Chicagoist: John Barleycorn: World Class Beer Bar?

Chicagoric

Sat, 03 May 2008 07:17:11 -0600

Who is the guy who compiled this list? He writes that someone going to Barleycorn will "have a good time and enjoy good beer." Now really, you haven't been to Barleycorn have you? Not ever. Okay, maybe fifteen years ago at the Lincoln Ave. location, and by good beer you mean the standard imports which no bar in Chicago should carry anyway, i.e. Bass, Newcastle, etc. Maybe a Goose Island or Sierra Nevada, which are fine beers but in no way original or groundbreaking or unique. The writer went way off base with that one, and it has nothing to do with the crowd, it has to do with they've transformed their rooms into warehouses and they have nothing, in the way of beers, to distinguish themselves from any other place. Sheffield's, Map Room, Hop Leaf, Long Room, Quenchers and Clark Street Ale House, those are Chicago beer bars worth mention. Come on man, admit it; you've never even been to Barleycorn, have you?

plumbum82

Fri, 02 May 2008 15:59:19 -0600

Looks like Spav is trying to copy my old tactic of scoring with commenters off Chicagoist. Bravo...

fed up

Fri, 02 May 2008 15:48:44 -0600

I may be past my prime in the chugging catagorey but drinking is an endurance sport.

Pinko

Fri, 02 May 2008 08:24:53 -0600

Yes, Nolan Ryan. For shame, but only as it relates to ass-kicking skills...

tc3

Thu, 01 May 2008 22:06:24 -0600

Pinko, did you confuse Tom Seaver with Nolan Ryan? For shame...

Pinko

Thu, 01 May 2008 21:35:15 -0600

michaelhhidesafe-pinko@yahoo.com Disposable...

matilda

Thu, 01 May 2008 14:41:56 -0600

You guys really need to get a room.

Spav1

Thu, 01 May 2008 14:32:56 -0600

It doesn't have to be three weeks... BUT, if it IS, then please make it like a scavenger hunt with the orangecello as the prize. Ummm, now what?

Pinko

Thu, 01 May 2008 14:24:40 -0600

Sounds like a plan then. Though if you're feeling brave enough to serve as a guinea pig for my first homemade batch of orangecello, it would have to be at least three weeks from now. Anytime after that, and the Battle of the Sexes is on...

Spav1

Thu, 01 May 2008 12:40:39 -0600

Pinko: I am thinking that it will be more like Billie Jean King and that guy she beat. Battle of the Sexes! Last time we tried to do a Chicagoist event only Plu, me, my roommates (not even Chicagoist regulars) and smussy showed up. I should just cut out the middle man and invite you over.

Pinko

Thu, 01 May 2008 12:34:01 -0600

All of Finance is a sinking ship. Indeed... I am younger than you, top of my game. That's what Robin Ventura thought when he foolishly charged Tom Seaver on the mound. Google it. That's gonna be you and me, kid... So when is this glorious fete to take place? May I be so bold as to suggest you host a Chicagoist Memorial Day grill-out? Think about it--Spook, Matilda, the Up brothers, Chuck, Smussy, Prescott, Plum, matty, Margaret, frp, Benjy, Navin, Mepps, etc.--the whole motley crew, quaffing copious amounts of alcohol and throwing water balloons at Peg Leg Betty (well, maybe not Spook--more likely, he'd harsh on the rest of us and invite her up for a drink instead)...

Spav1

Thu, 01 May 2008 11:07:19 -0600

*six beer bong

Spav1

Thu, 01 May 2008 11:07:06 -0600

All of Finance is a sinking ship. Best of luck. Also: I completed a sic-beer bong with out throwing up less than 6 months ago. I am younger than you, top of my game. This will be humiliating for you.

Pinko

Thu, 01 May 2008 11:02:40 -0600

@Spav1 Eh... Not a new job, just a new boss brought in externally. He has a reputation for micro-managing, which does not bode well for our future working relationship together. And really, it's long overdue that I jump from this sinking ship anyway, so we shall see... And although I'm sure you can chug a beer with the best of 'em, I'm afraid you won't stand a chance a with me. But I welcome the gauntlet being thrown down nonetheless...

flock

Thu, 01 May 2008 10:52:08 -0600

Smallbar on Division usually has some great pours. Last summer, it was one of three bars in Chicago that had got its hands on a few kegs of Koningshoeven.

