110645 Wed May 01 18:59:27 -0700 2002 8 7 Chicago Area 0 597546 I'm curious, has anyone ever been way out south to Flossmoor Station, a brewpub in - where else, Flossmoor? I looked at their menu on the internet and it looks like average pub food but I know they have won a few brewing medals and are supposed to have some nice brews. I wonder if it'd be worth the trip (probably it'd be worth it to me even if the food is just OK but the beer excels). Wed May 01 18:59:27 -0700 2002 0 Davido 1 597566 I've been there. The food is typical to above average pub food, and the brewery is the second best in the Chicago area (after Goose Island). The red ale is outstanding and they usually have a good specialty thing on tap - a fruit beer I had there once was really great. Plus... you can take the train out there and not have to worry about driving home! Thu May 02 10:08:20 -0700 2002 597546 0 springer 1 597594 Yes, I agree. Flossmoor Station has food and beer that is at least as good as Goose Island...but it's a much smaller, more homey affair. Flossmoor's Brown Ale is to die for, and their Eclipse Stout is for pretty serious beer lovers. Actually, I think that there's another brewery that is as good as Flossmoor or Goose Island. But it's in the burbs, and doesn't sell food--Lunar Brewing, on St. Charles Road in Villa Park. The proprietor has bought a dive bar and converted half of it into a glorified homebrewery. Beers are made in tiny 3-barrel batches. He always has about 8-12 styles of very fresh beer on tap, including stouts, German, British, Belgian and American-style ales. Plus some guest taps which often include Belgian Lambics, which are not at all easy to find. He also has an amazing selection of bottled beer. In the winter months, he has a cask-conditioned "real" ale on a hand pump, perhaps the only one this side of Goose Island. This must sound like an advertisement, but I have no affiliation, other than being a regular... Thu May 02 15:06:35 -0700 2002 597546 0 goethean 2 597611 Thanks for the comments - Lunar Brewing definitely sounds like something to check out, I love Belgian beer. I also agree with the implied comment about the size of Goose Island. Brewpubs are way too big, as a rule. I guess its economics but also partly just that they are few in number. It'd be nice if some day every neighborhood could have a real neighborhood pub. Not to go off the food topic too much, but I've heard the Map Room just off North and Damen and the Hop Leaf on N. Clark also have great beer selections. Thu May 02 22:01:20 -0700 2002 597594 0 Davido 3 597613 I don’t think beer talk is at all inappropriate here. I wish there was more. By the way the Map Room is at the corner of Hoyne (2100 W) and Armitage (2000 N). It and the Hopleaf (5148 N Clark) are essential stops if you’re interested in Belgian beer. Going to Flossmoor Station Brewing has been on my list of things to do for over a year. Thanks to Springer for mentioning that it’s near the train; now I really have no excuse. I’ve tried FSB’s beers at the last two Real Ale Festivals and have been very impressed. This year they took the gold (Imperial Eclipse Stout) and bronze (Pullman Brown Ale) in the Specialty Ales category. Last year they had some sort of high gravity old ale (or some such brew) that I remember as being even better. I never heard of Lunar but I can’t wait to try it! Thanks to Goethean for mentioning it. I looked up the address and it seems like it’s not too far from the Villa Park stop of the Northwestern. I guess I’ll be making my first-ever trip to Villa Park. Is there any restaurant etc nearby (walking distance) worth a visit? Lunar Brewing Company 54 E St Charles Villa Park IL 630-530-2077 Thu May 02 23:17:44 -0700 2002 597611 0 Rene G 4 597626 The Map Room, along with a terrific array of beers, also serves a free dinner on Tuesday nights with the purchase of two drinks. It's generally some foreign cuisine brought in by a local restaurant. Can't remember what time it starts. Fri May 03 10:07:58 -0700 2002 597613 0 Aaron D 3 597908 Sheffields also has a great beer selection. They have a catalog on the bar with descriptions of all the beers. They are not a brew pub. Fri May 10 17:34:54 -0700 2002 597611 0 Jack Caughran 1 4967329 Finnegans in Plainfield has a fantastic beer selection, they do not brew their own beer but they definitely have something for everyone. Serving over 80 different beers from brewing companies such as Goose Island, Three Floyds, New Holland and Dogfish Head to name a few. Fri Aug 21 20:19:05 -0700 2009 597546 1103543 kellyj999 1 4967947 I live walking distance from Flossmoor Station, it really isn't THAT far south. :) You can take the Metra Electric line here, and it is literally at the train station. It's about a 45 minute ride from downtown. The beer is excellent, I mean beyond a doubt excellent. I find the food to be just so-so though. I mean, it's perfectly edible, but it isn't someplace I go for just the food. :) Sat Aug 22 08:30:04 -0700 2009 597546 120180 tzurriz