We visited Beer on the Wall this weekend. You should plan on visiting soon, and bring your portly schnauzer and imbibe steadily–since this place is dog friendly!
This establishment tucked into the old downtown of Park Ridge gives you a plethora of options from IPAs to Stouts to Sours to Ciders. What makes it unique is that not only can you order drafts (or flights) from their ever changing 12 taps, but you can grab something from the fridge as well. Or coffee…. or whiskey.
This set up makes it easy for you to try something singular, instead of investing in a whole six pack. The comfy seating and friendly atmosphere let’s you kick back, or make a quick stop and take something home from a wide array of beverages. There’s also an outdoor space to soak up the sun and heckle the good people of Park Ridge from afar.
You can tell this place is run by a person that cares about craft beverages and employs people with the same passion in a non-beer-snobby attitude. They have plenty of tastings, pairings and events year-round to check out. The day I showed up they had a shuttle bus taking people back and forth to the Overlord release at 3 Floyds – something I hope to take advantage of next year!
I walked in pretending to be a newbie to the craft scene, never leading them on that I am associated with any craft platform to see how I was treated. (the clout that comes from employed by Chicago Craft is quite overwhelming you see… actually, I’d probably have to pay more than you.) The two bartenders were friendly and informative. The place was pretty busy even though it was pouring outside and a party came in to set up in the back.
A nice addition to everything else is the chalkboard area behind the bar. You can leave a message and $$$ to buy a friend a drink or pay it forward, etc. This has certainly caught on and it’s “chalked” full of friendly notes and banter. “Christine – try the hazy $8” or “Jim – get off your damn computer and have a Pollyanna $10” is a sample of what you’ll find up there.
All in all this is a well thought out shop/bar with good people and crazy variety. So stop by 106 Main Street in Park Ridge and enjoy! We did, and so did the schnauzer.
p.s. They have a new location opening in Arlington Heights later this year.
Chicago Craft 