Bigby's Pour House's second location winning fans in Rolling Meadows
Addison's Bigby's Pour House has added a Rolling Meadows location, taking over a former Caribou Coffee shop in August. With friendly and knowledgeable staff to guide you through their extensive selection of craft brews, it's a perfect place for beer nerds and novices alike to relax and try something new.
Motif: Beer is worked into every part of the bar's decor. Bottle caps under glass top the tables, growlers hang from the rafters, the log cabin-style walls are covered in beer signs, a beer barrel is used as a table and tap handles hang over the bar. A chalkboard shows what's currently on tap and you can count on seeing things get erased and added during a busy night. You can chill on the couch upfront or another one by the fireplace and watch sports on a few TVs or a projector screen. There's also a bookcase stocked with board games.
Food: While it opened without serving food, Bigby's added a small menu two months ago to keep people from leaving in search of food and is planning on expanding it soon. Current favorites include the spicy bacon pizza, which features sriracha and a tomato sauce made with crushed red pepper, and the Muddy Pig, a flatbread topped with chocolate, bacon and Nutella best paired with a milk stout.
Liquid consumption: Bigby's focuses on local and seasonal beers, changing up its selection every time a keg runs out. With the list constantly changing, you can try a few options by ordering a $10 flight, three 6-ounce pours served in little goblets. That's especially useful when the brewery hosts mini tap takeovers, pouring several drafts from the same brewery to show off its range. San Diego's Ballast Point Brewing Company had the spotlight when we visited, with the flight offering tastes of its Sculpin IPA, citrusy Grapefruit Sculpin IPA and wonderfully smooth Victory at Sea imperial porter. If beer's not your thing, they also offer 10 wines by the glass.
The bar regularly collaborates with area breweries for events such as nights where you take home a glass when you buy a beer. They even have their own signature beer from Warrenville's Two Brothers, The Big Bee honey saison, which they eventually want to sell in cans. Bigby's is looking to increase craft beer enthusiasm in the area by sponsoring the Ballpark Brew Fest at Schaumburg Boomers Stadium on May 2.
Crowd: Bigby's primarily caters to locals looking for a comfortable space to watch sports or play a game. We found the spot mostly populated by casually dressed 30-somethings, though you'll also spot some college-aged beer fans.
Service: The bartender came over to our table soon after we grabbed a seat and was happy to offer recommendations and share his extensive knowledge of the draft list. Our brews came out soon after ordering.
Parking: The free parking lot offers plenty of spots.
Overall: Bigby's Pour House's second location is sure to win the beer bar even more devoted drinkers.
Bigby's Pour House
1649 W. Algonquin Road, Rolling Meadows, (847) 258-4191
<b>Hours:</b> 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday, noon to 10 p.m. Sunday