Where to Go Near Schaumburg

[BluesHarp]

I'm going to be traveling from SE Wisconsin to Schaumburg, IL this weekend.
Are there any good brewpubs I shoudn't miss?
I've heard of Ram Brewing and Prairie Rock, any comments on those?
Sorry for the short notice; kind of a last minute trip.

Thanks!!

ps - posted this in general beer talk also to try to increase exposure...sorry for the redundancy :)

[steveh]

The Prairie Rock, near the Woodfield mall, is an off-shoot of their original in Elgin. The Elgin pub has terrific beer and I've heard good reviews on the new joint. http://www.prairierockbrewingcompany.com/

I've been to the Ram in Wheeling, IL and wouldn't recommend it. What do you say about a brew-pub that insists on serving its beer in a chilled mug?

There's also the Curragh Irish Pub (847-706-1700) whose ambiance and Shepherd's Pie I can vouch for.

Depending on the route you're taking, there's also a few brew-pubs pretty close by: Brass Restaurant & Brewery in S. Barrington (847-765-1200), you can give us a review. Millrose http://www.millroserestaurant.com/ , also in S. Barrington and has some decent brew. And the Onion in LAKE Barrington http://www.onionpub.com/, also untried as of yet, but it's gotten good reviews in the local beer press. And I wouldn't rule out planning the trip through Libertyville for a stop at Mickey Finn's and the Firkin -- but that's just me. ;)

Good luck, give us a full report!

S.

[threecb]

Originally posted by steveh
...trip through Libertyville for a stop at Mickey Finn's and the Firkin -- but that's just me.
S.

hmmm, does MF's pay you, steve?!?! :p

[steveh]

You obviously forgot my less-than-favorable review of their Oktoberfest! D'oh!!

Nahh, they're just my local brew-pub, gotta support that! ;)

S.

[threecb]

I understand completely...
(and you need to go try the O-fest again to make sure it wasn't green!)

this post brought to you by
The Harvest Moon Brewery and Cafe,
located in "lovely" downtown New Brunswick, NJ...
Stop in and try some of Matt McCord's creations....:D

[BluesHarp]

Thanks Steve...Sounds like we will be hitting the Millrose for lunch, then The Onion, The Brass, and Prairie Rock.
I would fit more in, but I'm told I am going to go shopping as well :mad: .

I hope to have a sampler at each place and then a pint of my favorite; I'll take some notes if I can and report back next week.

From their website, it looks like the Brass has several large TV's; maybe a place to go for dinner Saturday and catch the WI-IL football game!

[BluesHarp]

Oh,Oh...Trouble's a brewin'...just looked at the websites for Mickey Finn's and the Firkin. The Firkin has Three Floyd's Dreadnaught IPA and Old Foghorn Barleywine on tap. :eek: I Think Sunday will be a good day, as well! My wife wants to go to Gurney Mills Sunday on the way home...Libertyville is not far out of the way.
I may have to clean up the growlers tonight.

[steveh]

Originally posted by threecb
I understand completely...
(and you need to go try the O-fest again to make sure it wasn't green!)

this post brought to you by
The Harvest Moon Brewery and Cafe,
located in "lovely" downtown New Brunswick, NJ...
Stop in and try some of Matt McCord's creations....:D

He, he, he. May get to Finn's today...hear that Bill? Have my check ready!

S.

[steveh]

Originally posted by BluesHarp
Oh,Oh...Trouble's a brewin'...just looked at the websites for Mickey Finn's and the Firkin. The Firkin has Three Floyd's Dreadnaught IPA and Old Foghorn Barleywine on tap. eek: I Think Sunday will be a good day, as well! My wife wants to go to Gurney Mills Sunday on the way home...Libertyville is not far out of the way.
I may have to clean up the growlers tonight.

I waaaarned you! ;)

You may not get this in time, but - when do you think you may be at the Firkin? I was thinking of stopping in this weekend to see if they had any Oktos on tap yet - be great to meet you!

BTW - it's GurneE - that's where I live! Well, the village...not the mall.

S.

[BluesHarp]

First off...I brain-farted on Gurnee; must have been the pints of Alpha King...

Second...my report on the Greater Shaumburg area:

1) Millrose Restaurant (South Barrington) - Lunch on Saturday.I was not at all impressed with their beers; they all seemed a little "watered down", ie very light mouth feel, not body; and they all had a certain house flavor- rather sour, actually. The food was very interesting, but I found it to be a bit under seasoned; so I'm afraid I can't give them a very good review.

