Two Nights in Chicago

I was going to write "They should have made more of the Disney sex beer," and then I just thought how crazy it is that "Disney sex beer" is something that exists, and how nobody could have ever seen that coming 20 years ago.

 

I’ve muled more Disney Sex Beer that I want to admit. Surprisingly (or perhaps not), almost all of it was to women.

The problem for me is that Only Child is 15 minutes away. Tighthead, Light the Lamp, Lake Bluff Brewing, Mickey Finns, and Zumbier are all within the same distance and all scratch the same itch.

Not at all meaning to be disrespectful, but all these breweries fit the same paradigm/business model.

 

I'm right there with you on that assessment, but having grown up in the area -- and having lived through the days of, virtually, no brew-pubs or nannos in the area, now that there are -- everyone seems blase about it.

Of course, if there were this many around 10 or 20 years ago, I'd have probably been in trouble!

Of the spots you listed, I will say that I think Tighthead stands out a little in quality, but I'm a little biased because I know the brewmaster and know his passion.

Do you have a recommended or go-to place you'd pick over these spots? And why?

 

Over those spots? No, not unless you go to P3 or into the city.

My go to is definitely Tighthead. As you say, better quality, but also better seating arrangement, better food nearby (Franks wings are *chefs kiss*), easier to meet at for friends coming from the south, family friendly, occasional food trucks, inexpensive, and opens at just the right time.

I probably would put LtL at second, but that’s just because they are right next door to my daughters daycare, and we share a plate of fries on Friday afternoons, with her getting a lemonade.

 

This is how I discovered Roaring Table -- it's basically right between me and my friend in Hoffman Estates, so we picked a spot on the map and said -- here. It doesn't hurt that their lagers are outstanding and we always get carry-in sandwiches from TJ's.

But even P3 doesn't trip my trigger any more than the others mentioned -- good beer, yes -- but nothing that I really can't get anywhere else (IMO -- sorry P3 fanboys, I've seen it all. ).

PS -- Haven't been in LtL in a long time, but I might have to remedy that -- and Black Lung is too close to not see what's going on. As said, a lot of choices that weren't available not so many years ago.

 

LOL! What is Disney sex beer? Haven't ever encountered this phrase...

 

Dovetail, Goldfinger, Roaring Table, & Art History for your German Lager fix in Chicagoland.

 

I believe there's a place called Aman's Beer and Wine about a half hour south of Milwaukee that frequently has Pips available.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CREXtUxFt2o/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

 

Not again! LOL

The fact that people continue to insinuate Phase Three is "too far out of the way" for an out-of-stater traveling b/t MKE & Chi is absurd. That's the equivalent of skipping Russian River Brewing on your way from Napa to San Fran... When you're out of town, an extra half hour of driving is no reason to skip a brewery you want to check out. In fact, I'd consider that pretty convenient compared to some of the detours I've made in the past, just sayin!

I chalk these dissuasive attitudes up to suburbanites considering anything outside the 8 minute radius of their home as "too far" and/or North Shore residents thinking anything west of 94 is in the boonies lol. (I say this in jest, as I have an abundance of family & friends out in the burbs )

 

Aman has stake in Pips so there’s usually something available all the time.

 

Phase 3 has reached the RR level now? My palate must be stunted!

Wow -- I'm in the boonies now!

But seriously, I was never looking to dissuade, just warn anyone unfamiliar with the area (say, an out-of-towner or, maybe, an urbanite who rarely drives ) that it's no cakewalk down 22 from I94 to Lake Zurich.

@monstershu

 

Haha I was expecting this! but does RR even haze bro? lol. The point is Phase Three has a pretty high national profile at this point, evidenced by almost every visitor on this message board inquiring about Phase Three and/or Hop Butcher when coming to town. Clearly, any visitor considering P3 has likely mapped it out already...

Just thought I'd have a little fun calling you guys out on this!

 

All I’m trying to do is protect the man! If he’s traveling with the wife and kids, I don’t want him to make same mistake I do:

“I swear to god, if you take us to another brewery that adds an hour to our trip”

All while I’m slamming a flight so we can get back in the minivan and the nagging stops…

No one else has been there before, right? Right?

 

Well, I have "learned" something today.

 

Thank you!

 

I see someone else answered your question. I never got a chance to try the beer, my only thoughts were:
1. Dole Whips are awesome, and Disney should definitely have more alcoholic Dole whip options.
2. Considering how litigious Disney is, I'm shocked they didn't sue Only Child.

 

Are you sure they didn’t? How’s Only Child doing?

 

I don't think running away to open a new brewery in Wisconsin will allow them to escape litigation.

 

Usually when the company ceases to exist its a bit hard to sue unless they structured it in an amateur fashion where they consulted absolutely no one.