Massive beer list a big draw at Naperville's Old Town
Ninety-six beers. Yes, 96. While I'd rather not be overwhelmed by so many choices, I have to give it to the new Old Town Pour House in north Naperville. I actually enjoyed reading through the massive list of mainly craft brews while relaxing on the pleasant patio on a recent 80-degree Sunday. The inventive beer names (including Punk Rock for Rich Kids from Naperville's Solemn Oath and Galaxy and the 7-C's from Downers Grove's Alter) and detailed descriptions piqued my interest.
<b>Motif:</b> Old Town took over and remodeled the former Zapatista Mexican restaurant in Freedom Commons just off Diehl Road in Naperville. That area is teeming with new restaurants and bars, but Old Town's extensive beer list and Limited Supply menu stands out. The space feels urban, with its exposed stone, copper accents, dark woods, modern lines and upscale high-tops and tables with cushy leather chairs and half-circle raised leather-backed banquettes. When you walk in, the first thing you notice is the impressive well-lit line of taps, spanning from one end of the rectangular bar to the other in the middle of the space. Flat-screen TVs, on our visit showing NFL Sunday Night Football and pro baseball, line the copper space above the bar. If you prefer to watch sports (or later, music videos) on a bigger projection screen, they have that, too. An oversized beer menu covers the wall on the opposite side of the bar, so you don't even need to look at a menu.
We couldn't pass up the chance to enjoy the perfect weather, so we opted to sit outside on the large wraparound patio, which was full on our visit. Cream umbrellas shaded the setting sun as we settled into a dark wicker booth. Flat-screen TVs dot the brick exterior, and tall propane heaters stand at the ready to stave off the slight chill that can happen after the sun sets. White twinkling lights and flowers and planters surrounding the space add ambience. One of the coolest features was the square brick fire pit with four flat-screen TVs built into the top part of the structure.
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Liquid consumption:</b> Back to the Punk Rock for Rich Kids. That particular brew went down smooth. Vander Mill Cidery's Blue Gold Cider out of Michigan intrigued. The description mentions Michigan blueberries enhancing the flavor. They must be subtle, as I couldn't taste any blueberry. Still, it was a solid cider.
Local brews from Warrenville's Two Brothers, Lombard's Noon Whistle, Wauconda's Small Town Brewery, Forest Park's Exit Strategy, Bourbonnais' Brickstone and others make the list. Check online to see if Old Town carries your favorite brew.
If you prefer spirits, there's a sizable whiskey and bourbon list, not to mention wines and craft cocktails. But, mostly, Old Town is about the beer.
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Food:</b> The menu touts American with a twist, but it's more upscale bar fare. Lightly battered cheese curds with a smoked tomato coulis dipping sauce started us off. We had no problem polishing off the tasty nuggets. The pulled pork on the sandwich satisfied, though it could have used a little more barbecue sauce. But the kaiser roll was way too bready for the amount of meat on the sandwich. The Carolina fried chicken sandwich had a nice flavor, with a tang from bread-and-butter pickles. The rigatoni - with Italian sausage, goat cheese, Roma tomatoes and peas in a tomato cream sauce - blended together nicely (i.e. there were no leftovers though it's a sizable portion).
Though there are only two desserts on offer, our party readily devoured the decadent peanut butter Snickers pie.
<b>Service:</b> Our friendly waitress greeted us promptly, inquiring if we had been there before. She quickly made mention of the 96 beers and the special Limited Supply list, which features brews that, she said, are from limited batches that other bars can't get their hands on. From start to finish, service felt perfectly paced; we never felt rushed, even if it did take a bit for us to decide on our drinks. Throughout our visit, our server checked back often but wasn't intrusive.
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Crowd:</b> We saw a mix of patrons: groups of friends in their 20s meeting up for dinner and drinks, couples, families, football fans watching the games.
<b>Music:</b> The pop music playing in the background was kept low, making conversation easy.
<b>Events:</b> Now through Oct. 3, Old Town is celebrating Oktoberfest with special Oktoberfest beers and special menu items: bratwurst burger, Old Town pork stew and loaded potato pancake.
<b>Overall:</b> It's hard to beat the beer selection at Old Town. And the upscale atmosphere in a laid-back setting is perfect for a night out, whether it's relaxing on the patio over dinner or inside cheering on your favorite team with friends.
Old Town Pour House
1703 Freedom Drive, Naperville, (630) 448-6020,
oldtownpourhouse.com/naperville/
Hours: 11:30 a.m. to midnight Monday through Friday; 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday and Sunday