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Burger Classic

March 8th, 2010

BEER REVIEW: Burger Classic by Hudepohl-Schoenling Brewing Co.

Behold a Beer named Burger Classic.  Traditionally, when you see the name Burger Classic you imagine looking at a fast-food menu.  Well friends, prepare to alter your perception because this great Lager is not found on the fast-food menu (yet).  It is barely found at bars around Chicago.  In fact, the only bar I have come across that serves the quality beer in a can known as Burger Classic is Boni’s Sports Bar in the neighborhood of Logan Square.  This small, family owned bar that regularly has their TV’s tuned to Baseball games from all over North, Central & South America declares to be one of the few bars outside of Ohio where you can drink Burger Classic.  It makes perfect sense when you think about it: Burger Classic is a beer that goes great with baseball.  Goes great whether you are watching Baseball or playing Baseball.  Burger Classic is a light beer in the style of a PBR or Old Style.  These beers are light, refreshing and very drinkable.

Burger Classic has been around since the year 1880.  It was first brewed in Cincinnati, Ohio, by The Burger Brewing Company and then purchased by the Hudepohl-Schoenling Brewing Co..  That is as much history as I will give you on this notable Lager.  One of the reasons I enjoyed drinking Burger Classic so much was because this beer has been around since 1880!  Obviously the beer recipe is a proven winner because this beer is old and reliable.  I will not say that Burger Classic is the best beer you will ever drink, but I will say that it is an enjoyable beer that reminds you of a forgotten era.  An era where people lived simple lives and drank simple beer.

Burger Classic is Recommended by Gonzalo


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The Beer Bistro

February 4th, 2010

BAR REVIEW: The Beer Bistro in the West Loop area of Chicago, Illinois

Since it’s founding in 2005, The Beer Bistro has been a haven for beer drinkers in the West Loop area.  With its welcoming bar and laid back workers, The Beer Bistro is a great locale to drink and learn about beer.  In fact, the bar was built out of love for beer.  It’s true and says so right on their website.

When drinking one of the many beers available, do not forget to enjoy the food.  The Beer Bistro has delicious food offerings and a very unique burger called the Gourmet Burger.  This burger comes on a pretzel roll with peanut butter, fried egg, bacon and cheddar.  Pretty unique, huh?  My initial reaction before ordering the burger was “Peanut Butter?  On a burger?”  I decided to trust the bar tender on this one (she was right about the Sierra Nevada Brew recommendation) and ordered my first burger with peanut butter.  After enjoying every flavorful bite of the Gourmet Burger, I wondered why it took me this long to combine meat with peanut butter.  This delightful combination would have been ideal during my late childhood/early teen years!  Needless to say, the Gourmet Burger tasted great and it really went well with the IPA I was drinking.  Order it next time you are in the West Loop and you will not be disappointed.

Overall, The Beer Bistro does a nice job of balancing a mighty beer selection with a cozy neighborhood bar mentality.  The servers and crowd make you feel welcomed and the food is always served to your liking.

The Beer Bistro is located at 1061 W. Madison Street in the West Loop area of Chicago, Illinois.  Phone: 312-433-0013.  Website: thebeerbistro.com.

The Beer Bistro is Recommended by Gonzalo

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XOCO

September 16th, 2009

BAR REVIEW: XOCO in the River North area of Chicago, Illinois

The newest restaurant creation by Rick Bayless is not a bar, but for the sake of this review, I will treat it as one…hey, the place serves Mexican Beer, that’s all that matters to me. XOCO is a “quick-service cafe” that serves delicious street food and snacks typical of Mexico. For those of you who have not been to Mexico and had the chance to experience “street food”, basically what you can expect to eat at XOCO are Tortas, Caldos and snacks like Churros. Rick Bayless elevates all menu items to a higher standard thanks to his exceptional cooking skills.

As for the beverages available at XOCO, you can find refreshing water drinks typical of Mexico, as well as some fine Mexican Beers. My favorite beer available at XOCO is Bohemia. Bohemia is a smooth Pilsner that complimented very well my Torta Milanesa. As far as Pilsners go, Bohemia is one of my favorites.

Overall, XOCO is a great destination for quick Mexican food from Rick Bayless. The food may come out quick, but do expect a wait to order. The line forms out the door during peak dining hours. There are better quick Mexican food joints around Chicago, but for the River North crowd, this is as good as it gets (too bad they don’t stay open all night on the weekends). Plus, you may get a glimpse of the Master Chef himself, Rick Bayless, in action in the kitchen.

XOCO is located at 449 N. Clark Street in the River North neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, USA. Phone: (312) 334-3688

XOCO is Highly Recommended by Gonzalo

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District Bar

August 21st, 2009

BAR REVIEW: District Bar in the River North area of Chicago, Illinois

At first glance, District Bar is just another one of the new “High End” Sports Bars that have been popping up all over the River North area. Once you look deeper though and once you decide to check out the bookshelves (cough, cough, there is a secret entry way to VIP Bar, cough, cough) at District Bar, you will notice that this Sports Bar stands apart from the others.

