Invited to meetup at RockBottom on Grand/State, but underage

I turn 21 this December, though the meetup is next Tuesday.

If I may ask some potentially dumb questions:

1.) Will I be allowed in, and if so, are minors asked to leave after a certain hour?

2.) What non-alcoholic beverages besides water are offered?

3.) Which appetizers, pasta dishes, sandwiches, and/or originals are more than passable? (Based on LTH and other food-sites, RB's food seems middle-of-the-road.)

Thanks in advance.

Suburbian wrote:1.) Will I be allowed in, and if so, are minors asked to leave after a certain hour?

Suburbian,

This question is best directed to the establishment in question.

Enjoy,
Gary

Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
1 W Grand Ave
Chicago, IL 60610
312-755-9339

They serve food, you are allowed. Say hello to Drew for me.

It's been a few years, but I enjoyed the garlic pretzels. Extremely garlicy.

Yes, you'll be allowed in. It's a regular bar/restaurant/brewery configuration. You won't be asked to leave at a certain time. I think the beer is horrible so I wouldn't say you're missing out on much by not being able to drink. As with any restaurant, they'll have a variety of pops and most likely, iced tea. By LTH standards, I've never liked any of the food I've had at Rock Bottom, but I haven't tried everything. I'd say eat appetizers - something fried and frozen, you'll at least know what to expect.

figmolly wrote:I'd say eat appetizers - something fried and frozen, you'll at least know what to expect.

I always ask: "Is it fresh from the freezer?"

Regards,

figmolly wrote:I think the beer is horrible so I wouldn't say you're missing out on much by not being able to drink.

It all depends on your tastes, but Rock Bottom's brews actually are fairly well regarded in the beer community.

I'm a huge fan of their asiago cheese dip. Everything else I've had is very average (though I"ve not had the pretzels, which sound yummy).

(and not that it matters to the OP, but I'm a pretty big fan of their beer.)

It all depends on your tastes, but Rock Bottom's brews actually are fairly well regarded in the beer community

I will gladly admit to not being a part of the "beer community" that you speak of. I generally think that I have a fairly educated and balanced palate, but it does have a lot to do with personal preference. I don't care for the metal taste I find associated with Rock Bottom and Goose Island brews. I think they lack depth of flavor and either tend to slam you over the head with one flavor or be really muddled.

figmolly wrote:

It all depends on your tastes, but Rock Bottom's brews actually are fairly well regarded in the beer community

I will gladly admit to not being a part of the "beer community" that you speak of. I generally think that I have a fairly educated and balanced palate, but it does have a lot to do with personal preference. I don't care for the metal taste I find associated with Rock Bottom and Goose Island brews. I think they lack depth of flavor and either tend to slam you over the head with one flavor or be really muddled.

Well, that would explain it. Goose Island is another one of my favorites (as long as you stick with the Clybourn brewery--the packaged product is quite variable.) I don't understand how they lack depth (the Bourbon County Stout and Imperial IPA are among the best and most complex beers out there), but to each their own.

Their Alder Smoked Salmon
Fish 'n' Chips are quite good.

figmolly wrote:

It all depends on your tastes, but Rock Bottom's brews actually are fairly well regarded in the beer community

I will gladly admit to not being a part of the "beer community" that you speak of. I generally think that I have a fairly educated and balanced palate, but it does have a lot to do with personal preference. I don't care for the metal taste I find associated with Rock Bottom and Goose Island brews. I think they lack depth of flavor and either tend to slam you over the head with one flavor or be really muddled.

What brewers do you enjoy? I feel that Rock Bottom - Chicago and GI both put out high quality beers, particularly when you get outside of their standard mass produced line ups.

edited for additional comment:

And as regards the food at Rock Bottom, whatever you do avoid anythign they may describe as "calamari." Unless you like stringy tire rubber.

KSeecs wrote:What brewers do you enjoy? I feel that Rock Bottom - Chicago and GI both put out high quality beers, particularly when you get outside of their standard mass produced line ups.

My favorites, hands down: anything brewed in house by Lunar Brewing Company in Villa Park!

Lunar Brewing
54 East Saint Charles Road
Villa Park, IL 60181
(630) 530-2077

Diannie wrote:

KSeecs wrote:What brewers do you enjoy? I feel that Rock Bottom - Chicago and GI both put out high quality beers, particularly when you get outside of their standard mass produced line ups.

My favorites, hands down: anything brewed in house by Lunar Brewing Company in Villa Park!

Lunar Brewing
54 East Saint Charles Road
Villa Park, IL 60181
(630) 530-2077

Great joint, of course you may want to eat before going there

figmolly wrote:I will gladly admit to not being a part of the "beer community" that you speak of. I generally think that I have a fairly educated and balanced palate, but it does have a lot to do with personal preference. I don't care for the metal taste I find associated with Rock Bottom and Goose Island brews. I think they lack depth of flavor and either tend to slam you over the head with one flavor or be really muddled.

I am curious if the "metal taste" is not bittering hops? What beers do you like? Seems like a complaint aimed more at styles of beer than brewers of said beer.
Jamie

I enjoy nearly all Bell's products, especially Two Hearted. I like Anchor Steam, some Dogfish products, Three Floyd's, Delirium, Duvel, most Belgian ales. I don't generally enjoy many wheat ales, but will make an exception for Oberon if it's a really hot day. I actually like quite a lot of beers, just not Goose Island or Rock Bottom.

figmolly wrote:I enjoy nearly all Bell's products, especially Two Hearted. I like Anchor Steam, some Dogfish products, Three Floyd's, Delirium, Duvel, most Belgian ales. I don't generally enjoy many wheat ales, but will make an exception for Oberon if it's a really hot day. I actually like quite a lot of beers, just not Goose Island or Rock Bottom.

Well, you've just named pretty much all my favorite breweries (Bells, Three Floyd's and Goose Island are my Midwest favorites, oh you can throw New Glarus in there as well) ...I'm surprised our tastes on GI or RB don't intersect a little.

Rock Bottom has some standard but enjoyable salads; if you're looking for some rather light fare, they are worth looking at.