New Tribune Tower Restaurant To Boast 360 Beer Taps

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Jan 28, 2013 11:00PM

Crain's Chicago Business has a first look at Howells & Hood, the restaurant opening in Tribune Tower in the former street-level WGN Radio offices from Bottleneck Management. As Karl Klockars over at Guys Drinking Beer notes, one thing about the the restaurant particularly stands out.

The restaurant will have three separate bars with 120 taps each that will flow from a glassed-in beer cooler in the center of the restaurant. [Co-owner Chris] Bisaillon says he believes the 360 taps will be the most of any restaurant in the world. Offerings will range from local craft brews to beer from around the globe.

Karl did a good job of throwing some shade Howell & Hood's way. Allow us to throw more: This is the brewing equivalent of size compensation. That many taps, whether we're talking 360 separate beers or 120 in three locations (our money's on the latter) doesn't necessarily equate to quality beer selections. With its location at Tribune Tower and the number of seats—300 seats in two rooms to go with a 300-seat outdoor patio opening on Pioneer Court in the warmer months—Bottleneck is looking to turn those seats over for more tickets, which means more revenue. The location isn't necessarily known as a restaurant row. We're inclined to agree with Karl and wonder of those taps will be dominated by macro brews.

Oh, Bottleneck also has a video on Howells & Hood that subtly sells the sizzle.

It's exactly what one would expect from the brains behind The Boundary, Trace, Sweetwater Tavern and Grill, South Branch and the Draft magazine-endorsed Old Town Pour House.