I follow a lot of beer people on Twitter, and because I’ve had a lot of fun watching Off Color cofounder John Laffler and Metropolitan general manager Jess Straka sparring with each other online, I invited them for a Gchat about beer. Straka started at Metropolitan as a volunteer in March 2009, just a few months after Doug and Tracy Hurst launched their lager-only operation. Metropolitan plans to open a new brewery somewhere in the city this year, which will initially triple production.
John Laffler: I drank a shit-ton of Huber in college. Of course Huber is now Minhas.
PM: So you think not all these startups can survive and mature?
JS: For sure.
JS: I think of first as Goose Island and Two Brothers, second as Metropolitan and Half Acre.
JL: A lot of people have a lot of skin invested in these things. If I fail I’m screwed.
Must-visit craft beer bars
The Bad Apple North Center
This spacious three-room bar always seems to be at least a little crowded and it’s not hard to see why—it has great burgers (I’ve heard it described as “Kuma’s without the wait”), sandwiches, and salads, plus 24 taps of craft beer and cider and a generous bottle list. Continue reading»
Haymarket Pub & Brewery Fulton Market
Brewmaster Pete Crowley, a former Rock Bottom brewer who’s fascinated by hops and Belgian beers, brings his own sensibility to the beers at this brew pub. Continue reading»
Hopleaf Andersonville
For 15 years and counting, Hopleaf has been my favorite beer bar in Chicago. Continue reading»
Jerry’s Andersonville
Assuming you know about the dizzying menu of somewhat spendy sandwiches, I’ll get straight to the drinks. Continue reading»
Local Option Lincoln Park
With a handwritten sign inside reading “Welcome Nerds (You Know Who You Are)” and a huge skull-and-crossbones mural whose German motto translates to “Shit beer will kill you,” Local Option could not announce itself any more clearly as Serious About Beer. Continue reading»
Map Room Bucktown
There’s no cocktail menu, but if you’re missing one, you really ought to consider developing a taste for beer, if only so you can fully appreciate this Chicago treasure. Continue reading»
Maria’s Packaged Goods & Community Bar Bridgeport
In August 2010 arts raconteur Ed Marszewski transformed his mother’s packaged-goods bar into one of the city’s premier watering holes for international craft beers and whiskeys. Continue reading»
Twisted Spoke West Town
The 20 taps at Twisted Spoke favor excellent American craft beers, but it’s also the only place I’ve ever had a draft pour of Tokyo, an insane superimperial stout from Scotland’s Brew Dog. Continue reading»
