52 AMBIANCE 3/5 SERVICE 8/10 SELECTION 5/15 FOOD N/A VALUE 5/10 OVERALL 10/20 emerge077 (72) < RIP Johnnies, Chicago, Illinois | November 22, 2010| Updated August 30, 2011 6-2011:
Stopped in again on the way over to Piece, and honestly there’s nothing much here to really interest BA’s. A couple small coolers of random jumbled craft six packs in the back of a wine shop, less than what’s typically available at a grocery store. Craft beer doesn’t seem to be a priority here, plain and simple. Overstock canned beers were on low shelves directly across from the coolers’ warm exhaust fans. No more imports. A few random quality beers here, but this is more of an emergency BYOB beer stop than anything.
November 22, 2010
A newer addition to Wicker Park, it used to be a cigar shop and there were still traces of tobacco in the air. A handful of beers were displayed in the window, as well as a sign proclaiming "50 craft beers" which was pretty accurate. This is primarily a wine shop as the name would indicate.
Inside, the shop is narrow, with a table and chairs in the front, wine racks down the center and sides. Limited spirits selection behind the counter. Beer is relegated to the back, in two coolers. Six packs make up the majority of the selection, many are $2 higher than elsewhere (you are in Wicker Park). There were a handful of bombers (Dreadnaught, Sofie, Pere Jacques, Hop Juice) and import singles like Orval, Duvel, and Schneider. Random assortment of craft, Metropolitan, Ommegang, Founders, DFH, Two Brothers, and a few macros (Bud, Tecate, Victoria). Usually only 1-2 selections from any given brewer. The six-packs take up 3/4 of space in an already tiny area. If they took a page from Lush and sold all beers as singles, there would be room to expand and organize. As it is, there is quality there, but its entirely random.
Service at the register was friendly, and they mentioned an upcoming beer tasting. This is a good shop to grab some beer for nearby BYOB restaurants, but not a destination. Stop if you’re local, Piece, Handlebar, and Rodan are also nearby. |