The Beer Bistro has been a West Loop staple for nearly 10 years. And Bob McDermott, the owner, has been just as much a factor in the establishment’s success as his wide selection of craft brews, tap takeovers, and free United Center shuttle. He’s an ardent supporter of local recreational sports teams and neighborhood groups, has some of the longest serving employees in the neighborhood, and has fostered good relationships with local and regional brewers. It’s on that last note that we’ll dwell for a minute, as we edge closer to West Loop Craft Beer Festival.
Bob will be turning tappers over to Around The Bend Beer Co. (ATB) next Thursday, June 11 as the Chicago brewer celebrates the official launch of its brew works. Owner Dan Schedler made a few stops around town last month sharing ATB’s Silk Road American Pale Ale, a delicious beer brewed with galangal root, and Ghost of ‘Lectricity, a refreshing Kolsch Style. ATB celebrated being the newest brewer at Beer Under Glass at the Garfield Park Conservatory in mid-May, and displayed their new brew box, a thing of true brew glory.
Dan says the brewery is about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with craft beer. “The revolution is over, the war has been won,” he says. “Big beer is dead…And by dead, we mean irrelevant for millions of us. And this allows for evermore experimentation and innovation with the form we know as craft beer. The road that lies ahead is a more exciting stretch than we have glimpsed to-date. So let’s keep going. Let’s see what’s Around the Bend.”
Seems a lot is happening for ATB these days. There is no telling what the Beer Bistro event might bring, so you should come out on June 11th and be a part of it. Meet Dan, say hello to Bob, and have a chance to win tickets to the West Loop Craft Beer Festival. ATB will be back on tap at the Festival, and you’ll get a chance to check out that fantastic brew box for yourself.