Thu, 01 May 2008 10:31:57 -0600

I second the comment regarding the lack of credit for Quenchers. It was one of the first bars in the city to latch onto the microbrew scene in the early 90s. It also has free popcorn, bar food served late, and live music most nights. While most of their international selections are in bottles, they always have some great belgian-style and american micro brew beers on tap for a reasonable price. Wait, I change my mind. It's a shithole. Whatever you do, don't go there. You will hate it. Stay away.

Spav1

Thu, 01 May 2008 10:23:31 -0600

P.S. How is your new job going?

Spav1

Thu, 01 May 2008 10:10:56 -0600

@ Pinko: That is a true story about the prostitutes. It is the same one usually...we call her affectionately "Peg Leg Betty". The last trick was in an SUV in the parking lot, but before that she was going down on my laundry room step, clearly within water balloon range. I just stocked up on water balloons from the Dollar Spot at Target. So bring it! Please be warned, you are welcome on my deck at anytime, but to be respected on my deck, you will need to chug a beer faster than me. I wish you the best of luck.

Pinko

Thu, 01 May 2008 09:56:54 -0600

@Spav1 You've got me on the throwing-water-balloons-at-prostitutes thing (in your backyard, really?!)... Tell you what--I'll bring the orangecello, you supply the water balloons, and for each successful hit, the other does a shot.

Spav1

Thu, 01 May 2008 08:53:10 -0600

I would like to second Pinko on deck drinking. My deck is the BEST place in the city to drink because we allow you to throw water balloons at the prostitutes in my back yard. Also: I am ashamed to say this, but being from the country, bar car is also an enjoyable activity,

matty

Thu, 01 May 2008 06:19:12 -0600

its

matty

Thu, 01 May 2008 06:19:07 -0600

Barleycorn serves it's beer in styrofoam cups.

ChicagoMetsFan

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:21:08 -0600

Barleycorn on Clybourn (I know it has a changed name now) but it isn't even open most night's of the week! Lame.

seg43

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:55:38 -0600

"Police in Wisconsin are searching for three men who stole $24,000 worth of Miller beer. $24,000 worth of Miller? Did they steal all of it?" -Seth Meyers, SNL "Weekend Update," April 12, 2008.

Pinko

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:39:02 -0600

#126 on the list of Top Places to Have a Beer Before You Die: My Balcony. Where we still grill with charcoal briquets like our fathers and grandfathers before us, the afternoon sunshine from the west is plentiful, smoking is still permitted, and the beer is always ice cold--Old Style or Miller Lite. That's it. (although BYOB is allowed, if not altogether encouraged)... Barkeep's note: In three weeks, for a limited time only, we will also be serving chilled, homemade orangecello.

Geoff

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:17:01 -0600

Response from the author on how they did the list, and a failed attempt to explain John Barleycorn's inclusion: Secondly, let me tell you that the list I developed has more than one father. It started as a conversation among a couple of buddies about the best beer bars they had been in during the last decade or so. My travels also form a good chunk of the list. I originally posted the forerunner of this list on my blog (http://lyke2drink.blogspot.com) and received feedback from several readers. Finally, I asked several beer writers that I know about places they have enjoyed during their travels around the world. So, while I cannot personally vouch for each an every place on the list, I do very much trust that if you find yourself at anyone of the 125 places on the list you will have a good time and enjoy good beer. John Barleycorn's in Chicago: It is a multi-location chain in the city that does pour good beer and attracts pretty good crowds. Is it everyone's cup of tea? No, you're right about that, but just because the crowd can run young sometimes should not get it tossed off the list. But I'd bet that some people might not like the Hopleaf in Chicago, but I find that to be just a fantastic Belgian beer bar. It's on the list, too.

JoeM500

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:15:03 -0600

barleycorn sucks. simple as that. their beer selection is tame, at best. sheffields. Piece. Binnys South Loop Tasting Room. enough said

KennyLoggins

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:51:00 -0600

I apologize for any hurt feelings and to the establishment itself.

