Saturday 16th of January 2010 09:12:33 AM

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I write a review for almost every beer place that I go to, so it is a little ironic that I have never written one for Rock Bottom - Warrenville (RB-W) until now. I have been to this location over 10 times in the past few years.

Over the years several brewers have come and gone. Although this is a chain, the head brewer still has a large influence on the beers. My favorite to date has been Griffin Ford. Sadly he has moved on.

The standard beers at RB-W are pretty good. I enjoy a Lumpy Dog occasionally. The recipes for the Terminal stout and the Warrenville wheat change all the time. So while the names stay the same, you never know what you are going to get. I have had some really good ones over the years and some not so good ones. I stay away from the Mud in Your Eye Light. That is what they give to people that ask for a Miller. Am I the only one that thinks it has a hint of popcorn flavor?

The reason that I can keep coming back is the seasonal beers. As with other Rock Bottoms there is always something new. Lately they have not been as exciting or experimental as they were in the past, but I still always find something I like. I am particularly happy when they brew a barleywine.

As is usual for chains, the beer is served very cold, but at least the glass is not chilled. I am always forced to wait for my beer to warm up before I can truly enjoy it.

The atmosphere at RB-W is pretty good for a chain brewpub. There is lots of wood and wide open spaces. It can be a little cold in this place, even in the summer. On several occasions I have asked them to turn off the fans that are blowing down on the place. There are the requisite TV's around the main bar, but the rest of the place does not have them. This is a good thing in my opinion. I have spent time at the main bar, the tables by the bar, the booths and the loft bar. I like the loft a lot, but I wish it were open more often. I guess the servers don't want to deal with the stairs if they don't have to.

Service is hit or miss at this location. But I think that is because I have the experience of many visits over several years. As the people change, so does the service. I have had servers that were fantastic and some that were plain rude. I have not met many servers that know anything about the beer. I generally take a look at the big chalkboard menu that is very detailed in order to make my choices. I wish they would put detailed menus on the tables. I am also very tired of having the servers warn me that the high alcohol beers come in a snifter. I suppose this is more the fault of the clientele than the servers. Yes, my Mug Club card means that I can get a bigger glass of some beers, but it also means that I have been to Rock Bottom before.

The food at Rock Bottom is fair, but nothing to rave about. It is a little on the expensive side too. I have a few items that I go back to over and over. The salmon fish and chips is a nice twist on a pub standard. The titan toothpicks are fun for sharing some deep fried deliciousness with your date. I also like to enjoy Rock Bottom's standard giant piece of carrot cake with a mug of stout occasionally.

Overall, I like RB-W enough to keep coming back. The beer variety is very good and it is fairly close to my house (although I wish it were closer).

[Update] 2010-12-05:
I am sad to say that I have become increasingly disappointed with RB-W this year. The quality of the beer has been going downhill. They seem to be skimping on the ingredients. The big flavors just are not there anymore. For example, I had what they called a Belgian dubbel the other day and it tasted very watery with no hint of the Belgian yeast flavor that I expected. They dropped my fallback choice, Lumpy Dog, from the standard lineup. More often than not, I have been disappointed with the beer this year. It makes it hard for me to decide to go here when I know there are better places in the area.
On the food side, they dropped the salmon fish and chips from the menu and the carrot cake has become a dense block of mush rather than a piece of cake.
Due to the beer and food problems I am lowering my review scores.

Thursday 31st of December 2009 03:21:26 PM

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I have been to this location a few times as I work near it a few times out of the year. I agree with some others that its certainly set up a little different than the other chicago area RB's. (larger for sure) Standards are good but really the same as other RB's. Seasonal beers I have a had were good nothing outstanding. I feel if you going to seek out a RB in the Chicago area it should be downtown location.

Food is standard pub grub and they do a good job with it. This place is certainly the better of many options in the area including Naperville just to the south.

I will certainly come back when I am in the area to check out the current seasonal offerings and grab a bite to eat.

EDIT: Have been back a few times for lunch and really enjoyed the mahi tacos and they have had a tripel on a few times and have really enjoyed that as well.

Cheers

Wednesday 30th of December 2009 10:51:57 AM

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Stopped in here today for a beer. The building was a little different than the carbon copies in Lombard and Orland. Similarly open and airy, this RB had a second floor lounge with pool and a second bar. Past the door there was the bar on the left, booths and tables on the right. The brewing equipment loomed large above the bar on the second floor behind glass. A chalkboard above the bar area seemed to be the most informative about the beers, though there was a small menu on our table.

The beers I tried were good, especially the barleywine and woodford barrel-aged porter. The mild wasn't that great, watery and lacking flavor. We had some appetizers which were good, but pretty standard for a chain restaurant. Overall the service was great, and it didn't feel as sterile as other suburban outposts. I'd stop in again to check out their seasonal lineup.

Monday 14th of December 2009 10:44:00 AM

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I was able to stop by here last Saturday for a couple of beers. Coincidently, I had been at the Lombard outpost the night before. This gave me a chance to compare & contrast and give my Rock Bottom Mug Club card a workout.

Located in the midst of a semi-high end shopping area, there is plenty of parking directly east of the building. There is also a covered patio on the east side.

As you enter you will notice the soaring ceilings with exposed beams and brick. There are some semi-elevated areas provide visual interest. There is a 2nd story loft in back part of the building. I like that they have lots of beer inspired artwork.

The bar seats about 15 & the tanks are on display behind the bar. There is one cool “W” shaped table that seats about 12 right near the bar. The design of the table makes it easy for a large group to converse. There are also lots of smaller round tables.

The service was friendly and had no problem handing out samples. I did not eat but in reviewing the menu it appeared to contain the standard Rock Bottom choices.

There was a decent crowd for 2:30 on a Saturday.

The beers were fresh and tasty. I particularly enjoyed the seasonal wheat. They usual offer two cask beers but had only one during my visit. I did notice the beers were fewer choices and that the selections were conventional than the Lombard outpost.

Wednesday 24th of June 2009 11:54:50 PM

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As with the other Chicago-area Rock Bottoms, this one is one of the better ones I've been to. Beer quality has been quite good over the years and the current brewer is keeping the bar high. Selection isn't as varied as some of the other locations but there's still always something on that I enjoy.

Food is standard Rock Bottom fare. I usually go for the wings, enchiladas or a burger but have enjoyed the club sandwich.

The bar area is a bit small and can be crowded when busy. The loft is a nice area but is usually reserved for private parties or beer tappings. Service is generally good.

There is plenty of parking available and access is easy given the proximity to the Winfield Rd exit on I-88.

Tuesday 2nd of September 2008 02:18:09 PM

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Like all the Rock Bottoms in Chicago this location brews very well done beers with a nice offering of specialty and seasonal brews on top of a decent regular lineup. Unlike the Rock Bottoms in Chicago and Lombard though the beers brewed here tend to be less experimental and catering to a less beer educated audience. Still they have a nice rotation of specialty and seasonal beers that are always well done, if sometimes a little run of the mill. Good local brewpub that could be great if they became a little more ambitious with their beers.

Wednesday 2nd of May 2007 01:50:22 AM

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I have to say that my preference is to support local brewers and I am on the fence when it comes to chain, franchise type brewpubs. With that this brewpub does have some great beers which will please ven the most picky beer judges. My favorite at this location is to order up the sampler and an appetizer which will keep your pallet clean between tastings. Try the carrot cake with a stout or ever-so cliche' potato skins with a weizen. Check out a movie before or after your dinner and beers as this location is right next to the AMC complex with 30+ screens. The food is excellent and the beers are great but as I like to say, drink local beers!