https://blockclubchicago.org/2023/0...s-for-good-after-more-than-20-years-downtown/ Not as many memories here as Goose Island, but still some good times.
Many memories. Back when Oatmeal stouts and red ales seemed exotic Probably for the best. Went last spring and everything was pretty bad
This is interesting and wonder if it's a company wide problem because the one in Milwaukee closed up at the end of last year after many years in business. My last visit last summer it was OK but there are just so many choices for beer now and most place have better quality.
Well, isn't Old Chicago under the same "umbrella" as Rock Bottom? OC closed a lot of stores in the last couple of years.
The article mentions both Milwaukee and Minneapolis locations closing last year. That, along with the manager's "no comment" reply to the question of an unannounced closing, seems telling.
I loved that place. Literally being on top of a Red Line stop made it super convenient. I also liked the rooftop deck, and their brewers were very good (at least initially). Sad to see it go!
I assume they lease the space and am surprised that there is a 2 story building rather than a high rise on that block. Maybe developers figured the same.
Best memory was at CBS Curds & Ale in 2008: unlimited pours of Isabelle Proximus and samples of Jasper Hill Winnimere... that sounds like a crazy dream now. The very first FOBAB was organized there, and Polar Beer Fest on the roof ran for many years. Pete Crowley's BA Kona coffee imperial porter was amazing way back when, that was 15 years ago now. Someone recently mentioned that the chain is owned by a hedge fund, and it could be a real estate play to cash in key properties in major cities. Who knows...
Their parent company got bought out of bankruptcy in 2020 by a subsidiary firm of Softbank. I imagine lots of locations are/were leased, though.
Can’t get a list of (remaining) locations on their website. Not a good sign. Most sites have a list by state or country to scroll. The RB site has a zip lookup / map that doesn’t show or find anything.
Not including the Chicago location, I see 14 locations listed on their site (CA-1, CO-5, FL-1, IL-3, MD-1, MA-1, PA-1 7 VA-1). https://rockbottom.com/locations/
A restaurant that made their own beer was a great concept until 3,000 other people decided to do the same thing.
I've had 0 of their 1267 beers, and never stepped foot in one of their establishments. I'm not bragging, but I'm not sad either.
