So, uh, accidentally posted this in Midwest...please forgive my ignorance of US geography, denizens of the Great Lakes region. Here it goes again. I'm headed to Chicago for a wedding this weekend, and my beer-searching time will be limited. I'll probably have no more than a few free hours on Saturday and Sunday to bottle hunting, so please help me figure out how to make the most of my time. I'm staying at the Hyatt Regency. West Lake looks like it's about 45 minutes via public transpo, Maria's is about 35 minutes, Archer about 50 minutes, Binny's on Grand about a mile walk, and Whole Foods Gold Coast seems like about a mile. Am I missing anything that's as (or more) convenient than these? I'm looking to bring home some Half Acre, Pipeworks, GI Juliet, etc. Anything else exciting on shelves right now? Also, if anybody is interested in an IP trade, I have a thread up in ISO:FT right now, so check it out...
Binnys on Grand almost always has plenty of Pipeworks. I think I've only been there once in the past 4 months when they haven't had any, and I go there weekly. That's probably your best/closest bet for Pipeworks and the other stuff you're looking for. I'll check out your ISO:FT to see if anything interests me
Just an FYI you may catch some heat for this post just because there's a similar post almost every week. Not that you would know that since you're obviously not from Chicago or the Great Lakes region. You may want to search this forum for previous posts. But it sounds like you did your research a bit. A word of advice, there are probably a dozen bottle shops per square mile in Chicago, but most places are hit or miss for the things you're looking for. Any Binnys is probably you best bet for widest selections. Binnys on Grand, South Loop Binnys, LP Binnys, etc are all relatively accessible via public transit. If you get time I suggest popping ino the smaller stores. Its a crapshoot but I sometimes find great surprises. Little hole-in-the-wall convenience stores have the random FFF or GI finds.
Yes, I know that people like to point out that questions have already been asked...I do not know the city at all, and it's rather mind numbing to try to decide which places to hit in a short time, whehter i can get there and back in time, etc based on Google Maps and old threads. Thanks for the advice, mjohnson. We get the "Coming to town" posts weekly in the South Atlantic forum too, and instead of taking the time to find and post a link to a previous thread as per the snappy BA fashion, I try to help the poster. Maybe a sweet new keg has been tapped at a spot close to them, and it hasn't been mentioned in one of the other Raleigh threads. Perhaps I like in the area that a visitor will be in, and I can provide some extra, detailed information that will specifically help them.
Cool, thank you lurchingbeast. Even knowing about the fast pace of taps turning over is helpful, so thanks for replying.
If you're looking for tapping the most active thread on that is this: http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/bourbon-county-sightings.19103/page-11#post-412555 Also keep an eye out for dontcountoday's posting on BCBS. It seems he's at just about every tapping in the city and often is the first to post about it. Maybe you'll get lucky with a tapping.
As mentioned, Binny's - Grand Ave. should have what you're looking for (it couldn't hurt to call them about Juliet -- I've seen bottles for months now and they might hold them for you, just to open up shelf space). Un-Cork-It is just across the river from your hotel -- it's an okay destination. Sometimes they still have bottles that have been long gone elsewhere. Warehouse Liquors is also worth visiting. As for other new releases.... Pick up a bomber or two from Revolution. I've seen Cross of Gold (English mild -- it's fine for what it is but nothing to get too excited about, IMO), Coup d'Etat (saison) and Double Fist (double pale ale -- delicious). Otherwise... I'm drawing a blank for other, recent releases from locals/regionals. Stuff from California might be around (Angel's Share, Fruet, Brux, etc) but you might already have access to those.
One thing you may want to keep in mind -- cabs are cheap in Chicago and they may be your best bet if you're without a car trying to rely on public transportation. If you've only got an hour to spare, a cab ride to Binny's on Grand from your hotel is going to cost you about 5 bucks and will only take a few minutes. As for selection, Binny's is probably going to have everything you're looking for as far as local beers. 3 Floyd's, Pipeworks, Half Acre, Revolution, etc
Thanks for the info everybody...I think I have enough to go on to fill my appointed beer-hunting time while in town. Much obliged, and looking forward to it.