2) The Prairie Rock Brewery (Schaumburg) - Went there Saturday afternoon/evening to watch the WI/IL football game.
Excellent beers; each style was unique, no "house" flavor. They have a vanilla creme ale, which although being kind of a chick beer, wasn't that bad. The base beer was decent and the vanilla was subtle enough not to be overpowering; probably would have went well with cake. I especially liked the Pale Rider IPA; nice balance of malt and hops, good aroma and nice hop flavor with a nice bitter finish; a bit of a toasty quality if I remember (by this time I had given up on taking notes).
The only beer i took exception to was the Coffee Stout; I really like all varieties of stout, but this one was WAY over done; the coffee flavor was just overpowering. It tasted like the sediment from a cup of expresso; it would have been fine with about 1/4 the coffee.
The food was very good; I had a 1/2lb bacon cheeseburger which was very tasty; my waitress Morgan was very attentive and pretty cool. I would recommend this one. (The blues on the sound system didn't hurt either)

...and then Sunday, on to Libertyville.
Steve...you are my hero!

1) The Firkin for lunch (about 2:00 Sunday) - Great decor, very artsy, yet old world with a HUGE bar back and a great selection of beers. The only drawback was that the Three Floyds Dreadnaught Imperial IPA was on hiatus to make room for the Oktoberfest beers.
I sampled a couple O'fest, most of which I had drank before; the Capital Autumnal Fire was especially sweet and malty, mmmmm. Since I can get Capital beers anytime, I went for a pint of Anchor Old Foghorn Barleywine...wow! Strong, sweet, enough hoppiness, but not to the extent of a Sierra Bigfoot, and did I mention strong? The food was fantastic!! I had black bean ravioli with acho chili sauce, melted cheese, and grilled chicken strips...really good. My wife had a Teriyaki chicken pasta, also really flavorful. It was actually the best food we had all weekend. We are going back there again, hopefully sooner rather than later (after the Dreadnaught comes back).

Mickey Finns - another neat old building and decent selection of beers; I need to go back again as I was getting pressed for time (someone was in a hurry to get to GurneE :D Mills) and only got to sample a couple beers, but enjoyed each. I decided to take home a growler of R.K.'s IPA, a nicely hopped, well balanced beer.
The bartender invited me to come down for Monday Night football, but I had to decline; even when he found out I was from WI and a Packer fan, he still filled my growler. I did tell him to keep it where I could see it at all times. We had a good natured ribbing contest and I left with my growler and an authentic Mickey Finn pint glass; as I said, I will need to go back and spend some time (Libertville is easily less than two hours away, so a one day road trip is not out of the question with a designated driver)

The staffs at both establishments was were very cool, had a great time!

I never did get to the Onion Pub or Brass Restaurant, but sacrifices had to be made...have to make them next trip.

[steveh]

Originally posted by BluesHarp
...and then Sunday, on to Libertyville.
Steve...you are my hero!

I blush in embarrassment and respond, I just calls 'em as I sees 'em.


1) The Firkin for lunch (about 2:00 Sunday) >snip<


We must have brushed shoulders, I was in there from about 1:30 to 3:00 - the Mick at the bar discussing beer, women, and social distortion with Kirk and Dave! BTW - I had a Packer's sweatshirt on, but I was facing the bar most often.

Sorry that they didn't have the Dreadnaught, Dave said that 3 Floyd's is trying to catch up with demand. The Alpha King was on tap though...


Mickey Finns - another neat old building and decent selection of beers; I need to go back again...as I said, I will need to go back and spend some time (Libertville is easily less than two hours away, so a one day road trip is not out of the question with a designated driver)

The staffs at both establishments was were very cool, had a great time!

I agree with your assessment of both staffs, did you get a chance to talk with Dave at the Firkin? He has advanced in a bartender's competition and will be on his way to Belgium later this month for the finals - sponsored by Stella Artois!

I'd stopped in at Finn's beforehand for a growler of Kolsch for last night's game. Sorry we missed at such close proximity, let me know when you plan another trip to the flatland's!

S.

[BluesHarp]

That's just weird!!

I know we were there at that time; we were sitting at the corner table by the window.
I was wearing a black Harley-Davidson T-Shirt.

I'll let you know when I make it down again.

[Kalleh1]

My really good friend on this site, Richard English, made it possible for me to become a member in the Fuller's Fine Ale Club. I received their Autumn publication, and they discuss an ale that I really want to try. Do any of you know where I can get Fuller's Vintage Ale? It is described as: "Brewed to 8.5% ABV, the beer is mellow and deep gold in colour, almost brandy-like. The taste is rich with notes of marmalade, raisins, and Christmas cake, the spicy hops well balanced with a pleasant bitterness."

There are only 50,000 bottles, and I want one!

[hopjack13]

i picked up two 2000s at liquorama they may have some left..?
here's thier site www.liquorama.net

[steveh]

Keep it quiet...but they have quite a few vintages at the Armanetti's Liquors in Mundelein...

S.

[hopjack13]

iv'e got a who list of where to buy beer online somewheres in a file somewheres..........