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Atlas Brewing Company: A Beer Lover's Oasis In Lincoln Park

By Lorna Juett in Food on Sep 6, 2012 4:00PM

Walking into Atlas Brewery on Lincoln Avenue, it’s immediately understood that you’re somewhere special. The Lincoln Park brewery boasts a beautiful wood bar, cozy booths, colorful apothecary jars, and an open view of their brew space. After chatting with brewers and owners, brothers John and Ben Saller, we can see that their welcoming spirit goes beyond decor. Their goal is to make Atlas a comfortable place to enjoy beer, conversation, and wonderful food.

Atlas has seven tanks to hold their small batches of beer. The brothers plan to keep a few standard beers on draft with rotating seasonals and collaborations. Currently in the works are two Oktoberfest beers and an IPA in collaboration with soon-to-open DryHop.

While we enjoyed all the beers we tasted, there were two we particularly favored. The first was the summer seasonal Naiad Belgian IPA ($6 for 12 oz). With notes of green apples, bubblegum, a subtle hint of banana, plus a slightly bitter finish, this was one of the easiest drinking Belgian IPAs we’ve had. There is not much left of this beer, but it will be replaced by an Oktoberfest soon.

Our second top choice is the Golden Ale ($5 for 12 oz), which will remain on tap year-round. While some breweries make a golden ale to appease those drinkers who prefer lite beers, this golden ale packs plenty of flavor with a sweeter taste that finishes with balanced hoppy elements. We could find ourselves drinking many of these in a sitting.

Not to be outdone, chef Joseph Pierro is putting out unconventional pub food that plays well with beer. We didn’t have the chance to sample the mussels, pizzas and sandwiches on the menu, but we were treated to two specials. One was a study in the savory applications of watermelon; served both pickled and stuffed with herbed goat cheese. The other was a dish of seared scallops, sweet corn, segmented grapefruit, and sweet corn foam. Both dishes were beautiful and composed, and featured elements that allowed both the food and the beer to shine.

The Saller brothers were excited to let us know that their brews will eventually be available next door at Seven-Ten Lounge. This should bode well for the newly formed Illinois Craft Brewers Guild bowling league, which plans to take to the lanes there in early fall. For now, the beers are available at Atlas only, with pints, taster pours, and growler fills available. Atlas has created a cozy atmosphere to enjoy fresh and tasty beer, inspired food, and an unexpected oasis from some of the other bars along Lincoln Avenue.

Atlas Brewing Company is located at 2747 N. Lincoln Ave.