Park Ridge's Beer on the Wall taps into wide selection, knowledgeable staff
A beer gallery? Maybe a beer bistro? How about coffee house chic meets craft brew brilliance?
Trying to describe Beer on the Wall, a new, uber-cozy spot in the heart of Park Ridge, is challenging because it's not your usual watering hole. What's abundantly clear, however, is that this place is all about the beer.
<b>Motif:</b> 99 bottles? Nope, keep counting.
Beer on the Wall features more than 500 different craft beers neatly stocked on racks and walls throughout the narrow space, which functions as part craft brew retail store, part beer cafe. Splashes of color and attention to detail throughout further set this place apart.
You start at the front, where you order at a bright orange counter and can see the giant beer board, featuring a rainbow of colored chalk messages about favorite brew flights.
As you walk back, you'll find a comfy couch along with artsy-looking tables and chairs positioned around a flat fireplace. It's a look that encourages visitors to stick around for a while.
<b>Service:</b> The action starts up front at that orange counter where knowledgeable staffers describe the eight rotating micro brews available for flights and drafts. Details on each beer are spelled out on a string of mini blackboards.
With only eight brands on tap, you're not overwhelmed when deciding which four you'd like for a flight. You can also choose among the many bottles and cans. Orders are placed at the counter and you carry your own drinks, so there are no servers working tables.
Whenever you have questions, it's refreshing to speak with people who not only know what they're talking about, but have a passion for what they do. Beer on the Wall staff members clearly love to educate patrons on the qualities of specific craft beer styles and brands.
<b>Liquid consumption:</b> The taps mainly feature local craft beers, but I also found brews from Maine and Colorado on the night I visited. A beer flight is $10 and you can choose four. My wingman and I decided between us to sample all eight, and then toted our wooden carrying racks of mini beer glasses over to a table to start the long, laborious work of tasting new craft beers. No sympathy? I don't blame you.
Our flight choices included Straight Jacket from Revolution Brewing of Chicago, Sketchbook Bud's Corvus Dry Stout from Evanston and Chicago's Alarmist Pantsless Pale Ale. We enjoyed most of our samples, but the nice thing about flights is that they allow you to find out what you like - and what you don't.
And if you check out the bottles, you'll find way more variety. Sticky Toffee Pudding Ale and Banana Bread Beer, for example, had me pondering pairing possibilities.
If you're not a beer drinker, the spot sells about 20 different wine options, but no cocktails.
Special events are also held in the evenings, including nights for local craft brewers, beer and chocolate nights and bottle-share nights where patrons bring unopened beers (no home brews) to share with others.
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Food:</b> Except for some chips and other munchies for sale at checkout, Beer on the Wall does not serve food. You are welcome to bring in snacks or dinner from nearby restaurants, however.
<b>Crowd:</b> Beer on the Wall is only a few months old and still building a following. One thing that might help is a little better signage in its store front.
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Parking:</b> Street parking on Main Street and around the block is available. There are also municipal parking lots in the area.
<b>Overall:</b> If you're looking for a departure from the usual sports bar kind of place, Beer on the Wall is a great choice - a nice spot to catch up with friends without having to shout over blaring music. And if you're looking to expand your beer horizons, it's well worth a trip.
As for me, I'm still debating on when to go back for that Sticky Toffee Pudding Ale.
Beer on the Wall
106 Main Street, Park Ridge, (773) 914-1623,
Hours: Noon to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday