CHICAGO VICINITY, ILLINOIS
When I went to North Central College (1977-1980) in burgeoning suburb, Naperville, besides getting free press passes for White Sox games, I sucked down my share of sudsy Chi-town-related macrobrews such as Stroh’s and Old Style on campus and at historic tavern, the Lantern.
During ‘02/’03 June jaunts, quenched afternoon thirst at industrial-bound Lincoln Park’s premier oak-barred Goose Island Brewery (selection reviewed in Beer Index), then walked over to excellent spacious warehouse-styled store, Sam’s Liquors, buying trunk-load of Midwest faves plus a few overlooked international ales.
On recent trips to college towns’ Solo Liquors and Woodridge’s even better Select Wine & Liquors, found several fine brews from Goose Island and Two Brothers (Illinois); Wild Boar’s and 3 Floyd’s (Iowa); and Bell’s, Arcadia, and New Holland (Michigan).
In June ’03, discovered Warrenville’s ROCK BOTTOM brewpub and quaffed black cherry-fronted espresso-dried caramel-roasted Lumpy Dog Brown Ale, spruced citric Peashooter Pale Ale, dry peat-malted Irish whiskey-styled Terminal Stout, and English-styled fruit-hopped Ragtop Red Ale. Before a Cubs game, ate lunch at Chi-town’s Irish Oak pub, then headed to Naperville afterwards to try Black & Tans at Quigley’s Irish Pub.