I'll be taking a trip next weekend from Michigan to Utica, IL. Visiting family Saturday to Monday. They don't live there, it's a midway meeting point. I plan to stop at 3 Floyd's if they have Zombie Dust Saturday on the way down. I will be looking to pick up some stuff that I cannot get here in Michigan. Mostly pale ales or IPA's but also stouts or other great beers. Will I be able to find anything in Utica or La Salle? If so, anything specific you would recommend. Not sure what to expect, but hoping to find Pipeworks, Half Acre, Revolution or other recommendations. Thanks for your help.
Are you taking I-80 to Utica? You might be better off stopping off somewhere before you hit Utica and stocking up. Looks like there is a Binny's in Mokena which appears to be a reasonable detour. Not familiar with the Joliet area re: the breweries you mention or stores which might carry them. Good luck.
Yes, I'll be taking I-80. I guess that is what I am trying to decide, can I find something there or stop on the way there or back. I thought Liquor Depot in Joliet or the Mokena Binny's would be good options. Do you know of a good place to eat near the Mokena Binny's?
Id stop before Utica/LaSalle - there isn't much out there. If you are taking I-80 there is a Binny's in Mokena that has a good selection, Open Bottle in Tinley park is great - its right near Hailstorm's taproom as well and is just off of I-80.
Open Bottle is a great rec above. I've never been there myself but here is their inventory on Beermenus to give you an idea.
Agreed with Jaycase and FBarber above - hit up The Open Bottle. I've been multiple times, and the selection is great - you can even stop in for a beer (or 9) on tap. The selection at the bar is usually on point as well. It's quite literally right off of the Harlem exit, you pretty much make the first two right turns off of that exit and you're there. Cheers!
a few other have said it but open bottle would be the best place to stop. Not much in the Utica area.
Thanks all. Looks like Open Bottle it is. Beer menus shows that they have PsuedoSue. Didn't realize this was still available in Illinois. Do they keep their beer menu up to date?
Rudy's Liquors in LaSalle has a good selection and good prices. They also recently opened a throwback lounge. www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/15741/?view=ratings www.mywebtimes.com/news/local/rudy-s-liquor-opens-throwback-tasting-lounge/article_55b7de52-c44c-59c7-a832-a6a613e29c1f.html Herman's Package Store in Ottawa also has a good selection for the area. Recently expanded. Check out the bourbon as well. www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/12979/?view=ratings Ottawa also has Lone Buffalo Brewpub. Nice space with solid beer. Nothing mind blowing but good. www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/43019/ Utica itself has a cool little dive/old school bar loaded with character, a small but well manicured taplist and excellent corned beef. Duffy's Tavern. www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/21134/?view=ratings The shops will have some things you won't find in the Chicagoland distribution chain. Better prices as well. They're certainly worth a stop.
+1 on Rudy's. Great shop that's an oasis for the area. There's also a new HyVee in Peru with a pretty extensive selection. Pipework's doesn't make it out that far, but Rev and Half Acre do. Check out the places directory for Peru, La Salle, and Ottawa as these are all close proximity to Utica and have a few craft options.
I'll second/third/fourth/whatever.... You'll want to go to The Open Bottle. They have a great selection, it couldn't be any closer to the I-80, and they are always super cool when I go. They also update their Beer Menu religiously, so you'll know exactly what you're walking into. You'll be able to find PS at almost any Binny's I would imagine.
Thanks for the help. Rudy's had lots of good stuff. Picked up a few things I can't get back home. Had a can of Daisy Cutter last night. Very happy with that purchase. The tap list at Duffy's was nice, but the food was not. The part of our group from Wisconsin was pretty excited to have Hopslam on draft.
Stopped at Duffy's last weekend, they had a special St. Patrick's Day menu and a few nice beers on. An oaked Irish stout from Bent River, Plead the 5th, DH One Oatmeal Stout, Hopslam, Radium City, and a few others. Menu included a beef & lamb Irish stew, shepherd's pie, and a corned beef dinner that was on a platter 18" across. Corned beef sandwich was as good as ever, tender and thick cut, juicy and well seasoned. Fried pickles were good too. Still the best spot in town for craft beer and a corned beef or rueben...that's all i've ever ordered there, it's that good. YMMV, of course.
I was in Utica/Starved Rock area this past weekend with the family. Had to find some milk and the only place open after 7pm was the Village Greenhouse Liquor Shop. So of course, I briefly browsed. Proportionate to the size of the town, they had a nice little selection - CW BBS and some of their bombers, various Dark horse, Founders, pretty sure I saw cans of Pseudo Sue, many other breweries. So if you're staying there and don't want to drive to another town, give this place a shot. For food I have to throw out Cajun Connection in Utica. If you dig Cajun food, this place kicks ass.
