area. Dining room back on the corner with fermenters on the back wall and six stacked behind the bar. Music was slightly loud at the bar but the overall noise level was manageable.

Six beers available, a good range of styles. DIPA, pastry stout, hefeweiss, Japanese rice lager, petite saison, and a DDH hazy IPA. Enjoyed the saison and rice lager which was hopped with Sorachi Ace.

Service at the bar was great, quick, friendly, and knowledgable. Everything was laid back and we never waited long for beers and food.

Food was tasty, especially the pizza which seemed wood-fired with fresh ingredients.

Overall the experience was solid, and i’d return again for sure. Not a lot of options in the area, especially a good local brewery option (not Rock Bottom). CBG definitely fills a local/independent niche in an area saturated with chains and tourist destinations. Also a block away is Broken Shaker, a unique spot for cocktails, and Centennial, a good beer bar nearby in River North.