Chicago Mar 6-10

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by channels321, Feb 25, 2014.

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  1. channels321

    channels321 Initiate (0) Apr 16, 2012 Texas

    Hello fellow BA's, I will be visiting Chicago next week from the 6-10, coming up from San Antonio, looking for any recommendations from some locals on things to do. I will be staying at the Intercontinental on Mag Mile, should have a rental car, and plan on driving down to 3 Floyds on Sat. the 8th. Outside of that not much else planned, the wife wants to do some shopping and I want to check out more beer places. So any info on breweries, bottle shops, or places to eat/drink would be appreciated.

    I also plan to bring some beer up with me, are most places ok if I bring in a bottle to share with the bar staff/brewery workers? I may also be able to bring something for any IP if anyone has interest in some TX goodies.

    Thanks for the help, Cheers!
     
  2. Mitch_Cumstein

    Mitch_Cumstein Initiate (0) Apr 17, 2013 Illinois

  3. Lkoro

    Lkoro Initiate (0) Aug 29, 2009 Illinois

    Saturday at 3F may get crazy so be prepared for a wait. Jake Melnick's has a good beer list and good wings by your hotel.

    Enjoy your stay
     
    davey likes this.
  4. Scalawags

    Scalawags Zealot (599) Jun 18, 2013 Michigan

    I'll second Jake Melnick's.
     
  5. da_bulls

    da_bulls Zealot (501) Jun 7, 2012 Illinois

    Looks like you're about 3 blocks from the Grand Avenue Red Line stop. There's a website that's a guide to a lot bars and breweries within walking distances from stops along all CTA El stops, someone probably knows it and could post it here. Also agree FFF will be really busy on Saturday unless you arrive early, but arriving early might not be enough. I wouldn't know because I know better than to go on a Saturday. :wink:
     
    Ferocious likes this.
  6. DROOO

    DROOO Initiate (0) May 5, 2009 Illinois

    jake melnick's is good and can be pretty chill during the day / mid-afternoon. there's also a rock bottom brewpub near the hotel. if you trek over to jake's, a little further west is farmhouse tavern, clark st ale house and stout barrel house. all will have a good-to-great draft selection. farmhouse focuses on beer produced closer to chicago, and also has a solid food menu.

    this all said, i'd wager that jake's is likely to have the most interesting draft list.
     
  7. Ferocious

    Ferocious Pundit (864) Nov 17, 2012 Illinois
    Trader

    The Beer Temple run by @quinnsi always appreciates good beer from other regions to taste out. If you're looking for a good selection of Chicago beer, his store is worth the trip, since you have a rental car.
     
  8. ravot

    ravot Initiate (0) Mar 20, 2012 Illinois

  9. TravisMBinns

    TravisMBinns Initiate (0) Apr 30, 2011 Illinois

  10. rxeight

    rxeight Initiate (0) Feb 5, 2012 Illinois

    If you are going to FFF on saturday, get there a least 15 min before they open (noon) and you will get a table. If you are only going there on saturday because of the "tour", dont waste your time, it's basically a 20 minute speech at the entrance to the brewery, they dont show you anything. They are a lot less busy during the week. Also during the week you have a much better chance of getting Zombie dust at the carry out. Typically they will bottle it Tuesday, Weds or Thurs, and it usually doesnt make it to the weekend.
     
    SWChi and Ferocious like this.
  11. channels321

    channels321 Initiate (0) Apr 16, 2012 Texas

    Thank for the recommendations so far. So Friday would be a better day to check 3 Floyds I'm guessing?
     
  12. JakeT469

    JakeT469 Initiate (0) Jan 13, 2012 Colorado

    Yes. If you can go Friday instead of Saturday definitely do that (not Friday night tho, Friday anytime from open-mid afternoon will be your best bet).
     
  13. orangestorm87

    orangestorm87 Initiate (0) Dec 12, 2013 Wisconsin

    Hey not to hi-jack the thread too much, but I was about to post my own asking for Chicago help thread.

    I will be in Rosemont on the 8th enjoying another of my hobbies, but afterwards want to hit up some bottle shops to find Pipeworks, Half Acre, Revolution, other Chicago Locals but mostly want some Pipeworks Stouts. After looking at older threads and "places" for this area I have this route planned:

    1) The Beer Temple
    2) Capone's Liquor
    3) West Lakeview Liquors
    4) Binny's on Marcey
    5) Binny's on Elmwood
    6) Marion Street Cheese Market

    Any suggestions on shops I missed along the way, or ones I should just outright skip?
     
  14. Ferocious

    Ferocious Pundit (864) Nov 17, 2012 Illinois
    Trader

    I'd probably drop out the Binny's in Elmwood Park. I doubt you'll find anything there you won't find at Binny's Lincoln Park (Marcey.) Instead, after West Lakeview Liquors, you should check out Bottles and Cans on Lincoln.
     
  15. prior2two

    prior2two Maven (1,490) Oct 18, 2013 Illinois
    Trader

    No need to go to 2 Binnys. The one on Marcy is great, and it's also across the street from Goose Island, which I still think is the best brewpub in the city. The pub only beers are crazy fantastic.
     
    Ford likes this.
  16. da_bulls

    da_bulls Zealot (501) Jun 7, 2012 Illinois

    Do yourself a favor and walk a block from the cheese market to Poor Phil's. Great food and a great beer selection, ~30+ taps.
     
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  17. orangestorm87

    orangestorm87 Initiate (0) Dec 12, 2013 Wisconsin

    @Ferocious
    @prior2two
    @da_bulls

    Well if these great suggestions keep coming I may just have to cut my day short at CPMX. Thanks so far and keep them coming!
     
  18. prior2two

    prior2two Maven (1,490) Oct 18, 2013 Illinois
    Trader

    If you're going to beer temple, do yourself a favor and go to Hot Doug's. It's fantastic. You will wait outside.

     
    Ford, HumanParaquat, JDD419 and 2 others like this.
  19. teledeluxe

    teledeluxe Initiate (0) Nov 21, 2013 Illinois

    My experience on Saturdays: the LATER the better.
     
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  20. Ferocious

    Ferocious Pundit (864) Nov 17, 2012 Illinois
    Trader

    Concur. Doug takes your order himself. It's cash only. He puts Michelin level creativity into encased meats with incredible accompaniments. It's worth the wait.

    Protip: Go between 10:30-11, or go after 2 to minimize the wait.
     
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