Welcome to stop #119 on the Brews and Choos project.
Brewery: Monochrome Brewing, 2101 S. Carpenter St., Chicago
4 (of 5) stars
Train line: CTA Orange Line, Halsted
Time from Chicago: 10 minutes
Distance from station: 900 m
I'm sorry I never got to Lo Rez Brewing, which closed just a year ago. But I am glad my Brews & Choos buddy and I got to the space yesterday. Despite its industrial-belt location in the Lower West Side a long walk from the Pilsen Historic District, it felt comfortable and inviting inside, and had pretty good beer.
We tried four 175-mL samples. I started with the Pilsen Pils (5.2%), a very flavorful and hoppy (for a Pils) beer we would both drink outside in the summer. The Ochre New England Pale (5.8%) topped my list, with the Citra hops giving it just enough fruit. My companion said it didn't have "the sweet aftertaste of other hazies," high praise from someone who hates said aftertaste. The Quazi New Zealand Pilsner (5%) had a crispness and a long finish we both enjoyed, and would also make for easy summer sipping. Then my friend tried the Piñapple Swirl "piñapple milkshake IPA" (8%) that I did not like. She said: "Interesting. I don't think I'll order it again; six ounces is enough. Goes down smoothly, if you're into that sort of thing." (Cue Benny Hill's eyebrows.)
In short, it was worth the trip, despite the wintry mix and barely-above-freezing temperatures that makes a trip into the manufacturing district that much more dystopian. I mean, here's the forecast for the next three days; why couldn't we have gotten this yesterday?
Beer garden? Yes
Dogs OK? Encouraged
Televisions? None
Serves food? BYOF
Would hang out with a book? Yes
Would hang out with friends? Yes
Would go back? Yes