Corridor Brewery & Provisions (2019)

I mean, define "problem." I'm not saying that when I go (totally random; it's either after work on a weekday, or random times during the afternoon on, say, a Saturday) it's impossible to get served, I was just saying that it's sometimes packed and requires getting in other peoples' space to a degree that I'm not comfortable with (because I'm just waiting at the bar to get a crowler fill; I'm not talking about getting a table).

In fairness, I also haven't gotten a crowler fill since anniversary week, for the reason I outlined a couple posts ago (I usually don't want to drink 32 oz. of beer in one sitting). I'm not criticizing so much as I'm saying why I'd love the beer to be distributed, w/my personal reasons why.

 

I'm always there just to get the beer, so I really don't want to wait for a table (and waste the space for the server)...and even when I get a spot at the bar, I seem to be annoying the bartenders a bit since I'm basically shutting them down for 5 minutes while they fill the crowler, wipe it off, get my bill, run my card & bag up the beer.

If I don't get a spot at the bar, I'm hovering behind patrons, blocking servers, and generally feeling like a nuisance.

 

That makes some sense, I guess, as I think I've only gone in for just crowlers a couple times in the past 2 or so years. And that part is a bit tough to pull off without feeling like you're in somebody's way.

I'd recommend you guys sitting down and enjoying the beer there (remember, they want you to enjoy their beer on site!). I find that going there once every 3-4 weeks gets me a good meal and I am able to try just about all the beers they release. If I know some super awesome beer is being released that will run out sooner than my next visit and may cause me FOMO, I try to head over by myself to specifically try that.

I know all that is easier said than done, and apparently I'm just being the annoying guy that finds their model to work very well for me.

 

Nah, your viewpoint makes sense. I'm just not at all a "drink on premises" person if I'm not with friends; I will show up at Corridor for the stuff that I can't miss (the stout release, a new DDH beer sometimes, the $15 Monday deal, etc.), I just won't be there nearly as regularly as I would buy a 4-pack.

And that's fine; I'm clearly not the "main" customer they're aiming for, and I have no problem with that. I still love Corridor, still think they do the best NE stuff in town, and I guess this way I won't get sick of drinking their beer.

 

It's a beautiful model. Unfortunately, got a nice routine where it ends up being:

ravens_wood: Wife, let's go to Corridor for a meal and beer.
mrs. ravens_wood: XYZ beer was great, wanna get a crowler? *add crowler to bill*
mrs. ravens_wood: Oh look, Jeni's is right there.
ravens_wood: Might as well.

*Ride bike home, fully convincing myself the mile ride erased all the calories*

 

A pint of Jeni's makes a pint of every NEIPA seem like a bargain...

 

It's totally not made for the to-go crowd. I have no problem waiting if there is order, but thats chaos.

 

They really seem to be focused more on attracting regulars and building an audience for off-peak times than they are for to-go orders on Friday-Sunday. It's definitely hard to get fills when it's busy as they never have more than 2 bartenders and they have to do a lot of stuff (like tend to the tables in the back), so I end up going on weekdays in mid-afternoon when it's quiet. The one thing i've always wondered is why they can't have a pre-set number of filled crowlers ready to go for the hazies ... and maybe it's because they actually don't want to sell out of those beers TOO quickly.

 

Last summer there were a few weekends where they got swamped with to-go locusts. Hazies ended not lasting the week for dine-in customers. Really hurts Corridor's margins to not have their best beers available for dine-in customers.

 

Ironically, despite not dining-in all that often, that was of course one of the times I was there.

 

Keep us posted next time you're going.. we will know to avoid Corridor at that time because it'll either be too packed to get crowlers or they will have run out of some beers for dining in.

 

Dueling Overalls is straight fire ... just had it an hour ago ... looks like that's one of the beers they are tapping at Mikerphone Fest this weekend too. Don't miss it.

 

cant argue with straight fire

 

Corridor posted this morning about a hazy collaboration with Phase Three that is being released during IL Craft Beer Week. I'm pumped for that one.

 

WELP

https://chicago.eater.com/2019/5/2/...g-mile-amc-michigan-avenue-dryhop-coming-soon

 

Not sure about the fancy tacos, but I'm in for hazy IPAs and Mexican lagers!

 

Squeezit release day! Who’s going? Who else saw the White Sox last night!? Amazing win.

 

Any idea if squeeze it is still available? IG is unclear

 

WELP pt. 2

https://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/ct-food-roebuck-pizza-brewpub-chicago-20190509-story.html

 

Tribune booted me, someone pls summarize