Experience before you go . . .
Okay, so it was a beautiful day after work and Joe and I (Brad) found a few breweries to vist and we Uber'ed down to Randolph street in Chicago. From there, it was a quick walk to our first stop, which was supposed to be Goose Island. We got the selfie and were ready to hop in, but the doors being locked, we finally checked their hours and yep, closed. Just look at that picture of us. Such anticipation in our eyes. Hopes dashed! Okay, no problem. There's another one just across the street. Finch Beer. Argh! Also closed! But again, not a problem. A quick look on our Brewery finding devices and we spot another one close by. This time we check the hours and we're in luck! On Tour Brewery is going to be on the tour! A couple of blocks and we see it rising up like an oasis of Beer and we scoot in.
It's a very open-air kind of bar we sit down at. Light colored walls, sun shining in the big open door. A very nice feeling. Of course, two lovely maidens behind the bar serving us helped with that nice feeling too. Kelly and Amanda gave us the inside info on the place. They've been open about a year and a half, you can find their beer on tap in Chicago bars, and their beer tastes great! I start with the Paradise Waits. An India Pale Ale, 7.5% ABV, IBU 75. Menu says it has ". . . heavy additions of Simcoe and Centennial, this IPA blends passionfruit, pine, berry and earthy characteristics." It was a winner. Joe is partial to Belgian brews so he appreciates the Belgian selection. He starts with a flight of Desire in Disguise, a "Fruit Sour" beer ABV 4% and 15 IBU, It Takes Two Nitro, a West Coast IPA 7% ABV and 60 IBU, and Low Boy, a Maibock 7.2% ABV and 30 IBU.
We notice their set up of canning behind the bar. Kelly says they are making Crowlers, a nice take on the Growler idea. They start with a blank can, add your favorite beer, pop the top on and seal it, slap on a custom label and you're taking On Tour beer home with you! It was a very slick process that a lot of patrons were taking advantage of.
We've experienced several taprooms that spin vinyl for their customers and On Tour did that as well. Had some Led Zeppelin playing for us and a stack of others ready to go. It's a nice touch to be able to see those big album covers again and listen to the music that we remember from back in previous times. Zeppelin and beer, once again! It's all about ambiance and they worked it. High ceilings, beer souring in barrels, this was a great brewing and serving operation!
We were on just the first of three stops for the evening so we decided to wrap things up there. The ladies gave us walking instructions to another brewery (with food!) so we headed out. We were very happy to receive such warm and friendly service and even got a pose with the merchandise before we left. Thanks ladies for being "On Tour" with us!
Until next time and remember.........
Go get'cha one!!