KennyLoggins

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:46:01 -0600

Barleycorn sucks. Everybody knows this. The question is, who was the person responsible for selecting this bar to go on the list? The customers make just as much of the atmosphere as the bar itself. That being said, if you like to hang out with douchebags, then put #115 on your places to go list. Nothing personal. I also like cheese. Yes, I am from WI.

jimbo

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:15:28 -0600

im not one to defend the warehouse bars of the world, but i'll just add that barleycorn on lincoln has 22 beers on tap. the only reason i've tried to ride the rail a few times and have failed. hate the people, but don't hate the bar because of the people in it.

Chuck Sudo

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:53:13 -0600

100 + years and the whole speakeasy thing during prohibition give it some pretty good credibility, even if you don't like the crowd there. By that logic, Sears, maybe the Green Mill should have been included on the list.

matilda

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:47:45 -0600

Oh, Sears, here's another defense of those elitist import beers: 1) They often taste better 2) They often produce less severe hangovers 3) They often get you drunker faster, sometimes a lot faster, thanks to higher alc contents Based on those items, I could suggest the piss-drinking masses of Chicago, all those regular Jills and Joes, are actually wimpy drinkers for sticking with the Buds and Old Styles of the world. Grow up you wimpy drinkers. In any case, Barleycorn sucks.

matilda

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:41:38 -0600

"Hopleaf? Talk about overrated. Here is a concept. Import a bunch of beer from Europe, jack the price way up, and convince people if they want to be superior to regular Chicagoans they need to drink this stuff instead of Bud, Old Style, etc... Granted all bars do this to an extent, but this place takes it to an artform. The only thing I want from there is the owner's bank book." I won't argue about overpriced--you nailed that one--but as hard as this might be to believe, not all beer drinkers like mass-produced swill at all times. I would guess that most of the style of beers sold at a place such as Hopleaf have more history than your average American piss brew, but I could be wrong. I always chuckle when people talk about "regular Chicagoans" or "regular Joes," as though real men and women should never, ever, have good taste, or desire anything but mass produced crap. By that logic, let's just all eat at Arbys and call it a day.

Sears Tower

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:35:05 -0600

I'm assuming it is the Barleycorn In Lincoln Park, so it was likely selected for its history. 100 + years and the whole speakeasy thing during prohibition give it some pretty good credibility, even if you don't like the crowd there. Hopleaf? Talk about overrated. Here is a concept. Import a bunch of beer from Europe, jack the price way up, and convince people if they want to be superior to regular Chicagoans they need to drink this stuff instead of Bud, Old Style, etc... Granted all bars do this to an extent, but this place takes it to an artform. The only thing I want from there is the owner's bank book.

chgoeditor

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:59:55 -0600

If I had to guess, I'd imagine that the article was written by someone who frequented Barleycorn years ago. I regularly went to the original location about 15 years ago, and it wasn't filled with frat boys or jail bait--in fact, it was almost entirely overlooked among that crowd--because at the time they just played classical music and showed art slides. I don't think they even had a TV back then (if there was, it was in the dart room). At the time, it was a friendly place with terrific bartenders, and a very neighborhoody crowd. I remember that it often attracted famous actors who were starring in plays down the street, and I think they came to Barleycorn because they were treated like regular people. (I'll never forget seeing George Wendt sitting at the bar when a regular patron-- who was on the hefty side--walked in the door. All of the other regulars greeted him by shouting out, "Norm!", while ignoring George Wendt.)

ropesack

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:39:28 -0600

what ibarrajl and UTV said. --------------->SHEESH.

Spav1

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:29:30 -0600

I love Sheffield's. Good call.

brr1133

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:17:48 -0600

Swap Wrigley Field for Barleycorn.

I_h8_toyota_and_BT

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:14:38 -0600

John Barleycorn Must Die is a great song by a great band. John Barleycorn the bar is a shithole. Sheffield's could make the cut due to having a map-room esque beer list, plus beer garden. But Barleycorn? Why????

UTV

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:10:51 -0600

by mistake ... how ironic

UTV

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:10:15 -0600

I think that Barleycorn is in there my mistake. The magazine obviously confused it with their similar, but entirely separate, Top 125 Places for Backwards Hats and Jailbait That Make You Sad For Humanity list. Honest mistake, really.

ibarrajl

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:08:47 -0600

Barleycorn?? What about some props for Quenchers???

Spav1

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:08:42 -0600

On a list of "125 Places I Will Never Wait in Line to Frequent" Barleycorn is #1.