Forbidden Root (2018)

@KrajDoesBeer Toro still on?

 

yes sir!

 

I strongly disagree, and while I agree there are tons of bars to watch a game at, there are VERY few good craft beer spots that really are a good spot to watch a game.

Also, you do know that if a TV is on that you can just not watch it, right? One good example I have is Goose Island Clybourn (at least in its old form...we'll see about the new one) - that place had just a handful of TV's, and I would check out a game some while in there if I was intrigued by what was on, but by no means did it feel too "sporty" and distract from those that didn't want to watch TV.

 

I have no problem with a place like FR forgoing a TV, since I know it kind of ruins their vibe; I'm just saying that in general I prefer them at beer bars. But that's not really FR's main focus, anyway, in fairness.

 

Also, in not saying sound need to be on. But it's nice, especially on Sundays, to be able to have TV available.

 

But thats the thing. There are good beer options at almost every single bar in the city. Gone are the days of bars only carying Bud, Miller, Coors, Sam Adams, and Maybe a Stone if you are lucky.

You literlly have to try to go to a sports bar that doesnt have great craft beer options.

 

Happy Thursday BA!

When it comes to the berliners right now we are experimenting with one off kegs to try recipes, combos, etc to see what takes off. We would love to someday make a batch that can be available for growlers! We he have a lineup of about 6-8 more to run through for you to come in and try! Mai Tai will actually go on tonight!

TVs- Let me say this. I care about sports more than I do beer. Not kidding... TV's dont fit FR- thats not our vibe and I am great with that. There are plenty of hours we are open for people to come on down and have some beer and still get back to the games they want to see. That being said, WE WILL PLAY CHICAGO SPORTS TEAMS IN THE PLAYOFFS WITH NO SOUND. So yes the Cubs will be on when they make the playoffs. BlackHawks too.. lets be real the other 3 are not anywhere close.

Cheers!!

 

I still disagree. You can certainly find a bar with one or two taps of craft and there certainly are better options than in the past, but if you're looking for a varying amount of craft options on tap, it is limited. On that, we'll have to agree to disagree.

 

And then like a miracle @KrajDoesBeer apeared with the perfect solution.

jacked to try Mai Tai and Toro tonight on my walk home from the loop.

 

You and I either have very different definitions of "great" or different ideas on what constitutes great craft beer.

 

Half Acre, Maplewood, Pipeworks, Revolution, Off Color, Three Floyds.

These 6 breweries represent probably the top 6 overall breweries in Chicagoland. (overall. obviously other places are tops in certian styles.) All or Most of them are available in every single bar in Chicago. If you cannot find somehting you enjoy from one of those 6 over the course of a few hours (ie. the length of a game) than there is no helping you and your better off drinking at home alone. This does not even included the many options from breweries all over the country.

Obviously I would love if a magical place full of handles of Mikerphone, FR, and Coridor were available in a sports bar but it doesnt exist. It sure as shit doesnt mean that sports bars dont have good beer or even just bars with TV's.

 

Maplewood? Yes, we have a different definition of great craft beer. I also have no desire to drink the offerings from Revolution, Half Acre, or Three Floyds that are typically available at sports bars around the city (i.e. 3+ month old Daisy Cutter, Yum Yum, or Anti-Hero)

And you're right that I would much rather sit at home and drink some cans of Forbidden Root or whatever I recently traded for than pay $8 for an Anti-Hero.

 

People (the people ITT) want NEIPAs and frankly I can't think of one sports bar in the city where you can get a good version of that style. Maybe one day some of the NE breweries will start to distro here (similar to what Hill Farmstead did for NYC).

Along these lines, does anyone know if Forbidden Root (Corridor, Mikerphone, etc) have any intention on ever distributing to bars throughout the city?

 

Have you been to hopsmith or fat pour? Roots is right down the block from FR and has great taps, food and TVs.

Almost every sports bar that's actually worth going to on the north side has plenty of craft options and sells more than enough beer to turn over their kegs. There are some dead spots, but all the four corners bars, wild goose, park and field, etc. Not sure really what more you want?

 

I'm not complaining about the lack of options by any means. As a guy that lives in the Uk Village/Wicker Park area, there's no shortage of great places to have a beer and watch some sports.

I'm just saying selfishly, I would love it if one of my favorite spots had a TV. I would rather give my money to them then somewhere else most of the time. I will definitely find myself going to forbidden root much less often starting next week because of it. I only go out so much.

I will say, I don't understand places that don't have a single TV. I get it for cocktail bars, (or Hopleaf- because they're militant about it) but for places that serve primarily beer with chill vibes, it's mind bogling. I've never heard a person not want to go to a bar because the location has a single TV playing football/baseball/sl with no sound. Especially during daytime hours.

But more times than I can count, I've been on my way to a bar, sometimes just to do work with my laptop, and I'll realize "oh shit, (Hopewell) doesn't have TVs. I guess I'll go to X and give them $25-$30 instead."

 

On tap now, Mai Tai Fighter.
The latest installment in our berliner weisse project.


@KrajDoesBeer has teased about next week...

I'm here to tell you about Power Trip.
A new double IPA that takes all good decisions and throws them out the window. I once said I would never brew a beer that I couldn't, in good conscious, brew again. I lied.
We threw in double the amount of hops that were used in Snoochie. Faces will be melted Friday the 15th.

 

Ahhh yes, Gimme the quadruple dry hop!

 

Don't want to derail the thread, so I will just say that, yes, I have been to both (Hopsmith is closest to me as well as the Vig). I have been to Parlor as well. $10 for a can of PseudoSue at Parlor. A ton of AB-Inbev influence at Hopsmith and Fatpour.

I will reiterate what @prior2two said. Selfishly, I wish the spots that I actually want to go to and had the best beer had TVs. I realize I can get okay beer at sports bars, but nothing close to what I can drink at home, IMO.

Power Trip sounds f'n nuts. I will be there on the 15th.

 

I mean its pretty eay to find the single heros, the full range of HA, and options other than Yum Yum at most bars.

Expand your horizons beyong where you usually drink. I know you will be supprised.

 

Im sure I missed it somewhere. Do you have the description handy for Mai Tai Fighter? Also Power Trip sounds insane.