You will definitely not miss any big Sporting Event while at District Bar: Widescreen HDTV’s engulf the main bar. You can expect to catch all of the upcoming Notre Dame NCAA Football Games, Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Football Games, International Football/Soccer Games, and of course, the local Chicago Sporting Teams are on display.

District Bar has the TV’s covered, but how does the Food & Drink Menu fair? The great news is that the food is delicious and the beer selection is respectable. There is not one beer that really deserves special attention, but you will be satisfied with the beer menu. You can never go wrong when you offer the Samuel Adams Seasonal Beer and other local favorites like Miller Lite, 312, Guinness and Heineken.

Overall, District Bar is worth your time. The hook to this place is the VIP Room that opens secretly via the bookshelves. If you are not fortunate enough to drink in the VIP Room, you will still enjoy your time at District Bar. How can you not? District Bar has plenty of eye candy: the cool crowd and the bright Televisions.

District Bar is located at 170 W. Ontario Street in the River North neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, USA. Phone: (312) 337-3477. Website: http://district-bar.com/

District Bar is Recommended by Gonzalo

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Roof on the Wit

July 19th, 2009

BAR REVIEW: Roof on the Wit in the Downtown area of Chicago, Illinois

Since its opening back at the end of May, Roof on the Wit has been the place to go and be seen. Celebrities, Athletes, Local News Anchors and Very Important People have found their way to this 27th Floor Lounge located on the Roof of the Wit Hotel. So after all the razzle-dazzle and positive word of mouth, is the Roof on the Wit all it is made out to be? YES!

Allow me to present a checklist of sorts for my recent visit to Roof: 1) Are famous people present? Yes. Coach Quenneville of the Chicago Blackhawks was right next to our table, as was Kendall Gill, a former Chicago Bulls player. Oh, and I cannot forget to mention local Comcast SportNet anchor David Kaplan. 2) “Gourmet” Beer List? Yes. They only have around 7 beers in bottles, and some of those beers include Hitachino Nest White Ale and a Gluten Free Beer. 3) Hip and trendy atmosphere? Yes. Everyone at Roof comes dressed to impress and to hang out in a very chic, laid back and stellar lounge scene under the night sky. 4) Impressive 27th floor views? Yes. Roof is high above the corner of Lake Street and State Street, so you have views down State Street and beautiful views of the buildings located in the west part of the Loop.

Overall, Roof on the Wit lives up to the hype and is a must visit destination if you find yourself in the Downtown area. You can not say it enough, but the lounge atmosphere is one of the best I have experienced in the city of Chicago. One thing to keep in mind, with all the hype that Roof has gotten, you should expect a line to get in. At times, the line forms all the way to the entrance of the Harold Washington College. Do not let that discourage you, just show up earlier than you normally would.

Roof on the Wit is Highly Recommended by Gonzalo

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Market

June 1st, 2009

BAR REVIEW: Market in the West Loop Gate area of Chicago, Illinois

It may be because this bar is brand new, but Market is very shiny. Like a hot new car one would buy, this new multi-faceted restaurant and sports bar has that “wow” factor through out everything! From the beautiful wood trim to the chrome beer taps to the vibrant Panasonic widescreen televisions, and that is just the first floor. Do not dare to leave Market without enjoying a drink on the Roof Deck. An impressive lounge retreat with an outstanding view of the Skyline, the Roof Deck at Market is going to be a popular destination through out the summer.

So Market is a great place to savor a drink, but I wish the Beer Menu were just a tad greater. Granted they do have Goose Island 312 on tap and that is all I really need, but I guess I am just nitpicking. In reality, their beer menu has favorites like Stella Artois, Heineken, Guinness and Corona. Actually, enjoying a Corona and Lime on the Roof Deck while gazing at the Sears Tower (sorry, I mean Willis Tower) sounds like a wonderful way to relax during the summer.

A helpful tip to you, future patron of Market, since Market is located in the sophisticated West Loop Gate area and Oprah’s Harpo Studios are located down the block, make sure you dress to impress. I did feel a bit out of place in my White Sox track jacket. Of course though, I had no problems making my way through the bar.

Overall, Market is a stunning bar that will impress your date, friends and out-of-town guests, most importantly though, you will be fond of this new restaurant and sports bar. When you mix great food, with a respectable beer menu and a stylish atmosphere, you get this new hot spot. Market is located at 1113 West Randolph Street in the West Loop Gate area of Chicago, Illinois. Phone: 312-929-4787.

Market is Highly Recommended by Gonzalo

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The Fifty 50

February 19th, 2009

BAR REVIEW: The Fifty 50 in the Wicker Park area of Chicago, Illinois

Since appearing on the Wicker Park bar scene about a year ago, The Fifty 50 has gone on to claim the “#1 Neighborhood Bar Award” issued by Chicago Scene for the Wicker Park area. Once you step into this neighborhood bar, you can see why The Fifty 50 has drawn such praise. Delicious comfort food, decent beer selection and friendly bar tenders (John is a great source of information) all add to the great vibe.

Not only does it have a great vibe inside the bar, once the warm weather comes around, the outdoor patio a fun place to people watch and a great place to relax with your dog. During the cold Chicago winters, you will have to do with the widescreen tv’s, warm atmosphere and 40’s found in inside. Yes, I said 40’s. The Fifty 50 has a rotating selection of 40oz beers they offer for $8!

Speaking of beer, for the most part The Fifty 50 has a plain selection, they do offer Goose Island Seasonal on draft and have Delirium Nocturnum in bottles, so it is not as plain as I make it sound.

Overall, The Fifty 50 does impress. The cozy and hip interior, along with the good food and decent beer selection make this (http://beerbin.com/bars?city=Chicago&neighborhood=Wicker+Park) bar a great destination.
The Fifty 50 is located at 2047 West Division Street in the (http://beerbin.com/bars?city=Chicago&neighborhood=Wicker+Park) area of Chicago, Illinois, USA. Phone: (773) 489-5050

The Fifty 50 is Recommended by Gonzalo

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The Boundary

February 13th, 2009

BAR REVIEW: The Boundary in the Wicker Park area of Chicago, Illinois

Established in 2007, The Boundary has been making a name for itself in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago. Located on the Division Street strip of Wicker Park, The Boundary Tavern & Grille is the new generation of neighborhood bars. The High Definition Televisions broadcast the local team, while the kitchen serves up some fantastic food and the bartenders offer their input on the many beers they serve.

The beer menu at The Boundary did catch me by surprise. Based on the trendy and yuppie vibe of the tavern, I was expecting a plain beer menu. Just like your Grandma said to never judge a book by its cover, The Boundary has an excellent beer menu. They offer a nice selection on draft, but it’s their bottle selection that truly impressed me. Unibroue Trois Pistoles and Anchor Liberty Ale are some of the specialty beers they offer. The best part is their prices are reasonable. Many establishments charge you at least $8 for a bottle of Trois Pistoles, the current price at The Boundary: $6 per bottle.

Overall, The Boundary has all the makings of a bar that will have a strong hold on the Wicker Park area: friendly atmosphere, delicious food, reasonable prices and a wonderful selection of beers.

The Boundary is located at 1932 West Division Street in the Wicker Park area of Chicago, Illinois, USA. Phone: (773) 278 – 1919.

The Boundary is Highly Recommended by Gonzalo

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BeerBin.com: Year 3

January 16th, 2009

2009 has arrived and with it, the 3rd year of the BeerBin.com Project. It has been a fun 2 years getting to know the various bars, neighborhoods and patrons that make Chicago the best drinking destination in the world. At the beginning of 2007 we embarked on creating a website that keeps track of the beers being served across the Chicagoland bars. We wanted an easy way for drinkers to know where they can find their favorite brew. With the rise of Microbreweries and the evolving taste palate of Beer Drinkers, consumers need a “directory of beers” to turn to when they want to drink a pint of Bell’s Oberon (for example). In addition, we wanted to create a website that helps you find the bar that is affiliated with your favorite sporting team. Chicago is home to Buckeye Fans, Wolverine Fans, Red Sox fans, Manchester United fans and many more fans. All of these sports fans need a drinking destination where they can enjoy the excitement of the big game with other fellow fans. These wants resulted in BeerBin.com.

Although our site is an always evolving stage as we adapt to the ever developing World Wide Web, we are optimistic that 2009 will see a “definitive” version of BeerBin.com. We have some big plans in store for making BeerBin.com a more household name across Chicagoland (and eventually, the world).

2008 saw our site traffic double from the previous year. Thank you to all who have made BeerBin.com a “must see” website before you embark on your drinking adventure. It is you who we have in mind as we go about the grueling task of drinking beer, bar hopping and neighborhood scoping. Thank you :-)

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John Barleycorn in Lincoln Park

January 15th, 2009

BAR REVIEW: John Barleycorn in Lincoln Park in the Lincoln Park area of Chicago,IL

The new and improved John Barleycorn Bar in the neighborhood of Lincoln Park has been revamped to make it more like its counterparts in Wrigleyville and Schaumburg. Sure this gives the Barleycorn bars more of a “uniform” feel and look, but now this once charming Lincoln Park bar feels more like a suburban bar. Not that there is anything wrong with suburban bars, but if I wanted a suburban bar, I’d drive out to the ‘burbs. Around the neighborhoods of Chicago, I want neighborhood bars. Neighborhood bars make you feel like you walked down the block to take a seat in their friendly confines; Suburban bars are situated in strip malls and have parking lots in front.

Sure the revamp may have changed the vibe once given off within this neighborhood bar, but the core is still there: You can still have a ridiculously good time at John Barleycorn. The beer taps are always pouring and the crowd is always hot. In fact, thanks to the revamps that took place, you can now fit more people into this Lincoln Park hot spot.

Overall, the look may have changed, but the outcome is still the same. John Barleycorn in Lincoln Park is a staple of the Lincoln Park neighborhood, and it will always continue to be. No matter how much it tries to be a suburban bar.

John Barleycorn in Lincoln Park is located at 658 West Belden Avenue in the Lincoln Park area of Chicago, Illinois, USA. Phone: 773-348-8899.

John Barleycorn in Lincoln Park is Recommended by Gonzalo

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