CheekyChicago

I’m not a beer girl. Per se. But in certain situations, I can most definitely act the part. Cubs games (Old Styles and Bud Light, anyone?), Northwestern football games (gotta sneak it in), St. Paddy’s Day (c’mon, it’s green!) and lazy summer days in Maine (beer and canoes = more fun than anyone deserves to ever have). The last situation: a Saturday night at Cooper’s Eatery on Belmont.

Cooper’s boasts one of the most extensive, high-end, snobby (and I mean this in the best way possible) beer lists in the city. With 11 wheat beers, 12 pale ales, 24 ales, 7 Belgian beers (light in color), 5 Belgian beers (medium in color), 4 Belgian beers (dark in color) 10 lager/pilsner/ciders and 9 porter/stouts, this is one brew joint worth trying. If you’re a non-beer drinker and want to give this hop-py elixir a chance, there is no safer bet in the city of Chi than Coop’s (we’re on a nickname basis). Coop’s actually introduced me to the beer, Delirium. Damn, I just can’t resist those pretty pink elephants on the label – have I mentioned I’m not much of a beer drinker?

The guys behind the brew and the bar have quite the sense of humor. In addition to the aforementioned beer list that they are clearly proud of, they have three beers on the menu that they’re, let’s say, not as proud of. Under the heading “We Love Crappy Beer” (oh, to combine sarcasm and beer…), they have listed Bud, Bud Lite and PBR. I laughed. So, perhaps, they’re beer snobs. So what? God knows I’ve hung out with the biggest of food and wine snobs (not that there’s anything wrong with that), why not be the same way about beer? It’s easy to drink, it’s casual and it’s perfect for daytime (have I not mentioned my Wrigley Field obsession?) or nights (Stella or Blue Moon with an orange for me, please).

And, let me tell you, these bar-owning, beer-drinking dudes love the theatre types (finally, something I can relate to!). Perhaps it’s their across-the-street location from Theatre Building Chicago (where I may have performed on multiple occasions) and the deceased Bailiwick Theatre (R.I.F.P – rest in flamboyant peace).

In addition to their beer list, they’ve also got some perfect beer mates: fried calamari, mac and cheese, artichoke dip, pizza, salad (might as well complement the calories with real emptiness), burgers and…yep…Bar.Be.Que. Barbeque!!! Chicken and ribs smothered in goodness. I can’t think of anything better to complement my newfound taste for hops.

If a Saturday night beer binge is not in the cards for you, they’ve got some pretty enticing weekly specials. Mondays: $1 PBR cans and $5 cheese pizza. Tuesdays: ½ price burgers, $2-off all Belgian beers and $5 cheese pizza. Wednesdays: $5 specialty martinis and $5 cheese pizzas.

So, no, I’m not a beer snob. Per se. But the dudes behind Cooper’s are and I love them all the more for it. Nothing’s going to take the place of my beloved Torrontes or Trimbach riesling, but I could always make room for a little Delirium…